Ghostwriterr

"They say power corrupts... but what if corruption was the price of power?"

Lucian never sought power—he only wanted to save his grandfather. But when he inherits the Book of Envy, a cursed tome that grants desires at a terrible cost, he is thrown into a world where the strong devour the weak.

To master the book, he must train under Veyren, the twisted holder of the Book of Lost. Along the way, he meets Kael, a skilled swordsman with the Book of Blades—a boy whose abilities Lucian secretly covets.

Betrayal, obsession, and an unstoppable hunger for strength drive Lucian down a path of no return.

But what happens when he faces a power too great to steal?

A dark fantasy tale of ambition, sacrifice, and the descent into power.

Hollow Crown: The Book of Envy

His breath came sharp and uneven, his body trembling—not from exhaustion, but from absence.

He gritted his teeth. His hands clenched at his sides, fingers twitching toward his katana—but it wasn't his anymore.

Lucian twirled the blade in his hand, testing its weight. It felt natural. Perfect. Like it had always belonged there.

The attack was fast—but not fast enough.

Lucian sidestepped with ease, watching as Kael's strike missed completely. A sloppy swing, unbalanced, lacking the precision he had displayed just minutes ago.

Because that precision wasn't his anymore.

Kael spun, frustration flashing in his eyes as he threw another strike. Lucian parried, his blade moving instinctively, effortlessly.

Lucian tilted his head. "Strange, isn't it?"

Kael's grip trembled. "Give it back."

Kael lunged again—desperate, reckless.

He moved before Kael could react, faster, stronger, untouchable. His blade stopped just inches from Kael's throat.

Lucian smiled. "You don't even know how to fight anymore, do you?"

Lucian let the silence stretch, watching as realization set in. Kael hadn't just lost a battle. He had lost himself.

Lucian pulled back, letting Kael collapse to his knees. The fight was over.

Veyren sat in his usual chair, fingers tracing invisible symbols in the air, his ink-stained nails leaving no mark. His gaze was distant, yet knowing.

"I imagine you've learned a great deal, boy."

Lucian stood before him, the katana strapped to his waist. His posture was different now—relaxed, confident, changed.

Veyren exhaled, the faintest glimmer of amusement in his hollow eyes.

"Tell me, Lucian… do you understand what you are now?"

Veyren chuckled. "Yes. But not strong enough."

With a lazy flick of his fingers, he conjured a small diagram in the air—the Ranking System of Book Users.

F-Rank: Initiates, barely above normal humans.

D-Rank: Trained wielders, combat-ready but limited.

C-Rank: Elite users, able to fuse their book's power into their fighting style.

B-Rank: Masters of their craft, capable of overwhelming lower ranks.

A-Rank: Dominion Keepers, standing above normal fighters—bordering monsters.

S-Rank: High Sin Bearers, those who have truly merged with their books.

EX-Rank: True Incarnations—a level beyond human comprehension.

Veyren's gaze flicked toward Lucian, his smile widening.

Lucian's frown deepened. "And yet, I won."

"Or did you simply take what already existed?"

Veyren tapped a finger against his temple. "Ranks are not simply measures of strength. They are measures of understanding. You did not surpass Kael. You only took what he was."

He leaned forward, his gaze sharpening.

"And tell me, Lucian… can you take from someone stronger than you?"

Veyren's smile returned. "You are weak, boy. Taking from the weak does not make you strong."

Veyren gestured lazily, his robes shifting as he leaned back.

"But do not despair. Your time will come."

His gaze darkened, something deeper lurking behind those hollow eyes.

"You simply need someone... greater to steal from."

A challenge. A promise. An inevitability.

A Blade Dull and Broken