A Demon King

Hyunsoo landed on his back in that unknown forest. The forest was green and peacef-

Roar!!

Well, not that peaceful but still one which felt like a place for traveling.

Hyunsoo stood up, looked around and realised his situation.

"This is something from the system. But the system has never talked though."

[I can, now]

Hyunsoo jumped from the sudden reply, clearly confused.

"Who are you? Why am I here?"

[Well, i dunno either. There was a mail to send you here. Saying you are going to receive training.]

"Training? I don't need that. I can train well on my own. Send me back"

[Well that isn't something you can choose. You can't refuse this training.]

Suddenly, a silhouette approached from the woods. The pressure it gave was so intense even the leaves began to dry out, and it still felt like it was holding back.

Soon, it's picture became clear. The silhouette turned out to be a man. A man in long golden attire, black gloves and boots, a expression like a salary man getting overtime work.

"W-who are you!?" Hyunsoo yelled, his breathing had gone heavy. The man infront of him was nothing but a pure sign of fear.

The man raised his hand and pointed his fingers downward.

Hyunsoo fell flat on the ground, the immense pressure almost making his body join the earth.

Hyunsoo gritted his teeth, his arms trembling as he struggled to lift even a finger. His face was pressed against the dirt, every instinct in his body screaming at him to flee, yet his legs wouldn't move. It was like gravity itself had turned against him.

The man in gold raised an eyebrow—not with anger, but with disgust.

"Tch. Can't even stay standing," he muttered, his voice sharp, smooth, and laced with arrogance. "I was told I'd be training a warrior. Not a worm."

> [New Quest: Endure the Demon King of Pride's Training – Recommended Level: ???]

> [Warning: Do NOT talk back.]

Hyunsoo's eyes darted up. "Demon... King?"

The man looked at him as if he were a stain on his boots.

"Lucain Vaincrest," he declared, his voice echoing across the forest like a divine decree. "The Supreme among Kings. And you... are an embarrassment."

"I'll ask once. What is your worth?"

Hyunsoo swallowed hard. "I… I don't know. What are you trying to say?"

Lucain's smile was cold. "Then your first task is to prove you even deserve to speak."

Suddenly—

> [Skill Activated: Royal Domain – Gravity Multiplier x50]

Hyunsoo's knees buckled again, and this time, even the soil cracked beneath him. Lucain approached slowly, each step impossibly elegant.

"I will not train something beneath me. You will crawl until your spine remembers what dignity is."

"Y-you're insane…" Hyunsoo muttered, he hadn't understood what lucain said but he felt it.

Lucain's expression didn't change, but the air grew even heavier. "Insanity is believing you have value when you've shown none. Now—crawl."

Hyunsoo clenched his fists. His body screamed. His pride boiled. And deep in the back of his mind, something clicked.

He crawled.

Not because he submitted—but because he would stand again. Not now. But eventually.

Lucain watched in silence.

"…Maybe you're not completely worthless."

---

A few hours ago.

Lucain fell in a pitch black void, in front of him hovered a blue translucent screen.

> [I greet the Demon King of Pride, Lucain Vaincrest.]

He narrowed his eyes. "A system message dares speak to me directly?"

> [Due to cosmic correctional protocols and a multiversal training initiative, you have been temporarily reassigned.]

> [Your task: Train the selected individual. He is marked as 'Hyunsoo'.]

Lucain scoffed. "I refuse. I do not train insects."

> [Refusal denied. This is a sealed-class override.]

> [Note: Cosmic Restrictions x10,000,000 have been applied to prevent you from destroying the trainee.]

> [Current Output Level: 0.0000003%]

Lucain blinked. "...What. you dare put such restrictions upon me"

Lucain reached out his hands and grabbed the window, Threatening to break it.

[I apologise. I do not wish to anger you, Lord Pride.]

The system itself hesitated and chose it's words when talking with HIM.

".... I suppose I shall have some entertainment. Also, does my own restrictions count as well.?"

[I have not took that in the perspective, Lord]

"So, how much is my output after that?"

[Calculating.....]

[Error! Error!.]

[The curses have reached out of the bound of the cosmic level.]

[Initiating backup]

"How annoying." Lucain crossed his hands and patiently waited for the answer.

Golden glyphs ignited behind Lucain like celestial warnings, and finally, the list began to load—line by cursed line.

> [Current Output Level: Unmeasurable]

[Active Curses Detected:]

> – Curse of the Bound Dragon King

Once capable of swallowing stars, your draconic authority is now sealed by ten million chains. Any attempt to unleash your might will collapse lesser dimensions.

> – Curse of the Fallen Godseed

Your divine potential is infinite, but your connection to it has been severed. You walk as a mortal in flesh, while the heavens scream your name in fear.

> – Curse of the Celestial Tyrant

Your pride reshaped galaxies. Now, you're shackled by universal law itself. Should you reclaim even 1% of your power, reality may reject your existence.

> – Curse of the Authority Paradox

You are the highest-ranked being in the chain of command… and yet you cannot command even a stone to move without consent from the System.

> – Curse of Eternal Suppression (x10,000,000 layers)

Your power is sealed under infinite suppression fields, each locked by a god of a forgotten world.

Lucain narrowed his eyes, annoyed.

"…There are that many curses on me? Maybe i should get some rest after all."

[Notice! You have been restricted by the constellations.]

"Constellations? What's that?" Lucain frowned, unhappy about the fact more restriction were put on him.

[Constellations are entities of the abyss. A number of them have joined hands to put restrictions upon you.]

"Who are they? Are they courting death"

[I shall list out the names as well as the curses.]

Certainly. Continuing with the legendary-level curses tied to mythical personas:

---

[Listing Constellation-Origin Curses…]

> – Curse of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven (By: The Monkey King – Sun Wukong)

Even the heavens could not bind him, but he binds you now. Your rebellious soul is shackled by a staff that no longer answers to you. Every time you defy the system's order, the weight of the Ruyi Jingu Bang presses upon your back.

Lucain's face twitched. "Wukong? That impudent monkey is still alive?"

> – Curse of the Sky-Splitter (By: Odin the Allfather)

Your insight once saw through truths. Now, the Eye of Wisdom glares upon you. Attempting to scheme or outwit the system results in the erosion of your cognition.

> – Curse of the Eternal Flame (By: Prometheus the Fire Thief)

Your divine spark is constantly reignited and extinguished. Every time you rise above limitation, the flame of rebellion burns you from within, forcing compliance.

> – Curse of the Divine Fist (By: Heracles – The Demigod Berserker)

Your body is locked by chains forged in trials. Pure physical violence is redirected into fatigue. The more force you use, the weaker you become.

Lucain gritted his teeth. "These fools dare touch me with their dirty little principles?"

> – Curse of the Forbidden Clock (By: Chronos – The Titan of Time)

Time obeys you no more. Your agelessness is paused, and each moment in this realm affects your existence. You are not eternal here.

Lucain slowly exhaled. "So the old titans and myths have turned into jailers, have they?"

[They fear you, Lord Pride. That is the only reason they work together.]

"Hmph. Let them curse. It's all temporary."

Lucain stretched his arms, cracking his neck lazily.

"I have broken through worse in my sleep."

> [Note: Attempting to break curses will alert all constellations.]

"I'll consider it an alarm clock."

---

Back in the forest, Hyunsoo's arms finally stopped shaking as he pushed himself onto one knee.

Lucain stood before him, arms crossed.

"…Still alive, I see."

Hyunsoo didn't answer. He stared forward, panting, his eyes locked on Lucain—not with hatred, but resolve.

Lucain's gaze sharpened. Then, he smirked.

"…Interesting."

He raised a hand, the pressure gradually lessened.

After a while Hyunsoo got up on the ground, panting and wobbling.

"Your name is Hyunsoo, right? What does it mean in your tongue."

"What? I don't understand what your saying."

Lucain blinked. "Huh? There's a language barrier?"

Hyunsoo blinked too, still not understanding a single word.

Lucain narrowed his eyes, clearly annoyed. "Of all things… You send me to train a creature that doesn't even understand me?"

> [Language Sync initializing…] [Translator Module Activating…] [Installing "Universal Language Protocol" for Subject: Hyunsoo]

Hyunsoo flinched as a faint blue glow wrapped around his head. His ears buzzed for a second.

"Ugh… What the hell was that?"

Lucain raised a brow. "Finally. Can you understand me now, worm?"

Hyunsoo looked up, confused, then startled. "Wait—you're speaking Korean now?"

"No. You can finally comprehend me. You should consider it an honor."

Hyunsoo gritted his teeth. "What's with the attitude, man? Are all Demon Kings like this?"

Lucain chuckled. "No. The rest are worse. Now—answer me. What does your name mean?"

Hyunsoo hesitated, then said, "My parents told me it means 'bright and excellent.'"

Lucain smirked. "Then let's see if you live up to that."

> [New Passive Quest Unlocked: Live Up to Your Name – 'Hyunsoo']

> [Progress: 0%]

Hyunsoo stared at the system prompt with a twitching eye. "This system's mocking me now, isn't it?"

Lucain turned, golden coat fluttering behind him like a royal banner.

"Training begins now."

"But I can't even move properly ye—"

Hyunsoo went flying and crashed into a mountain, dust and rocks filled his surroundings.

"I said it begins now."