Koul's fingers dug into the floor as he rose with great difficulty, anger streaming through his veins.
Who do they think they are, treating me like that? Are they allowed to act as they please just 'cause they're judges? Fuck!
The most I've ever been manhandled in my previous life is sleeping in a cell for two days after beating my classmate. And that's because his parents were rich!
I even paid it back by beating him till he needed to be rushed to a hospital after I came out of the cell. Then I went into hiding for almost a month and changed cities.
Yet! These bastards…!
He clenched his fists, heaving as he boiled over in rage.
Do they think they're above payback or something? Are they above death? Even ghosts still die after dying, fuck!
I need to…. I need to get rid of them else I might well start living hell on earth.
His gaze flickered toward his system that remained aloft beside him, eyes squinting.
If I start with this one…. he stared at the system intensely.
….. how bad will things escalate? Will it spell my death permanently? Or will I only be severely punished?
But… he paused, scrutinizing the system who stared back bluntly, unaware of Koul's mind jabbers.
…. can I even touch it?
As Koul rose to his knees, he extended his hand toward the system but the system floated aside with a sharp swoosh, then put on a questioning look.
Seeing this, Koul smiled faintly, then dropped to a sit.
A wave of shudder spiked his body from his exposed wounds, feeling the raw ache sear through his nerves.
His face twisted in pain as the air scorched it. The wounds were still fresh, trailing blood down the floor he sat.
He sighed, trying his best to adjust to the pain.
"Tell me," he started, occasionally squinting and reacting to the pain.
"Why wasn't I allowed to leave this room?" He asked, feeling offended.
Am I not a king? What kind of a king takes orders?
His offended face, however, instantly fell when he recalled the type of king Koul was.
I mean… well…
Neglected or not…. loathed or not… a king is a king! So….
[Host, it was because the real Koul was sick with a disease of the heart.]
"…."
Eh..?
"Disease of the heart?"
[Yes. He was depressed.]
"…."
[After suffering a crucial blow, he retired to this room to gloom over his life. He didn't leave nor allow anyone in except the maids who bring and take out his food.]
"….."
[….]
"And what crucial blow did he suffer exactly?" He asked, his expression a deadpan, unbothered one.
[Well… that is…]
"…."
[That is….]
"…. That is…"
[Well…]
"Will you come out with it, before I!—"
He folded his fist, his face tight with anger and impatience, ready to throw a punch at the system—his senses overridden by the aches from his wounds.
[Eek! Fine!] the system that had immediately dodged to save itself, let out grumpily.
[It is… impotence,] it blurted out.
"….."
"Say what?" He pushed his ears near.
[Koul… is sick with impotency.]
Staaaaaaare...…..
Koul stared at the system blankly for some moments like one in a state of shock, then slowly, he drew back his gaze, casting it down at his pants.
His eyes peered between his legs for a moment as if he was staring at a foreign object before he—
GRAB!
Hmm? It's long.… and big….. he said, examining it. But….. a dark shadow loomed over his face, spelling despair.
It's limp. There's no reaction, he said, shutting his eyes in defeat.
If one could see deep inside his heart, he had already cried a bucket full.
With a deep sigh, he freed his cock, turning to the system.
"Why?" He asked. "Why is he impotent?"
[Host, I'm afraid that's a question that will be answered in the future.]
Hmm… I see. So I wasn't allowed to leave this room because a depressed Koul wouldn't leave. Leaving would mean I'd found a solution to the depression which I hadn't, hence the penalty.
With no light in his eyes, he continued.
"Then at least tell me…. is there a solution?"
[That again, I'm afraid, you'll find out in the future.]
Useless! Koul cursed in his mind with a burst of energy.
I can't remain impotent forever. There's just no way.
Since they brought me here, they must have a solution. Even the system says I'll know more about it in the future. And that's a possibility of getting healed.
Else… I'll just commit suicide, he said shamelessly.
"So?" He turned to the system enthusiastically like he wasn't depressed a moment ago after finding out he was impotent.
"Am I really going to spend all my life in this room?" He questioned curiously.
[Not if you already broke the rule and suffered the punishment.]
"…. That means I'm free to leave?"
[You are.]
Koul immediately jumped to his feet, his wounds slapping him a whiplash that instantly caused him to regret and wince in pain.
Damn them! He cursed, as every time he felt the pain, he's reminded of the judges.
Slowly and as gentle as he could, he slipped back his silky robes on, feeling the cool garment press against his wounds.
"Let's go," he said when he finished adjusting his clothes.
Koul walked to the door, grabbed the doors and pulled them open. The force rippled a gust of wind through his face, ruffling his hair.
With wide-eyed wonder, he took in the opulence before him. The vast hall, the decorated pillars, the golden specs, the high-end curtains, everything.
They reflected nothing short of old nobility.
Aside from this, he sighted figures at the far end of the hall, men and women, busy with one thing or the other.
They must be my palace workers, he thought, itching to meet them.
Without any thoughts, he exited the room, marching toward the people.
How will they react, hehe. Since I've been cooped up in there, they must be surprised.
Will they fall to the floor and hit their heads down to greet me?
Koul was excited, anticipating the reaction he would get. His feet couldn't help but carry him further, his steps eager to reach quickly.
As he reached and came to a stop, a broad smile spread across his face, waiting for things to play out like he imagined.
But, everyone present came to a cease in their activities. The maids, the palace workers, the guards, they were all taken aback and could only stare in surprise.
A reaction Koul already expected.
However, after the moment of shock, their faces beheld ire. A blatant reaction of annoyance and irritation they didn't even bother to conceal.
Then, they bowed. A half hearted bow in which they briefly nodded, rose and returned to their activities.
Koul's smile wiped clear, his eyes a bit wide with shock. He had expected this to some level, but…. not to this extent.
Even I, coming from a modern world without such hierarchies, know to show respect where it is due.
I am wounded, bleeding, and in pain. Yet, not one of them offered to treat me. They couldn't even look long enough at me to notice my discomfort.
No matter how bad a king can be…. such treatment is unacceptable.
Koul's blood boiled with rage, his fists clenched with knuckles turning white. He wanted nothing more than to put them in their place. To remind them his ground and theirs.
But, he knew not to take things into his own hand. Not after his first experience.
The higher ups will slap a penalty to my face for sure if I act out here. Though I see no other logical reaction than this.
How will the real Koul have acted? I don't want to leave things as is. I don't want them to look at me with such eyes of disdain.
How do I put them in their place without angering the higher ups? What do I—
[Ding!]
[Two New Tasks Have Arrived For The Host]
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A smile slowly crept onto Koul's lips as he read the quests. His lips stretched wide, a prideful smirk blossoming.
"Ahan?!"