FLUTTER!
Koul fluttered awake again, marking three total deaths.
As he heaved his shoulders up and down, he stared angrily at the girl before him.
"I see you're injured, your majesty. Please allow me tend to you," she repeated the same words he'd been hearing and in the same soft, gentle tone like the first time.
To think that she seemed and came off nice only to stab him to death from behind, only angered Koul the more.
This pretentious snake! He cussed inwardly, his brows drawn tight together.
I just have to wait. No deviating from the plan. I can easily handle a snake like her.
Koul kept silent, staring at the girl blankly.
This people won't be of any help if I tell them I'm seconds away from getting attacked by this girl.
It's safer I handle things myself.
With calm, calculating breaths, Koul kept track of time within him. He had to be precise! Had to do an excellent job else it'll lead to his death once again.
Keep calm…. fuu~.
In 5…4….3…2….1!
With swift movement, Koul yanked the girl forward by her shoulders, pivoted smoothly and and pushed the girl in front of himself—using her as a shield.
And just in time—
SHLUK!
The arrow shot forward and pierced the girl right in the heart.
[Ding!]
[You have survived one time during the day]
<
Phew! What a relief! There was no exact way to know whether the shooter would fire the arrow as they didn't the second time I died, leaving it to the girl to stab me.
Must've been 'cause I moved and intended to dodge it.
But I'm glad.
A chorus of gasps from the workers tore Koul from his thoughts, drawing his attention.
Their faces were pale with disgust and disbelief. And their expressions bore nothing but irritation toward Koul.
"He killed her.."
"He used her as a shield."
"How wicked."
Their whispers and murmurs fell directly into Koul's ears.
These fuckers!
Unbothered by their disgust and disdain toward him, Koul let the girl who had gone limp in his arms drop to the floor with a rough thud.
Then he shifted his gaze toward the guards, his face tight with authority and anger.
"Someone just attempted to kill me! Is it not common sense to go after them and capture them?!" He yelled sternly.
"Or is it not your job?!"
Immediately, three guards, excluding the injured one who was being treated by his colleague with some sort of ability, bowed and ran out toward the direction the arrow came from—to chase the shooter.
Sigh! They aren't well disciplined. Can't even do a simple job.
They know only to judge and loathe me. Bashing me 'cause I used the girl as a shield like she wasn't going to kill me!
But of course, none of them would believe me if I told them. Tsk! Tsk!
Koul kept quiet, waiting with unbothered calm like a corpse wasn't lying limp by his feet. None of the workers dared leave either. They kept silent, only passing awkward glances and murmuring.
And where the hell is that fool who took my dagger to go clean? Did he run away?
After a while, the three guards returned…. empty handed.
Koul's brows furrowed as the guards walked over, averting their gazes.
"I'm sorry, your majesty. We lost him," they said, dipping their heads low.
Koul raised his gaze, staring down at them with disdain as they do him.
Why wouldn't they have lost him? When, after all, they'd be overjoyed if I died, hmph!
Since they can't directly kill me, they'd be glad if someone else did the job for them.
They can't fool me!
He dragged his gaze from the guards in front of him to the maids, and commanded sternly.
"Get my bath ready!"
And to the guards, "Incompetent fools!" He cussed and turned away, leaving the hall.
Certain that he had left their sight, he called out to his system.
"System," he called, walking down the long stretching hallway.
The system appeared with a soft whoosh.
"You said I am the most hated man in this world, but it appears it isn't for any remarkable deeds," he started.
Ever since encountering the workers and the guards, and seeing how he was treated, Koul had since been confused.
Why was he even hated? By not only his own court but the world? For someone to garner a worldwide hatred, it must've resulted from their deeds.
A remarkable deed that had to be worth talking about and if possible, make him even feared.
Or was it just my delusion?
"I thought I was hated but feared. You know, like a tyrant or something. But this people don't even respect me! What exactly did I do to earn the title of the most hated scum? And what did I even do to be called a scum?"
Well, not me, but...
[Host, the answer is simple,] the system said, floating along Koul as he walked.
"Oh, by all means, enlighten me! I aspire to learn from it."
[It is because you misuse your power and authority,] it started.
"Ok? That's nothing new. Tell me exactly how I misused my power," he demanded, getting impatient.
[Well, one of them is because you used your power to forcefully seize many women and made them your wives,] the system blurted.
At this, Koul paused, halting in his steps.
"Come again?" He said, totally in disbelief.
The system stared silently at him with a blank look, unwilling to repeat itself, knowing fully well Koul heard him.
"Did you say wives?" He asked, surprised. "I've got wives?!"