Chapter 7 The reward
Dong slowly opened his eyes
The ceiling… he knew this place.
The soft scent of royal medicine, the golden drapes… he was back in the **Royal Healing Chamber**.
> "You're awake… my prince," a royal doctor whispered, eyes wide with disbelief.
Dong tried to move—but his body felt heavy. Not weak—**too powerful**, like a storm locked in human skin.
> 🕰️ **He had been unconscious for 27 days.**
---
### 💬 What Happened During These 27 Days?
- **News of Dong slaying the SSS-rank Ice Dragon** spread across every continent.
- All nations and guilds sent **gifts and alliance requests**.
- **The people started calling him: _Void Monarch_**, the youngest being ever feared by gods.
- The **First Queen collapsed** from shock after hearing Dong lived.
- The **First Prince hasn't been seen** in public since.
---
### 🧠 Dong's Inner Thoughts:
> "I defeated a dragon, unlocked terrifying power, and survived death itself… but this is just the beginning. I haven't even started the real revenge yet."
He looked at his hand…
**It pulsed with void energy**, his palm marked with the seal of the **Divine Contract of Ice**.
After the celebration and the king's announcement, one person silently walked up to Dong through the royal crowd…
**It was Kira.**
He didn't bow. He didn't praise loudly. He just looked at Dong with his calm, proud eyes and said:
> "You did it, little brother."
Dong smirked, "Of course I did. I'm not that weakling from before."
Then, he pulled out a **crimson-gold pill** from his infinite storage. It radiated ancient energy—so intense that even SS-rank knights around stepped back.
> "This is for you," Dong said. "A Pill of Astral Surge. If you absorb it, you'll become twice as powerful—at least. A hundred percent boost."
Kira blinked, shocked. "Where did you—?"
Dong cut him off, serious now:
> "I got this in the void realm when I devoured the dragon. In my last life, you protected me more than once. You deserved more. This is my thanks… and also a reminder—never fall behind."
Kira looked at the pill, then at Dong.
> "With this much power… I might even surpass you."
Dong grinned darkly.
> "You can try."
They both laughed.
But everyone else stood frozen.
Kira stared at the glowing **Pill of Astral Surge** in his hand.
His fingers trembled—not from fear, but from emotion.
> "Dong…" he whispered, voice breaking slightly, "Why…?"
Dong tilted his head. "You helped me when no one else did. In my past life, you were the only light I had."
Kira looked at him, his usually composed face now full of emotion. And then…
Without a word, **Kira stepped forward and hugged Dong.**
It wasn't a formal hug. It wasn't a show for the nobles.
It was a real one—**an embrace between brothers who had fought alone for too long.**
The court fell silent.
Even the First Queen, even the jealous princes… all watched as two sons of the king stood like legends.
> "I don't care what the world says," Kira said in a low voice. "You're not alone anymore, Dong."
Dong stood still, a little awkward—but he let the hug continue.
After a moment, he quietly said:
> "Let's burn down this world together if we must."
They separated.
After hugging Kira and gifting him the pill, Dong slowly turned around.
Everyone expected him to walk away.
But instead, **he walked up to Mira.**
Gasps echoed in the royal hall.
Jak clenched his fist.
Mira's expression twisted in confusion.
> "What do you want now, bastard?" she hissed.
Dong didn't reply. He reached into his **Infinite Storage**, and in his palm appeared a **silver ring** glowing with ancient runes.
> "This is the *Ring of Arcane Grace*," Dong said calmly. "It boosts your magic power by 40%. With it, you may truly have a chance to become an archmage."
Mira's eyes widened. "Why would you give this… to me?"
Dong's gaze was cool, but not cruel.
> "Because even traitors can become legends. If they choose the right path."
He dropped the ring into her hand and turned away.
The court murmured again. Even the king raised an eyebrow.
As the ring touched Mira's skin, a soft **blue glow** wrapped around her hand.
> **[System Alert: Mira's trust in you has increased by 40%]**
> **[Loyalty status: Neutral → Trusting Ally]**
Mira stood still, stunned.
> "Dong… maybe you're not the villain I thought you were," she whispered.
Dong didn't respond.
But a small smirk played on his lips as he walked into the shadows.
After giving the cultivation pill to Kira and the magic ring to Mira, Dong turned his gaze across the throne room.
His eyes met the 1st Queen.
She looked at him with disdain—but beneath it, fear shimmered in her pupils.
Jak stood proudly beside her, trying to act strong, but even a servant could see his clenched jaw.
> **Jak stepped forward.** "Where is *my* gift, 'brother'? Or are you saving the scraps for commoners now?"
The entire room went silent.
Dong tilted his head slightly. His voice was calm, sharp, deadly:
> **"I don't give power to *trash*."**
Jak's face turned red in rage.
The 1st Queen rose from her seat, furious. "How dare you speak to the prince like—!"
Dong interrupted without even looking at her.
> **"Sit down. You're not worth my words."**
The queen froze mid-step, her pride wounded deeper than any sword.
> "I reward loyalty," Dong continued, his voice echoing like thunder. "I give strength to those who earn it. The rest… can kneel in regret."
---
That's the moment everyone in the room realizes:
> ⚔️ **Dong is not just strong. He's dangerous. And merciless.**
As the grand celebration echoed through the marble halls of the palace, nobles and royals gathered to honor the hero of the age—**Prince Dong**, the slayer of an ancient SSS-rank ice dragon.
Dong stood at the center, calm and proud. Power radiated from him like heat from a star.
Then, through the crowd, **the 1st Queen** approached, wearing a forced smile.
> **"Congratulations, dear Prince Dong,"** she said sweetly. **"Truly, you've made history."**
Beside her, **Jak** stood tall—at least, he tried to. His fists were clenched behind his back. His face twitched.
> **"Yeah," Jak muttered,** eyes filled with jealousy. **"Impressive. Really."**
But his tone couldn't hide the anger boiling inside.
Dong met their eyes. Smiled—not warmly, but like a predator showing its teeth.
> **"Thank you for your kind words,"** he said smoothly. **"I'll be sure to remember them... when I rewrite this kingdom's future."**
The Queen's face twitched, her smile cracking. Jak stepped forward, trying to act strong, but he flinched when Dong's eyes narrowed.
Everyone in the hall noticed.
> **They congratulated Dong… but their pride was crushed.**
Inside, both of them were screaming:
- *"How could that bastard rise so fast?"*
- *"He was nothing… now even kings fear him!"*
But on the outside, they bowed with clenched teeth.
The royal court was filled with silence as the King stepped onto the golden platform. His eyes swept across the nobles, warriors, and his own children—Dong, Kira, Jak, Mira, and others.
Then, in a voice that shook the hall:
> **"From this day onward, all royal heirs of the Balkani Empire shall attend the greatest academy in the world—"**
> **"—**_Eclipse Sanctuary of Arcane & Might_**—"**
Gasps erupted across the court.
> **"The place where the heirs of kings, legends, and ancient bloodlines gather... where gods once walked."**
All the princes and princesses widened their eyes.
> **"You will represent not just this empire, but the legacy of your ancestors. In six months, you depart."**
---
### 👑 Reactions:
- **Dong** smirked slightly. *"So it begins. The world's true monsters will gather. I'll crush them all."*
- **Kira**: Calm but serious. *"This will be a battlefield in disguise… I must get stronger too."*
- **Mira**: Mixed emotions. Nervous but excited. *"Even archmages train there… can I really compete?"*
- **Jak**: Eyes filled with obsession. *"I'll beat Dong there. I swear I'll be the best… even if I have to cheat."*
- **1st Queen**: Smiling darkly. *"This is my chance. The academy is full of danger. Maybe that bastard won't return alive."*
---
The court erupted into cheers. But behind those cheers… plans were being made. Enemies would be waiting. Trials beyond imagination were coming.
And **Dong?** He just stared out the window with glowing eyes.
And scence the king finally gives that secret forbidden torture skill name void thousand pain and suffering
Dong's birthday celebration was over. The cheers faded. Behind the cold smile and royal robes… the villain began to move.
He had **7 days** before joining the greatest academy in the world. And those 7 days… would become a nightmare for those who wronged him.
---
**Night 1: The Black Hood**
Dong wore a black hoodie enchanted with [Shadow Concealment], hiding even from elite knights. He walked silently through the palace hallways.
Destination: **The 1st Queen's chambers.**
Inside, she was enjoying tea, unaware that tonight… would be her final breath as herself.
---
**Dong whispered coldly**,
> "You were the root of my suffering. Now suffer eternally."
He activated his forbidden mythic skill:
> **Void: Thousand Pain and Suffering.**
---
**Effect:**
Her mind was shattered instantly. In the real world, only **5 minutes passed**.
But in her mind…
> She lived **millions of years of torture**, pain, betrayal, and death—again and again and again.
She began vomiting blood, unable to scream, unable to move.
Her body spasmed. Her eyes rolled back. Her soul begged to be freed.
---
Dong read her memories before death:
- She **poisoned his mother**.
- She worked with **7 people** to erase Dong.
- One of them is a **teacher in the academy**, secretly an assassin who uses poison.
(The teacher's identity: Hidden for now.)
---
Then…
> 💀 She died, collapsing like a broken puppet.
Dong calmly used **Void Devouring** and absorbed her dying soul.
---
**New Skill Unlocked:**
> 🔥 **Dead Puppet Army (Mythic Tier)**
- Control up to **100 beings** (even dead corpses).
- They obey **every word**, retain their skills/magic.
- Immune to fear, torture, or betrayal.
Now… **even the queen serves Dong** from beyond death.
She becomes his shadow, a royal puppet hidden in the palace.
---
Dong stood in the dim throne hall, the moonlight shining faintly on the floor.
The **puppet Queen**, still blood-stained and lifeless, knelt before him. Her soul was broken, but Dong's control kept her spirit barely tethered.
> "Tell me… who is the third traitor?"
The Queen's voice cracked, her mouth trembling as her soul struggled against the pain of a billion deaths—but she **couldn't** disobey.
> "Third traitor… *Black Horn Bull.*"
Dong's eyes narrowed.
> "The *mercenary association*?"
> "Yes… One of the most feared… They work for coin. In my past life, I hired them to track your movements… for the final poison strike…"
---
### 🔥 [Revelation] — Black Horn Bull
- A **dark-rank mercenary guild** operating between kingdoms.
- Known for **SS+ mercenaries**, assassins, and beast tamers.
- Rumored leader: **"Iron Bull Fang"**, a monstrous man with a mutated bull arm and ice veins.
They **infiltrated the palace** once. They're now **underground**, hiding in the southern desert border.
---
### **Dong's Thoughts**
> "Tch. So this kingdom was rotting from the inside."
> "A mercenary guild dares betray the royal family? I'll show them what it means to cross the wrong prince."
He turned to the Queen's corpse-puppet.
> "Give me all their hideout locations. Every one."
---
### 📜 Black Horn Bull Hideout Locations (from Queen's memory):
1. Southern Border Desert – Main Base
2. Frost Vale City – Hidden Tavern Below "Rusty Sword"
3. Shadow Beast Canyon – Beast Training Pit
4. Underground Royal Capital – Secret exit from sewage gate
---
Dong created a **Void Mark** on the Queen's neck.
> "Rest now. You'll wake only when I summon your cursed soul again."
He vanishes into the shadows.
"We fight not with honor… but with force. The bigger your sword, the louder your name."
---
### 🌑 **Info Updated**
- **Specialty**: Gigantic greatswords, brutal body enhancement magic, and raw physical strength.
- **Motto**: *"Might is right."*
- **Uniform**: Black armor with a silver bull horn crest.
- **Core Members**: Mostly **huge men**, over 7 feet tall, body-enhanced through illegal alchemy and forbidden body-boost spells.
- Known to **break through walls** rather than sneak past them.
---
### 🔪 Unique Combat Style:
- **S-Rank Sword Arts**: "Heavy Fang Cleave," "Mountain Breaker Slash"
- **Body Techniques**: "Iron Ox Skin", "Titan's Heartbeat"
- Many mercs **wield swords larger than their own bodies.**
- Some wear **bull masks** in battle, symbolizing brute force.
---
### 🧠 Dong's Analysis:
> "Big swords, big bodies… small brains. Perfect."
> "They'll never expect me. I'll use speed, stealth, and mental torture."
Dong smirks under his black hoodie.
> "Let me show them why brute force loses to the devil in the shadows."
Chapters ends