Kael left the busy streets of the city for a quieter alley, where sunlight barely penetrated between the old buildings. He needed to think. He needed to process everything he had learned about the Zombie Emperor, the Affection System, and, most importantly, how to survive his own curse. Every person who looked at him unwillingly increased the energy coursing through his body—a disturbing, intense, and constant sensation.
"I can't trust anyone anymore…" he murmured, sitting on an old wooden crate. The Affection System continued to pulse, registering glances and emotions, even from people passing at a distance. Every slight tilt of a head or whisper heightened his sense of vulnerability.
Kael closed his eyes and remembered the times when, even trying to blend in among beggars or merchants, people could not ignore him. Small gestures—a fleeting smile, an offering of food, even envious glances—made his body react. He realized that Aphrodite's curse was not just about appearance: it was control over anyone who approached him.
I need to hide… he thought. Cover my face, cover my body. If someone sees everything… I won't survive.
He began scavenging the alley, finding scraps of old cloth, torn leather, and even small abandoned metal plates. Using the skills he had learned on the streets, Kael improvised a reinforced hood and a partial mask, enough to conceal most of his face, leaving only his eyes visible. Every movement he made was silent, calculated, as if he were preparing to face a crowd of invisible eyes.
As he adjusted the mask, Kael heard voices in the distance murmuring rumors about the Zombie Emperor. Some said he was cold, indifferent to all mortals. Others mentioned that the emperor's feminine, voluptuous body made him even more dangerous because no one could anticipate his actions or intentions.
"So it's true…" he murmured, tightening the hood. "He doesn't want to get involved with anyone, but… my destiny is exactly the opposite."
The Affection System vibrated slightly, but Kael managed to ignore it, focusing on the task of camouflage. Each small adjustment to his mask partially blocked his own aura of beauty, but there remained an unsettling feeling: he knew that even covered, he could not hide completely. The curse was relentless.
Kael walked silently through the streets, avoiding eye contact and keeping his distance from anyone who could stir strong emotions. He carefully observed every corner, every shadow, and thought about how he would enter the Realm of the Undead, a territory surrounded by walls that no one of his level could easily cross.
"The monster hunters' guild won't help me…" he muttered. "Missions in there are only for Rank A or higher. I'm just… me. Weak, alone, and cursed in a way that makes me a target."
Kael passed through the central square, where children played and merchants bargained, but kept his distance. Every involuntary glance triggered small sparks inside his body, reminding him of the power he could access, but also of the danger it represented. He realized that each person, even unknowingly, could be a risk.
Sitting in the shadow of a building, Kael began reflecting on the life he had led until now. Painful memories came to the surface: nights curled up on the cold ground, intense cold and hunger, harsh lessons from his mother, desperate thefts to survive… everything seemed to have been preparing the way for this moment. He needed to be smarter, faster, stronger—and above all, learn to control the Affection System before it consumed him.
He realized that the power drawn from people's emotions could be a weapon or an even greater curse. If misused, it could draw unwanted attention or even put his life at risk before he even reached the Zombie Emperor.
"I need to calculate every step" he said quietly. "I can no longer rely on luck or beauty. Beauty kills, beauty kills slowly, and… and I still have to impregnate the emperor."
A wave of emotional exhaustion washed over him. Aphrodite's curse was not just appearance—it was control over everyone around him. People who did not intend to fall for him were irresistibly drawn, even unconsciously. Every social interaction could be disastrous. Kael felt a chill run down his spine as he realized how isolated he would need to become to survive.
Kael began imagining his life in complete solitude: a hidden cabin, protected by dense forests, far from unwanted eyes. He would need a safe base, where he could train, plan, and learn to control the Affection System without external interference.
"Yes…" he murmured, determination growing. First, I protect myself. Then… I learn. Then, I face the world.
Kael adjusted his mask again, observing his reflection in a broken shop window. He was no longer just the beggar who stole to survive; now he was someone with an impossible mission, a destiny carrying the weight of life and death. The curse, which seemed like a sentence, was also a key: it could open doors to unimaginable power if he learned to use it correctly.
The sun began to set, painting the alleys in orange and reddish tones. Kael remained silent, hidden in the shadows, reflecting on every detail he knew about the Zombie Emperor, every piece of information gathered on the streets, every rumor he had heard. He knew he would need to be patient, extremely patient. Every rushed step could mean death.
"Three years… I cannot fail" he murmured, taking a deep breath. "I will hide. I will learn. I will survive. And when the time comes… I will complete my mission."
Kael rose slowly, feeling the weight of the mask, the hood, and the responsibility he now carried. He walked silently through the city streets, disappearing into the shadows, planning his next moves. The life he knew was about to change completely. He would no longer be just a thief or beggar; he would be the survivor who faced the impossible.
As night fell, Kael knew the first step had been taken. Solitude would be his ally, caution his best defense, and Aphrodite's curse—though deadly—would be his most powerful weapon if used correctly. And so, alone, masked, and determined, Kael began the long journey that would lead him to the Zombie Emperor and the destiny Aphrodite had imposed on him.