When the current king seized the throne, he did it with a blade soaked in the previous king's blood. He ordered the execution of every noble guilty of cruelty, torment, or corruption. And so, one by one, nobles fell beneath his justice. By the end of the coronation day, the king stood drenched in crimson—an omen, a declaration, a warning to the world of how much blood had been spilled for the crown.
But not all the hunted were slain.
A handful escaped the king's grasp and formed a secret organization called Spider, a shadow network sworn to overthrow him. And lately… their movements had become suspicious—too coordinated, too bold. Something was coming.
Inside the royal hall of the Grand Palace, the vast chamber lay silent except for the echo of distant winds. Upon the throne sat Grey Von Asther, the king, his eyes hollow, fixed on the empty air ahead of him. His mind was a storm, churning with thoughts he couldn't name.
The heavy doors groaned open.
Commander John of the Royal Knights stepped inside, his armor catching the pale light.
He bowed. "Your Majesty… why are you here alone?"
Grey didn't look at him. "Oh… John."
A brief pause. A breath that sounded like regret.
"Nothing," the king murmured. "I am only thinking."
John frowned. "Thinking about what, Your Majesty?"
Grey's voice cracked—not with weakness, but with a weight he could no longer silence.
"What is so special about this throne, John? Why does the world lose itself in madness over it? Why does everyone bleed for it? Die for it? Is it truly that special?"
John hesitated. For a moment he saw not a king, but a man drowning beneath the crown's weight.
"Well…" John began quietly, "it is special because it decides everything. It can make someone the ruler of an entire kingdom. It gives power, wealth, and fame. So it is no wonder everyone is willing to fight—and die—for it."
Grey closed his eyes.
And for the first time since taking the throne, he wondered if the blood on his hands had been worth it.
"John… do you know what happens to the kind of man who becomes king only for power, fame, and wealth?" Grey's eyes darkened. "He ends up like my father. A cruel man who cared nothing for his people or his country. If you ever want to become a true king, you must understand your people first."
John listened silently as Grey's gaze drifted into the past.
"Do you remember," Grey continued, "when we were still in the Academy? The mission where we had to eliminate that monster in the village?"
John nodded softly. "Yes, Your Majesty. I remember."
Grey exhaled. "I still recall the smile on those villagers' faces… the relief in their eyes. When they thanked us, my heart felt full—lighter than it ever had. That was the moment I understood what it meant to protect people… what it meant to lead. Even now, this crown and throne mean nothing to me. But when I see my people smile—truly smile—that alone makes me happy."
A faint smile touched Grey's lips.
"And that," John whispered, kneeling, "is the reason you are our king, Your Majesty."
For a moment, the hall fell silent.
But the weight of reality quickly returned.
"Anyway," Grey said, the warmth fading from his voice, "why are you here?"
John straightened. "I came to deliver the report from the city guards."
Grey's expression sharpened. "I see. What did they find?"
"It appears," John began carefully, "that both the prison break and the attack bear signs of Spider's involvement."
Grey leaned forward, eyes narrowing.
John continued, "According to the Royal Mages' examination, they found traces of rage drug in the culprit's blood. It looks like the enemy forced it into him—made him think less, feel less… while making his anger uncontrollable. That's why he attacked the guards over a minor argument."
Grey's jaw tightened.
John took a breath and went on. "As for his background… his name is Luke. An B-Rank adventurer. Unmarried. Born in Emu Town. His parents were ordinary. Both deceased."
Grey frowned. "I see, anything else."
John grimaced. "On the surface, he looked normal. But during investigation… we discovered Luke had been involved in human trafficking."
Grey's breath stilled.
John added quietly, "He even killed his own father and mother… over money."
"So he was nothing but a piece of filth," Grey growled, his voice trembling with controlled fury. "A murderer who betrayed our country… and a human trafficker."
He exhaled sharply. "Invastigate the human-trafficking case thoroughly."
"Yes, Your Majesty," John replied.
John's eyes narrowed. "Now—report about the previous Vice-Commander of the Royal Knights… William Anderson."
The moment the name left John's lips, silence crushed the throne room.
Grey froze. John froze.
Just the mention of that name filled the space with grief sharp enough to wound.
Grey's face tightened with sorrow and old pain. "William…" he whispered.
John knelt, placing his hand on his chest. "Yes, Your Majesty. Currently, the only person missing from the prison is William Anderson… the man accused of killing a noble and plotting rebellion."
Grey's eyes darkened. "It looks like Spider's attack was a distraction. They wanted to free William."
John's voice shivered. "Your Majesty, I still can't believe this… but the evidence suggests—"
"Will is innocent," Grey cut in, his voice breaking beneath the weight of regret. "I'm certain of it. William hated no one… not this kingdom he dedicated his life to. But this kingdom…" His jaw clenched. "It didn't give him or his family even a shred of justice."
John bowed his head as Grey continued, voice now painfully soft:
"You don't have to worry for me, John. I know you're angrier than I am. Will was like a son to you. You tried countless times to grant him noble title… yet he declined every single time."
John nodded weakly.
"He always said he didn't want trouble. He just wanted to live peacefully in his hometown. And now look what happened to him…"
Hearing it, John fell into heavy silence.
Grey straightened, burying his emotions beneath command.
In a firm, cold tone he asked:
"Did you find any clues about other nobles involved in William's family's death or plotting against him?"
Hearing this, John hesitated.
And that moment of hesitation… angered Grey instantly.
"John," Grey's voice thundered, "I am asking you something. What happened in the investigation?"
John swallowed hard, trying to steady his trembling voice.
"Your Majesty… I'm sorry. We… we weren't able to continue the investigation…"
The words barely left his mouth before Grey's aura darkened—
like a storm collapsing over the room.
Grey stepped forward slowly.
Each footstep felt like an execution drum.
"John."
His voice was soft. Too soft.
"Give me one reason. Just one… why you stopped the investigation."
John froze. His pulse hammered in his ears.
Grey leaned in, his eyes sharp enough to cut flesh.
"Open your mouth," he hissed. "And give me one answer that won't make me tear this entire hall apart."
John's throat tightened.
"T-That person… interfered with the investigation…" he whispered. "And that was why—"
He never finished.
Grey's fury detonated.
The air shook around him.
"So that's what they think of me?!" Grey roared. "A king they can manipulate? A king they can blindfold? A king who'll just sit and watch while they stain my country with their filth?!"
His voice echoed like thunder smashing stone.
Grey's eyes blazed with a terrifying, barely controlled rage.
"If they believe I am weak, then today I will show them what true fear looks like."
He pointed aggressively toward the door.
"I am going to gouge his eyes out. TODAY. I will make him pray for death—"
"Your Majesty PLEASE!"
John dropped to his knees, voice cracking.
"Please don't! I beg you—please calm down!"
Grey stopped.
The silence was suffocating.
He turned slowly, so slowly, toward the kneeling John.
John felt every hair on his body stand.
Grey's voice trembled—not with weakness, but with the sheer force of suppressed violence.
"Do you know how long I've tolerated this?"
His breathing was uneven.
"How long I've endured these rats scurrying in MY kingdom?"
Then—
CRACK!
Grey's fist slammed through an oak table, splinters exploding across the hall.
John flinched.
Grey exhaled—shaking with fury—and spoke through clenched teeth.
"…Fine."
His tone dropped to something colder than ice.
"Send him the head of the human trafficker."
John's eyes widened in horror.
Grey continued:
"Send a letter with it. Tell him—
'There is a limit to my patience.'
If he thinks he can insult my throne, destroy my people, and twist my kingdom while I watch,just because of a oath -
he is wrong."
Grey took one final step toward John, voice barely above a whisper—yet cutting deeper than a blade.
"Warn him.
If he takes one more step out of line…
I will personally make him regret the very moment he entered this world."
John didn't dare breathe.
"Continue the investigation," Grey commanded, turning away at last.
John lowered his head so deeply his forehead touched the floor.
"…Thank you, Your Majesty," he whispered.
The hall fell silent as Grey walked away.
But somewhere deep within the shadows of the Asther Kingdom, far from the palace's light, a hidden hall trembled with voices.
The top members of Spider had gathered—dangerous people whose names alone carried weight.
Lina, the Fourth Seat, slammed her hand on the table.
"Oh look," she mocked, eyes narrowing. "The person who can't even manage to attack a train is here."
A vein twitched on Ken's forehead.
Ken, Third Seat, fired back, "At least I'm not one of those who complain while doing absolutely nothing."
Lina slowly turned her head, her expression darkening.
"…What. Did. You. Say?"
The air grew thick.
Neo, Fifth Seat, sighed loudly as if bored.
"Shut up, both of you," he said lazily. "Your stupidity is giving me a headache."
Lina snapped, "This has nothing to do with you, Neo!"
Neo smirked, ignoring Lina completely.
"By the way, how did you manage to find a Auramaster-level fighter to target the train. "
Lina froze in place.
"Did you just—"
"Well," Ken interupting Lina, finally raising his eyes. "When i was searching for someone strong. Turns out I ran into someone… interesting."
He shrugged.
"I only gave him a little push. Apparently he was thinking of attacking someone on the train."
Ken barked a laugh.
Lina's face heated with both fury and humiliation.
"You—DON'T YOU DARE—"
She lunged at them.
Ken and Neo moved effortlessly, dodging with smirks.
And just like that—
the hall erupted into a vicious, chaotic brawl.
Meanwhile, near the Royal Capital of the Asther Kingdom—in a place hidden even from the King—the Master of Spider sat before William.
His voice was calm. Too calm.
"Now, William," he murmured, fingers tapping rhythmically on his chair.
"Tell me where the sword is."
William clenched his fists.
The air in the room seemed to thin.
On the other hand, Far away, completely unaware of the storm forming around him…
Rick slept peacefully.
And just like that, One year passed.
It was finally time for Rick to step into the Royal National Magic Academy—the place where his fate would take its next shape.
During that year, Rick had wandered across lands filled with beasts, danger, and desperation.
He fought monsters.
He fought humans.
He helped strangers.
He nearly died more than once.
He had come painfully close to being sold off as a slave.
Traveling alone was brutal, unforgiving, relentless.
But Rick did not stop.
The world tried to break him but he walked forward anyway.
Rick currently was in a village at the northern edge of the kingdom, finishing yet another monster-extermination quest.
Despite years of relentless training, he still had not reached the level of External Art. The weight of failure pressed on him, but he refused to let it break his resolve. He had promised too much—promises that burned in his chest, promises he would not abandon.
Even if the world doubted him, he would not doubt himself.
Now, with the dust of his latest quest settling behind him, Rick prepared for something far greater—
his enrollment in the Academy.
And it was there, in that crucible of power and ambition, that the real story of his life
was finally about to begin.