We can all be heroes… But somehow, we can also become villains.
«Demon King… Demon King initializing… 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… 10… 20… 50… 70… 80… 86… 99… 100… error, error, system failed… correcting error… Demon King awakening.»
Kael slowly opened his eyes, as if the world were greeting him with a light that was far too heavy. His eyelashes trembled several times before his vision fully cleared, revealing a ceiling he didn't recognize and a strange sensation running through his entire body.
The first thing he felt was that the floor beneath him was completely unfamiliar. The second… that his body wasn't either.
With a sudden impulse, he looked at his hands. They were covered by black gloves, fitted and elegant, as if they had been custom-made for him even though he didn't remember ever seeing them. He tried to stand up, but as he rose he noticed his torso was longer, his legs stronger, his arms slightly thinner but tense, as if ready for battle.
This wasn't his body.
At least, not the one he remembered.
He examined himself more closely, touching his own chest, running his fingers along his sharp jawline, the shape of his neck. The skin was colder, firmer. And when he stood fully, he felt his height had increased by several centimeters.
His breathing quickened.
—W… what…? —he murmured, his voice deeper than before.
He looked around and the world opened before him like a place taken from a dark, majestic dream.
He was in an immense, endless hallway, carpeted with a red runner that stretched as far as the eye could see.
The walls were adorned with black columns and gothic details, and the torches embedded in the stone gave off an orange light that danced like living flames.
It was an imposing, almost intimidating setting.
As he advanced, an uncomfortable sensation followed him. Around him was a dense silence, but within that silence… something was trying to speak to him. A robotic, metallic voice, like a digital buzz that struck against his ears.
Kael clenched his teeth and covered his ears tightly.
—Enough… enough!
But the voice didn't stop.
Until, suddenly, a blue floating screen appeared in front of him, emitting a faint hum.
«Demonic system activated.»
The screen flickered for a few milliseconds, as if updating, and then switched to another interface.
«Hello… Lord Demon King Kael.»
Kael jumped back. His eyes widened as if someone had shouted right in his face. Whatever he was seeing was completely impossible… or was it?
—What… is this?
He cautiously extended his arm, trembling. When his fingers touched the surface of the screen, it reacted with a soft glow, returning a sharp reflection of his face.
A face that wasn't his.
It was thinner, with sharper features, a naturally serious expression and eyes of a deep red that seemed to glow even without light. His black hair fell messily, in a rebellious style he had never worn. And his attire… was that of a dark lord.
A long black robe, adorned with vertical lines of a red as dark as his eyes. The collar was high, the lapels wide, and on his left arm he wore a circular emblem, a symbol whose meaning he didn't know but that carried authority.
Beneath the robe he wore a dark shirt, with visible laces at the neck. And hanging from his chest, a leather necklace with a small metallic crucifix.
He looked… intimidating.
He looked powerful.
He looked like someone who wasn't him.
Before he could fully process it, a female voice sounded behind him.
—My Lord Demon King, it is time.
Kael's heart stopped. Or so it seemed.
A woman approached with firm, confident steps, like someone accustomed to delivering important orders.
—T-time? —Kael asked, turning barely, his voice breaking.
—Yes, my lord. It is time for you to present yourself as the new Demon King.
Those words pierced his chest like an icy spear.
New Demon King?
Him?
He screamed internally with his soul.
(No, no, no! This must be a mistake! If they find out I'm not the real one, they're going to kill me!)
—W-wait… I need… a little more time to prepare —he said, trying to sound authoritative, but his voice trembled as much as his legs.
The woman paused.
—Prepare?
—Y-yes… just a moment longer.
She observed him in silence. He didn't know if she was examining him, if she suspected something, or if she was simply following orders. Finally, she nodded.
—Very well, my Demon King. You have two minutes. I will return shortly.
Her footsteps retreated down the hallway, gradually disappearing.
Kael dropped to his knees, clutching his hair in frustration, fear and confusion.
—What… what am I supposed to do now?
Then the screen appeared again in front of him.
«Demon King Kael, please press the button on the screen.»
Kael held his breath. This was a bad idea. Surely a terrible idea. But he had no other choice. His trembling fingers touched the black button. As soon as he did, a sharp pain pierced his head, as if thousands of needles were trying to perforate his skull.
Memories.
Images.
Sensations.
Screams.
Battles.
Orders.
Darkness.
A life that wasn't his poured into him.
The true owner of the body was also named Kael. But that Kael had died. Or something worse.
The boy's teeth ground together as he was forced to absorb every memory, every fragment, every foreign emotion.
He fell to the floor, pressing his hands against the red carpet, drowning in a pain that seemed eternal.
And then the robotic voice returned, resounding directly in his mind.
«New Demon King accepted by the system.
Rank: Larva — the lowest rank of all ranks.
Skill Rank: F.
Initial Skill: Primal Instinct.
Alert: it is recommended to increase the skill rank and the demonic system rank.
Other privileges are still locked. Rank increase required to unlock them.»
Kael raised his head, cold sweat running down his face, his lips stained with the blood beginning to drip from his nose. His hands trembled, his legs too. He tried to stand, staggering.
Larva Rank.
The lowest rank.
The weakest Demon King in history.
Perfect.
Just what he needed to die before even completing a single day here.
In the distance, he heard the woman's footsteps returning. This time, the energy she emanated was different. Heavier. More dangerous. He could feel her anger from meters away. And a gaze… capable of killing anyone without hesitation.
Kael swallowed hard.
His time had run out.
And his life… perhaps too.