It was filled with Darkness. Cold, crushing, It felt final. Then… something strange, heat. Death. Breath.Life.Lucien opened his eyes.
No.Not possible.
He couldn't move. His limbs were too short. His vision was blurry, like a veil had been placed over the world. Everything was too large—too bright—too wrong.His ears twitched at muffled voices."He's breathing... healthy lungs."
"A shame he was born during the eclipse."
"Tch. The tenth child. Likely another disappointment."The voices were familiar. Not the words, but the tone—the same condescension, the same emptiness behind fake politeness.But the world sounded louder than it ever had before.And then it hit him.
"Why am I hearing so clearly? Why can't I move?"
Then—A flash.A memory.A throne room.Blood.Steel through his back.Thesound of his own ribs breaking.His older brother whispering in his ear with a smile.
> "You were always pathetic, Lucien."He remembered collapsing.He rememberedchoking on his own blood.He remembered dying.So then—What the hell is this?!Panic surged through his tiny frame. He wanted to scream—not with an infant's cry, but with the mind of a man who had already suffered and died.His breathing quickened.His heart pounded.
And then—
> [System Initializing…]A glowing screen appeared, suspended in midair before him. A deep, unnatural hum vibrated through his soul.His eyes widened.
> [User Confirmed: Lucien Crimson]
[Status: Regressor Detected]
[System Sync: 4%...]
[Main Objective: Survive Until Year 9]
[Penalty for Failure: Permanent Erasure]
[Unique Skill Tree: Locked]
Lucien's world froze.What… is this?A system? Like something out of the ancient tower myths—whispers of dungeons and lost relics from the outer world.But this… this was something else.It knew him.It called him a regressor.I… really did die. I was really sent back.This isn't a second chance... it's something deeper.Crimson Estate – Moments Later. "He's quiet," one of the midwives murmured, looking down at the newborn.A servant scoffed. "Tenth child. Probably doesn't have the strength to even cry."They all laughed.In their arms, Lucien lay still—his small eyes open, glowing faintly in the candlelight.They didn't see it.They didn't know.Inside, his mind burned like a forge—memories clashing against reality.His own siblings had spat on him.
His father had erased him from the records.
He had died nameless and forgotten.And now he was here again.Alive.Different.He didn't understand what the system was—not yet—but he understood one thing:He wouldn't waste this life.
[System Sync: 12%… Complete Access in 9 years]
> [Warning: Host Mana Level - 0]
[Recommendation: Remain Undetected Until Awakening]
[Tracking 'Dragon Heart Compatibility'… 0.01% — Dormant]
Lucien closed his eyes.Let them think he was weak.Let them laugh.The weakest Crimson had returned—with a mind sharpened by death… and a dragon waiting to awaken in his chest.
> I don't care how long it takes…
One day… you'll all know what pain and suffering is. I'll make you all pay severely.