Chapter 2 – The System Awakens
Kai stood frozen outside the gates of the academy.
The cold wind brushed past him, but he barely felt it. His eyes were locked on the strange glowing words floating in front of him.
[Hidden Demon King System Activated]
His heart started beating faster.
"What… is this?" Kai whispered.
He looked around quickly.
The road was empty. A few travelers walked far in the distance, but no one seemed to notice the glowing red screen in front of him.
"Am I… seeing things?"
The moment he finished speaking, the screen changed.
[Welcome, Host.]
[You have been chosen as the successor of the Hidden Demon King.]
Kai frowned.
"Demon King?"
The word sounded ridiculous. Demon Kings were creatures from ancient legends—monsters that heroes defeated hundreds of years ago.
Yet the strange voice continued calmly.
[The Demon King's power has slept within your blood for years.]
[Today, it has finally awakened.]
Kai felt a strange warmth spread through his chest.
For a moment, his body felt lighter… stronger.
"What do you mean it awakened?" he asked quietly.
The system responded instantly.
[Host has unlocked beginner ability.]
A new screen appeared.
Name: Kai Draven
Rank: F
Strength: 6
Speed: 5
Magic: 3
Skill:
Shadow Energy (Locked)
Kai stared at the numbers.
"They're… terrible."
Even the weakest students in the academy had better stats than this.
But before he could complain, the system spoke again.
[First quest available.]
Another message appeared.
Quest: Prove Your Worth
Defeat an enemy.
Reward:
Unlock Shadow Energy
Kai blinked.
"That's it?"
He expected something bigger.
But then something strange happened.
A heavy presence suddenly filled the air.
Kai slowly turned his head.
Three men had stepped onto the road behind him.
They wore dark armor, and their faces were hidden under black hoods.
One of them spoke with a rough voice.
"So this is the kid."
Another laughed.
"The academy expelled him already. That makes things easier."
Kai's eyes narrowed.
"Who are you?"
The tallest man stepped forward.
"You don't need to know."
Then he pulled out a dagger.
"We were simply paid to make sure you don't live long enough to cause trouble."
Kai's heart skipped a beat.
Someone… wanted him dead?
The three men began walking toward him slowly.
Normally, Kai would have panicked.
Three trained fighters against him?
He wouldn't stand a chance.
But suddenly—
The system's voice echoed again.
[Quest target detected.]
[Defeat your enemies.]
Kai clenched his fists.
His body was still weak.
But something deep inside him felt… different.
A cold energy began to stir in his chest.
The first assassin rushed forward with the dagger raised.
Kai stepped back instinctively.
The blade barely missed his shoulder.
The second attacker moved in from the side.
Kai quickly grabbed a broken branch from the ground and swung it.
CRACK!
The branch hit the man's arm.
"Damn brat!" the attacker shouted.
The third assassin rushed in angrily.
For a moment, Kai thought he was finished.
Then—
That strange power inside him suddenly surged.
Dark energy flickered around his hand for a split second.
The assassin froze.
"What was that—"
Kai swung the branch again.
THUD!
The man crashed to the ground.
The other two hesitated.
Their confident smiles had disappeared.
The system's voice echoed calmly in Kai's mind.
[Combat in progress.]
[Demon King power awakening…]
Kai slowly raised his head.
His eyes were glowing faintly red.
For the first time since entering the academy…
Kai smiled.
A cold, dangerous smile.
"Looks like," he said quietly,
"this quest won't be very hard."