The final battle of the Beginner's Protection Period had drained me, both physically and mentally. As the last Black Warrior fell, its massive frame collapsing into fragments of mana, I couldn't help but stagger back and let out a sigh of relief. The training, the planning, and the battles—it had all led to this moment.
Then, the notification window appeared.
[-Unbelievable achievement! All the monsters summoned for the protection of the beginners have been struck down! 100,000 pt will be paid.]
A faint smile crossed my lips. It's done.
The challenge that had consumed the last 15 days had finally come to an end, with mere minutes to spare before the Beginner's Protection Period expired.
I wiped the sweat from my forehead and checked the timer. Just three minutes remained.
It was almost too late.
This time, I'd been forced to push myself to the brink. Even my bloodline abilities hadn't been enough at certain points. I had to rely on strategies and raw determination.
Still, I couldn't shake a sense of dissatisfaction.
It's unfortunate I wasn't the first to clear it.
The reward of 100,000 points was significant, but I knew that the first person to achieve this feat likely earned 150,000 or more. I clenched my fists, the thought gnawing at me. So close, yet not enough.
The system didn't broadcast achievements like this to the public. Most demons hoarded such knowledge within their factions, making achievements like these a well-guarded secret. Humans and solo players, like myself, could only guess at their existence or stumble upon them through trial and error.
Still, the points were no small reward.
Three minutes later, another message window flickered before my eyes.
[-The Beginner's Protection Period is over!]
I exhaled slowly, the weight of the period's challenges lifting from my shoulders. Yet, the next message caught me off guard.
[Four achievements have been earned. The achievements give a grand total of 1,250 points!]
[Class 3 Easter Egg has been opened.]
My brows furrowed. Easter Egg?
This was new. In all my prior knowledge, I'd never encountered such a phrase, not even in the stories of other Dungeon Masters.
Before I could fully process it, the system continued.
[-'Treasure of the Shadow Emperor' has been opened.]
The words conjured images of the legendary tyrant from the Mado Era—a ruler so steeped in greed and cruelty that he was deified by terrified subjects. His empire's magical advancements had included dragon breeding, a feat unmatched since his time.
The system described his legacy as vast and dormant, sealed away for millennia. And now, it seemed I'd stumbled upon a fragment of it.
[-Rewards list has been updated. You can select only one reward.]
A list appeared before me:
-Atasha's Sword (Epic)
-Strength Potion (Medium)
-King Ma-ryong's Horn
-Homunculus
-Cruel Army Commander
The items were extraordinary, each one a treasure in its own right. But as I scanned the list, the system's warning hit me like a hammer.
[-Warning! The heart of the Hell Monarch sleeping among the treasure has awakened!]
[Warning! The Hell Monarch is trying to invade your soul!]
A deep, guttural laugh echoed in my mind.
Kakaka! Stupid gods! I waited for this moment. I will be resurrected. Quietly in this flesh… wait, what? This is the body of a mere demon? Kuaaak!
The Hell Monarch's gloating turned into a panicked scream, his soul obliterated in an instant.
[-An unknown soul has destroyed the Hell Monarch.]
[-The Heart of the Hell Monarch has arrived safely.]
Pain exploded through my chest as the heart embedded itself within me.
"Kkuck!" I gasped, collapsing to my knees.
The heart poured blood-red energy into my body. My veins burned as if molten iron coursed through them. Blood spurted from my mouth, nose, and eyes, pooling around me.
My limbs convulsed uncontrollably. It felt as though every ounce of suffering I'd ever endured had returned all at once. My vision blurred, and my mind teetered on the edge of collapse.
"Heuu…" A shallow moan escaped my lips.
I fought to hold onto consciousness, clinging to a thread of sanity as the invasive energy pushed me to my limits. Then, everything went dark.
When I awoke, I was lying on the cold stone floor of my dungeon. The puddle of blood around me had vanished, leaving only the faint metallic scent in the air.
I sat up slowly, my body feeling unnaturally light. It was as though a great weight had been lifted from me.
"Hoo." I exhaled deeply, wiping sweat from my brow.
"Master! Are you okay?"
Yihi's frantic voice jolted me. She hovered near my face, her tiny features contorted with worry.
"Did I fall down?" I asked, still groggy.
"It's been three days!" Yihi cried. "Yihi thought Master was dying! Sniffle… Foolish Master!"
She swatted at my side with her small hands, tears streaming down her face.
I barely heard her, my thoughts consumed by what had just transpired.
Class 3 Easter Egg. Heart of the Hell Monarch.
I replayed the events in my mind. The heart had appeared suddenly, unlisted among the rewards. It had chosen me. Or perhaps, I had been its only viable vessel.
Yet, the soul of the Hell Monarch—the tyrant who had wielded such immense power—had been extinguished in an instant. The heart was mine now, but at what cost?
What happened to my body?
I stood and flexed my hands, testing my movements. They were smooth, precise, and brimming with strength.
The system chimed again.
[-Warning!]
[-The Heart of the Hell Monarch and your bloodline have started reacting. Randalph's bloodline has begun reawakening!]
[Reawakening Successful! Part of your potential has opened.]
[-Duplication (Ex. R) has evolved into Authority of Replication (U).]
[-Ascension (Ex. R) has evolved into Authority of Evolution (U).]
My breath caught as I read the notifications.
Duplication had always been a versatile ability, but now it had transformed into Authority of Replication, a power that promised unparalleled control over creating copies of objects and even skills.
Ascension's evolution into Authority of Evolution hinted at the ability to transcend limits, to push beyond boundaries I'd thought unbreakable.
This… this is something extraordinary.
Yihi continued to sniffle, her tears subsiding as she realized I wasn't dying.
"Yihi was so scared!" she said, wiping her face with her tiny hands.
"Don't worry," I said, patting her lightly on the head. "I'm fine now."
But as I reassured her, my mind raced.
The heart had granted me immense power, but its origin was steeped in darkness. The warnings, the pain, and the invasive nature of the heart—it all pointed to something far greater than I had anticipated.
What other secrets does this heart hold?
There was no denying it anymore. My path was no longer just about survival or conquering the dungeon. I was now tied to something far older and more dangerous.
A faint smile crept onto my face.
"This is just the beginning."