Aaron woke up annoyed by the blinding morning light since the windows had no curtains. He rubbed his eyes irritably, then pulled the blanket back over his head to continue sleeping.
"Ding..."
A faint yet sharp sound rang across the room before a skull appeared in the space, wearing a white nightgown and a cap lifted over his head.
Aaron glanced at him from the corner of his eye, then let out a soft chuckle and muttered,
"I didn't know you were such a pervert."
Skull 💀 froze at his words, then screamed in frustration, having lost his patience.
"Shut up, idiot! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be awake this early in the morning!"
Aaron raised his eyebrow lazily but didn't respond, nor did he even bother to look at him.
Skull clenched his bony teeth in irritation, the sound grating on the ears of the one trying to sleep. Aaron grabbed his pillow and threw it at him.
"Damn you, I'm trying to sleep here!"
Fed up, the skeleton cracked his fingers.
Aaron's body lifted into the air and then slammed onto the floor with force. He screamed in pain while a mocking smile spread across Skull's face.
"Seems like you need some retraining, brat."
Aaron glared at him sharply, then shouted again,
"This is unfair! Why don't I have magic?!"
Ignoring his words, Skull stepped closer, bent down, and pulled out a small knife. He cut Aaron's finger, making him stare in shock while screaming and cursing like a child. Skull moved back slightly, chanting strange incantations until a complex magical circle formed beneath Aaron.
The circle began to glow with a brilliant violet light.
"I am Commander Tarak Serin of the Graveborn lineage. I hereby pledge my loyalty to my master, Aaron Visdevydia, and vow to obey his orders."
With those words, the violet light shifted into a deep, ominous black.
Aaron's hair turned snow-white, growing long until it reached his waist. His crimson eyes glowed as a thin black line appeared vertically in each pupil—sharp and narrow. He was stunned as he looked at himself in the mirror, unable to deny that he looked far more beautiful than before.
Skull's voice echoed in the room, snapping him from his daze.
"I hope we get along well, Master Aaron."
Almost as if the system agreed, a glowing screen appeared suddenly before Aaron.
📍 [Compatibility System – Activated]
🧠 Soul Synchronization: Analyzing...
✔ Result: Compatibility between [Aaron] and Spirit Companion [Skull] = 15%
🔒 Feature Unlocked: [Basic Link]
🔓 Advanced Features: Restricted
📜 System Note:
"Your compatibility with the spirit companion is in its growth stage.
Further training and direct interaction are required to unlock latent potential."
⚠ Ignoring this warning may lead to failure in activating the future «Fusion Mode».
Aaron looked between Skull and the system with irritation, then said,
"Does everything in this system only progress through training?"
Skull paused for a moment, as if thinking what a dumb question, but was forced to answer anyway. He sighed.
"There is another way... but I absolutely do not recommend it."
Aaron frowned, annoyed.
"Why?"
"Because most system users who tried it ended up regretting it bitterly."
"Fine, spit it out."
Skull exhaled sharply and answered,
"Completing system missions. But those missions are manipulative, always crafted either for its own amusement or for the entertainment of the High Council."
Aaron's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Seems you know a lot."
He continued, his voice sharp, "You'd better spill everything you know about the High Council and this system."
Skull stiffened, realizing what he had just revealed. In the blink of an eye, he vanished completely, just as suddenly as he appeared.
It only took a few seconds before Aaron exploded in anger, grabbing his pillow and throwing it at the spot Skull had disappeared from.
"Cowardly skeleton!!!"
With Skull's disappearance, the magical circle faded, and Aaron's appearance returned to normal. Yet, a burning pain flared across his neck.
He hurried to the mirror and found a strange tattoo forming on his skin. It depicted a face covered by delicate skeletal hands, tightly wrapping around its eyes and mouth. A chilling shiver crept down his spine as he recalled that haunting dream.
The tattoo didn't last long before vanishing entirely, but the place it had been burned fiercely, as if his flesh had been struck by a second-degree burn.
...
Later, Aaron climbed down the makeshift rope of bedsheets he'd hung the night before, landing in the garden. He had learned a few things during his exploration. First, this place was called the Western Wing, and no servants or anyone else lived here besides him. Second, the place where he had met Cecilia yesterday was the Main Palace.
Aaron thought for a moment as he sneaked into the kitchen to grab food. From the system's repeated notifications, he knew he needed to train, but the problem was: how?
Based on video games and anime, there were many kinds of power—mana, magic, aura, martial arts, etc. Aaron immediately ruled out martial arts. Clearly, this wasn't a Murim world. As for aura, he disliked knights and butchers, so that option was also out.
His thoughts were interrupted when the kitchen door opened. But Aaron had already escaped before anyone could see him.
He strolled through the garden calmly, munching on an apple, before remembering the forest behind the garden wall. Running to the small exit, he squeezed through.
He made his way to the tree he had leaned against yesterday, pushing through the drooping branches like nets.
'I hope I don't run into a snake or a crocodile. This place feels more like a swamp than a forest.'
Aaron muttered in irritation, but froze when he saw someone already leaning against his tree (◠‿◕).
Slowly approaching, he found a man who looked in his twenties—tall, with flawless pale skin as white as milk to a frightening degree. His eyes were pitch-black, like the wings of a harsh winter night. His long black hair flowed down to his thighs—not thick, but enough to lend a haunting charm to his beauty.
Aaron's blood ran cold as he stepped closer. A massive serpent was coiled peacefully around the man, its lower body wrapped tightly around him. Its scales were thick, like a dragon's, dark green with golden ripples near the edges.
Aaron swallowed hard, nearly choking on his own saliva. He clamped a hand over his mouth, trying to stifle his breathing as he backed away in terror.
A deep, harsh voice shattered the stillness of the forest, carrying hidden authority and veiled dread.
"I didn't expect to see you so soon, Aaron Visdevydia."
...
Aaron remained frozen in place, covering his mouth. The man straightened slowly and stepped closer. He was tall, wearing a black kimono that only enhanced his beauty, looking like the hero of some romantic manhwa.
He smiled softly—but the smile never reached his eyes. Aaron wasn't fooled by that false gentleness.
"Greetings, little one. I am Darius Zephyrus."
Aaron struggled to gather himself, trying to muster some strength. How shameful for a Demon King to cower like a bug. And besides, he looks too beautiful to be dangerous...
That's what he told himself while staring at Darius. But the system, as always, enjoyed shattering his expectations.
A piercing buzz rang in his ear, and a crimson screen lit up before his eyes.
📛 [System Alert – Black Level] 📛
──────────────────────────────
🔍 Auto-detection: Unregistered Entity
⚠ Classification: ❌ Unknown ❌
⚠ Threat Level: ☠ Extreme Danger – Lethal Being ☠
🧬 No prior data in Alpha Core System.
📎 Energy readings beyond all measurement.
📎 Structure un-analyzable.
❗ Warning to User ❗
✖ Do not engage
✖ Do not attempt combat
✖ Immediate retreat is the only option
🔒 Emergency Protocol [V-0] Activated...
🔁 Loading camouflage measures...
⏳ Time left to escape: 00:21 seconds
🚨 Failure to retreat will result in certain death.
──────────────────────────────
The system's words were brutally clear. If he didn't run now, he would die.
Without hesitation, Aaron sprinted with all his might, gasping desperately for breath, terror gnawing at his lungs. It wasn't just the serpent or Darius' appearance—his very aura was suffocating, terrifying. Even the system itself had declared: staying meant certain death.
Aaron's steps suddenly faltered. His vision blurred. Then—he collapsed unconscious. His frantic running had cut off oxygen supply to his brain, forcing his body into a temporary coma.
Darius stood over the unconscious Aaron, his gaze deep and unreadable. Slowly, he bent down, lifting Aaron gently as though he were something fragile. He stroked his head with rare care.
"It's alright, little one. I'll take good care of you."