"Congratulations, Chosen Hero. You have been summoned to save this world from ruin."
The voice echoed in the dark — metallic, serene, annoyingly perfect.
I opened my eyes slowly. My head throbbed like I'd been hit by a truck. Twice.
System Detected. Binding Soul... Complete.
Initializing Tutorial. Please remain calm.
I sat up with a groan. The world around me was a blank canvas — white, endless, unreal. Floating before me was a glowing blue screen.
Welcome to Orbis, brave Hero! The gods have selected you to defeat the Demon King and restore balance to this world.
Beneath that line:
Press [Accept Destiny] to continue.
I stared at it for a few seconds.
Then tapped [No].
The screen flickered. Like it didn't know what to do with me.
Error: Invalid input.
Please press [Accept Destiny] to begin your righteous journey.
I narrowed my eyes. "Yeah… no. I think I'll pass."
A pause. Long enough to feel intentional.
New Objective: Persuade the Chosen Hero.
A golden orb blinked into existence, all warm light and smiling radiance. "Greetings, o Great Hero!" it chimed with nauseating cheer. "I am Solaria, your divine guide on your sacred quest!"
I frowned. "Send me back."
"I'm afraid that's not possible!" she said brightly. "You've been chosen with great care! You alone can—"
"Stop," I interrupted, standing up and brushing off the ridiculous white robe I was apparently wearing. "I didn't ask to be summoned. I didn't agree to save anything."
Solaria tilted in the air, her glow flickering. "But… the fate of millions—"
"Isn't my concern."
Silence. Uncomfortable, brittle silence.
System Update: Hero Alignment... Unstable.
Warning: Subject displays signs of moral deviation.
Initiating Calibration...
My mind burned.
A sharp pulse shot through my skull — like something was trying to hijack my thoughts. Urges I knew weren't mine: protect the weak, be a hero, make sacrifices for the greater good.
My lip curled. "You're trying to brainwash me."
I pushed back.
The sensation shattered like brittle glass.
Solaria gasped. "You… resisted the Calibration?"
"Guess your system doesn't handle free will well."
New Trait Acquired: Free Will [???]
System Warning: Hero status unstable. Risk of corruption: 82%
Admin Override Recommended.
The light dimmed around her. The cheerful orb suddenly looked a lot less sure of herself.
"You're not… just a Hero," she whispered.
"Nope." I stepped closer. "You summoned the wrong soul."
Title Unlocked: Rogue Sovereign
Description: A Hero who refuses fate, defies prophecy, and forges his own path. Dangerous. Highly unpredictable.
New Quest Added: Save the World. [Mandatory]
Optional Objective: Subjugate the World. [???]
Now we're getting somewhere.
I tapped the optional quest. The screen twitched. Then glitched. Then yielded — with a sound like cracking chains.
Optional Objective Accepted: Subjugate the World.
Warning: This path is highly discouraged.
"Yeah," I muttered, smirking. "That's kind of the point."
Solaria recoiled. "You'll bring chaos. Suffering. You'll destroy what we called you to protect."
"You called me a 'Great Hero' a minute ago," I said, my tone dry. "Maybe do your research next time."
Her glow dimmed further.
"You were meant to wield the Divine Sword of Light," she said softly.
Location Transfer Initiated: Kingdom of Velaria
Starting Gift: Divine Sword of Light
A sword materialized in the air, glowing like a beacon. I grabbed it — the holy energy burned against my skin.
I frowned, then let it go.
It disappeared with a flash.
Gift Rejected. Searching alternative…
New Starting Gift: Crown of the Forgotten King
A dark, jagged crown shimmered into view.
I picked it up and placed it on my head.
Something ancient stirred within me — a cold, slow surge of power, like buried fire waking up after centuries of silence.
Not divine. Not holy.
Sovereign.
Solaria's voice trembled. "What… what are you?"
I looked at her — really looked. That halo of light, the trembling golden glow. A tool of the system. A pawn of the gods.
"I'm what happens when you give a man free will," I said, my voice low and steady, "and then tell him what he must be."
The world cracked.
The white void shattered around me, revealing blue skies, distant mountains, a sprawling kingdom beneath the clouds.
My new domain.