Volume 2: Rise of the Vessel
Chapter 10: The Truth About Monarchs
The swirling light of the portal behind him dimmed as Lee Hwan sat near the edge of a quiet cliff on the fifth floor. Wind gently blew past his hair, and the stars above sparkled in the sky like ancient watchers.
He opened the system window, eyes narrowing at the new titles that had appeared beside his dragons' names.
Pyron – Infernal Drake Monarch (Lv. 66)
Nerok – Phantom Drake Monarch (Lv. 66)
"…Monarch?" Lee murmured, leaning back. "System," he said aloud, voice steady, "why is the word 'Monarch' appearing in their titles? Are they as strong as real Monarchs?"
The system didn't respond for a moment. Then—ding.
[System Response: Inquiry Acknowledged]
Clarification: Your dragons, Pyron and Nerok, are NOT true Monarchs.
The title 'Monarch' reflects their elevated status within their respective dragon lineages.
They have reached the 'King-Class' among dragons—rulers of their kind.
Lee's brows furrowed. "Then… what's the difference between a dragon monarch like Pyron and the real Monarchs—the ones like the Dragon Monarch who chose me?"
Another soft ding.
[True Monarchs]
Vessels like you carry the essence of one of the Seven Supreme Monarchs.
These Monarchs are absolute beings, transcending the Tower's limits.
Even the weakest of them would be level 9,998.
No being beneath the 100th floor could ever stand before them.
Your dragons are powerful—each at the 'King-Class'—but they are still mortals.
They are called "Monarchs" in name only due to their bloodline status, not actual power.
Lee Hwan leaned forward, arms resting on his knees.
"So, the Dragon Monarch inside me… he's one of those seven, right?"
[Confirmed.]
The Dragon Monarch is the Supreme Being of Flame and Sky.
He chose you as his vessel, and your strength will eventually reflect his will.
Lee gave a quiet whistle. "Then I really am holding something crazy inside me."
He looked down at his hands, tightening them into fists. "So if Pyron and Nerok have reached the King-Class, that means they'll grow stronger with me. Not true Monarchs, but monarchs of their kind."
That thought comforted him.
Still, the idea of beings at level 9,998 was almost absurd. He was barely level 55. The gap was unfathomable.
"But then again," he whispered, "they probably didn't start at 9,998 either."
He stood up and turned toward the portal leading to the sixth floor, his body pulsing with strength.
"Pyron, Nerok… even if you're not true Monarchs, you're mine. And we're going all the way."
With determination in his eyes, he stepped into the portal, leaving behind the fifth floor—and stepping closer to the unknown heights of the Tower.