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Muyeon sat cross-legged on the floor of his room, the faint glow of the Multiverse Chat Group's holographic interface casting a soft light across his face, his dark eyes scanned the latest message from the Plague Monarch.
[Plague Monarch]: If there's anything I can do to help you pay the price for more information, let me know. I'm… interested in what you might uncover.
Muyeon's lips curled into a faint smirk. Her tone had shifted from outright hostility to cautious interest, and he knew this was his chance to steer the conversation in his favor.
'She's taken the bait,' he thought, his mind racing. 'Now I just need to reel her in.'
He leaned back, his fingers tapping lightly against the floor as he considered his next move.
The problem was, he didn't know much about her. In his past life, she had been the first Monarch killed by Sung Jin-Woo, and her screen time in Solo Leveling had been limited. He couldn't recall any specific abilities or resources she might have that could help him.
'No matter,' he decided. 'I'll just ask her directly.'
With a calm demeanor, he began typing his reply, his fingers moving swiftly across the holographic interface.
[Demon Heir (Admin)]: I appreciate the offer. As it happens, there are a few things that could help me grow stronger—resources or techniques that might aid my growth.
He paused, considering how much to reveal. He needed to give her enough information to understand what he was looking for, but not so much that she could use it against him.
[Demon Heir (Admin)]: In my world, we cultivate a form of energy called Ki. It's the life force that flows through all living things…
He went on to explain the basics of his world's power system, detailing the various ways Ki could be used and enhanced:
Sword Arts
Martial Arts
Meditation Techniques
Inscriptions
Spirit Herbs
Power levels such as Minor and Major Realms
Etc.
[Demon Heir (Admin)]: Given your vast experience across the multiverse, I was hoping you might have come across something that could aid in my growth. Even if it's not from a world with Ki, it might still be compatible.
He hit send, leaning back as he waited for her response. The Plague Monarch was a being of immense power, and he was certain she had access to resources far beyond anything his world could offer.
The Plague Monarch read Muyeon's message, her glowing red eyes narrowing in thought. His explanation of Ki was intriguing, though the concept was foreign to her. It reminded her of Mana, the energy used by mages in some worlds, but it wasn't quite the same.
[Plague Monarch]: Ki, you say? Interesting. I haven't been to a world with such an energy system before. It must be a universe far removed from my own in the multiverse.
She paused, her claws tapping lightly against the armrest of her throne.
[Plague Monarch]: I don't collect trinkets from every world I conquer. Most of what I encounter is worthless to someone of my power.
The idea of carrying around "garbage" from every world she'd destroyed was laughable to her. Most items were beneath her notice, unworthy of her attention.
Muyeon's heart sank slightly as he read her reply. He had hoped she might have picked up something useful during her wars with the Rulers, but it seemed she hadn't bothered.
However, her next message caught him off guard.
[Plague Monarch]: That said, my insectoid army includes bees that pollinate various plants. Over time, these plants have evolved into what you might call spiritual herbs, thanks to the bees' high power level. I have no use for them, but they might be of interest to you.
Muyeon's eyes widened as a trade request appeared in the chat window. He accepted it without hesitation, and a moment later, the system notified him that hundreds—no, thousands—of spiritual herbs had been added to his inventory.
He accessed the inventory, his breath catching in his throat as he saw the sheer quantity and variety of herbs. Each one was labeled with a description, detailing its name and effects:
Starbloom Petals: Accelerates Ki absorption and refines the quality of Ki.
Frostfire Root: Enhances endurance and resistance to extreme temperatures.
Voidvine Extract: Stimulates meridians, increasing cultivation speed.
Golden Phoenix Pollen: Revitalizes the body and mind, dispelling fatigue.
…
..
.
The list went on and on, each herb more potent and rare than the last. Muyeon couldn't help but grin as he realized the magnitude of what he had just received.
'It would take the Cult hundreds of years to acquire this many spiritual herbs,' he thought, leaning back in awe as he surveyed the vast collection of priceless treasures before him. A wry smile crossed his lips. 'Is this what it's like to have a sugar mama?'
[Demon Heir (Admin)]: This is… incredible. Thank you.
The Plague Monarch's reply was swift, her tone laced with amusement.
[Plague Monarch]: Don't get too excited. This isn't even half of what my bees produce in a month. Consider it a loan. I expect you to repay me with information about my future once you're strong enough to access it.
Muyeon nodded, his expression serious.
[Demon Heir (Admin)]: You have my word. I'll get you the information as soon as I can.
As the conversation ended, Muyeon leaned back, his mind racing with possibilities. The Plague Monarch's generosity—or rather, her calculated investment—had given him a significant advantage. With these herbs, he could accelerate his growth and prepare for the challenges ahead.
But he also knew he couldn't let his guard down. The Plague Monarch was a dangerous ally, and he would need to tread carefully to maintain their fragile partnership.
For now, though, he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. The game was far from over, but he had just taken a major step forward.
————
Timeskip: Three Weeks
The next three weeks passed in a blur of relentless training and preparation. Muyeon threw himself into his regimen with a single-minded focus, driven by the knowledge that time was running out. The Demon Academy was fast approaching, and he needed to be ready.
Every morning, Muyeon rose before dawn to train under his mother's watchful eye. Lady Mu was a harsh but effective teacher, pushing him to his limits and beyond.
Ki Control
Sword Arts
Endurance training
Etc.
Lady Mu noticed his rapid progress, her sharp eyes gleaming with approval.
"You've improved," she said one evening, her tone as close to praise as she ever got. "But don't get complacent. The other heirs won't be idle."
Muyeon nodded, his expression serious. "I understand, Mother. I'll keep pushing myself."
Their bond deepened as they spent more time together, and Lady Mu began to see him not just as her beloved son, but as a worthy heir to the Dark Clan.
After training with his mother, Muyeon would spend the rest of his days meditating, growing his Ki at an unprecedented rate. He consumed the Plague Monarch's herbs in high, strategic doses, using their potent energy to constantly refine his Ki.
The effects of the herbs were transformative, propelling his growth at an astonishing pace and enabling him to ascend to the Peak of the Advanced Realm in a mere three weeks.
Remarkably, despite his swift consumption, hundreds of herbs remained stored in the system's inventory, reserved for future needs.
Beyond advancing his cultivation, the herbs also fortified his physical and mental resilience. He felt an unprecedented surge in strength, speed, and clarity, as if his entire being had been refined to its utmost potential.
In addition to his rigorous training, Muyeon made a point to stay in regular contact with the Plague Monarch, carefully nurturing a sense of trust and camaraderie between them.
He often shared snippets of his daily life and training progress, though his updates seemed to irritate her more often than not.
[Plague Monarch]: Why should I care about the training regimen of an insignificant ant like you?
[Demon Heir (Admin)]: Because I'm your friend?
Querehsha stared at his response, her lips pressing into a thin line. 'Friend?' The word lingered in her mind, leaving her unsettled and uncertain of how to react.
————
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across Muyeon's room. He sat cross-legged on the bed, his mind focused on the events to come.
'Tonight's the night,' he thought, his expression grim. 'Yeo Woon will meet his descendant and get the Nano Machine.'
Muyeon's knowledge of the original story gave him a critical advantage. He recalled that Yeo Woon had been chased by assassins, leading to his encounter with his descendant.
And thanks to his improved relationship with his mother, she had informed him of her plan to send assassins after Yeo Woon tonight, allowing Muyeon to pinpoint the exact timing.
'I can't let him get the Nano Machine,' Muyeon thought, his jaw tightening. 'But I can't do it alone.'
Yeo Woon's descendant was at least at the Master Realm, far beyond Muyeon's current strength. He needed help—and he knew exactly where to get it.
Muyeon opened the Multiverse Chat Group and began crafting a quest.
[Objective]: Assist Cheon Muyeon on a night out.
[Reward]: Information about the Plague Monarch's future.
He sent the quest to the Plague Monarch, his heart pounding as he waited for her response.
Seconds later…
In a sudden burst of light, an extraordinarily beautiful yet fearsomely powerful woman materialized in Muyeon's bedroom, her very presence radiating an overwhelming aura.
The Plague Monarch, Querehsha.
She looked around, her glowing red eyes taking in her surroundings with a mix of curiosity and disdain. Her pale skin and dark armor contrasted sharply with the opulent decor of the room, and her long black hair cascaded down her back like a dark waterfall.
"So this is your world," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "It's… quaint."
————
The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a pale silver light over the quiet cemetery. The air was still, the only sound the soft rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. Cheon Yeo Woon stood before his mother's grave, his hands clasped in front of him, his head bowed in silent prayer.
[Insert picture of Yeo Woon here]
The grave was simple, marked by a weathered stone engraved with his mother's name: Lady Hwa. It was a humble resting place for a woman who had once been the Demon Lord's favored wife, but Yeo Woon had always found solace here.
"Mother," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I'm leaving for the Demon Academy soon. I won't be able to visit as often as I'd like, but I promise I'll make you proud."
He knelt down, placing a small bouquet of flowers at the base of the gravestone. The flowers were simple—wildflowers he had picked himself—but they were a symbol of his love and respect.
"I'll become strong," he continued, his voice growing firmer. "Strong enough to protect myself and honor your memory. I won't let anyone look down on me anymore."
Yeo Woon's fists clenched at his sides as he thought of the challenges ahead. The Demon Academy was a place of ruthless competition, where only the strongest survived. He knew he was at a disadvantage—his lack of training and resources had left him weaker than the other heirs—but he was determined to prove himself.
As he stood to leave, a sudden chill ran down his spine. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, and his instincts screamed at him to move.
Before he could react, shadows emerged from the darkness, surrounding him in an instant. Figures clad in black robes materialized from the night, their faces hidden behind masks. Each one radiated a cold, killing intent, their presence suffocating.
Yeo Woon's heart pounded in his chest as he realized what was happening.
'Assassins,' he thought, his mind racing. "Who sent you?!"
Without a reply, the assassins closed in, their movements silent and precise. Yeo Woon's eyes darted around, searching for an escape route, but there was none. He was trapped.
"You shouldn't have come here," one of the assassins said, his voice cold and emotionless.
Yeo Woon's jaw tightened as he prepared to fight. He knew he was outmatched, but he refused to go down without a fight.
'If this is how it ends,' he thought, his resolve hardening, 'then I'll take as many of them with me as I can!"
A/N: 2110 words :)
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