đź“Ł **Dear Beloved Readers,**
First, my deepest gratitude for supporting my humble novel. As this is my first writing attempt, you might find occasional errors or weaker plot points – but I promise to improve with time. Thank you for your patience!
🔥 **Update Plan:**
- We'll now explore the **Dark King's past** (key revelations ahead!).
- I'll strive to post **2+ chapters daily**.
- This memory arc will span **15+ chapters**, and I vow not to disappoint you!
🌍 **How You Can Help:**
1. **Spread the word!** Your shares fuel my motivation.
2. **Contact me:**
- **Discord Server**: [https://discord.gg/6EEGsGfH](https://discord.gg/6EEGsGfH)
(Username: `king dark0010`)
- **Telegram**: `@Akrm546`
🎨 **Call for Artists (Volunteers):**
I need help creating:
- A professional **book cover**
- **Character art** (especially the Dark King)
*Note:* I have no budget currently but deeply appreciate any support!
❤️ You're the reason I write. Every chapter is for you!
....
Silence reigned in outer space. The Dark King did not move, remaining utterly still as he contemplated his hands, shrouded in an aura of darkness. The heroes watched from Earth the battle the Dark King had waged against the "Immortals," their faces etched with terror at what they had witnessed. The skill he had used was horrifying, like an emanation from hell.
They couldn't comprehend what had happened. Their souls had suddenly felt as if they were fainting under the Dark King's terrible pressure. The sensation was like thick darkness draining their energy, pushing them to the brink of the abyss. They had no choice but to fall, surrendering to that immense power.
"Hmm, it seems my influence on the world has begun," the Dark King spoke in a cold tone. "No world can withstand my power."
Heavy moments passed. He no longer had a place to stay; all the worlds he had roamed were submerged in darkness. Nothing remained. He sometimes thought fearfully of his own power—not because he couldn't control it, but because its capabilities were terrifying. During the years he spent training in various corners of the worlds, he had discovered new abilities. All his previous attacks on the heroes were the weakest he possessed. "Time to move and finish what I came for. It's time to find someone," he said to himself. Then, the Dark King vanished from space and appeared behind the heroes.
"Huh? Where did he disappear to? He was in outer space just seconds ago!" one hero exclaimed in astonishment, but received no answer.
The Dark King stood motionless behind them, giving no reaction, which only heightened their anxiety. They were relieved he had vanished, but terror burned their hearts as their fears materialized like a nightmare come true.
Suddenly, one of them screamed as he looked back. "What is he doing here?!" he spoke, terrified, pointing behind them.
All the heroes looked towards the one who pointed. Expressions of shock and fear appeared on their faces when they saw those cold, violet eyes with black rings staring at them from behind.
The Dark King spoke as if the words emerged from the depths of darkness: "Don't worry. Today, I won't kill you. But that doesn't mean I won't kill you in the future..."
The heroes' faces relaxed slightly, though this was hardly good news. Their ears were accustomed to brutal words from his tongue.
"Now, listen to me carefully. I will ask you questions, and you will answer with 'Yes' or 'No'. If I notice you lying, I may retract what I just said." His tone was cold and stern, like bullets.
"Yes, yes, understood," one answered quickly, bowing his head in deference and fear.
"Good, let's begin. Do you know someone named 'Jeff'? Where is he now? What is he currently doing? And what do you know about him?"
Confusion spread across the heroes' faces. *Damn, so many questions. And why 'Jeff' of all people? Did he offend this person? Anyway, it's none of my business...* one of them grumbled internally before answering.
"Yes, we know someone named 'Jeff'. He was one of the most prominent talents on our planet, called 'Faryon'. Due to his unnatural talent, which surpassed even geniuses, the officials decided to promote him to battalion commander at a young age—only eighteen years old."
He continued, "Because of that, some envied him due to his immense talent—not just in martial arts, but also in sword dueling, mana usage... he excelled in everything."
"As for his fame, guilds from neighboring planets coveted him, like the planet..."
"Continue..." the Dark King interrupted, his tone carrying a hint of anger.
"But the officials of planet Faryon vehemently refused to gift such a talent to greedy guilds. One of those guilds was called 'Sword Master,' which made daily offers to take him under their wing, but he consistently refused them."
"He was humble," added "Sam," a glimmer of memories in his eyes. "But..."
"But what?!" came the cold reply from the Dark King.
"But he disappeared after that incident... where he killed the members of that family—a family of four: a son, a daughter, a mother, and a father... everything changed."
One hero murmured, sensing the tension in the air. The moment that family was mentioned, an aura of pitch-black darkness surged, pinning the heroes to the ground as they bled heavily. The earth trembled violently beneath the Dark King's feet, as if fearing his return.
Then they heard those icy words, frostbiting: "Where is Jeff now... Hurry, or I'll kill you all."
His face was contorted with anger, his eyes gleaming like those of a raging beast.
The heroes had no choice but to surrender to the terror surrounding them. "We... we don't know!" one answered in a trembling voice. "Maybe he's in a distant place, or perhaps he's hidden from sight..."
"Where? Where could he be?" the Dark King repeated mockingly, his voice seeming to devour the heroes' dread.
"Believe me, if I knew, I would tell you..." answered Sam, terrified.
"Hmm. You don't need to tell me. I'll find out myself," he spoke with icy detachment.
The Dark King advanced swiftly towards "Sam," grabbing his head.
"Technique: **Dark Extraction**!"—a technique allowing him to see the victim's memories in perfect detail, distorting them and influencing their emotions... In short, a terrifying technique.
"Faint!"
As Sam writhed in agony from the technique, dark energy gathered around them, shielding them from anyone approaching...
While the Dark King delved into Sam's memories, he saw Jeff entering a facility belonging to the heroes...
The facility was located in an area of picturesque natural beauty, surrounded by dense forests and rolling hills, granting it privacy and an air of mystery. Its architectural facade featured massive glass walls reflecting light, creating a dazzling spectacle during the day and adding a touch of magic at night with twinkling lights. The high towers at the building's corners seemed to embrace the sky, adorned with intricate engineering artistry.
Entering through the large Sapele wood doors, one is greeted by a grand hall decorated with statues of legendary heroes. The floors are covered in luxurious marble that glitters under concealed lighting. The ceiling reflects magnificent patterns of ornamentation inspired by various cultures, evoking awe and grandeur.
It contained state-of-the-art training facilities, including dedicated zones for martial arts and others for special skills training. Walls were equipped with screens displaying instructions and techniques, along with automated devices to analyze the heroes' performance.
Meeting rooms boasted modern, technological designs, equipped with huge display screens and advanced sound systems, facilitating coordination between heroes on missions. The main hall featured a long, round table, reflecting partnership and cooperation.
The facility also included luxurious rest areas with comfortable seating and plush sofas. These areas had huge windows offering breathtaking views of the surrounding nature and outdoor balconies for relaxation.
There was a healing room equipped with the latest technology where heroes could receive optimal healthcare. This room contained injury treatment devices, steam baths, and relaxation facilities.
The building was equipped with advanced security systems, including surveillance cameras and sensors to maintain the heroes' safety. All facility systems were controlled by an intelligent network ensuring smooth interaction.
This facility served as a sanctuary for heroes, combining luxury, comfort, and advanced technology. It provided an ideal environment for each hero to reach their full potential, making it unique and exceptional...
"Hmm. It seems the heroes of this world are wealthy," a cold sneer escaped the Dark King's lips...
But he quickly focused on finding Jeff. Also, since "Sam" was in the same facility where "Jeff" trained, finding him wouldn't take long...
In the memory, when "Sam" entered the facility, he saw Jeff heading towards a locked room...
Sam, in his memory, felt curious: *Why does Jeff always train in a locked room while neglecting all these modern devices?!*
So Sam followed Jeff to discover what he was doing!
When Jeff reached that room, he paused briefly, looked right first, then left to ensure no one was following him... making him seem mysterious...
Sam quickly hid behind a giant training machine, fearing Jeff might spot him.
Once Jeff confirmed no one was tailing him, he pressed an electronic panel near the door.
*Beep... Beep... Beep...*
After pressing the panel, a green light appeared, and the door slid open before him. He walked inside, and just as the door was about to close...
Sam pushed the door slightly with his foot and slipped inside before it shut completely. He found himself in a narrow, dark corridor smelling of cold metal, with a flickering blue light piercing the darkness at its end. He advanced cautiously, each step echoing faintly on the metallic walls with a humming sound like an old machine. The light suddenly widened, revealing a secret room filled with holographic screens displaying cryptic symbols and cosmic maps. In the center stood "Jeff"—a young man with handsome features, short blond hair, deep blue eyes, dressed in a formal brown robe with a red tie and black pants. He held in his hands a crystalline orb of light that glowed from within, as if cradling a miniature galaxy.
"What are you doing here, Sam?" Jeff suddenly turned. His voice was calm but carried a hidden threat. His eyes—which had been normal in Sam's memories—now glowed with the same violet hue and black rings as the Dark King.
"I... I..." Sam stammered, but Jeff cut him off with a wave of his hand. The crystalline orb opened, and a blinding light burst forth, flooding the room. Sam couldn't see...
"You wouldn't understand," Jeff said, raising the orb upwards. "This power... isn't for the weak like you. I have found what he was searching for..."
At that moment, inside Sam's memory, the Dark King shuddered. His eyes widened suddenly, and the black aura around him surged like a raging sea. "That orb... It's the **Light Stone**!"
When the Dark King saw... that stone...
"How did this lowly wretch obtain it?!" he whispered, his tone a mix of astonishment and fury. "This stone belongs to... the Queen of Light! How could this be possible unless..."
The scene shifted back to the secret room, where the orb began to absorb the surrounding darkness. Through the holograms, images appeared: the Dark King destroying planets, followed by footage of Jeff stealing the orb from a ruined temple beneath the rubble of planet "Faryon."
"I planned this ever since I killed that family," Jeff said to Sam, who was helpless to move. "This orb will make me his equal... No, it will make me surpass him in power!"
Jeff replied with a cold smile, his eyes blazing with inhuman power: "I won't be just some weakling. I will be the one who stands equal to kings—no, to rulers, or even stronger!"
As Jeff channeled energy from the Light Orb through his body in the secret room, the holographic screens around him suddenly exploded in a flash of bright white light. From it emerged the majestic form of a woman—the embodiment of hope across all universes, the **Queen of Light**. She appeared as a holographic projection filling the room with her deadly beauty. Jeff felt his heart stop for a moment... Those golden eyes, resembling eyes of hope, held a cruelty he had never seen before.
"Well done, my son..." Lusiel whispered in a voice as soft as poison. Behind her, recorded scenes from Jeff's memories played—the moment he cold-bloodedly murdered the family of four. "You executed the mission with the cold nerve befitting a son of the Twelve Kings."
Jeff trembled, but she continued: "You will be rewarded when you return to the universes ruled by your father, Dedron. He chose you to be our ultimate weapon against that monster called the Dark King... Can't you see? Your power wasn't accidental; it's our blood flowing in your veins."
At that moment, inside Sam's memory where the Dark King was submerged, his black aura trembled violently, threatening to engulf the place. His violet eyes ignited with unprecedented fury. He had heard everything...
The Dark King shook his head slowly, darkness coiling around him like a hungry serpent. "You two... are the true masterminds behind all this?!"
The greatest shock was discovering that Jeff was the son of two of his fiercest ancient enemies: the King of War, who ruled universes with an iron fist, and the Queen of Light, who hid behind a mask of purity... "But you will regret this. I will show you who I really am..."
The scene returned to the secret room where Jeff stood stunned. He had always thought killing the family was personal revenge, but the truth was more monstrous: Lusiel and Dedron hadn't chosen a random family to test his loyalty. They chose a family that was the *reason* a monster who destroys worlds—titled the Dark King—was unleashed.
"No..." Jeff whispered, falling to his knees as the Light Orb vibrated wildly beside him. "I'm not... just a tool..."
But Lusiel laughed, her voice cutting through the air like a knife. "We are all tools in the end. Even the Dark King... Didn't you know? We deceived him into thinking we were at odds, while we were planting the seeds of *you* in every world he destroyed. Your talent... your intelligence... even your desire for revenge... all traits you inherited from us."
"Hah! You dare call me a tool?" the Dark King spoke with chilling calmness. "On the contrary, you rulers' lapdogs..."
Outside, the Dark King withdrew his hand from Sam's head. Sam collapsed, unconscious. The black aura around the Dark King intensified until the fabric of outer space began to crack beneath his feet.
"Sons of the Twelve Kings..." he said in a quiet voice masking rage hot enough to melt stars. "I always underestimated you. But this time... I will burn your universes one by one until I find Dedron and Lusiel."
He turned towards the terrified heroes trying to crawl away. "Tell Jeff... that his battle with me no longer matters. Let him enjoy his parents' filthy game... because I am coming for **their heads**."
The Dark King vanished into a black vortex, leaving behind a void screaming in agony. The final scene showed Jeff inside the secret room, staring at the Light Orb as it began to gradually suck away his strength... While in the corner of the holographic screen, an image appeared: the King with Red Eyes, applauding slowly as if watching an entertaining play...