Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan

Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan – 121

Surprisingly, I wasn’t averse to forced emotions or melodrama.
Maybe it was because I didn’t watch many movies or dramas. For someone like me, who hesitated to watch the hit of the year, the sad and touching scenes of a blockbuster I occasionally stumbled upon often moved the heart of a man weary of life’s struggles.
After all, it was a well-made series, and even the “melodramatic” parts that people begged to stop were compelling enough to captivate viewers with their persuasive narrative flow.
“Hee…! It’s outside!”
On the other hand, this story, which only a tiny fraction of users had encountered, neither garnered public interest nor criticism.
The videos I painstakingly edited and repeatedly recorded scripts for never surpassed 500 views before I got possessed.
That happened quite often.
Expecting people’s empathy and admiration, only to find no satisfying reactions anywhere, left me feeling downcast.
“Tha…nk… you! Brother, sister.”
A smile spread across the face of the ugly boy.
The boy, who had spent his entire life confined in the tower, spoke in a husky and awkward voice.
His back was hunched like a hunchback, and his face was covered with festering boils.
“Hehe, hehe.”
The ugly boy ran through the fields, trees, and streams. He stumbled while chasing a rabbit and marveled at a butterfly perched on his finger.
For some reason, that scene looked beautiful.
The nanny who had cared for him wiped away her tears, and the boy, freed from the tower, waved his hands excitedly.
The boy was pure. What he needed wasn’t a hollow throne but a goal that would allow him to continue living his life with determination.
Just like me, who barely graduated from an unrecognized four-year college and continued working with the dream of becoming a famous game YouTuber someday.
A new dream must have just been imprinted on that boy.
Retired knight Bradan, who had been on guard, finally relaxed and spoke.
“Thank you for your help. Without you, the prince and we…”
“It’s fine. Just focus on settling down and living happily.”
The happy ending where the retired knight and the nanny, who loved each other, became a married couple, and the fallen noble Elisa and the ugly prince became siblings, living as their adopted children.
The King of Shadows must have wanted to change the sad ending of the fairy tale, even if it was just a fabricated story.
“Sir Isaac, Lady Ophelia, I will never forget today’s grace. Our prince is incredibly strong. I will raise him to be a great knight, and one day…”
Retired knight Bradan, who made an impossible vow, led his new family on a long journey.
– Rustle. –
[…And they all lived happily ever after.]
The fairy tale book opened in mid-air, and a low-pitched female voice whispered in my ear.
[You have saved the three lights.]
[The event has been reconstructed.]
– Beep! –
[It is a splendid conclusion.]
[The buff ‘Bearer of Light’ has been activated.]
[For one hour, your combat power against ‘Shadow Attribute’ monsters will be greatly increased.]
Everything was ready. It was time to face the King of Shadows.
– Fwoosh.-
The sun began to rise in the east. Its intense rays illuminated the ‘Castle of Lies’ where we had spent the day.
– Ssshh. –
Shadows began to form behind the massive castle. That was the boss zone of this Rift, the ‘Shadow Citadel.’
“Let’s move…”
“Sniff, sob.”
So that’s why it was so quiet. Ophelia was quietly wiping away her tears.
I didn’t rush her. The first prince and his companions had disappeared beyond the horizon, and the sun, now fully risen, brightly lit the early morning sky.
Ophelia gazed at the sun, lost in thought. She seemed to be grappling with complex emotions.
“Why is the world filled with so much sorrow?”
It was a sentimental question.
Without sorrow, the concept of happiness wouldn’t exist. These are terms born from human perspectives. We were not gods.
We were just swept along by the tides of the world, living each day to the fullest without knowing where we were headed, just to survive.
‘Survival.’
For now, let’s focus on that alone.
If this were a game, I might have indulged in my emotions, but the world I was seeing now was undeniably real.
Feeling pity for the King of Shadows should not cause even a moment’s hesitation in purifying him.
“Sorrow and happiness are two sides of the same coin. One cannot exist without the other.”
“…You’re resolute.”
“We don’t have time. Let’s move.”
– Ssshh… –
We were soon swallowed by the shadows, heading towards the long, stretching shadow behind the castle, our backs to the sun.
‘Purify to survive.’
And obtain the unique magic stone. Gradually, I would grow stronger, becoming someone who could survive under any adverse conditions.
My dream was simple and clear. Unlike the vague goal of becoming a successful game YouTuber, the dreams of the possessed were becoming reality one by one.
As if it were destined to be.
– Step. Step. –
We walked and walked. The swamp of shadows engulfed Ophelia and me, leading us to a completely different world.
– Ssshh… –
Pushing through the shadowy mist, we eventually came upon a spiral staircase made of shadows. At the top of the twisted stairs stood a castle made entirely of shadows.
[You have entered the ‘Shadow Citadel.’]
[You are overwhelmed by the grandeur of the citadel, but soon feel a spark of courage ignite within you.]
[You resolve yourself.]
[‘Almost there. Soon, I’ll be able to return to my comrades.’]
Were these messages my true feelings, or an artificial mindset imposed by the system?
What was certain was that upon seeing the messages, I genuinely felt a surge of courage.
We climbed the seemingly endless stairs diligently. There were no obstacles, not even a single shadow monster in sight.
– Creak. –
As we opened the castle gate and entered, an arena-like interior unfolded before us.
– Ssshhhhh—! –
As if to welcome us, a wave of skin-prickling dark energy surged within the citadel.
“Groooar.”
“Raaaar.”
From the stands, thousands of shadow monsters looked down on us. I swallowed hard and took hesitant steps forward.
Once again, I must emphasize that I was still a coward. However, I did not retreat. Suppressing the instinct to flee, I stood proudly in the center of the arena, like a beacon of light purifying the world of shadows.
– Ssshh… –
– Goooo… –
From the lofty throne, a black figure exuded overwhelming majesty.
The shadow monsters collectively bowed their heads in fear, and the silhouette of the black figure radiated the aura of a sovereign.
– Whirl. –
The monarch swept aside his cloak and drew a sword. The pale-faced king was no longer the ugly boy.
His stature exceeded 3 meters, and his eyes were lifeless, like those of a corpse.
– Ssshh… –
Finally, the shadow, imbued with pitch-black darkness, flowed down in an eerie manner. The shadow flowed like water and coalesced on the opposite side of the arena.
He was darkness itself. Facing the ruler of the world, an overwhelming fear, as if staring into infinite void, washed over me.
【Information Window】
▶ Name: King of Shadows, Karn
▶ Level: 150
▶ Classification: Monster
▶ Mutations: [Dominion of Shadows Lv.5][Inverted World Lv.5][Reign of the King Lv.5][Bone-Chilling Despair Lv.3]
▶ Skills: [Devour][Bury]
A level 150 monster.
A Tier 2 champion that could only be faced by a 7-star late-stage warrior.
[King of Shadows, Karn, is looking at you.]
[A vague memory from the dream he had last night resurfaces.]
However, I had obtained a buff that allowed me to contend with him, while the King of Shadows was afflicted with a critical debuff.
[He remembers you!]
[For some reason, a faint hint of goodwill flickers in his eyes.]
“Come.”
I ignored the messages.
From now on, I had to fight and defeat the monster of monsters.
I would channel even my sorrow and pity for the boy into my sword and strike.
[Used Final Finish.]
[The next attack is enhanced with the power of a ‘Finishing Blow’.]
– Wooooong───! –
– Ssshh―. –
The shadow’s sword swung towards me. In response, I brought down my Karna Blade with all my might.
─────────!
– Clang! –
Our swords clashed. Despairingly, my strike was evenly matched with the shadow’s sword.
– Ssshhhh―! –
Shadows extended from the pitch-black greatsword, enveloping me in an instant.
[Your consciousness is fading.]
[The shadow is consuming you.]
An unprecedented, dizzying mental attack overwhelmed me. Engulfed by the shadow, I plummeted endlessly.
Unlike physical pain, a horrifying sensation of being erased from existence enveloped my entire being.
[You feel yourself being buried in the shadow.]
[In the darkness, the first light flickers.]
– Fwoosh! –
Nanny Valentine’s blessing shone upon me.
On the brink of despair, I grasped the Karna Blade once more.
[You have suffered extreme mental damage.]
[However, you overcame it with the power of light!]
[Your combat gauge is fully charged.]
Rising from the depths of the consuming shadow, I gritted my teeth and swung my sword.
──────────!
– Ssshhh! –
The King of Shadows’ shoulder was deeply slashed. However, the wound quickly closed up with shadows.
– Ssshhh―. –
– Thud! –
A bright arrow flew and embedded itself in his chest. Yet, it too was swallowed by the shadow, and the wound healed instantly.
– Ssshhhh! –
An endless stream of shadowy mist shot towards me. The infinite shadows from the king sought to devour me.
[You are engulfed in overwhelming despair.]
[In the darkness, the second light flickers.]
Suddenly, Nanny Valentine and retired knight Bradan stood beside me. They shone brightly, driving away the shadows with their radiant light.
[The King of Shadows wavers.]
[In the pitch-black darkness, something faint seems to shine.]
Fight with the resolve to die.
Swing your sword with everything you have.
Only relentless determination can bring down the King of Shadows!
[Used Final Finish.]
[The next attack is enhanced with the power of a ‘Finishing Blow’.]
“Haaaaa!”
────────────!
– Sssshhh! –
The shadow was split wide open. Very wide. So wide that even the infinite shadow couldn’t easily mend it.
I slashed and slashed, cutting through the ruler of this world, struggling through the deep darkness, fighting off the nauseating nightmare.
[In the darkness, the third light flickers.]
Elisa, the fallen noble who was a friend of the ugly boy, stood beside me, transformed into light.
Hundreds of arrows of light flew and embedded themselves into the void of shadows.
The boy was not alone.
“Prince! Please, come out now!”
The nanny who had taken the spear for him was with him.
[The King of Shadows wavers.]
[In the boundless darkness, something begins to shine brightly.]
“I was happy to train with you. Please remember. Didn’t you vow to become a great knight someday?”
The retired knight Bradan hovered by his side.
[The King of Shadows wavers intensely.]
[In the ancient darkness, a warm light emerges!]
“You said you’d marry me later! You idiot, how long are you going to stay like that─!”
Elisa, the fallen noble, had always loved him.
[The King of Shadows writhes in agony.]
[The warm light, the happy memories, the cherished moments, drive away the thick darkness!]
“Ugh… ah…!”
– Sssshhh────! –
[This is his final struggle.]
The memories of the boy seeped through.
The memories of a childhood filled with dreams of becoming a king despite his illness, sustained by the nanny’s praise and encouragement. The despair and fury of holding the nanny, who had been stabbed in his place, and screaming in agony.
These memories invaded my mind, tearing it apart.
‘Arrrgh!’
It felt like I was dying.
What was I doing?
Why was I enduring this pain?
If only I had stayed hidden in the corner of the dungeon. No, if I had used my head a bit better and escaped from the kidnappers. No! If only there hadn’t been a quest to fetch the elixir of immortality.
From the start…
If I hadn’t been possessed by this world, I wouldn’t be suffering like this…
I wanted to die. I didn’t want to suffer anymore. From the beginning, I… I was just a lowly employee… I wasn’t capable of leading the Harmony Clan.
[You are consumed by the darkness.]
[However, you also had light within you.]
– Ssshh. –
Suddenly.
Someone’s touch grabbed me.
Holding my shoulder, arm, and waist, they tried to pull me up.
Blurred figures were shouting something.
I couldn’t quite make out what they were saying…
[You also had happy memories.]
[The warm light pushes back the darkness!]
The figures pulling me up were smiling.
Suddenly, strength surged through me.
[Used Final Finish.]
[The next attack is enhanced with the power of a ‘Finishing Blow’.]
– Wooooong────! –
“Uh… uh…! Bro… brother…”
The King of Shadows had reverted to the ugly boy. The boy was yearning for salvation.
With all my might, I swung the Karna Blade.
────────!
The darkness was split.
So wide and deep that it could never be mended again.
– Fwoooosh! –
The ‘Finishing Blow’ effect of the Final Finish unleashed a formidable shockwave that blasted through the Shadow Citadel.
[VICTORY!]
[You have defeated the monster ‘King of Shadows, Karn.’]
[You have earned 150,000 points for defeating a formidable foe!]
A profound exhaustion washed over me.
I felt my eyes closing, ready to succumb to sleep at any moment.
[The Rift has been purified.]
[You have earned 200,000 points.]
The world of shadows began to dissolve from the edges.
Staggering, I walked over to collect the golden, shimmering items.
‘We did it.’
Just as I was about to bask in the sense of accomplishment, my consciousness faded.
– Thud. –