Journey to the underworld: How I became the demon king

Kuro's life had always been ordinary, with a series of mundane days as a villager blending into one another.The mornings began with the warm scent of bread from the baker's hut, and the evenings ended with the distant hum of villagers sharing stories by the fire. His days were spent gathering firewood in the forest or helping his elderly neighbor repair his broken cart. It wasn't glamorous, but it was home.

Yet, deep down, Kuro felt restless. While the other villagers found joy in their simple lives, Kuro's heart yearned for something more—a purpose, an adventure, anything that could shatter the monotony. He often spent hours at the edge of the forest, staring at the distant mountains and wondering what lay beyond them.

His closest friend, Mira, often teased him about his wandering mind. "You dream too much, Kuro. Maybe you should just marry a farmer's daughter and settle down," she'd say with a laugh. But Kuro would only smile, unwilling to admit that he wanted something he couldn't quite name.

That day had felt no different. Kuro had risen with the sun, exchanged the usual greetings with the villagers, and headed into the forest. His mind was filled with thoughts of the waterfall he often visited, a secluded spot where he could dream in peace. But as he stepped deeper into the woods, something felt... off. The birds had gone silent, and the air grew colder, heavier, as if the forest itself was holding its breath. Soon a magic beast appeared from the shadows attracted to him, it attacked. Unknown to him what to do he ran towards the village, but the pace of the magic beast was faster than his and it soon caught up to him. It slammed into him, knocking him to the ground. Pain shot through his side as sharp claws raked across his flesh, leaving him gasping.

The creature loomed over him, its glowing eyes filled with primal hunger. Kuro struggled to move, his body heavy with fear. It wasn't just the physical threat that paralyzed him—something deeper, darker seemed to hold him in place, as if the beast's presence stirred a hidden part of him he didn't understand.

As its jaws snapped closer, Kuro's vision blurred. The world seemed to dim, and he could feel his strength slipping away. Yet, deep inside, a strange sensation stirred, faint but undeniable—a whisper of something ancient, something powerful.

The air felt heavy with unspoken tension, as if the universe itself held it's breath.

Looking at the bright sky while taking his last breaths in fear, a mysterious figure cloaked in shadows. It's eyes gleaming with otherworldly light, stood beside him and said "You have a choice,Kuro." It's voice echoing in the stillness, "Stay here and fade into oblivion, or come with me and embrace your destiny in the underworld".

Kuro's heart pounded with fear of the unknown, he had always longed for something more than his daily ordinary existence but this was not just about him—it was about stepping into unknown dangers and unimaginable powers. Since he was given the chance to choose he took a deep breathe, met with the figure's gaze and said " I'll go with you". His voice steady despite the fear within him.

The figure nodded, extending its hand it said "Then let us begin your journey Kuro, the underworld awaits you". Soon the world around Kuro shifted, the familiar landscape dissolving into shadows and void. He was no longer an ordinary villager, he was stepping into a realm where his destiny as well as dangers awaited him. A realm where he would become the demon king..