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Three days after the battle with the Heavenly Dao...
The Abyss Realm was still recovering.
The Celestial Army had retreated.
The Abyss creatures celebrated their survival.
For thousands of years, they had lived in fear.
But now...
They had a ruler.
Inside the First King's Palace...
Knox stood before an ancient black door.
No guards.
No traps.
Only a single sentence engraved upon it.
"Only the one who carries his own ambition may enter."
Alexander looked at the door.
"Another trial?"
Knox nodded.
"Most likely."
Orion smiled.
"Your inheritance really likes making things difficult."
Knox shrugged.
"Power without difficulty is boring."
Seraphina sighed.
"You say that way too casually."
Nyx stepped forward.
"This door leads to the final chamber of the First King."
"The Crown of the Fallen King is inside."
Lyra looked at the door.
"What kind of power does it possess?"
Nyx became serious.
"The power to rule."
Everyone became silent.
Knox looked at her.
"Rule?"
Nyx nodded.
"The crown doesn't increase strength directly."
"It increases authority."
"It allows its owner to command armies, kingdoms, and even certain laws."
[Ding!]
Target Treasure Detected.
Crown of the Fallen King
Rank: Mythical
Status: Sealed
Requirement: Pass the King's Trial
Knox placed his hand on the door.
The moment he touched it—
The world changed.
He was no longer inside the palace.
He stood on a battlefield.
Thousands of corpses covered the ground.
Above him...
Millions of soldiers waited.
A younger version of the First Villain stood before him.
The First Villain looked at Knox.
"You want my crown?"
Knox remained calm.
"I need it."
The First Villain smiled.
"Wrong answer."
The battlefield changed.
A kingdom appeared.
People suffering.
Enemies attacking.
His own followers losing hope.
The First Villain spoke.
"A ruler has two choices."
"Stand above everyone..."
"Or stand before everyone."
Knox watched silently.
The illusion continued.
He saw countless rulers.
Kings who abandoned their people.
Heroes who sacrificed others for victory.
Villains who destroyed everything.
Finally...
The First Villain asked:
"What makes a true ruler?"
Knox thought for a moment.
Then answered.
"Someone who carries the consequences of their choices."
The battlefield became silent.
The First Villain smiled.
"Interesting."
"Explain."
Knox looked at him.
"A king who only wants power is a tyrant."
"A hero who sacrifices everyone for an ideal is a fool."
"But a ruler..."
"A ruler accepts responsibility."
The illusion shattered.
[Trial Complete.]
King's Qualification Accepted.
The black door opened.
Inside was an empty room.
At the center...
A floating black crown.
It looked simple.
But the moment Knox approached—
The entire Abyss bowed.
Not the creatures.
Not the soldiers.
The realm itself.
Knox reached out.
The crown touched his hand.
BOOM!!
An endless wave of memories entered his mind.
Wars.
Kingdoms.
Civilizations.
The First Villain's empire.
And his final words.
"Power is not what makes a king."
"The people who trust you do."
[Ding!]
Crown of the Fallen King Acquired.
Second Legacy Treasure Obtained.
Rewards:
- Supreme Villain Authority +3%
- King's Domain Unlocked
- Abyss Army Loyalty Increased
- Faction Level Increased
A black crown floated above his head.
The pressure was overwhelming.
Even Azrael looked surprised.
"You inherited it."
Knox looked at him.
"You sound disappointed."
Azrael shook his head.
"No."
"For the first time..."
"I think he made the right choice."
Suddenly...
The System gave another notification.
[Ding!]
Three Great Treasures Progress:
✔ Supreme Villain System
✔ Crown of the Fallen King
❌ Blood of the True Enemy of Heaven
Remaining Treasure Location:
Unknown
Knox frowned.
Only one remained.
The final piece.
Before anyone could speak...
The Abyss sky cracked.
A massive golden symbol appeared.
Everyone immediately became alert.
Nyx's expression changed.
"No..."
"What?"
She stared upward.
"The Celestial Court."
A voice descended from the heavens.
"Knox Void."
"You have taken the First King's crown."
"Now..."
"Return it."
A figure stepped out of the golden portal.
Not Lucien.
Not a general.
Someone far stronger.
The pressure alone forced every Abyss creature to kneel.
Even Azrael's expression became serious.
Knox looked at the newcomer.
The System activated.
[Ding!]
Unknown Existence Detected.
Identity: ???
Title: Heavenly Prince
Threat Level: Beyond Current Analysis
The man smiled.
"I have waited a long time to meet you."
"Successor of the First Villain."
Knox raised his sword.
"Who are you?"
The man answered calmly.
"I am the one..."
"Who will end your story."
The final war between destiny and rebellion...
Had found its next opponent.
End of Chapter 29