You were never meant to rule."
The words echoed in Kael Varian's ears as the cold steel of the ceremonial dagger plunged into his chest.
He gasped—blood sputtering from his mouth—as he collapsed to his knees before the high altar of Solarium, the God of Radiance. Golden light streamed through the stained-glass windows of the Grand Cathedral, painting the marble floor in divine hues—now tainted red with his blood.
Before him stood his half-brother, Crown Prince Alric, regal and calm in his gilded armor, the imperial crest gleaming over his heart.
Behind him, the High Cleric raised a hand with mock sanctity. "The gods demand purity. The curse in your blood is a stain upon the empire. Your death, Kael Varian, is salvation."
Kael's vision blurred. The world tilted. No one moved to help him. Not the knights. Not the nobles. Not even her.
Selena.
Her violet eyes met his—torn, guilty, afraid. The girl who once swore she would never leave his side now stood in silence, hands trembling, her lips pressed into a silent plea. She said nothing as the curse he was born with became the reason for his execution.
"Why…?" Kael whispered, the question slipping from his lips like a dying breath. "Why was I even born?"
Above, the golden light flickered. Then, without warning, it fractured—shimmering like shattered glass in midair.
A ripple tore through the world. A single drop of blood hit the marble.
And then—
> [SYSTEM DETECTED]
You have fulfilled the conditions of despair.
Activating [Bloodbound System]...
Do you accept the contract?
Kael's dying heart pulsed one final time.
"…Yes."
> [BLOOD CONTRACT INITIATED]
Fate severed.
Rebirth begins.
His body vanished.
And the empire forgot he ever existed.
---
Ash.
That was the first thing Kael smelled.
Not incense. Not roses from the royal garden. But smoke, scorched soil, and burnt wood. The acrid scent of ruin filled his lungs as he bolted upright, gasping.
He was lying on cracked stone, surrounded by broken walls, shattered statues, and overgrown roots. The ruins of what was once a village sprawled before him under a crimson sky, the setting sun casting long shadows across the destruction.
He clutched his chest, expecting pain.
But there was no wound. No blood. No agony.
Only a strange mark—black and crimson—etched into his sternum like a brand. It pulsed faintly, in sync with his heartbeat.
And then came the voice.
> [Welcome to the Bloodbound System]
Status: Cursed Heir – Lv. 1
Title: The Forgotten
Objective: Survive. Grow. Reclaim your bloodline.
First Quest Unlocked:
"Light the Fires"
Restore the central hearth of the village.
Reward: 50 EXP, 1 Village Reputation, 1 Basic Blueprint
Time Limit: 6 hours
Kael blinked. "What… is this?"
A translucent screen hovered in front of him, flickering faintly as he moved. It felt solid, like mist and glass fused into thought. Unreal. Like a game interface—but he knew this wasn't a game.
Not after what happened.
He stood, testing his legs. No trembling. No weakness. His fingers curled into fists, steady and strong.
For the first time in his life, Kael Varian felt… whole.
"This isn't just resurrection," he murmured. "This is a second life."
He glanced around. Half-buried in ash and vines stood a cracked stone brazier in the village square. The "central hearth" the quest referred to. Nearby, scattered debris: broken barrels, dried branches, and blackened timbers that might serve as kindling.
> [Quest Timer: 5:42:18]
He exhaled slowly.
Time to move.
---
One Hour Later
Sweat rolled down Kael's back as he crouched near the hearth, stacking dry branches carefully. With effort, he struck flint against stone until a small spark caught on the edge of the old wood.
The flames roared to life—hungry, defiant.
The ancient brazier flared, glowing with hidden runes that pulsed with warmth. All around him, the ruined village shifted—the wind calmed, the air thickened, the very ground seeming to sigh with memory.
> [Quest Complete]
+50 EXP
+1 Village Reputation
+1 Basic Blueprint: "Hunter's Shack"
> [Level Up!]
Kael Varian — Lv. 2
+2 STR, +1 VIT
Passive Skill Unlocked: Blood Pulse I
[Skill Info]: Slightly enhances regeneration after combat. Gains strength after absorbing blood essence.
Kael stared at the screen, heart pounding in his chest. "It's real. It's all real…"
He'd leveled up. He could feel it—not just numbers, but in his limbs, his lungs, the way his vision sharpened. His body wasn't just alive—it was evolving.
Then came the scream.
High. Piercing. Human.
Kael grabbed the rusted short sword he'd found earlier from a half-buried chest and dashed toward the sound. His body moved like it never had before—faster, stronger, more fluid. Like his blood remembered how to survive.
He vaulted over a broken wall—and stopped.
A young woman, no older than himself, stood in a defensive stance, wielding a broken staff. Around her, three beasts circled—grey-scaled, bone-horned, their eyes glowing a sickly red.
> [New Threat Detected: Ravagers – Lv. 3]
Recommended: Caution
Optional Objective: Save the civilian
Bonus: +100 EXP, Unlock Ally Affinity
Kael didn't hesitate.
"HEY!"
The creatures turned—just in time for Kael to slice his blade across the throat of the closest one.
Blood sprayed. The beast screeched.
Kael stumbled back, breathing hard, but held firm. The other two lunged—he rolled left, narrowly dodging a claw swipe, then ducked under another and drove his blade into the second creature's ribs.
> [Blood Pulse Triggered]
Minor Wounds Healing...
His body responded instinctively. The pain dulled. His pulse steadied.
The girl stepped in, slamming her broken staff into the head of the third beast.
"You're insane!" she shouted. "Who the hell are you!?"
Kael gave her a breathless grin. "Kael. And I guess I'm your hero."
Together, they finished the last Ravager with desperate, brutal teamwork. Blood soaked the ground, and Kael stood panting, eyes wild but focused.
> [Ravagers Defeated]
+150 EXP
+1 Blood Mark Absorbed
Kael Varian — Lv. 3
New Trait Unlocked: Predator's Will I
Trait Effect: Slight boost in power when facing enemies stronger than you.
The girl finally caught her breath and introduced herself.
Lira. A wandering mage. She'd been investigating these ruins, searching for signs of forgotten power. She didn't recognize Kael's name.
Didn't know the cursed bloodline.
Didn't know his betrayal, or his death.
No one did.
The system had erased him.
Kael stared at the hearth again, at the ancient runes now glowing in defiance of time.
"This village… this system… it's my start. Not my end."
He clenched his fist, blood drying on his knuckles.
"Let the gods watch. Let them fear. Because I'm coming back… and this time, I'm rewriting the legend."