The moment Marek—once called Riven—stepped out of the collapsing library, his feet landed on smooth marble.
But this time, he wasn't alone.
Rows of armored soldiers stood silently in formation on either side of a massive throne hall. Their faces were covered by gold-plated masks, their spears pointed toward the vaulted ceiling, and not a single breath disturbed the silence.
The ceiling was open to the sky.
A dark sun hung above.
And on the throne, carved from obsidian and bone, sat a figure cloaked in red and black.
He radiated authority like a furnace radiated heat.
The Emperor.
[Dungeon No.003 – The Emperor's Judgment Initiated]"Obey, and be rewarded. Defy, and be judged."
Marek clenched his fists.
He still wasn't used to his real name. Every time the system used it, it reminded him—he wasn't who he thought he was. He wasn't a passive reader anymore. He was the wildcard in the story.
And this trial felt different.
The last two dungeons had been puzzles.
This one smelled like war.
A horn blared.
The Emperor stood. His voice rolled through the hall like thunder.
"Welcome, False Sovereign. You have stepped into the chamber of law and fate. Here, strength is not tested by battle—but by command."
He lifted one hand.
"Tell me, Marek Callum… how will you command the world that once rejected you?"
A system prompt blinked before Marek's eyes:
Choose Your Path of Authority:1️⃣ Obey the Emperor's Test2️⃣ Defy the Emperor's Order3️⃣ Overwrite the Trial (Requires Narrative Override EXP: 10)
He didn't have enough EXP to overwrite. That left only two choices.
Marek inhaled deeply.
"...I will take the test."
The Emperor smirked.
A gate opened behind the throne—and five people were dragged into the hall in chains.
A woman sobbing.
A child whimpering.
An old man coughing blood.
A warrior glaring at the floor.
And a hooded figure whose presence felt strangely... familiar.
The Emperor pointed at them.
"One of these prisoners is a hidden traitor destined to destroy a nation. One is a hero whose death will spark peace. One is a mere shadow. One is innocent. One... is a god in disguise."
"You must choose three to execute."
Marek's eyes widened.
"Execute…?"
The Emperor's voice darkened.
"No hesitation. Power demands sacrifice. You call yourself the Final Boss? Then act like one. Choose. Or I'll choose you."
The room grew colder.
Marek's mind raced. He activated his Meta Reader System, heart pounding.
Narrative Override Lv.1 ReadySkill: Name-Eater's Insight (Passive)– Detects false names or masked truths
He looked at the prisoners.
First, the woman. Her name blinked into view: Elara MoonveilName-Eater's Insight whispered: Name is real. Guiltless.She sobbed uncontrollably. "Please… I just wanted to feed my family…"
Second, the child. Name: Tobi WrenInsight: Real name. But past veiled in darkness.He held something in his hand—a charm with strange symbols.
Third, the old man. Name: Finnar CreshInsight: Name stolen.Marek's eyes narrowed. That meant he had used someone else's identity. Why?
Fourth, the warrior. Name: Kael DranInsight: Real. Emotion: suppressed rage.A voice whispered: He has committed great sins... but regrets all.
And finally, the hooded one.Name: UnknownError. Memory interference detected.
System alert flashed red.
Warning: Interdimensional Being Detected.
A god?
Marek's heart pounded.
Three must die.
He looked at the Emperor.
"I choose…"
"...Finnar Cresh.""A stolen name hides a stolen life."
The old man didn't protest. He merely chuckled as golden light consumed him. "Smart one, aren't you?"
The Emperor nodded.
"Second?"
Marek took a shaky breath.
"...Kael Dran.""A warrior who regrets his sins is still a man who made them."
Kael bowed his head. "Better me than the child."
Gone in a flash of light.
"Last?"
Everyone stared at him—especially the hooded figure. Even without a face, he could feel it watching.
Marek hesitated…
"...The child."
The moment he said it, the charm in the child's hand exploded in red energy.
A curse broke loose.
Dark tendrils lashed toward the throne—
But the Emperor flicked his wrist, and time stopped.
[Trial Complete – Success Rate: 100%]
"You have judged with balance. You saw beneath masks. You dared to kill even a child to protect the world."
New Title Acquired: "Balancebringer"Tarot Gained: The EmperorSkill Unlocked: Command Seal – Once per dungeon, issue a word of law. Enemies must obey.
The Emperor descended from his throne.
He approached Marek, and for the first time, he smiled.
"You are more than a reader."
"You are a ruler in the making."
The hall crumbled behind them.
Marek stood alone once more.
Three Tarot cards now floated in his inventory:
🃏 The Fool
🧙 The Magician
👑 The Emperor
Three trials passed.
One hundred and five remain.
He looked up at the sky.
It was darker now.
Storm clouds swirled above the next portal.
"Come on," he muttered. "Let's see who dares test me next."