NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Prologue
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Immortality
Some consider it a wonderful power, the idea of living forever, never aging, and never succumbing to disease. It is an alluring concept to many, an ultimate dream. But when you stand before your wife's gravestone, watching the years pass without a single wrinkle forming on your own face, it can seem like a curse.
Sung Jinwoo stood silently, gazing at the gravestone of Cha Hae-In, his beloved wife. The cold, hard stone bore her name, a stark reminder of the life they once shared. Memories of their time together flooded his mind—her smile, her laughter, the way she looked at him with love and trust. A deep sorrow filled his heart, and he wondered for the thousandth time if immortality was truly a blessing.
"I thought I might find you here," a voice said behind him, breaking the silence. Jinwoo turned around and saw the familiar, ethereal face of a Ruler, one of the powerful beings who governed the dimensions. The Ruler's presence was imposing, yet there was a gentle aura about him.
"I thought you no longer set foot on Earth," Jinwoo replied, his voice tinged with both surprise and curiosity. The Rulers had withdrawn from direct intervention in the human world long ago.
"The Rulers have decided to give you a new challenge," the Ruler said, stepping closer. His expression was serious, yet there was a hint of sympathy in his eyes.
"And what would that be?" Jinwoo asked, raising an eyebrow. Challenges were nothing new to him, but he sensed this one was different.
"In another dimension, there is a great Evil. It's not a significant task for someone with your powers as the Shadow Monarch. However, your wife, Cha Hae-In, has been reborn in this world. As a reward for your tireless efforts against the Monarchs, we offer you a chance to reunite with her. We will send you to this new world," the Ruler explained, his words carrying the weight of destiny.
Jinwoo's heart skipped a beat at the mention of his wife. The thought of seeing her again, holding her, hearing her voice—it was almost too much to hope for. "And what will happen to this world? Will monsters from other dimensions continue to attack it?"
"Your son can take care of that now. You have trained him well, and he is more than capable of handling the threats. He has grown strong under your guidance. I will come again in 24 hours to hear your decision," the Ruler said, giving Jinwoo a respectful nod before vanishing into thin air.
A new world and new adventures, then…
Jinwoo pondered the offer as he walked back home. There was really nothing keeping him on this Earth anymore, except for his son. But his son now had his own family to care for. He had become a powerful hunter in his own right, a protector of humanity. The idea of seeing his wife again, even in a different world, filled Jinwoo with a glimmer of hope he hadn't felt in years.
That night, Jinwoo found it hard to sleep. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying the Ruler's words over and over in his mind. His heart ached with longing and excitement. The chance to be with Cha Hae-In again, to start anew in a different world—it was a gift he couldn't refuse.
The next day, at the same spot, the Ruler reappeared. The air seemed to shimmer around him, a testament to his otherworldly power. "So, have you decided to protect a new world?" he asked.
"Yes," Jinwoo said without hesitation. "There is nothing holding me here anymore."
"Very well," the Ruler said. "You will be placed in the body of a child who is on the verge of death. He is the son of a Great House in that world, a family of significant influence and power. You will retain all your abilities and memories. Live as you wish; we only ask that you destroy the Evil that threatens this world."
Jinwoo nodded, determination in his eyes. "I understand. Thank you for this opportunity."
The Ruler smiled faintly. "May you find happiness in this new life, Sung Jinwoo."
With those words, everything around Jinwoo began to blur. He felt a strange sensation, as if his very essence was being pulled from his body and transported across dimensions. The world around him twisted and warped, colors blending and shifting until he could no longer distinguish up from down.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a different place. He was lying in a grand bed, surrounded by opulent furnishings. The room was dimly lit, but he could make out intricate tapestries and expensive-looking furniture. He glanced down at his hands and saw that they were small and delicate, the hands of a child.
He struggled to sit up, his body weak and frail. Memories that were not his own flooded his mind—memories of a boy from a powerful family, sickly and bedridden. But alongside these foreign memories were his own, clear and vivid. He was still Sung Jinwoo, the Shadow Monarch, with all his powers and knowledge.
A servant entered the room, her eyes widening in surprise as she saw him awake. "My Lord, you're awake! I must inform the lord and lady immediately!" she exclaimed before hurrying out.
Jinwoo took a deep breath, feeling the unfamiliar weight of his new body. He was in a new world, with new challenges ahead. But he had a purpose, a reason to keep going. Somewhere in this world, Cha Hae-In was waiting for him.
The adventure had begun anew, and Jinwoo was ready to face it head-on.
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