Heir to The Forgotten Throne-Chapter 15: A Theif’s Destiny

Ryu opened his eyes—or at least he thought he did. He wasn't in the forest anymore. Darkness stretched in all directions, infinite and suffocating. It felt familiar... yet distant. He tried to move, but nothing obeyed him except his eyes.

So this is the afterlife, huh... he thought. No panic. No fear. Just quiet acceptance.

Then, a voice sliced through the void.

"Welcome back, little thief."

It came from everywhere and nowhere at once, echoing without source.

Ryu's eyes widened. That voice... No way.

It was him—the Rift Master.

He tried to speak, to scream, but no sound came out. I died, didn't I? How the hell is that bastard here?

The voice giggled. It seemed to understand his thoughts.

"That's no way to speak to your savior, now is it, little thief?"

Ryu's mind raced. It can read my thoughts... and savior? What does that mean?

If a voice could smirk, this one did.

"Yes, I can read minds. And as for savior, I think you can piece that puzzle together."

Wait... does that mean I'm not dead? Really?! For a second, Ryu lost his composure.

"No, you're not dead, little thief."

Relief crashed into him like a wave—brief, until the anger returned. You were the one who put me in that damn situation!

"Nobody told you to step into the Rift, little thief."

Stop calling me a thief! Ryu shot back in his thoughts, his irritation bubbling.

"You want my power, yet have nothing to offer in return. That's what makes a thief."

Ryu had no comeback. The truth stung.

The voice continued, its tone shifting.

"This conversation is dragging on. So... do you wish to create a soulpact with me, little thief?"

Ryu's eyes widened. A soulpact!

A soulpact—an infamous contract made with a Rift Master. The human gains power, but must accept the master's conditions. If rejected, they return to their world, the Rift fading like a forgotten dream. But those who agree... receive a mark—a tattoo linked to their first trial.

These individuals were called the Marked. The more tattoos, the more trials completed.

Ryu had only heard of them in rumors. He never thought he'd become one.

He gulped. "Alright... tell me the conditions."

The Rift Master laughed, and a translucent screen flickered to life before Ryu's eyes.

---

[Soulpact Conditions]

A Prince's Honour: You cannot bow to anyone, even if your life depends on it.

A Clover's Shadow: Fate despises you. It will throw impossible challenges your way. But the rewards... will be worth it.

A Selfish Master: You cannot form soulpacts with any other Rift Masters.

---

Ryu grimaced. The first wasn't too bad. But the second? A death wish. And the third—the worst.

There were two main ways to get stronger as a Marked: complete more trials from your Rift Master, or find another Rift and make a pact with a different one. The latter was preferred, especially if your first master was... a sadist.

These conditions are BULLSHIT! Ryu screamed in his mind.

The voice chuckled.

"You don't really have a choice, do you? Think you'll stumble across another Rift so easily?"

He hated how right it was. Still, he growled, "Three conditions?! Don't you think that's a bit much?"

"Compared to the power you'll receive, I should've added more."

Ryu's heart began to pound. Wait... if this bastard thinks the rewards outweigh those absurd conditions, maybe... just maybe...

The voice grew amused.

"My name is Aetheris. But you may call me Master."

"Nah, I'll stick with Bastard." Ryu snorted.

Aetheris's tone turned dry.

"Call me whatever you want. Now... want to know your class and abilities?"

Excitement surged through Ryu. This was the moment.

Classes, like monsters, were ranked: Ordinary, Unique, Magister, Transcendent, Mythical, and at the peak—Fabled.

Please let it be Magister... or even Unique would be fine...

But as the translucent screen flickered into view:

> [Class Name: Tainted Star]

[Class Rank: Fabled]

Ryu stared, eyes wide in disbelief.

A Fabled rank class. An actual Fabled rank class.

His heart began to pound, and if he could move, he would've pinched himself. He couldn't control his racing heartbeat—nor did he want to. The feeling surging through him was indescribable, overwhelming, and exhilarating. He wanted to remember this—forever.

"Don't worry, little thief. It's real," the Rift Master said, its voice amused.

"If this is real," Ryu thought, half-dazed, "I'll gladly call you Master. Hell, I'll call you anything."

The Rift Master chuckled again. "I shall give you power far beyond your wildest dreams... if you can keep me entertained."

Ryu almost forgot the absurd conditions. He knew what the Rift Master meant by entertainment. He didn't care. If this power was the reward, he would play the part.

Still brimming with adrenaline, Ryu focused on the class name—and another screen appeared:

> [Tainted Star]

Description: You were born for a life of luxury and power, but due to cruel twists of fate, you are destined to walk a path of pain and hardship. Hated by destiny itself, your suffering shall be legendary.

Ryu blinked, puzzled. A life of fortune?

The description was strange... cryptic. But it didn't matter. Not when the joy of getting a Fabled class was this overwhelming.

Then, two more screens popped up in front of him:

> [Class Skill: Astral Thread] ƒгeewebnovёl.com

Description: You can conjure a glowing astral thread from your fingertips. It can be manipulated as an extension of your own body. Nearly unbreakable, with mystical properties that shine in the right circumstances.

> [Class Skill: Songs of the Dead]

Description: You can view the memories of those whose deaths you've witnessed. If the soul harbored a goal or unfinished business—such as revenge—completing that goal grants you a random skill or item from their past.

Ryu skimmed the first skill, and a flicker of disappointment crossed his mind. It was useful—possibly very useful—but not the flashy, overwhelming power he'd dreamed of. Not the kind that let you cut down a battlefield by yourself.

But the second skill...

His breath caught.

It was terrifying. It was difficult. But it was glorious.

The potential it held—every monster he watched die could become a stepping stone. Every fallen enemy could leave behind a piece of power. He could become unstoppable.

Then came the voice once more, soft yet resonant

"So, little thief... do you accept the Soulpact?"