Soul system:Return Of The SSS-Ranked Troublemaker-Chapter 23: Confrontation.

The air itself felt alive — thick, heavy, and crackling with invisible pressure. It was as though the atmosphere itself bent under the weight of the man seated before them, a predator whose mere presence froze the world around him.

They couldn’t move.

Every muscle locked in place, every breath shallow.

The seated man’s gaze shifted toward them, slow and deliberate, his eyes cold and sharp like ancient steel.

"Who are you?"

Each word carried the weight of command, the kind that didn’t allow defiance.

"W-what is this feeling...?" Zion’s thoughts stumbled as fear gripped his mind.

"I c-can’t even move a finger..." Yin’s voice was a trembling whisper.

Sera’s wide eyes flicked toward Karina — and surprisingly, Karina gave her a slight, confident nod.

"Erase."

Sera’s voice was soft, but the effect was instant.

The crushing weight pressing down on them vanished, leaving only the echo of it in their trembling limbs. They gasped for air like drowning men pulled ashore.

The monarch’s brow arched slightly, a flicker of surprise in his otherwise impassive face.

"Oh?"

He rose, every step unhurried, the aura around him retreating but never truly disappearing.

"State your names." His tone was colder now, sharpened by curiosity — as if the answer would decide whether they lived or died.

Karina stepped forward, her posture strong despite the tremor lingering in her hands.

"I’m Karina. That’s my sister, Sera. These are Zion and Yin."

The monarch’s lips curled into something between a smirk and a snarl.

"I see. And how did you break free from my Conqueror’s?"

"I didn’t." Karina’s smirk mirrored his. "My sister did. Her ability can negate any power."

The monarch’s eyes flicked toward Sera, amusement glinting in his gaze.

"That explains it."

Before Karina could respond, Sera’s body suddenly sagged. Blood trickled from her nose as her legs gave out beneath her.

"Sera!" Karina cried, catching her sister before she hit the ground.

Yin and Zion rushed to her side, panic flashing in their eyes.

The monarch’s expression barely shifted.

"As expected. She lacks any true mastery over her gift."

"Sera, wake up!" Karina’s voice cracked, shaking her sister gently.

The monarch gave a lazy flick of his fingers, and from the edges of the clearing, a troop of monkeys emerged — their eyes bright with uncanny intelligence.

"The monkeys here are skilled healers. Let them handle it."

"Will she be okay...?" Karina’s voice softened, fear peeking through her usual confidence.

"She’ll survive," the monarch said, his tone matter-of-fact, as though life and death were trivial things to him.

He lowered himself back into his seat, resting his chin on one hand. The air cooled slightly, but the sense of danger never fully faded.

"Now... why are you here?"

The coldness in his voice returned — the voice of a man who had killed for less.

The air grew heavy again, suffocating and oppressive, as the monarch’s words settled over them like a storm cloud.

"Damn it... it’s that same crushing pressure as before..." Zion’s thoughts raced, his legs trembling under the weight.

Karina clenched her teeth, but despite the fear curling in her gut, she forced herself to speak with confidence.

"We’re here for the Kilter Youth Program training. We came from Germany."

The monarch inhaled deeply, his sharp gaze narrowing — then suddenly, his eyes bulged, veins pulsing and crawling across his face.

"Do you seriously expect me to believe that bullshit?!"

His voice thundered across the clearing, slamming into them like a tidal wave. The pressure intensified until all three of them collapsed to their knees, bodies shaking under the weight.

But Zion gritted his teeth, his muscles screaming in protest as he forced himself to his feet. Step by step, he walked toward the monarch, his fear swallowed by sheer determination.

"We’re not lying." Zion’s voice rang out, firm and unshaken. "Come check for yourself — you’ll find other students and heroes from different countries all over this island."

Yin’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"Zion’s... really strong." There was admiration in his voice, but a faint glimmer of envy flickered behind it.

Karina’s breath caught in her throat.

"Z-Zion... you don’t have to do this..." She murmured the words, almost too quiet to hear.

Zion’s gaze never wavered from the monarch’s.

"From what I’ve read, monarchs aren’t mindless monsters. You earned that title through strength — not by being pure evil."

For a moment, silence hung between them — then the monarch laughed. A low, guttural sound that echoed with both amusement and menace.

"I can either trust you..." His grin sharpened. "...or rip you apart limb by limb if I catch you lying."

With a casual flick of his wrist, the crushing weight lifted from Karina and Yin, the invisible shackles dissolving into thin air.

"Since I’ve already answered your questions..." Zion stepped closer. "Now it’s your turn. What are you doing here?"

The monarch’s smirk widened.

"I’m starting to like you, kid. Fine — I’ll tell you."

He spread his arms, gesturing to the land around them.

"This island — Jeju — it’s mine. Always has been."

A deep, rumbling laugh shook his chest.

"I was only gone for a while, and when I come back, they’ve turned my land into a playground for some youth training program."

His gaze drifted upward, eyes narrowing at the sky.

"Maybe I should’ve burned down the government back then... before that bastard, Sae-yeon Jin. even existed in Korea."

His voice turned dark, tinged with bitterness.

"If I had, maybe I wouldn’t be standing here wondering if he’ll be the one to kill me."

"So, what exactly are you kids doing in my forest?" the monarch asked, the smirk still lingering on his face like a faint shadow.

Zion stepped forward, his voice steady. "We’re out here looking for flags. They said some of them are rigged with explosives."

The monarch’s smile faded, replaced by a cold, sharp glare.

"Explosives, huh? If that’s true..." his voice dropped, dangerously calm, "I’ll find whichever so-called heroes set up that challenge — and tear them apart limb by limb if they so much as put a scratch on my island."

Zion swallowed hard, sweat forming at the back of his neck.

"He’s not joking... better not push him." Zion thought.

"We’ll be leaving now." Zion said, trying to keep things moving before the monarch’s mood shifted again.

As they turned to go, Karina quickly stepped forward, her concern overpowering her fear.

"Wait... what about my sister? Will she be okay?" Her voice was sincere, almost pleading.

The monarch glanced at her, his expression softening just slightly.

"Yeah. Just come back for her later — she’ll be fine."

Karina gave a small, hesitant nod, though her mind still raced with worry.

"Nothing’s going to happen to her... right?" she thought to herself, trying to reassure herself.

As the group started to walk away, the monarch’s voice called out behind them.

"Hey — what’s your name?"

Zion turned back. "Zion. My name’s Zion."

The monarch grinned faintly and reached into his coat, pulling out a folded piece of paper.

"Here. Take this."

Zion took it, unfolding it carefully.

"A map...!" His eyes lit up with excitement.

"Take care of it." the monarch said with a rare smile, though there was a weight behind his words that Zion couldn’t quite place.

"Thank you, sir." Zion gave a respectful bow before the group continued on their way, the forest path stretching out before them.