Free Web NovelChapter 16: The black coin
The Shadow Monarch has just successfully cleared the S-ranked treasure quest. An event is scheduled in the next 30 minutes.
Just as people were beginning to disperse, the new system message stunned everyone, freezing them in their tracks and leaving them all wondering exactly who the Shadow Monarch was.
"No, this isn’t possible. Is it a system glitch? Are you seeing the same thing I am?"
"No way a human is this strong — he even got a title. The Shadow Monarch. Wow, I guess we really aren’t working hard enough."
"Wait, it hasn’t even been ten seconds since I said it was impossible for anyone to pull off a quest like that at this stage, and the Shadow Monarch just went ahead and proved me wrong," someone said with a wide smile.
Most people were still in shock. Some were jealous, while others were simply in quiet admiration of something they had never expected to witness.
But just as things began to settle, someone dropped another piece of information that turned everything upside down.
"Guys, the Shadow Monarch is actually Levon. Check the system stones leaderboard."
Everyone immediately pulled up their system space, and sure enough, it was true — Levon’s name had been replaced with the Shadow Monarch.
Whispers began flying everywhere almost instantly.
"Wow, he’s so overpowered. I need to get close to him. I’m sure if I can manage that, I’ll actually survive this cursed place."
"Something is off. How on earth can a human be this overpowered? It’s just insane," someone chimed in, though his words were quickly drowned out by the wave of voices already flooding the village with talk of how incredible the Shadow Monarch must be.
One man had the entire starter village talking.
******
Levon stared at Elizabeth in awe, still not fully able to believe what he had just learned.
In his former life, the Monarch of Death had played a very significant role in the fall of humanity. She was a villain.
But Levon knew this was not the time to act on that. She was obviously far stronger than him, and he had no doubt about that.
His real question now was how she had become a villain in the first place.
Wasn’t her goal to avenge her people and fight against the gods?
If that was the case, then why exactly had she ended up fighting alongside them?
Levon had too many unanswered questions pressing on him all at once, but there was very little he could do about it right now.
"You have really impressed me, Levon. I just knew you had it in you," Elizabeth said with a smile as she finally walked over to him.
"Despite my faith in you, I still wasn’t fully certain you had what it truly takes to conquer the coven — but I am so happy you proved me wrong," Elizabeth said, her smile growing wider as she looked at him.
Almost instinctively, a black coin materialized in front of her. She caught it effortlessly and handed it over to Levon.
The moment he saw it, Levon remembered exactly what it was.
A black coin.
"I’m guessing you know what this is," Elizabeth said, giving Levon a smug look.
Levon was caught off guard slightly but quickly composed himself.
"No, I don’t. Could you explain it to me?" Levon said with a genuine expression.
In truth, he knew exactly what it was and what it could do.
There were only ten in existence, and they were each held by high-ranked NPCs. They were typically given to trusted players who had proven their worth beyond any doubt.
The coin could be used to purchase anything without spending a single copper, silver, or gold coin.
It was generally advised to be saved for only the most serious situations or life-threatening circumstances, as items like this were highly sought after and could attract a great deal of unwanted attention.
"Alright, let me explain — this is a black coin..." Levon listened to Elizabeth attentively despite already knowing everything about it, just in case there was something new he hadn’t come across before.
"Thank you so much for this privilege," Levon said, taking the coin as he began making his way toward the exit of the coven.
"Wait," Elizabeth called out to him almost immediately.
"I see a great deal of potential in you. Please — when you have grown enough — I hope you would come back and help me out of this misery," Elizabeth said, her voice carrying genuine appeal.
Levon was caught off guard. He didn’t quite understand why a celestial entity would make such a request of a mortal.
But he nodded in agreement, not wanting to delay any further.
"Thank you so much, Shadow Monarch," Elizabeth said with a grin. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
Before Levon could even think to ask another question, he was teleported straight to the entrance of the coven.
Levon sat down calmly at the edge of the hole that led into the coven, quietly replaying everything that had just happened.
It all felt like something out of a dream. In one run, he had obtained a saint-grade weapon, a black coin, and a divine treasure chest.
He was almost certain that no one else in the entire village — and probably far beyond — had so much as opened a treasure chest yet.
After all, the game had only been live for less than three hours.
Speaking of which, Levon calmly opened his storage space and tapped on the chest.
[Open treasure chest — yes or no?]
Levon clicked yes, and a new screen appeared before him.
[Divine Treasure Chest Opened]
[Items Obtained]
Sword of Oblivion ×1
→ Saint grade weapon
→ Requirements: A compatible bloodline.
Spirit Vein Crystal ×3
→ Slightly increases Spirit stat permanently.
→ Enhances mana circulation.
Silversteel Dagger ×1
→ Rare-grade weapon.
Life Essence Fruit ×1
→ Permanently increases vitality and HP slightly.
Copper Coins ×700
System Stones ×250
Mechanical Stones ×25
Blood Crystal ×2
So the sword was part of the reward itself — no wonder it was so powerful, Levon thought. He knew that even if the sword had been the only item in the chest, it would have been more than worth it.
But then a quiet worry settled in. He couldn’t use the blade until he awakened his bloodline. And he couldn’t just awaken any bloodline — he needed one that was compatible, or he would never be able to wield it at all.
Just as Levon was thinking it all through, the system chimed again.
[Mutation triggered...]
Author’s note: At this point I don’t think I’m getting many comments — am I doing anything wrong? I’m very open to improving, so please let me know.
And if you’re a silent reader, thank you so much for your support.
