Monarch: A monarch is a sovereign with supernatural power, drawing strength from their people and the land, shaping destiny with their will.
In this world, the Monarchs are named after the constellations in the sky.
They are more than rulers... they are legends.
My name is Darius Drakenhart.
Ever since I was a little boy, my dream was to become a Monarch. Whenever I saw them on television—towering figures dressed in majestic battle gear, radiating supernatural energy as they risked their lives to protect the cities from villains who wielded terrifying abilities—I felt something ignite inside me.
I always thought to myself, "They are so cool. I want to be like them one day."
"I always thought that being a Monarch would be thrilling."
But of course, it wasn't.
At the young age of sixteen, I became the first youngest Monarch in recorded history. A miracle child, some called me. I worked hard, day and night, mastering my supernatural ability—"Thunder Force"—to rise through the rankings of the world. I went from a regular citizen in the slums of southern Europe to the strongest being on the continent.
Thunder Force: As the name suggests, is an ability that lets me gather and release real thunder from my body. Not electricity, but pure thunder—a force that rips the sky apart. It also has five stages, each represented by a different color of thunder, with the final being pitch black. It is a powerful ability that can be used in countless ways: destruction, speed, defense, and even paralysis.
My body became a living storm.
During my rise to number one, I had to let go of a lot of things. Family, friends, loved ones, comrades, and colleagues... and eventually, I lost my emotions too.
I became a thunder-wrapped machine with only one goal in mind:
To become a Monarch.
And sometimes, I wonder if I made the right decision. I mean, I did it all for the citizens, right? So I couldn't have been wrong.
Or so I thought.
My focus on my duty only brought me harm and enemies lurking behind my back. Ah, if only I'd known!
There were originally only twelve Monarchs in the entire world, each representing a powerful constellation. After I became the strongest human alive, I refused to be a disciple under any of them. I didn't want to serve—I wanted to lead.
So I made a bold decision. I declared myself the thirteenth Monarch.
I named myself after the constellation "Draco."
"It symbolizes ancient power, fear, and guardianship of the mythical dragons."
Cool, right?
For twenty-five long years after that, I served as Europe's strongest Monarch and brought peace and joy to the citizens. I faced villains who could tear down skyscrapers, and I slew monsters that could swallow military tanks whole. I stood at the forefront of every battle.
I defeated monsters and dark disciples alike.
One day, I faced my strongest enemy yet—a mutated behemoth monster from beyond the capital city walls.
Its name was whispered with dread:
"End Bringer."
The beast was a terrifying sight. Thirteen feet tall and nine feet wide, with a massive tail that could level buildings in a single swing. Its back was covered in jagged scales like iron blades, and its sharp, beastly teeth were stained red with the blood of countless disciples it had devoured.
Its most horrifying trait? The ability to steal supernatural powers from those it consumed.
And I was the one assigned to take it down.
It was meant to be a test–an evaluation of whether I truly deserved the title of Monarch—given to me by the twelve original Monarchs.
Even after all those years, they still hated the idea of a commoner among their elite ranks.
If only I'd known it was a set-up.
I, along with my four strongest disciples, made our way to End Bringer's cave. It was a massive stone structure buried deep within the canyons at the edge of Europe's fortified walls. Along the way, we fought through hordes of lesser mutated beasts, creatures with extra limbs, glowing eyes, and malformed roars.
We finally reached the cave.
The air inside was thick and heavy with ancient rot and wet earth. The rocky walls pulsed faintly, almost like the cave was alive. We moved quietly but cautiously. You can never be too careful when dealing with monsters bred in darkness.
And upon reaching the center of the cave, something treacherous unfolded!
We were ambushed!
Before we understood what was happening, we were already surrounded by eight humanoid figures in cloaks engraved with glowing magical runes. They reeked of bloodlust so thick, it was like breathing in poison.
The others couldn't detect who they were under those enchanted cloaks.
But I could. I could tell a million percent that these guys were Monarchs.
It was this very moment that I realized I was fated to die here, betrayed by those I once called my fellow comrades.
I had to act fast. Without hesitation, I grabbed my disciples and, using my lightning speed, raced them out of the cave.
I told them to survive, no matter what happened.
To think they would ambush me in the cave of a sleeping behemoth... They must have been truly desperate to get rid of me.
I turned back alone to finish what I had started. To prove that I deserved my title, even if it cost me my life.
After all, there's no escaping eight powerful Monarchs.
The battle was brutal. Earth-shattering, literally. Lightning lit up the cave walls, and stone crumbled under the weight of our power.
I fought with everything I had.
As we clashed, I slowly began to decipher who they were—one by one. Just as the bulky one was about to land the finishing blow, the behemoth monster stirred.
The End Bringer awakened.
The Monarchs saw it as their cue to flee, knowing I was too injured to survive against the beast.
They left me to die.
But they were dead wrong.
Not just anyone becomes a Monarch at sixteen. I wasn't someone to be underestimated.
I would make them pay.
I stood up, blood dripping down my skin, my body trembling, but my heart ablaze.
I faced the beast.
It was far more powerful than I imagined. Its presence crushed the air around us. My thunder felt small for the first time.
It was a new experience for me—to be weak.
But it was thrilling.
I smiled. I couldn't stop smiling while we fought.
Each punch of mine was filled with every volt of thunder I could summon. My fists struck like divine judgment, targeting its belly—the softest part of its otherwise indestructible body.
The monster let out deafening shrieks. Its roars shattered nearby boulders. The entire canyon trembled.
People across the city could hear our battle.
With my strongest punch—"The Knuckle Buster"—I brought the beast to its knees.
There i stood victorious, my fist still raised in triumph.
I had the last laugh.
But my body… it had reached its limit.
Barely holding together, I stumbled toward the cave's entrance.
I never made it.
I slumped and died.
My death was recorded in history as the fall of the Draco Monarch. A warrior who gave his life for humanity. No one knew what truly happened inside the cave.
Only my four strongest disciples knew the truth.
My legacy as the strongest and youngest Monarch came to an end.
...
Then why...
Just why, am I alive?!
Darius kept staring at his reflection in the mirror in disbelief. The room he stood in was massive, walls painted with golden patterns, floors made of obsidian stone, and a massive crystal chandelier hanging above his head. The mirror itself was ornate, edged with runes that glowed faintly.
He got up to examine his body. His skin looked younger. Stronger. There were no scars, no injuries. Not even a trace of his old wounds.
And after a while, it dawned on him.
"So this is Reincarnation!" Darius announced with a wide smile as he stepped toward the window.
Outside, the view was breathtaking. Tall, ornate skyscrapers rose like metal mountains. cars zipped across roads in the sky. In the distance, a city-wide energy dome shimmered, protecting the city from external threats.
He realized he was in a luxurious mansion designed penthouse, one reserved for the elite of the elite.
He clenched his fist.
His Thunder Force still worked.
Blue lightning danced around his fingers.
"Well, this will be thrilling."