Chapter 2: Shadows in the Mundane World

This is... not what I expected, Drix thought as he stared up at the unfamiliar faces of two adults, their smiles beaming with warmth. His new parents, apparently. A man with dark, gentle eyes and a woman with a kind, radiant expression cradled him lovingly.

Reborn as a baby? Really? he mused. He couldn't cry, even if every instinct told him to. I guess this is my life now. A bit humiliating, but hey, it's a fresh start.

Days passed, then weeks, and then months. Drix bided his time, observing the world around him. It's quiet here. No monsters, no mana, no Hunters. Just... people living their lives.

Still, being a baby was boring. He slept, ate, and occasionally cried when it suited him. This body is useless. I can't even hold my head up properly. But patience is key. I've got time.

---

A year passed before he could do anything meaningful. Once he learned to walk and gained some freedom, he started experimenting. Late at night, when his parents were asleep, he whispered into the darkness, "Arise."

The shadows coiled and rippled before him, forming into three familiar figures: Igris, Beru, and Bellion. Their towering forms filled the small room, their presence as imposing as ever.

"My king," Igris said, kneeling with grace.

"Master!" Beru clicked, his tone filled with reverence.

Bellion lowered his head, his voice calm and respectful. "Your orders, my liege?"

Drix grinned, his childish face lighting up with satisfaction. Good. They're here. My power wasn't lost in this rebirth.

"Keep quiet," he whispered, glancing nervously at the door. "This house isn't exactly big enough for everyone. The rest will have to wait. For now, it's just you three."

The shadows stirred in acknowledgment. The others would have to remain dormant—summoning them all would destroy the house.

"You three will handle my orders," he continued. "For now, gather information. I want to know everything about this world."

---

By the time he was three, his control over his powers had reached new heights. Though his body was small, his command of the Shadow Monarch's abilities was absolute. In his spare moments, he would retreat to his Shadow Domain—a vast, dark world only accessible to him and his army.

Here, he trained relentlessly.

"Prepare yourselves," Drix said one night, standing in the endless expanse of his domain. The ground beneath him shifted, rippling like liquid shadow. "I want to see how far I've come."

Igris was the first to move, his blade slicing through the dark air with blinding speed. Drix parried effortlessly, shadow tendrils erupting from the ground to counter.

Beru followed, his claws a blur of motion, but Drix sidestepped, using the shadows to trap him mid-lunge.

"Too slow," Drix muttered before turning his attention to Bellion.

The former ruler of the Brightest Fragment of Brilliant Light charged, his massive sword leaving cracks in the shadowy ground with each swing. But even Bellion, with all his power, couldn't match Drix's speed.

The battle raged for what felt like hours, the endless expanse of the Shadow Domain absorbing the shockwaves of their clash. By the end, Drix stood victorious, his soldiers kneeling before him.

"My king grows stronger by the day," Bellion said, his voice filled with pride.

Drix smirked, his breathing steady despite the intensity of the fight. This power... it's second nature now. But I'll keep honing it. Even if this world doesn't need me to fight, I won't let myself grow weak.

---

Years passed, and Drix continued to live a double life. By the time he was 17, he had reached the peak of Sung Jin-Woo's power. His shadow army was vast, his skills unmatched. Yet the world remained blissfully normal.

His family had grown, too. He now had two younger sisters, ages 9 and 7, who adored him. They were always clinging to him, dragging him into their games.

"Big brother, let's play!" the younger one squealed, grabbing his arm.

"Yeah, you're our knight, and we're princesses!" the older one giggled.

Drix sighed but allowed himself to be pulled along.

---

One night, as he sat on the roof, staring at the stars, Drix reflected on his life. This world is peaceful. No dungeons, no monsters, no Hunters. Just me, my powers, and a quiet life.

He closed his eyes, a faint smile on his lips. This is good. A world where I'm the only one with power. No chaos. No fighting for survival. Just peace.

But then, something changed.

The shadows around him stirred uneasily, as if sensing something beyond the ordinary. Drix opened his eyes, his expression sharp. A faint energy filled the air—something familiar.

No... it can't be.

He stood, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the sensation. It was faint but unmistakable: mana.

And it was spreading.