Awakening of the Betrayed Hero

On his 10th birthday, Ren is celebrated as a hero — the chosen one blessed with unmatched power to protect the world from the monsters spilling out of dungeons. Yet, as the nations join forces to train and guide him, they see him only as a weapon to wield, a pawn in a dangerous game of power. Taken from his home, Ren is trained under the iron hands of foreign nations, wielding his strength to shield lands he barely knows. When he finally fulfills his purpose and grows into the most powerful hero the world has ever known, he’s betrayed by the very nations he fought for, and, in their quest for dominance, they destroy the kingdom of Arden, his birthplace, and his heart. In the moments before he dies, struck down by a forbidden weapon, Ren vows revenge. But fate grants him something more powerful than vengeance — a second chance. Awakening in his childhood body mere days before his hero’s ceremony, Ren now has all the knowledge, skill, and power from his former life and a new purpose. This time, he will refuse their shackles, forge his own path, and raise Arden to greatness. As he trains in secret, Ren allies himself with his childhood friends, the two princesses of Arden, Elara and Selene, who are both loyal to him and now central to his heart and mission. Together, they plot to outwit the nations that once betrayed him, strengthening Arden’s defenses and building allies among those who stand in the shadows. With a growing network of spies, newfound strength, and a burning desire for justice, Ren sets his sights on reclaiming control of his destiny and protecting his kingdom from those who would see it fall. His mission is clear: take revenge, save his kingdom, and claim the throne — becoming not just a hero, but the hero king Arden needs.