I used to look forward to my birthday with excitement. Even though the only guests were my family and a few people who knew my identity, it always felt like a festive occasion.
My grandma would be the first to wish me, followed by my parents, and then my best friend, Aarav.
His parents named him with the hope that he would bring music to the world instead of chaos. Unfortunately for them, many other parents had the same idea. So he ended up as just another ordinary guy from an ordinary background.
But to me, that's one of his best qualities.
When I revealed my identity to him, he was shocked—but never afraid, never envious, and never weird about it. Unlike us, his family wasn't rich. His parents ran a modest, decent business and did their best for him. And he, in return, did his best in everything he pursued.
Without using our connection, he started working as an intern at the DA Group after graduation. Now, he's the Administrative Secretary and would've been promoted to Executive level by now—if he weren't my friend.
Instead, he's becoming my personal secretary from now on.
Tehe... Yeah, I know. I'm a terrible friend. But he's the only one I know like the back of my hand, and the only one I can manipulate into helping me get out of this hellhole.
But I swear, once I'm free from here, I'll make sure he gets the position he deserves. So, please, get manipulated just a little more. For me.
Anyway, tomorrow is my birthday. I'm hoping I'll unlock some super useful skill when the clock strikes.
Finally, the Day Arrives
It's here.
"Status!" I shouted.
The familiar screen appeared, and I quickly scrolled through the list of skills. I was looking for that one rare skill I was born with—Transcendence of Time and Space—and then...
---
Whaaaat?!
"Demon Lord"?
What kind of cursed skill is that?!
Why would I even get something like this?
If anyone finds out, I might not just lose my position—I might get erased from existence altogether.
Thankfully, the skill still shows as unawakened. Maybe it requires some kind of trigger or condition to activate... Hopefully, I'll never meet it.
Okay. Deep breath.
Time to get ready for the party. I can already hear people gathering outside. The servants will be here any minute to dress me up.
First things first—I need to find the Bracelet of Chameleon. It's the only way to alter my status screen so no one discovers this cursed skill.
Where did I keep it?
Think, Yug, think...
They'll knock any second now.
---
Flashback – Five Years Ago
Knock knock.
"Coming!"
"Dad? What are you doing here?"
"I just came to give you a gift that might come in handy someday."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bracelet.
"This, my child, is the Bracelet of Chameleon which alters your status window. There's only one in the world—I created it just for you."
"But why would you make something like that? My skills might make people envious, sure—but no one would dare hurt me."
"You never know. The future is unpredictable—even for your mom."
"Oh, come on, Dad. You know Mom's skill is prophecy. There's no way her oracles would be wrong."
"The future can change even with a tiny bit of interference. And your mom can only see each future once. A mischievous boy like you, always messing with the timeline, reminds me of that ancestor of yours."
"Pfft... You should've just given me a thunder skill. This is a totally useless gift."
"Give you thunder? So you can destroy the city? No way."
"Geesh, you overthink everything. I'm not a child."
He frowned and smirked. "As if you aren't."
Then he walked over to my bookshelf and hid the bracelet inside a secret compartment.
---
Back to the Present
Ah, right—the bookshelf!
I rushed to it, opened the hidden locker, and pulled out the bracelet. I slipped it on and quickly masked the Demon Lord skill. I even swapped out some of my better skills with less impressive ones.
Phew. This should help earn me a few "negative points" from the higher-ups and keep suspicions off me.
Knock knock.
They're here.
"You may enter."
"Yes, Mr. Yug," said the head butler, stepping in with a team of maids and butlers behind him.
"Which outfit would you like to wear, sir?" he asked.
"Anything that wasn't chosen by my parents," I replied.
After what felt like hours of trying on brooches, cufflinks, and all kinds of accessories—not to mention an impromptu fashion show—they finally announced that I was ready.
Ahh... Finally, I'm free.
I stood up and walked toward the celebration hall.
My arrival was announced. The doors opened. Lights beamed down. All eyes turned to me.
Some looked happy. Some looked annoyed. Others simply waited in anticipation, wondering what I'd say.
Aarav handed me the mic and whispered, "Don't you dare pull any mischief in front of the guests. If you do, I swear I'll tell your mom that you were the one who took her pet turtle to the beach and accidentally released it into the ocean."
"Okay, okay! I won't. Just don't tell her. She's terrifying when she's angry... gulp."
I took the mic and addressed the crowd.
"Welcome, everyone! I'm truly delighted you could join my birthday celebration. I hope you enjoy the arrangements our hardworking staff has made and that you love the delicacies prepared by our world-famous chefs."
As I handed the mic back, Aarav leaned in again.
"Don't you think you sounded a little arrogant?"
I whispered back, "Nope. Around here, it's perfectly normal to brag about your staff."
He sighed. "Okay, if you say so."
---
The rest of the party was long, boring, and uneventful.
As soon as it was over, I went straight to my room, collapsed on my bed, and slept like a log.
Tomorrow was coming—Doomsday.