My name is Park Hakyun.
I'm just an ordinary student who loves reading fantasy novels. When the world becomes too much, I escape into stories—into realms where I can become someone else, someone stronger. But that day… everything changed.
At school, I suddenly heard footsteps—fast, frantic. Screams echoed around me. Panic filled the air. Before I could even react, something sharp pierced through me.
"W-What...?"
My gaze slowly lifted toward the sky. The pain was sharp, cold. But even through the haze of agony, I saw something written above me—something glowing in the sky.
[Sword Emperor System has been activated.
Do you want to accept the Sword Emperor System?
If yes, press 'Yes'. If not, press 'No'.]
Without hesitation, I pressed 'Yes' on the screen that floated in front of me. The moment I did, my vision went dark. I could feel my consciousness slipping away… but then, I heard a woman's voice—gentle, distant.
---
"Veyron Aldrecht… my dear child, be careful! Don't stand too close to the window!"
I opened my eyes.
I was standing by a window, looking out over houses I didn't recognize. The world outside was completely different. I turned around—and saw a young woman walking quickly toward me.
"Who is she? Why is she calling me that name… Veyron?" I muttered under my breath.
The woman approached and hugged me tightly, her voice trembling with emotion.
"You are Veyron… Mama knows you want to be strong and wield a sword. But, unfortunately, you were born without mana. I'm sorry, my son… for giving birth to someone so useless."
I stared at her in confusion, then looked around the unfamiliar room. A servant nearby cast a scornful, arrogant glance my way.
But I forced a smile and said,
"It's okay, Mom… I'm just happy to have a mother who cares for me."
She gently patted my head and quietly left the room. I turned back to the window, my mind still in disarray. And then—
[Welcome, sir.
You have been reincarnated into another world.
In this world, sword and magic are sworn enemies.
The world is divided into two continents—Elarion, the continent of magic, and Ironvale, the continent of swords.
You were born in Ironvale.
Would you like to accept the First Tutorial Mission?]
I froze.
"Another world…? I really was reborn?"
[Your First Tutorial Mission:
Push-ups: 300 times | Distance Run: 300 km]
My jaw dropped.
"What the hell?! Are you crazy?! I'm five years old! You trying to kill me?!" I shouted in disbelief.
[Failure to complete the mission will result in permanent paralysis.]
I clenched my fists. I had no choice. No way out. If I didn't do it, I'd be paralyzed for life.
So… I started doing push-ups.
---
The next morning.
I had only completed 100 push-ups. Sweat dripped from my brow. My muscles were sore, my body burning. I opened the window, breathing in the air of this strange world.
"My name is now Veyron Aldrecht. The son of a worthless emperor. My mother… a commoner. My father married her for love. But because I have no mana or aura, I've been labeled a failure… the child of a peasant."
"I was written by fate to be weak. But I will rewrite that story. I will carve out my own destiny. I… will become the strongest."
---
At a prestigious academy...
A middle-aged man watched me from afar. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips as his eyes lit up with admiration and curiosity.
"A child… just five years old, already speaking of defying fate. Very well, Veyron Aldrecht… I'll be watching you. I want to see how far you'll go."
---
Back in my room.
I resumed the system tutorial, forcing myself to keep pushing. I finally completed 300 push-ups—but my face remained grim. I still had to run 300 km.
I sighed heavily.
"This cursed system… why the hell do I have to run 300 km? I've never even run a lap in my old world…"
Knock knock.
A knock echoed from the door. I opened it—and froze.
Kael Aldrecht. My older brother. The one who always bullied me.
"Well, well, my sweet little brother," he said with a twisted smile. "You're sweating. Been training again? What a waste, considering you can't even use mana or lift a sword."
I smiled back calmly, but Kael's gaze darkened. He raised his hand and struck me across the face.
"Don't look at me like that. Know your place, you pathetic failure."
He slammed the door as he left. I stood still, staring at the system as it flickered back to life.
"He always bullied me… even before I took over Veyron's body. His name is Kael Aldrecht. He's gifted with the sword. I… I must train. I have to be strong enough to defeat him—and her too. My sister."
Driven by determination, I dashed into the forest to begin my 300 km run.
---
Somewhere along the way…
I stumbled upon a strange sight.
A cave—its entrance hidden among the trees. Inside, faint glimmers of light flickered from mana stones embedded in the walls.
"Huh? What's a cave doing here? Mama said there weren't any caves in this forest… but this one seems real enough. Maybe there's something inside…"
I didn't feel fear. Instead, my heart throbbed with anticipation.
Maybe… this was where I'd find my weapon. My technique. My hope.
Just as I stepped deeper into the cave, the system buzzed again.
[Ding!
Conquer the Goblin Dungeon and receive a reward at the end.]
My eyes lit up.
A dungeon? Already?
I glanced down as a sword materialized in my hand from the system's inventory.
"Alright," I whispered, gripping the hilt tightly.
"Let's begin here."
Veyron immediately dashed forward, entering the Goblin Dungeon, following the system's directive to claim the reward waiting at the dungeon's end. His heart pounded—not from fear, but from a deep and growing excitement.
As he ventured deeper into the stone corridors, thirty goblins suddenly emerged from the shadows, snarling and armed with crude weapons made of rusted metal and bone. Most people would freeze in terror at the sight.
But Veyron? He smiled.
"All right then, goblins. Let's go." He raised his sword with a grin. "Time to test the results of my 300 push-ups."
With burning determination, he sprinted toward the mob. His sword slashed down—but before the blade could connect, a goblin raised its weapon and blocked the attack.
Veyron's expression didn't change. His grip tightened, and he twisted his body with the fluidity of a natural fighter. The second strike found its mark, slicing clean through the goblin's shoulder.
Without pausing, he lunged toward the next. Blow after blow, his sword danced through the air, cutting through one goblin after another. The stone floor quickly became slick with green blood.
Panting heavily, his chest rising and falling, the familiar chime of the system echoed in his mind:
> [Ding! Congratulations! You have leveled up!
Level 1 → Level 10
+10 Stat Points Earned.]
Veyron's eyes lit up with joy.
"Yes!"
He didn't stop. Fueled by adrenaline and victory, he rushed deeper into the dungeon. More goblins appeared—but now, they were nothing more than stepping stones. His movements grew faster, more efficient, his instincts sharpening with every battle.
The system continued chiming, matching his momentum:
> [Congratulations!
Level 10 → Level 20.]
Eventually, Veyron reached the final chamber of the dungeon—a large, quiet space that felt untouched by time. In the center stood a sword embedded in the earth. Its hilt was adorned with wings—delicate and white, like those of Gabriel. The blade shimmered faintly in the darkness.
Veyron's breath caught.
"What kind of sword is this? Why does it have Gabriel's wings…?"
He stepped forward and grasped the hilt. But the moment his fingers touched it, a sharp pain twisted his wrist, forcing a cry from his throat. Blood dripped down his arm, bones cracking from within.
But he didn't let go.
Gritting his teeth, he shouted through the pain,
"Come on! Draw yourself, master's sword… I know what you are!"
With one final heave—the sword came free. Blood trailed down his arm, and his wrist hung limply, obviously broken, but his eyes sparkled with defiance.
"Phew… finally… you stubborn sword," he muttered, torn between satisfaction and annoyance.
[Warning: Bloodline compatibility detected. Synchronization initializing...]
Suddenly, the system interface reappeared before him. Yet as he glanced at it, something else caught his attention—a faint engraving on the stone where the sword had been embedded.
A figure. Humanoid. As if someone had left behind a signature of their existence.
> [Congratulations!
You have successfully conquered the Goblin Dungeon.
Please choose your reward.]
Veyron raised a hand.
"Wait a second, system…"
His fingers brushed the engraving. The moment he touched it—everything around him shifted.
Time fractured.
He found himself witnessing a scene from long ago: a man in a golden robe with flowing white hair stood before the same spot, driving the sword into the ground with deliberate solemnity. His face was obscured—blurry, distorted, hidden from comprehension.
A silent, forgotten moment.
In the next instant, Veyron's consciousness snapped back. He stood once more in the chamber, breathing heavily. The sword now in his hand. The mark still glowing faintly at his feet.
He looked between them.
"…What kind of sword is this, really?" he whispered to no one.
---
Elsewhere…
In a distant land, atop a towering magical spire, a middle-aged man stood with a polished wand in hand. He gazed at the sky, his eyes glowing with rare emotion—excitement… and perhaps something deeper.
"So… the sword has finally been drawn." A slow smile crept onto his face.
"That means… the time has come. I must claim him as my disciple."
He descended the tower, mounting a dark horse that waited below. Without another word, he rode off toward the continent of Ironvale, his cloak fluttering behind him like a shadow.
But deep behind the joy in his eyes… was a truth long buried.
A memory even he had almost forgotten.
---
Chapter 1 Completed.