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Chapter 1 - Prologue – The Awakening of the Shadow Monarch

The hospital room was silent, illuminated only by the dim glow of the monitor. Shawn lay on the bed, barely conscious, his body bruised and battered from an incident he couldn't remember clearly.

He thought it was all a dream—his life, his struggles, and the strange, shadowy figures that appeared before him in his visions. Yet the monitor's steady beep reminded him that this was reality.

> [System Activation: Shadow Monarch System Online]

Shawn's eyes snapped open. A wave of darkness washed over him—not frightening, but oddly familiar. Shadows rose from the corners of the room, forming shapes that moved with purpose. Beru, Igris, Tusk, and other shadow figures emerged, their forms dark blue and black, radiating strength and loyalty.

> Who… are you? Shawn asked, still weak but intrigued.

Beru stepped forward, his voice calm yet commanding. "You are the vessel of the reborn Shadow Monarch, Shawn. The power has awakened within your bloodline. We are here to guide you."

Shawn's mind raced. Memories of Sung Suho, the previous Shadow Monarch, flickered in his mind like fragmented echoes. The system explained itself: a mechanism that allowed him to grow stronger, summon shadows, and eventually stand as the world's hidden protector.

> [Shadow Monarch Objective: Level Up, Strengthen Shadows, Protect the Balance of the World]

As Shawn struggled to sit up, the shadows around him shifted, testing his reaction. Beru and Igris demonstrated their abilities, showing him the potential of his army. Tusk, Marshal-grade, stood silently, exuding a protective aura.

> This… is real. Shawn whispered. "I'm… the Shadow Monarch?"

Igris nodded. "And it is your duty to command your shadows, grow stronger, and face threats no one else can."

The system opened a new window before him:

> [Objective 1: Survive, Level Up, Claim Your Place as Shadow Monarch]

[Objective 2: Investigate Unknown Threats – Global and Rift-Based]

[Objective 3: Unite Allies and Protect Humanity]

Shawn took a deep breath. For the first time, he understood the weight of his bloodline, the responsibility of the shadows, and the magnitude of the battles ahead.

> I am the Shadow Monarch… and this is only the beginning.

Outside, the world continued unaware of the shadow rising within a single boy—a boy who would soon command an army, face unimaginable threats, and challenge forces that lurked beyond human comprehension.

The journey had begun.

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