MMORPG: Rebirth of the Shadow Mage

Everything around me turned dark as the Sword descended slashing me.

- 1256 Physical Damage!

< You've been killed by a Corrupted King! >

A message was hovering above me.

Soon I'll be teleported to the nearest city I've been to.

< ??? >

Suddenly another message appeared. Before I could even understand what was happening I felt a bizarre presence behind me.

Slowly turning my head around I noticed a crown levitating in the air. Three chains were binding it, but one of the chains was noticeably loose.

Walking closer I could finally identify the item.

" Is that... Demon Prince's Crown? "

I whispered, closely looking at the chains binding the crown.

Not sure why I hadn't yet respawned, I extended my hand forward touching the loose chain. As soon as I did that the chain suddenly cracked apart.

Crack...

A loud noise echoed in the emptiness as the broken chain fell down becoming light particles.

< One of the Seals Binding an Item has been undone! >

Reading the system notification I noticed that I could interact with my inventory and quickly looked at the crown.

1️⃣ < Demon Prince's Crown > [ Platinum ]

-- A Crown made for the Ruler of Demons

~ MP +75

~ MDEF +80

~ HP +100

~ [ NEW! ] Demonic Descent

~ [ ?? ] Sealed

~~~~

One of the question marks disappeared indicating that one of the Item abilities could be used.

1️⃣ Demonic Descent ➰ [ Demonic Prince's Crown ]

-- Ability to descent back to the mortal realm

~ No cost

~ 3 months cooldown

~ -10% Attributes for an entire day

~~~~

Reading the description of the Item ability my jaw hit the floor.

' Isn't that like revival ? '

I thought while reminiscing about the past. I couldn't quite remember if there even was a player with the ability to come back from death without any level reduction.

Even though the Ability cooldown was one of the highest I've ever seen it didn't change the fact of how useful it was.

' To die without any punishments '

I snickered trying to imagine Fenrir's and my teammates' faces upon the sight of me coming back to life.

Whoosh...

Suddenly a strong force started pulling me towards the light.

< Demonic Descent Activated... >

< Reviving the Player Leo! >

My body became transparent and soon everything turned dark again.

Blink... Blink...

Feeling slightly weakened I opened my eyes. Above me there were dimly lit chandeliers.

" H... ow? "

I heard a shout and turning around noticed Eric pointing his finger in my direction. His breathing was rough and his face was slightly pale as if he had seen a ghost.

Gazing around I noticed Ava and Eli also staring in my direction.

' I guess I have to give an explanation '

Shrugging my shoulders I quickly thought of an excuse.

" Before engaging with the boss in close combat I drank a potion of holy water allowing me to escape the clutches of death "

I couldn't think of anything better. They probably saw that my HP hit zero and its common knowledge that I should've died, but I was revived, with no wounds at that!

I could only pray that they would buy my explanation.

Luckily Ava quickly swapped the subject.

" Why didn't you tell us about the last stage of the boss? "

She questioned knitting her eyebrows. She was probably angry, but in my eyes she was cute. Crossing her arms and pouting she reminded me of a Mountain hare.

" I didn't know about it as well "

Using the ultimate strategy of Ignorance I dodged another bullet.

Even though I noticed that Ava wasn't very satisfied with my answer she decided to let it go. Seeing that nobody else has something to say I smiled.

" Time to collect our rewards! "

I clapped my hands and said with unusually joyous voice. I didn't even notice how I startled my party members who were used to me always being cold.

' So he's not a robot without any emotions '

The same thought was circling in all their minds.

After all, not everyone can brush off the pain of one's limb being ripped apart with a few curses. Even Ava's poker face was slightly broken as the boss turned into a Corrupt whether Leo started cussing him in his own language.

With such thoughts the group approached the boss's body that was back to its human appearance.

" Be aware, a cutscene will soon appear "

I alerted my party members before we took the last step towards the King.

~~~~

As soon as all the party members were all close enough to the body, the trapdoor was torn open and a group of soldiers instantly ran into the room with a guard wearing gold armor being in front.

" King! "

He shouted seeing a motionless human laying on the floor. Ignoring us he quickly dashed towards the king's body and checked his pulse.

" He's still alive! "

He shouted, gesturing to the other soldiers to help him lift the king. After the king's body was transported outside the soldier wearing gold armor finally noticed our presence.

" Thank you for bringing our king back... To gain rewards worth your achievements please visit the castle in 3 days "

As soon as the soldier left through the trapdoor people started flooding inside the room.

' Shit! '

I thought quickly calling Fenrir back into the Beast Tattoo. Turning towards my teammates I sent them friend requests so we can later message each other to collect out rewards.

< You've Purified the Corrupted King! >

< Do You Want to Announce your Achievement to the World? >

< YES / NO >

Not even thinking I automatically pressed the NO button. At this point it was my brand.

Bidding my Ava, Eli and Eric goodbye I logged off, but right before I became light particles I noticed a particular red haired girl in the crowd.

' Monica '

I gnashed my teeth seeing the girl's eyes brighten up as she saw me.

' Fuck no! '

I thought not even giving the girl a second look. The girl was a child of a billionaire and she was helplessly trying to prove herself to her own father. Monica didn't care about anything else, but monopolizing the game and reaching success that would move her father's heart.

In my past life I was also pulled into her guild and of course, because of my hard financial position I was given a choice to sign a contract, a slave contract at that.

Her guild was one of the main reasons I was turned into the slave, but I wasn't mad at her particularly, since she was the higher up who probably had no idea such things were happening in the lower ranks of the food chain.

It didn't change the fact that I didn't want to have anything to do with her this lifetime.

Climbing out of the VR pod I heard quiet chatter downstairs. Leaving my room and peeking into the kitchen, I saw my parents putting various food ingredients into the fridge.

My mother was wearing a new black fur coat while my dad still had his plain jacket, but I noticed that he had bought himself new shoes.

' It's better than nothing '

Sneaking up on them I revealed my presence scaring my father while my mother gave me a complicated look.

" When will you grow up? "

With a look of exaggerated disappointment she turned around trying to keep her expression straight. Unfortunately seeing my father almost drop the milk made her slightly giggle.

After putting all the ingredients in the fridge we decided to have lasagna for lunch.

Since I couldn't log in the game, because of the crowd that is surrounding the boss room I've decided to go take a walk until the meal is ready.

Whoosh...

A cold gust of wind blew past me, the summer is coming to an end. Walking through the neighborhood I noticed a few people in their huge backyards grilling meat, playing with their children and doing other stuff.

' It sure is lively '

I thought with a smile. I had a plan to walk until the Preklin university, but now I just wanted to spend more time outside.

Looking at the unending Villas I was once again reminded of our old house. It wasn't anything special, but it was home.

' I'm sentimental '

Giggling at myself I finally reached the university. Looking at all the building complexes I couldn't help, but question how much money they have spent to build it.

During the summer people could enter the university's area.

Walking around the building I noticed a few basketball courts full of kids. They were clearly younger than fifteen years old, but I was amazed how much joy simply playing the game brought them.

Looking back in my childhood I don't recall ever playing such games. It was the same routine of going to school, doing homework, exercising, going to sleep, and repeating the same circle everyday.

The only real fun I've really had was spending time with my parents.

' I'm lucky to have them '

With such a last thought I left the university slowly walking back home.

' I also need to buy some clothes '

I thought while looking at my plain clothing. I was wearing black jeans and a worn out jacket. It looked weird for me to live in this area, but wear such plain clothes.

' Well I'm not that flashy of a person '

I tried not to cringe at my words recalling how I tried to show off to Ava while she was stalking me from a rooftop.