Mark of the Fool - Chapter 13: Walls and Keys

At the Edge of the Void…A soft blue light hums, pulsing with energy, its robotic voice ringing with purpose.> “Do you accept me, System 0404, the Harem-Building System?”A young man in his twenties, eyes shining with excitement, eagerly responds:> “YES!”The blue light flares—The universe shifts—The binding process begins—DING!> [System Successfully Bound to…]…Daphne Han???????***System: “If you’re going to RUIN the harem-building mission, I’m not helping you!”Daphne: “Okay, I’ll just win without you.”System: “…Wait, what?”***World one:Male Lead: “Why are my offers disappearing?!”Daphne: “Oh? Maybe you just weren’t talented enough.”System: “YOU CAN’T JUST DELETE THE PROTAGONIST!”Actress #1: “Wait, I actually love acting, not this forced romance subplot?”Actress #2: “Oh wow, working under Daphne is way better than chasing ML’s validation.”Male Lead: “WHERE DID MY HAREM GO?!”System: “DON'T RUIN THE PLOT!”Villainess: “What do you want in return for everything?”Daphne: “You.”System: “NOOOO, SHE’S SUPPOSED TO BE HIS FINAL LOVE INTEREST!”World two:Emperor: “You were supposed to compete for my favor!”Daphne: “Nah. I’m the one with favor now.”Heroine: “Can I join your court instead?”System: “THAT'S NOT HOW HAREM DRAMAS WORK!”***CEO: “I was supposed to be her fate!”Demon Lord: “SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO REDEEM ME!”Imperial Prince: “What do you MEAN she’s not interested in me anymore?!”System: “THIS IS NOT HOW THESE STORIES WORK.”

Eons have passed since the prophesied godslayer met his demise. Yet, in a world reborn, whispers stir of his return, of a new man born from the remnants of an ancient prophecy.Kallen, destined to master the delicate balance between chaos and order, light and darkness, emerges to defy the very fabric of fate.Existence is a tapestry, one whole, connected, and indivisible. It is woven by the fabric of fate, spun with the strings of karma, and stitched with the threads of causality.Yet, within this unity lies individuality, and this individuality is the essence of existence. The manifestation of essence is Will.But what is a sparked Will against one akin to a raging inferno? What is a child before a mammoth? The conviction of a mortal before the boundless Will of cosmic beings?The answer is defiance!.A defiant Will, is what Kallen needs to liberate himself from the suppression every mortal endures from apex lifeforms. To live his life free, unhinged and on his own terms.But it takes a bit of crazy to be brave, and Insanity to be defiant.This is the story of a mortal breaking limits to achieve Apexification, to walk with his head held high and free in every corner of the universe.It is the irony of a slave who holds the reins, even as their chains bite deep. It is the cry of a heart bound in servitude, yet refusing to surrender its essence.

“With my knowledge, give me a fulcrum on which to place it and I shall move the world!”

Layland Kleinhaus (17) suffers from hypogonadism that makes him less “manly” on top of having a girly face. He is bullied because of it, but he always remains strong ... At least, until he can't bear the betrayals and sufferings anymore.

Filled with rage, indignation, and the lust for blood, he decided to end the life of his tormentors along with the bystanders before taking his own life.

Alas, in the middle of his deed, a mysterious being intervenes the act by summoning him and the rest of the bastards he is killing to another world. He curses his bad luck for not being able to fulfill his revenge because of it, but much to his surprise, there is something much better than having his revenge waiting for him.

“Layland... Be a Demon King.”

Thus, his journey of becoming the unparalleled Demon King begins.

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Those who know me are already in the know of my “condition”—minor dyslexia. So, if you find any misspell or 'wtf does this even mean' words, I hope you can pardon me from the insult, and notify me instead.