The path of the Soul Emperor

Chapter 22

[Ding!! The sword has recognized you as its master.]

{(SSS+) Dark King Sword}

A sword that can take any shape the wielder requires, enhancing the user's soul-related abilities by 100%. It possesses the following skills: [Soul Devour], [Sword Intent], [Cursed Dark King], and [One Strike].

[Soul Devour]: Allows the wielder to consume the souls of enemies, gaining their memories and enhancing their own soul without negative side effects.

[Sword Intent]: Grants the user the ability of a Sword Master, increasing their understanding of the way of the sword by 500%.

[Cursed Dark King]: When activated, boosts all stats by 250%, fueled by Soul Essences and Arcane Mana at a cost of 5,000 mana per second.

[One Strike]: Releases the full power of the greatest swordsman's intent, usable once per year, capable of killing anyone below the Saint King realm.

Alex stared at the detailed information.

Stella was asleep, resting her head on his chest as they lay beneath a tree, the moonlight casting a soft glow over them.

Despite the powerful artifact in his possession, Alex couldn't shake the weight in his heart.

He had lost.

Yes, it's okay to lose.

But this wasn't just any defeat—it was in a life-and-death battle, one without second chances.

The realization that he could have died left him shaken, his mind plagued with regret and fear.

Stroking Stella's hair absentmindedly, he sighed. 'In a world where countless beings are stronger than me, I need to tread carefully, or I'll face the same fate again.'

Though she was asleep, Stella seemed to sense his turmoil. She stirred, breaking the silence with a story.

"When I was a child, my father and mother fled from the orc tribe I was born into," she began softly. "My mother was an elf, and in orc culture, that was a grave taboo. Any orc who broke it—and their family—would be executed.

So, we ran. One day, while my father was hunting, humans found our hiding place. They… raped my mother and killed her. I was left on the ground, half-dead, watching it all.

My father returned, healed me, and hunted down those humans.

He didn't just kill the ones responsible—he slaughtered every human he could find, innocent or guilty.

From that day, his hatred for humans consumed him. If he were still alive, I have no doubt he'd still carry that grudge.

And I won't lie, Alex," she continued, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Every time I see a human, my heart fills with rage. But that rage… it only destroys us. I didn't know humans like you existed. You're different. I don't hate you, and I don't feel the urge to hurt you anymore. That's been gone for a while.

I want to help you, Alex.

To stand by your side, no matter what. Even if you tell me you don't want me, I'd hunt you down and kill any woman who tried to take you from me." Her tone lightened, a teasing laugh escaping her lips.

Alex chuckled at her words. "You're dangerous, you know that?"

"So, what's on your mind, dear?" she asked, listening intently to his heartbeat.

"Just… the fear of death," Alex admitted. "I've faced it before, but when you're lying there, bleeding out, knowing the end is near… the only thought in your head is, How can I survive? That fear shook me. It made me question why I chose this path in the first place."

Stella tilted her head, her crimson eyes searching his. "And why did you?"

"To protect those I love," Alex said simply.

It was the truth. Even in his previous world, the reason he became a mafia leader was to safeguard what was his—his family, his friends.

Somewhere along the way, he had lost sight of that goal. His desire for power had consumed him.

The same thing was happening here. He wanted strength, but strength alone was meaningless.

Power for the sake of power would never be enough to drive him forward.

As he gazed into Stella's red eyes, meeting their unwavering loyalty with his own blue ones, he found his purpose again.

Back then, he had stopped growing because he thought he had everything—wealth, women, status.

But those things were fleeting.

He remembered the days when he was poor and how those times were far richer in joy, filled with the love of friends and family.

"Then don't fail me, my King," Stella said with a playful smirk.

"I won't," Alex replied with a small laugh.

He kissed her forehead and added,

"Have I ever told you the story about when I was trapped in a hole and someone… uh… relieved themselves on me? Mistakenly, of course. Or was it intentional?"

Stella laughed. "Knowing you, it was probably intentional."