Re-Awakening: I Became a Pay To Win Boss Monster

<Ring of the Hollow King (Cursed-Rare) is reacting!>

The ring is reacting? Rael's brows furrowed. Besides that...

"Didn't you say that each continent had its own monsters? This doesn't seem like the Beast."

Caedia flinched. "I-I didn't lie... How was I supposed to know something like that was going to show up? But it's just observing, right?"

"Right." A cold voice rang out from above, startling them.

Rael turned toward the voice and saw a curly red-haired man looking down at them, wearing a sadistic smile.

"Of course you lot didn't expect something like this. Measly ants such as you should—hm?" The man tilted his head, glancing at Rael. "Nice ring you've got there. I was wondering where it went."

The moment those words fell, the red-haired man suddenly materialized beside Rael, inspecting him up and down.

"It's a cool ring, yeah. And I assume you're the Hollow King then?" Rael asked with a poker face.

The red-haired man nodded. "You may call me Kareth. Now, could I have a look at that ring?"

Since Rael didn't have much of a choice, he took the ring off and handed it over to Kareth, who began inspecting the ring intensely.

"Hmm... it's definitely my ring, but there's a curse on it? How strange," Kareth muttered. "Did you put a curse on it?"

Rael shook his head. "I didn't. The curse just says you'd hunt me down if I activated it."

"Truly peculiar. I can see why Zarkul has begun paying such an interest in you. Not only can you survive eating the soul fruits, but you can also steal items from the dimensions of higher beings. Color me surprised," Kareth said with a chuckle.

This conversation felt way too tame, to the point where Rael began getting an ominous feeling.

After all, even the Beast tried to kill him at first.

"One other thing..." Kareth trailed off, his grin widening. "Do you think we all follow the same wishes as Zarkul? He's letting you off scot-free, however, with each monument you light, we lose out on a potential food source."

"It's the quest that the Beast gave me." Rael shrugged. "I don't have a choice but to do it."

Zarkul is the Beast, and he was definitely not in the game, but at least his name is memorable, Rael thought, meeting Kareth's blue eyes that resembled stars.

"Like the Beast, I'm sure you wouldn't have come here without any hidden intentions, so just tell me what you want. I'm on a timer."

"Pfft..." Kareth held back his laugh. "I came here in person, and yet you're expecting so little."

The moment he finished speaking, Kareth put the Hollow King's ring on his finger. Suddenly, it began glowing with an ominous purple hue.

Not even a moment later, the Hollow King smiled and tossed the ring back to Rael.

"Put it on. It's a surprise. Oh, and if you don't put it on, I'll kill your friends, then send your limbs over to Zarkul," Kareth added, gesturing for Rael to put it on.

But before he did, he gave it one last inspection.

—Ring of the Hollow King (Epic+)

Durability: Infinite

+30 → 3,250 Strength

+30 → 3,250 Agility

+100 → 25,000 Constitution

+50 → 5,000 Intelligence

+50 → 5,000 Wisdom

Special Effect: Each command spoken by the wearer is significantly more effective on lesser beings.

A gift? Rael tilted his head. "Thank you?"

"Not quite." Kareth chuckled and snapped his fingers.

<Warning!>

<The Ring of the Hollow King has been reawakened.>

<An oath has been embedded.>

<Hollow Oath: You are now recognized as a candidate for the Hollow Throne.>

<Candidate Selection Timer: 365 Days>

<Total Candidate Count: 14,128,992>

"...What bullshit is this?" Rael asked, startled.

"It's an opportunity, and a curse of sorts," Kareth stated, his expression serious. "I believe in the potential of those who catch the eyes of my friends, so I'm giving you an opportunity to become a named Sovereign."

Rael sighed. "And what is a named Sovereign, exactly?"

"It's a secret. However, just know that if you take off the ring and throw it away, you will squander that opportunity, and I can assure you, you will regret it for the rest of your little life," Kareth added as a wide smile appeared on his face. "Meanwhile, I'm going to cause some mayhem. See you in a year, Rael Sutekh."

With that, Kareth vanished, and not even a moment later, a pair of pop-ups appeared, making Rael's brows furrow.

<The Hollow King has begun his rampage!>

<Survive for 5 minutes!>

<Casualties: 0>

Rael sighed and turned to Caedia and Seryn.

But then he noticed their fearful, trembling gazes, and when he looked closer, their eyes were pitch black.

"Are you here?" Rael called out, but it was to no avail.

The Beast wasn't here, since it would have gladly announced its presence.

<Warning!>

<Mass Fear has been inflicted in the Plague Lands region!>

<All stats -99%>

<Debuff Blocked!>

"Well... shit," Rael exclaimed and grabbed both of them by their collars, then stuffed them inside the car.

And of course, he got in too, then turned on autopilot and headed for the Magic Tower.

In the meantime, he decided it was time to eat the Ember, so he did.

<Ember of Life Consumed!>

<+2,000 Strength>

<+2,000 Agility>

<+6,000 Constitution>

<+3,000 Intelligence>

<+3,000 Wisdom>

The amount of stats he had gained in a week was simply astronomical. However, Rael had this sinking feeling that he was being prepared for something.

And he really fucking hated that feeling.

Though... the Hollow Throne, huh? I wonder if I can somehow get a book on that...

•—Premium Shop—•

Category: Miscellaneous/Hollow Throne

•—Balance: 35,947,450 Trell—•

• Hollow Crown (Divine): 1,000,000 Premium Coins

What...? Rael tilted his head in confusion.

However, in the next moment, the pop-up he was looking for appeared.

<Would you like to convert all your Trell into Premium Coins?>

<35,947,450 Trell → 0.035 Premium Coins>

"...?"

"Fucking pardon?"