Tyrannical Reign

Chapter 1 : Long Live, The Emperor

"What did you just say?" Kim Dokja's voice was cold and sharp as he glared at the trembling servant. From his throne, he loomed over the cowering man, his presence commanding and severe.

"P-Pardon me, Your Majesty, the Emperor... but it appears all 37 spies we sent to the Murim Kingdom have been killed..."

"And how is that my fault?" Kim Dokja's eyes narrowed, his gaze like a blade cutting through the servant's already faltering composure.

"No! It's not—" Before the servant could finish, Kim Dokja drew his sword with a swift motion and beheaded him, the blade slicing through the air with lethal precision.

"I am not responsible for anyone's incompetence. If people fail, it’s because they are weak and worthless. There is no place for failures in my Empire."

Kim Dokja turned and looked down at the severed head at his feet. "Clean up this mess," he commanded, his tone cold and unwavering. "Display his body parts throughout the empire as a reminder of what happens to those who fail me. And his head—hang it at the entrance gates."

"Yes, Your Majesty," a guard responded, bowing low before swiftly moving to carry out the order.

The head was soon mounted outside the castle gates, a gruesome warning to all: the Emperor does not tolerate failures.

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"Your Majesty."

"What is it now?" Kim Dokja asked, his patience thinning.

"Count Han has sent his daughter to your bedchambers to serve you."

Kim Dokja's expression remained unreadable for a moment before he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Count Han has always been greedy for power—I really like that about him," he said, wiping away tears of amusement. But then his laughter ceased, and his expression darkened. "However, he's been getting quite irritating lately."

Kim Dokja entered his bedchambers and immediately spotted Count Han's daughter, Han Sooyoung, sprawled on his bed, appearing drugged. He sighed at the sight, shaking his head.

"Stop pretending to be some helpless maiden who's been drugged. That act doesn't suit you."

Han Sooyoung sat up, rolling her eyes. "You're no fun," she muttered, scratching her head as she moved to the edge of the bed. "The old man is getting persistent."

"So, what's the deal? Just kill him."

"Come on, it's not as simple as that. I'm not a tyrant who can just kill someone and walk away unscathed."

Kim Dokja scoffed. "Anyway, report."

Han Sooyoung let out a frustrated sigh. "You know it's hard to gather information about the Crown Prince of Murim."

"But you got it, didn't you?"

"Of course I did. Who do you think I am?" she replied with a smirk. "Yoo Joonghyuk, 25, skilled in swordsmanship... and cooking."

"That's all?" Kim Dokja crossed his arms and leaned back in a chair across from her, clearly unsatisfied.

"What do you mean, 'that's all'?! I lost so many of my men to get this, and I sacrificed my sleep too!"

"Not my problem," Kim Dokja said with a shrug.

Han Sooyoung huffed in frustration, glaring at Kim Dokja. "You really have no appreciation for how hard I work."

Kim Dokja raised an eyebrow, his expression as indifferent as ever. "If you're looking for sympathy, you've come to the wrong place. What else do you have for me?"