Skybound Throne

Skyler shivered slightly as he arrived at the Royal Castle, a strange sense crawling up his spine. He glanced over his shoulder.

"Who's yelling my name this time?"

With a shrug, he stepped inside. The royal guards didn't stop him—and he understood why. His face was all over the internet; only a fool wouldn't recognize him at this point.

He had come hoping to meet the Queen, but she was nowhere to be found. Instead, he stumbled upon a familiar sleeping man who was supposedly his grandfather.

"Hello..."

Skyler softly knocked on the door he had already opened without permission. He'd been roaming the castle, swiping the new shiny items that had replaced the empty spots he'd left behind during his last visit.

At this point, a bit of politeness wouldn't change anything. So, he stepped inside when he didn't get any response. But the sight that greeted him made him freeze.

From afar, the man looked perfectly fine. But it wasn't until Skyler reached the bed that he truly saw just how broken he was.

The man looked like a shattered piece of glass—cracks ran along his pale skin, even across his entire face, as though he might crumble to pieces at the slightest touch.

He instinctively muttered.

"He's breaking."

Only to flinch as a cold, hoarse voice rang out oppressively from behind him.

"You shouldn't be here."

Skyler turned around and saw the Queen seated on one of the chairs opposite the bed, a half-filled wine glass in her hand.

He had missed her presence.

Empty bottles littered the floor around her, but judging by the sharpness in her gaze, it was clear—no matter how much she drank, her power wouldn't allow her the mercy of getting drunk. She was still fully sober.

Cold sweat gathered on his forehead as she stared at him with the kind of vacant gaze reserved for something unwelcome.

"I—"

Before he could utter another word, her voice cut him off—colder than before.

"Leave. I allowed the guards to let you in when I sensed your presence and turned a blind eye to whatever you were up to—but this room is off-limits."

Skyler nodded at once.

She was clearly in a foul mood.

It was best not to push his luck.

"I was actually looking for you."

He said carefully.

"I'm going to enter the Battle Royal, so I wanted to leave Riruru in your care."

A chill ran down his spine as the Queen's lips suddenly curled into a cutting smile.

"And why should I take care of her?"

Her voice carried a sharp warning.

"With your name being the hottest topic in the Dark Lights right now, it's only a matter of time before those villains come sniffing around. Kidnapping her would be the most obvious move. Isn't that why you're leaving her here instead of with your parents?"

She arched a brow, eyes narrowing.

"So tell me—why should I?"

"What do I get out of it?"

Skyler's expression grew serious, as if he were about to deliver something profound. But his next words nearly made her choke on the drink she had just raised to her lips.

"Because you're my grandmother!"

Well, there was a reason he was called shameless. He pressed on, dramatically.

"Because I entered that ancient tomb for you! Because I found the lost Sapphire of Serenity for you! Shouldn't you at least do this much for your beloved grandson?"

His gaze dropped as if the weight of emotional betrayal had crushed him.

"I thought we'd grown closer…"

He whispered, voice trembling.

"But… how can you demand something from your poor grandson who's not even twenty yet? Grandma, how can you be so heartless to your own flesh and blood?"

He even sniffled—just for effect.

The Queen's lips parted in sheer disbelief. The wine glass in her hand tilted, red liquid spilling freely—yet she didn't even blink. Her eyes remained locked on Skyler, baffled.

What the actual hell…?

Elizabeth was certain that neither she nor anyone in her entire royal lineage had the gene for being this dramatic. So where in the heaven did this kid get it from?

Her gaze drifted to the bed where her husband lay, and she stifled a chuckle.

"Did you get it from him?"

She muttered and stared at Skyler.

"Okay. I'll take care of her for you."

Skyler's face lit up immediately, his earlier fake gloom vanishing without a trace.

"I knew I could count on you, Grandma!"

Riruru, who had been watching him the entire time, finally blinked—enlightenment dawning in her eyes. She had just learned something new, and unfortunately for him, she was going to apply it solely to him.

Just as Skyler set her down on a nearby table and leaned down to kiss her head, a familiar brilliant light flashed in the room.

Riruru transformed into her human form, caught his face between her hands, and kissed him firmly on the lips. It was all fine—until she pulled back and Skyler saw her watery eyes, as if she were about to cry.

That's when his brain shutdown.

"What happened?!"

Riruru sniffled, fluttering her lashes.

"Take care… Come back soon."

Skyler's eyes widened.

"If you're gonna cry, I am not goi—"

Before he could finish, the Queen grabbed him by the collar and hurled him out of the room. She'd had enough. Her speechless gaze shifted to Riruru, who was giggling.

"…What a perfect pair."

Outside the room, Skyler—who had finally come to his senses—stared blankly at the closed door. After a moment, he stood up, dusted off his clothes, and slowly cracked the door open to peek inside. When he saw Riruru smiling, he let out a breath of relief.

She was okay.

Only then did he summon his status.

His gaze shifted to the system functions listed at the bottom of his status.

_____

System 505 Functions:

- System store: (Closed)

- System points: 21,450

Imagine pressing the words to:

- Enter 2nd level of Battle Royal (Available)

- Exit Battle Royal (Not available)

_____

"Shall we get going?"

With a deep breath, he mentally selected the Enter Battle Royal option. Instantly, a familiar gray light enveloped his body.

In the blink of an eye, he vanished.