The Monarch Crown System

10. He Is Immortal

The lobby was chaos.

Nurses ducked for cover, patients screamed, and the echo of gunfire rattled through the hospital’s marble hallway. Elias lay flat on his back, the impact of five bullets forcing the air from his lungs.

For a moment, everyone believed they had just witnessed a murder.

Then something strange happened.

Elias’s eyes fluttered open.

He inhaled.

Not weakly. Not shakily.

But fully. Deeply. As though nothing had touched him at all.

The room went silent as a grave. Even the crying child from earlier stopped mid sob when he saw the bullets roll off Elias’s chest like pebbles sliding down smooth stone.

One of the armed men stepped back, horror widening his eyes.

“He unlocked it,” he whispered. “He really unlocked the first Sovereign Boon.”

Another dropped to his knees instantly.

“We cannot kill him. He is immortal to weapons.”

In less than five seconds, every one of the Monarch Crown retainers fell to the floor in a coordinated bow so sharp the air trembled with the force of it.

“Young Master,” they declared loudly. “We greet the new Crown Bearer.”

People gasped. Someone dropped a phone. A man crossed himself. A nurse fainted.

A little boy tugged at his mother’s sleeve.

“Mom, that symbol... I saw it in the manuscripts at school. The Monarch Crown is real. He is the chosen one.”

Before anyone could process his words, Jeron scoffed loudly and shoved the boy aside.

“Oh please. The Monarch Crown is a myth. These men are criminals playing dress up.” He pointed aggressively at Elias. “And you are all fools if you believe this. Elias bought the hospital with stolen charity funds.”

Mr. Lowell, emboldened, nodded sharply.

“That is right. You were all tricked. This man is a con artist!”

Before he could continue, a retainer rose from his bow in one fluid motion and slapped Mr. Lowell across the face with such force the man spun and crashed onto the floor.

“You dare speak against the Crown Bearer?” the retainer thundered. “Kneel. Now. Or your family business will be liquidated before the sun sets.”

People gasped. Phones were already recording.

Clips were uploaded instantly.

Trending titles began flashing across screens:

“THE MONARCH CROWN RETURNS”

“THE CHOSEN BEARER CANNOT DIE FROM BULLETS”

“ELIAS ROWAN IS THE NEW SOVEREIGN OF WEALTH”

Security guards rushed in, trying to push the crowd back.

Jeron forced out a bitter laugh.

“This is all a prank. You think I am scared of empty threats?”

A retainer turned to Elias, bowing deeply.

“Give the word, Young Master. His family empire will be ashes by dusk.”

Elias looked at Jeron with a slow, calm stare that made the man’s bravado crumble.

“You have five minutes to apologize.”

Jeron rolled his eyes. “I am not apologizing to you.”

Five minutes passed.

Jeron’s phone buzzed once.

Then again.

Then nonstop.

His hands trembled as he checked it.

Government seizures.

Court orders.

Frozen accounts.

Asset withdrawals.

Messages from his father, mother, and even his grandmother:

What did you do? Who did you offend? Fix this now!

Jeron’s knees buckled.

He collapsed in front of Elias.

“I am sorry! I am sorry, please! Elias, forgive me!”

Elias only sighed, the sound soft but final.

“Fulfill the wager.”

Mr. Lowell’s face turned ashen.

“No… please, not that. Anything but—”

But the retainers were already dragging buckets and brushes forward.

Under the horrified eyes of the entire hospital, Jeron and Mr. Lowell removed their shirts and scrubbed the marble floor on their hands and knees. Their faces burned with humiliation. Their breaths shook with rage. And the cameras captured every second.

When they finished, Elias flicked his wrist.

“Remove them.”

The guards grabbed both men and dragged them toward the exit like sacks of trash. Jeron screamed, but no one paid him attention.

A heavy quiet settled over the lobby.

Until Dr. Kwon walked in.

He had not seen the chaos. He knew nothing of the bullets or the bowing retainers. All he saw was Elias standing near men dressed in immaculate suits.

Dr. Kwon sneered and marched straight toward him.

“You again? Why are you disturbing these important people with your ugly, wretched body?” he snapped and slapped Elias across the cheek.

The sound echoed like a crack of thunder.

Every retainer stood on their feet instantly, their killing intent so sharp that the overhead lights flickered.

“You dare strike the Crown Bearer?” one shouted, grabbing the doctor by the collar.

Dr. Kwon went pale.

“Crown… Bearer? What are you talking about? I… I only—”

“Silence,” another barked.

Elias raised one calm hand.

“Do not dirty your hands with him.”

Dr. Kwon dropped to his knees.

“Mister Rowan please forgive me. Please, I did not know!”

Elias took a breath and spoke evenly.

“I no longer want treatment in this hospital. Shut it down. Dismiss every staff member.”

The retainers bowed.

“At once, Young Master.”

Phones rang. Orders were issued. Within minutes, the hospital board dissolved. Staff were escorted out. The building was sealed.

Dr. Kwon collapsed in tears.

Elias didn’t look back.

He was escorted to the premier medical center in the city, where a full examination proved what he already sensed: there was no trace of illness in him. Not a remnant. Not a shadow.

He was whole.

Alive.

Invincible.

The retainers stood in a half circle before him. The leader of the group stepped forward.

“Young Master,” he said, bowing deeply, “the Monarch Crown’s awakening has already begun. You must now follow tradition.”

Elias frowned slightly.

“What tradition?”

The men exchanged glances.

“You must be taken into seclusion for one month. The Crown Bearer cannot appear publicly or the opposing factions will attempt to assassinate you. Many have died because they ignored this warning. Just like the former crown bearer.”

Elias exhaled slowly.

“So what happens in this seclusion?”

The leader lowered his head with reverence.

“You will be trained, Young Master.”

Another retainer stepped forward.

“You are now heir to a power older than nations. You must be prepared for the responsibilities of the Crown.”

The lights dimmed slightly.

A silent wind passed through the room.