The Upgrade System,Rise of an Ordinary King

Chapter 1: The Trash Boy of Ironcrest

The clang of steel echoed through the walls of Ironcrest Fortress. Swords clashed, men roared, and victory was carved through blood. But Kiny wasn’t part of the chaos. He was beneath it—in the dark, narrow servant tunnel, scrubbing blood from the stone tiles with frozen fingers.

Another splash of cold water hit his face as the bucket tipped over.

"You're slower than a limping donkey!" barked Mistress Berla, the head servant, her cane slapping the back of his shoulder. "Do you want to be thrown to the training grounds as a sparring dummy?"

Kiny gritted his teeth. He was used to this. For the last 17 years of his life, he had been “the useless orphan,” the one brought in from the wasteland border. A servant. A shadow. The fortress’s punching bag.

He kept scrubbing.

“King Drayden’s nephew arrives today,” Mistress Berla sneered. “Don’t even breathe near the great hall. Your filthy presence might curse the royal guests.”

Kiny didn’t answer. He’d learned silence was better. Words got you whipped. Dreams got you broken.

But inside—he wanted more.

He wanted to stand among the knights. To wield a blade instead of a mop. To have a name that mattered.

As dusk painted the fortress walls in crimson hues, a horn blasted from the outer gates.

The royal nephew had arrived.

Servants scattered. Kiny ducked into a storeroom, hidden behind barrels of dried meat. He couldn’t help himself. He needed to see who was coming.

Peeking through the slats, he saw him.

Valen Drayden.

Clad in obsidian armor with a wolf-crest cape, Valen sat atop a beast-like stallion. His presence radiated dominance. Women swooned. Knights saluted. Even the commander bowed.

And then Valen spoke.

“I heard Ironcrest has a training ground. I want fresh blood to test my new blade.”

The commander chuckled. “We can send in the trainees, my lord.”

“No,” Valen said. “I want someone expendable. A rat. Something unworthy.”

A cold hand gripped Kiny’s chest.

“Bring me a servant,” Valen ordered. “Let’s see how my sword sings against garbage.”

By nightfall, Kiny was dragged into the arena.

His wrists were bound. His legs trembled. Torches lit the pit where nobles sat watching from above with goblets in hand. They laughed when they saw him.

"The rat's finally going to be useful!" one mocked.

A wooden practice sword was tossed at his feet. Valen entered with a polished longsword that shimmered with runes.

"Pick it up," Valen smirked. "Try to entertain me before you die."

Kiny didn’t move.

"Pick. It. Up."

Berla’s cane. The mockery. The hunger. The years of humiliation…

Kiny grabbed the wooden sword.

Valen lunged.

The first strike sent Kiny tumbling. Pain flared in his ribs.

Another swing—Kiny barely ducked.

The third—

SLASH.

Blood spilled across the dirt.

Kiny collapsed. His vision blurred.

"Enough," Valen scoffed. "He’s not even worth the blade.”

As Valen turned to leave, the system awakened.

[SYSTEM INITIATED…]

>> Awakening Protocol Activated

>> Syncing with Host…

>> Compatibility: 97% - Exceptional

>> Welcome, Kiny. You have been chosen.

>> Upgrade System Bound.

Kiny gasped. A searing pain flooded his chest, but something else…a strange light filled his mind. A screen hovered in his vision.

[Upgrade System: Level 1]

• HP: 2/10

• Strength: 3

• Speed: 4

• Skill: None

• Ability: Locked

Traits: Low-born, Iron Will, Hidden Potential

>> Do you wish to activate Combat Protocol?

>> Warning: High chance of death.

>> Rewards: Ability unlock and first system upgrade.

Kiny coughed blood. He could barely move. But his hand twitched. His fingers closed around the broken wooden sword.

"Yes..." he rasped.

>> Combat Protocol Activated.

>> Surge Initiated.

Suddenly, a surge of heat spread through his limbs. His senses sharpened. Pain numbed. Muscles tightened.

Kiny pushed himself up.

The crowd gasped.

Valen turned, his expression amused. “Still alive, rat?”

Kiny didn’t answer.

He moved.

Faster than before.

He ducked Valen’s swing, then jabbed the wooden sword into the prince’s side. The runes on Valen’s armor flared and deflected the hit—but Kiny felt it. The speed. The strength.

The system was real.

Valen frowned now. “Interesting…”

Kiny dodged again. Another strike. This time aimed at Valen’s legs. Missed—but closer.

“Who the hell are you?” Valen growled.

Above them, the King’s advisor narrowed his eyes. "This boy... what is he using?"

Mistress Berla screamed, "That’s Kiny! The orphan trash!"

Valen shouted, enraged. “I’ll kill you myself!”

He charged.

Kiny blocked—and the wooden sword shattered under the blow.

The force knocked him back. He slammed into the wall.

Bones cracked.

He couldn’t move.

[SYSTEM ALERT: Near death…]

>> Critical upgrade available. Random Skill Extraction in progress…

>> Target: Valen Drayden.

>> Skill Obtained: Shadow Step (Basic)

Valen raised his blade for the final blow.

Kiny smiled, blood dripping from his lips.

Then—he vanished.

In a blink.

Valen spun around, stunned.

“What—!?”

Kiny reappeared behind him, eyes glowing with power.

He whispered, “I’m not Pawn anymore.”