The city of Murtaza stood tall—its spires etched in gold, its roads paved in jade. But beneath its majesty, Priyanshu Yadav saw nothing but strings—strings tied to the fingers of unknown puppeteers.
He arrived in disguise, wearing a worn cloak and an aura-repressing talisman. The system had flagged Murtaza for a reason:
[Hidden Quest: Uncover the Puppet Kings of Murtaza]
[Reward: 10,000 Shadow Points + Forbidden Puppet Art Manual]
[Warning: Do not expose your identity. These kings answer to higher powers.]
Walking through the city gates, he noticed it immediately—every guard moved the same way, every merchant repeated the same exact greeting. Even the beggars wept in rhythm.
"This entire city… is under mass suggestion," he muttered.
The system confirmed.
[Correct. Murtaza is a hidden testing ground for spiritual puppetry.]
[Target Identified: Grand King Elvin – Controlled for 17 years.]
Priyanshu made his way to the imperial palace, where the so-called King Elvin sat on his throne like a man asleep with his eyes open. Three ministers stood beside him, each with robes that glowed faintly with soul runes.
"They're not ministers," Priyanshu whispered. "They're the real rulers."
He smirked.
"Let's make some noise."
That night, under the silver moon, a scream tore through the minister's quarters. The guards rushed in—only to find one of the ministers bound by black strings of soul energy, struggling against invisible hands.
[Shadow Technique: Ghost Thread Marionette – Activated.]
The next day, panic gripped the palace. The remaining ministers doubled their security. But they didn't know that one of their own was now under Priyanshu's control.
From behind the scenes, he directed that puppet to plant paranoia in the minds of the others, whispering hints of betrayal, false rebellion, and incoming divine punishment.
Within three days, the ministers turned on each other. Blood stained the jade floors.
Elvin awoke for the first time in years, gasping. "Wh-what happened?"
Priyanshu stood behind the throne, invisible to mortal eyes.
"Sleep, little king. Your strings have been cut… but I'll be the one holding them now."
[Quest Completed.]
[You have received 10,000 Shadow Points and the Forbidden Puppet Art Manual.]
[New Title Unlocked: Master of Strings.]
And just like that, Murtaza had a new hidden ruler. No one saw his face. No one knew his name. But the city bowed—unknowingly—to the Hidden Villain who pulled their strings from the darkness.