Ever since that night when Aeyong died, Seong Myin had changed. His teachers had taught him that it was better to forgive than to foster hatred, but he could not release the boiling anger in his heart.
A year after Aeyong had died, Seong Myin found the man who killed his sister and sliced his throat. He knew how weapons worked. After all, he had finished his mandatory service only two years prior. And with the power of the ring, he was able to protect himself and avenge his sister.
It would be better, though, to say that the ring had changed him. Like tasting alcohol for the first time, it was alright to have a drink every so often. But now, Seong Myin had tasted the ring's power and was unwilling to let go.
He never took off the ring and had become drunk on its effects, never having enough. He abandoned his father and mother, friends at work, and had become a loner. He kept the ring on a chain around his neck, killing from the shadows. He killed any man or woman that had killed another or one who had caused another's death.
A life for a life – That was how Seong Myin justified his actions as he vented his anger and frustration that never seemed to simmer down.
The news called him the black reaper as he only struck at night. Of course, the news portrayed him as no hero, but as a megalomaniac and serial killer, one that must be constrained by the rules of society. And now, Seong Myin found himself on another such hunt.
The cries of the men echoed in the night, but each one abruptly cut short. Hunting evil humans had almost become second nature to Seong Myin. He felt the tremor of his heart calm as he deftly fired his pistol, but was agitated when he heard something.
"Monster!! Run. It's a monster."
Seong Myin furrowed his eyebrows. Never before had he been called a monster. He only considered those that harmed him or the monsters.
But as he saw the carnage he caused, Seong Myin thought that maybe he had changed – and not for the better. But Seong Myin pushed the thought under his heart. That feeling, though, only grew over time.