In a place known as the Cursed Forest, a realm that perpetually disappears and is always shrouded in night, like a shifting dimension that appears and vanishes without a trace, the birth of the embodiment of darkness begins. Within the Cursed Forest, no one knows of its existence; it is a hidden realm where all forms of darkness, night, shadows, void, nothingness, and blackness begin to converge, coalescing into the form of an adult man.
His long, pitch-black hair cascades over his shoulders like a river flowing in the night. His blue eyes are as beautiful as the ocean itself, and his skin is impeccably maintained, pale and flawless. His hands, which seem incredibly delicate, exude an air of absolute authority with every movement. Standing at an imposing height of 6'5", his face is so extraordinarily handsome that the word "handsome" seems insufficient to capture his beauty.
The adult man is entirely naked, showcasing a physique sculpted without the need for exercise—a body that radiates sex appeal and embodies an undeniable charisma. As he begins to acclimate to his new surroundings, he feels disoriented, unaware of who he is or where he is. He gazes into the night, sensing that the darkness around him bows before him. Confusion envelops him as he tries to comprehend the situation.
Gradually, the darkness surrounding him begins to weave and shape itself into clothing that envelops his form. The darkness fashions a black suit tailored to his muscular physique, complemented by a neatly tied black tie. A long black coat materializes around the suit, extending down to form tailored black pants that complement his powerful build. Black leather shoes emerge to cover his delicate feet, while black gloves wrap around his exceptionally soft and beautiful hands, ensuring they remain pristine.
On his left wrist, a black watch forms, displaying the time of night with its hands frozen, as if the Cursed Forest itself is trapped in eternal darkness. A black fedora materializes atop his head, while a binding gathers his long black hair, concealing the absolute allure he possesses. Finally, a sleek black cane slowly takes shape in his gloved hand, which he grips firmly.
Uncertain of what has transpired, he feels as if the darkness itself has crafted his attire, as if the garments are an integral part of his essence. He inspects the black cane and the watch on his left wrist, a mysterious adult now fully adorned and aware of his surroundings. With newfound determination, he begins to walk through the eternal night of the Cursed Forest, ready to discover the truth behind his existence.
The man continued walking aimlessly until he noticed a light at the edge of his path. He approached the light, exiting the Cursed Forest and finding himself under the brightness of daylight. Despite the intense sunlight, he did not shield his eyes as if he was immune to it, and the light itself seemed absorbed by his shadow. Looking around, he saw himself standing in a vast open field. He glanced back to where the Cursed Forest should have been, but it had vanished without a trace. Confused, he tried to make sense of what had happened, while the hands on his black watch began to move, marking the transition to daylight.
As he wandered without purpose, an angel descended from the heavens. The angel, with four majestic wings spread behind him and a divine halo above his head, held a radiant, tightly gripped spear. His golden eyes widened in surprise at the sight of this mysterious man dressed in all black, standing in the field. The angel himself was strikingly handsome, with blonde hair, dressed in an elegant white robe. Landing gracefully in front of the mysterious man, the angel spoke a language the man couldn't understand. However, the darkness within him began to provide comprehension of all languages, and he soon understood as the angel asked, "Who are you? Why do you stand at the border between Heaven Land and the Holiest Land?"
Understanding now, the man replied, "I don't know who I am or what has happened… and who are you?" His deep, mysterious voice surprised the angel, who responded, "I am Lance, Lance Gabriel, one of the Seven Archangels. I am assigned to guard the 'border' between the continents. And you… do not know who you are?" Lance's gaze shifted, examining the mysterious man's appearance, and he added, "You look like you're from Labentia City, like a businessman… and even more handsome than Emperor Adam, I admit." Lance nodded, still observing him.
The mysterious man asked more questions, "What exactly is happening? What are the Seven Archangels you mentioned? And what are Heaven Land and Holiest Land? What do you mean by 'the border'?" His rapid questions left Lance somewhat taken aback. Lance replied, "You are indeed a mystery, not knowing anything, not even who you are. But I'll answer your questions if you'll share your name." The man thought deeply, and a name surfaced in his mind. "My name… My name is Mysterieux," he said.
Lance looked surprised once more. "You never fail to astonish me: your unique name, your unique condition, and your unique appearance. Mysterieux indeed suits a mysterious man like yourself." Nodding in agreement, Lance cleared his throat, preparing to explain further. "The Seven Archangels are the seven highest-ranking angels, each with their own duties. I am Lance Gabriel, the Spear of the Archangel, tasked with guarding the border between continents to prevent any assaults on Heaven Land. Heaven Land is a paradise for angels and deities. It's not a city but a divine realm filled with sacred forests where we, as angels, must meditate and harmonize with the celestial nature. Holiest Land, on the other hand, is where humans and human-like races reside.
"For more in-depth knowledge, it would be best for you, Mr. Mysterieux, to journey to Labentia City and visit the library called the 'Tree of Library,' where all knowledge and history of the Celestial Planet is recorded. I must attend to my duties guarding 'the border,' so I cannot continue our conversation further." Lance handed Mysterieux a compass. "Follow the needle, and it will lead you to Labentia City. I'm fortunate to have purchased it long ago, not knowing it would prove useful. Now, I must resume my patrol. Farewell, Mr. Mysterieux, and may your journey be enlightening."
With that, Lance ascended back into the sky, resuming his patrol. Mysterieux, quickly processing and understanding things at a rate beyond human comprehension, began following the compass's direction.
The scene shifts to Lance Gabriel, who is ascending toward Heaven Land, high above the earth. Lance has abandoned his patrol duties to deliver urgent news to Odin in person. Upon reaching Heaven Land—the only continent floating high in the skies, filled with angels and celestial beings—he marvels briefly at the landscape. Heaven Land is a realm of unparalleled beauty, akin to paradise itself.
Lance flies toward Odin's domain, where Odin stands overlooking the breathtaking expanse of Paradise Field, an open, luminous landscape that radiates divine light. Odin is clad in a kingly mantle, exuding an air of authority and wisdom. As Lance arrives, he descends, bows deeply, and shields his eyes as he begins to speak.
"Oh, Lord Odin, I believe I may have found the one you seek—the Primordial Darkness."
Odin, surprised but calm, does not turn his gaze from the view of Paradise Field. He speaks with commanding authority, "Are you certain? Tell me about this one you've encountered."
Lance, maintaining his respectful stance, describes Mysterieux's unique appearance, unusual aura, and the overwhelming sense of darkness around him. "I sensed as if he is guarded by Darkness Itself. His invisible aura absorbs light and holiness around him, like a walking black hole. For the first time in my life, I felt an intense sense of caution. He is likely now in Labentia City, seeking knowledge of our world."
Odin's mouth curls into a slight grin. "Leave him be for now. I am forming a plan to…help him 'discover who he truly is.' You may go; return to guarding the border."
Lance nods, rising gracefully with his four radiant wings and swiftly disappearing like a streak of light.
Odin's smile widens. "At last, I have found the Primordial Darkness! Soon... very soon, I shall rule over the entire universe! Even the Primordial Entities will bow before me!" He begins to laugh, his voice resonating with ambition.
As he laughs, he recalls a memory—an ancient vision of himself bowing humbly before a woman of incomprehensible beauty, one whose radiance transcends description. Even the word "beautiful" falls short in capturing her otherworldly charm. She is enveloped in an absolute light so powerful that Odin cannot fully gaze upon her. He sees only her long, flowing white hair, as if it were woven from light itself. Her gentle voice echoes in his mind:
"Seek the Primordial Darkness for me."
In the memory, Odin bows low, shielding his eyes as he nods his obedience. This scene took place thousands of years ago, yet remains vivid in his mind.
The memory fades, and the scene returns to Odin standing in Paradise Field. Looking out over Paradise Forest, he speaks softly, "Oh, Primordial Light, I have found the Primordial Darkness. Though you vanished without a trace, it does not matter. With the Primordial Darkness, I will wield the power to rule the entire universe!"
His laughter reverberates through Heaven Land, echoing across the celestial landscape. All the angels and gods hear Odin's rare, resounding laughter, which fills the heavens with his ambition.
The scene shifts to Mysterieux, who stumbles upon a village under attack by a group of bandits. Intrigued, he approaches them without any particular intention, merely curious. The bandits are trampling on the villagers, demanding money. When they spot Mysterieux approaching, they grow wary due to his mysterious appearance and the dark aura surrounding him.
The bandits who are collecting money from the villagers call for their leader. The leader, a tall figure nearly matching Mysterieux's height, strides over, eyeing him warily. "Who are you, and what do you want?" he demands. Mysterieux responds, "My name is Mysterieux, and I'm simply curious about what you're doing here." Hearing this, the bandits behind the leader burst out laughing. "What? Do you seriously not know what we're doing?" they mock, still on guard due to the unsettling presence before them.
Mysterieux gazes at the villagers who are bowed down in submission, many of them adults and young children. "Why are they bowing? And why are they giving you money?" he asks, noticing the currency labeled "L" (for Laben). The bandit leader scoffs, "Did you lose your memory or something? How can you not know?" Mysterieux replies calmly, "I know nothing, but does it harm you if I wish to understand what you're doing?" The leader hesitates before admitting, "We're robbing this village for our own gain, to enjoy ourselves." One of his men whispers to him, "Boss, are you really telling him? I've never seen someone as strange as him." The leader gives his subordinate a wary look, "Yes, but it doesn't matter if we tell him. If he tries anything, we can take him down. Though I can't quite read him...it's like he's darkness itself, never making a move. It's my first time seeing someone like him."
As they talk, Mysterieux approaches the villagers, urging them to stand up. "Stand. You all bow as if someone's pressing down on you." He reaches out to the village elder, a frail old woman, helping her rise. The elder remains silent, her eyes downcast. Mysterieux turns to the bandits, "I understand now. Robbing is a wicked act, and these people are innocent. Thank you for helping me understand despite my ignorance. But I ask you, please leave and refrain from doing this again." The bandits grow angry, and the leader, in particular, is furious at being dismissed so easily. "What do you mean by that?!" he yells as the bandits raise their firearms at Mysterieux. However, the leader stops them, ordering, "Lower your weapons. I'll handle this."
Drawing his sword, the leader steps forward, his weapon sharp and gleaming. Mysterieux watches intently, piecing together the situation, slowly realizing that they intend to fight. "Fight? So you wish to fight? I've never fought before, but I understand what it means." Mysterieux then mimics the leader's stance, which annoys the bandit leader. "Are you mocking me?" he snaps. Mysterieux, remaining calm, replies, "No, I merely understand your stance and am preparing to defend. Am I mistaken?" The leader smirks, "No, you're not wrong, but copying someone isn't exactly courteous. Still, it doesn't matter; you'll be dead soon enough for trying to chase us off."
With that, the leader channels Energy, strengthening both his body and blade. The bandits behind him cheer, confident in their leader's prowess. "He's done for," one jeers, while another adds, "Our boss is using Energy! Only the best can harness that power." Mysterieux notes the information as he listens.
In a flash, the leader charges forward and strikes, sending Mysterieux flying back into a tree. The attack leaves a mark in the ground, and the bandits cheer, shouting praise for their boss, believing the mysterious man to be defeated. But the leader remains silent, watching as Mysterieux stands up, seemingly unharmed. "So that was 'Energy,' was it?" Mysterieux murmurs to himself. He attempts to summon Energy but finds none within him, only a profound emptiness. Trying to control it yields no results. As he contemplates, he notices the leader preparing to strike again.
The leader's mind races, "Who is this man? I used all my Energy, and he's still standing? I must destroy him before he becomes a threat." With a swift movement, the leader leaps toward Mysterieux, using Energy to further enhance his speed and strength.
As the leader's blade inches closer to Mysterieux's face, a wave of uncertainty washes over him. "I don't know what to do," he thinks, feeling the weight of his confusion. "I don't even know who I am... All I want is to stop them from harming anyone." Desperation wells within him as he closes his eyes. "Please, if darkness can help me..."
In that moment of vulnerability, something stirs within him. Just as the blade is about to strike, a long, black hand emerges from the depths of Mysterieux's shadow. The Darkness Itself forms this shadowy arm, instinctively rising to intercept the weapon, stopping the blade just inches from Mysterieux's eyes.