It was evening—a moment suspended between beginnings and endings, marking the transition from day to night. In the west, a red, dying sun bathed the earth in its true crimson light, deeper than the blood that flows through all. Meanwhile, in the east, a newborn moon cast a cold, calming glow over the land.

A young man with a rawboned body and dark circles under his eyes sat on a bench, facing the dying sun. He held a sketchbook, drawing a bizarre entity, his favorite pastime. As he worked, he began to doze off in his seat.

"Oh no, I forgot my pills" 

As he spoke, he visibly grew sleepier. His vision began to darken, and he felt himself slipping into unconsciousness. His eyelids grew heavy, making it a struggle to keep his eyes open; he fought against the urge to sleep, not wanting to confront the memories he desperately wished to forget—his own death and the loss of his family. A true nightmare.

But it was already too late. Despite his struggles to resist, he finally succumbed and fell asleep.

Deep in his dream, he saw his younger self sitting in the back seat of a car, accompanied by his father and older sister. They were talking, laughing, and reminiscing about the past. Suddenly, the scene shifted, and he found himself staring at the lifeless bodies of his father, sister, and himself sprawled on the road, the car utterly crushed.

Illuminated by the crimson light of the dying sun, as red as the blood of his family spilled on the road, the scene was steeped in sorrow.

"Hey. Hey, kid, wake up. Jasmine, I brought coffee for you!"

A sudden voice echoed in Jay's mind, pulling him from his sleep.

"Sorry, Mr.Hank it seems I fall asleep"

"Oh. It's alright kid , you must be tired. It's your very first mission after all, not to mention we have been searching that thing for hours now."

Mr. Hank was Jay's mentor—a muscular man in his thirties, standing at 7 feet tall, with a large mustache and an even bigger heart. He had been looking after Jay ever since the tragic accident that claimed his family.

He always wore circular sunglasses, even at night. Jay once heard from Martha that they were a keepsake from Mr. Hank's father, a gift given just before their home was engulfed in a deadly fire. Mr. Hank was the only one who survived.

Jay recalled Martha saying, "He came out of the burning house holding those sunglasses after being awakened. Maybe that's why he cares for you so much—perhaps he sees himself in you."

He stood there holding two cups of coffee, a giant weapon wrapped in a single white cloth resting on his shoulder—almost as large as he was.

As Mr. Hank handed Jay his coffee, he lifted the weapon from his shoulder and set it down on the ground, using the bench for support. When the weapon made contact, a heavy metallic clang echoed through the air. Jay glanced down to see the ground completely crushed beneath its weight.

"What! Just how heavy is that axe!"

"Well around a couple of tons."

"What! And you casually wield that!"

"Kinda like that."

'What do you mean kinda. That's inhuman' Jay thought, completely astonished.

Mr.Hank sat beside Jay. Took a sip of coffee.

"The lotus tower looks wonderful from here." Mr.Hank sighed.

"Are you alright,Jasmine?" Said Mr. Hank, looking at Jay sweaty body and dark circle.

"Please Mr. Hank just call me Jay " said Jay a little embarrassed.

"What's there to be embarrassed about?" Mr. Hank said playfully. "I think it's a beautiful name."

"Thanks, Mr.Hank ."

"So, is it a nightmare again?"

"Oh, a... I-I was just thinking about my family. We had a peaceful dinner together, then watched TV, laughing... and, and..."

Jay gritted his teeth, tears welling up in his eyes.

"And the day they died was the day I died and was reborn as an awakened. Sometimes I wonder why I survived instead of them. Why did someone as useless as me survive and not my sister?"

Mr. Hank looked at the setting sun and said, "Do you know why the symbol of the awakened is the evening?"

"No sir , I don't know." Jay said shaking his head side to side.

"Look at this crimson sky, Jasmine. It has both a dying sun and a newly born moon. It's neither day nor night. Just like us awakened, rejected by life yet unknown to death. That's why it's our symbol—it stands between two opposing aspects."

He took another sip of coffee and continued, "So forget about what's already happened and focus on your coffee. It's starting to get cold."

Realizing this, Jay immediately drank his coffee.

"Ah, so bitter."

"Hahahaha... A gentleman should always know how to drink coffee."

Mr. Hank glanced at Jay's drawing and asked, "By the way, what is that terrible thing?"

"It's not terrible, Mr. Hank. It's a giant baby that vomits worms and eats everything in its path."

Mr. Hank gave Jay a questioning look.

"That's quite a strange hobby you have there."

"Bzzz. Bzzz."

Mr. Hank's communication device suddenly rang.

"Captain, we found the target."

"Got it, Martha," Mr. Hank replied.

"Alright kid it's time for your first mission."

Without wasting a second, Mr. Hank picked up his weapon and rested it on his shoulder. He grabbed Jay by the waist and jumped high into the sky.

"Ahhhhhhhhhh...!" Jay screamed, his voice echoing as Mr. Hank launched them into the air. With incredible agility, Mr. Hank leaped over several houses in one powerful jump, the ground disappearing beneath them. The world blurred around them, and Jay felt a rush of adrenaline mixed with fear as they soared high above the neighborhood, the rooftops flashing by in a dizzying array of colors. Each leap was seamless, as if they were flying.

"Me... Mr. Hank, stop! I told you I'm afraid of heights!"

"What do you mean you are scared of this?You are an awakened kid."

Despite Jay's multiple pleas, Mr. Hank kept jumping until they finally reached their destination.

**************

In front of an abandoned factory, a group of three people stood guard, equipped with high-quality armor and weapons.

"So, where is the captain?" the woman in light armor asked. She was equipped with a bow and arrows, and a pair of daggers hung from her waist.

"I just finished informing him, he's on his way," Martha replied.

Martha was the sorceress of the party and also the vice captain of the group known as the 'Highest Peak.'

"Then in the meantime, I should scout the area again," said Ralo, before instantly vanishing from his spot.

"Oh man! He's so fast; I barely caught a glimpse of his movements."

After a moment, something fell from the sky with a loud thud. When it landed, the ground was covered in dust that gradually settled.

"cough! cough! I thought I am about to die!" Jay said with a tumbling voice.

"poor kid." Archer looked at Jay with sympathy.

"Hay. Why are you jumping around the city with the kid?"

"He is a man you know. It's nothing."

Martha stopped arguing with Mr. Hank, knowing it was pointless.

"Whatever! Ralo is inside investigating the area."

"So the thing is inside, then?"

"Yes. Ralo confirmed the information. It's a shadow walker."

"A shadow walker? It has a threat level of 2, right?"

"Are they dangerous, sir?" Jay asked, not fully understanding the meaning of threat level.

"Well, yes. The threat level indicates the monster's strength and destructiveness," Mr. Hank said, rubbing his chin. "A threat level 1 monster has the power to kill an ordinary person. To subjugate that monster, an awakened would be sufficient. As for a threat level 2..."

"For a threat level 2 monster, a squad of bronze rank or a single silver rank is needed," Martha interrupted Mr. Hank. "They have the power to destroy a small city block."

"They sure are quite powerful!"

"Yes, a squad must have two bronze rank six stars to take on the mission," said the Archer.

"But don't worry, kid; I'm a bronze rank nine stars, while Martha and the others are bronze rank seven stars," said Mr. Hank, brimming with confidence.

"Then enough chatter—it's time to begin." Mr. Hank was ready to move but stopped after remembering something. "Wait, you remember the three rules I told you about when trouble is near, right?"

"Yes, sir. Never let your guard down, enhance your strength and perception with battle arts, and if you can't handle the enemy, then run."

"Good. But what's important is to act, not just remember," Mr. Hank said with a smile at Jay. "If you're ready, let's get going."

They entered the abandoned factory, stepping cautiously. The half-broken walls were completely covered in a thick layer of moss, giving the place an eerie, overgrown appearance. The faint light from the dying sun filtered through the gaps in the partially collapsed roof, casting long shadows across the floor.

The crimson rays illuminated dust motes dancing in the air, creating a stark contrast against the encroaching darkness that filled the rest of the factory. Piles of debris lay scattered about, remnants of a bygone era, while the silence was punctuated only by the distant sound of dripping water. It felt as if the very walls were holding their breath, waiting for something to happen in this forgotten place.

The O.R.D.E.R. classified every awakened by a class chosen during their training. Based on their class, they took their positions in the battle formation.

Mr. Hank was the Fighter, leading the group from the front. As a fighter class, his strength and durability were immense, complemented by his mastery of battle arts—making him perfect for the front line.

Behind him was the woman with a bow, an Archer. Following her was Martha, the Sorceress. Jay walked alongside Martha, still a newbie lacking experience. Although he struggled with spiritual energy manipulation, his aptitude for both battle arts and mystical arts remained limited.

[Battle Arts: Sensory Enhancement]

Mr. Hank employed a technique that enhanced all five of his senses.

He carefully analyzed the building.

"A perfect place for a shadow walker to hide," said Mr. Hank.

"I heard they are scary."

"Yes, they are so spooky that they can make even the bravest of men tremble in fear," Mr. Hank replied. "However, what truly makes them frightening is not their appearance but their skill—it's called shadow manipulation."

"I read about that before, sir. Using that ability, they can control shadows, create weapons from them, and even jump between shadows, right?"

"Yes, it seems you are studying diligently," Martha said proudly.

"Hopefully, you practice battle arts as well."

"Hah, I'm not good with battle arts."

"Hey, he's going to be a sorcerer. So what's the point of learning battle arts?"

"Even so, battle arts are very..." Mr. Hank began to say, but stopped when he noticed Martha's angry expression.

"My, you two are like a married couple," the Archer teased playfully.

"No, we are not!" both of them yelled in unison at the archer.

"If you say so!" she replied, knowing how scary it could be to provoke Martha. She quickly ended the conversation there.

Suddenly, Jay noticed something out of the ordinary: a thin barrier began to cover the entire area.

"Ah, Mr. Hank! What is that?"

Looking at the barrier, Martha replied, "An isolation barrier! It's a barrier technique that completely isolates an area. No one can go in or come out. We're trapped in here."

'But how can a shadow walker use such a technique? They lack intelligence,' Mr. Hank thought to himself.

"So. How can we brakes this barrier?"

"Well, there are two options. One, we can try to destroy it, which is nearly impossible for us because it's designed to trap us from the inside," Mr. Hank paused for a moment. "Or we can try to eliminate the caster, which is also our mission."

"So, what's the problem?"

Mr. Hank sighed.

"Uh, the problem is that a shadow walker can't perform something this advanced. It might be..."

Mr. Hank's enhanced vision caught sight of falling drops of red liquid in the distance.

"I... Is th-that blood?" His eyes widened.

He raised his hand, pointing to a half-broken pillar nearby. "Martha, search for whatever is hidden in the dark."

"What's wrong?"

Martha didn't ask any further questions.

[Mystical Art: Revealing the Unseen]

Martha released her spiritual energy, a blue, liquid mist flowing from her body and throughout the building. Wherever her energy touched, she could sense its presence. It quickly reached the half-broken pillar.

A sudden surge of emotions struck Martha, tears filling her eyes as they streamed down her face. Her mouth fell open in shock. "R-Ralo is dead!"

"W-What?"

[Elemental Art (Light): Illuminating Light]

The archer swiftly performed a spirit art, flooding the building with a blinding burst of light that banished the surrounding darkness.

'What is that? Is that... Ralo's head?' Jay's eyes widened in terror.

A creature stood on the broken pillar, almost humanoid in shape. Its body was encased in pure black armor. It was roughly human-sized, but its arms were grotesquely long, twice the length of a man's, ending in razor-sharp claws. Two black horns jutted from its head, and beneath them were two empty holes where its eyes should have been-deep and hollow, like the abyss itself.

In its right hand, it held a severed human head, blood dripping steadily from the neck, pooling onto the ground below.

Without wasting a second, Mr. Hank grabbed the weapon slung over his shoulder. The white cloth slowly slipped off, unveiling its true majesty—a long, single-edged axe, gleaming entirely in gold.

[Battle Art: Mountain-Crushing Wave]

Mr. Hank's spiritual energy surged, enveloping the axe. With a powerful swing, he unleashed a massive wave of energy that tore through the air toward the creature at high speed.

The pillar in front shattered on impact, and a powerful gust of wind swept through the area.

'Wow... So this is the strength of a Level 18. Incredible. I didn't even see him uncover his axe,' thought Jay.

At that moment, four arrows, glowing with spiritual energy, shot toward the target and exploded on impact.

"Is it dead yet?" the archer asked.

"I don't think so," Mr. Hank said, eyes fixed on the dust cloud where the pillar had been destroyed. "It's not there."

As the dust settled, only a severed, bloody head remained, rolling across the ground toward the group.

"You humans have no manners. I was about to enjoy my meal," an ominous voice echoed from behind them. "Oh well, I suppose it's fine. Now I have four more to feast on."

Jay turned toward the voice's source. The creature was floating in the air.

"It can talk! It's highly intelligent!"

"I've never heard of a Shadow Walker that could speak."

"Oh, you've misunderstood," the creature replied with a chilling tone. "I am not a Shadow Walker. I am a Shadowless."

"W-What... a Shadowless?" Martha's face turned pale. "It-it can't be! They are classified as the highest tier of monsters with a threat level of 7! These creatures are the servants of Abyss Lords! Only a platinum-ranked Awakened could stand a chance against one!"

The archer, Jena, quickly nocked an arrow, aiming at the creature.

"Jena, watch out!" Mr. Hank shouted.

[Skill: Shadow Manipulation - Shadow Jump]

The creature leaped into the archer's shadow and instantly reappeared behind her.

[Skill: Shadow Manipulation - Shadow Blade]

Shadows enveloped its right hand, forming a blade. With swift precision, the creature thrust the shadow blade through her back. Its hand emerged from her chest, gripping her heart in its long, bloody, black fingers.

'What just happened?' Jay couldn't comprehend the horror unfolding before him.

The creature slowly pulled her heart out, its mouth full of sharp fangs opening as it devoured the heart.

The archer's lifeless body collapsed to the ground.

[Elemental Art (Water): Mist Breath]

Martha gathered her spiritual energy in her mouth, clenching her teeth, and released it through the gaps. A thick mist flowed out, spreading rapidly throughout the area.

She sprinted toward Jay, pulling him into a tight embrace.

[Battle Art: Echolocation]

This battle art allowed her to detect both enemies and allies hidden in the mist.

"Got you, you damn thing."

Mr. Hank leaped into the air, raising his weapon high before swinging it down with all his strength toward the creature.

[Skill: Shadow Manipulation – Shadow Tentacles]

From the creature's back, shadowy tentacles sprouted, wrapping tightly around Mr. Hank, completely immobilizing him. The force knocked his sunglasses to the ground.

"Damn you, monster."

"Oh, you're strong... A rarity among humans."

"Don't worry, monster. There are others—stronger than me."

"Hahaha... A race of weaklings who lost their souls long ago," the creature mocked. "You even need to die just to reclaim your own souls. How pitiful."

"Wh-What are you talking about?"

Mr. Hank couldn't grasp the creature's meaning. His whole life, he had believed that being an Awakened was a blessing, a gift from the Almighty— a second chance granted only to the chosen ones.

"Our souls have been stolen from us! What does that mean?"

"Hahahaaa... You don't know? Well, I suppose you're too weak to understand," the creature laughed, reveling in its amusement.

"N-No! Mr. Hank!" Jay screamed with every ounce of his being.

"Now, die, human."

[Skill: Shadow Manipulation - Shadow Blade]

Mr. Hank struggled to break free but found himself utterly powerless. He realized his death was near.

He recalled his father's face, the proud smile he had given him.

'Father, it seems we are about to meet again. There are so many things I want to tell you. I won a gold medal in that year's school sports festival. Hell, I even became an Awakened! I formed a team- a family-just like ours. I also found a woman I love, though I doubt I'll ever be able to tell her. And I found a son. My son.'

Mr. Hank looked at Jay. There was no sorrow in his eyes, no regret-only a smile from the depths of his heart.

"I really love your name, Jasmine. My son."

The monster's blade pierced Mr. Hank's left eye, emerging from the back of his head.

Crimson blood began to flow from his eye and the back of his skull as the creature withdrew its blade. Mr. Hank's body collapsed to the ground.

The monster's blade pierced Mr. Hank's left eye, emerging from the back of his head.

Crimson blood began to flow from his eye and the back of his skull as the creature withdrew its blade. Mr. Hank's body collapsed to the ground.

The monster lifted his body by the head, opening its terrifying mouth to begin devouring him. It tore through flesh with its razor-sharp fangs, blood streaming down its jaw.

"The taste of this one is disgusting. Well, he was weak anyway."

The creature turned its hollow gaze toward Jay. "Well, these two are still here."

"Y-You... you... monster... I-I will-"

Before Martha could even move, a black tentacle slammed toward her with incredible speed, obliterating her head upon impact.

Blood sprayed high into the air before pouring down like a torrential downpour, completely drenching Jay in crimson.

Jay watched, as his master lay lifeless. The man he respected the most was consumed by a monster right before him. Yet, he felt nothing-an emptiness as vast as a void. Or maybe not.

Rather than fear and horror, lust flickered in his eyes, accompanied by a smile of absolute satisfaction.

Mr. Hank is dead. This beast devoured him right before my eyes, yet I don't feel anything. No, there's something I'm experiencing. Ah... what is this sensation? I... I feel like... Ah, it's incredible! I've felt this before. Now I remember-it was when I watched my sister die in front of me. No, she was alive. I felt this when I killed her, when I saw her face filled with despair. Whe... when I... Wh-what is this? I... I... am loving it.'

His cheeks flushed, and his body grew hotter. He laughed uncontrollably.

"What an interesting human you are."

Suddenly, the isolation barrier covering the entire area collapsed, shattering with a sound like breaking glass.

"What the hell is going on here?"

A voice came from behind, followed by a young man with a scarf draped around his neck. He carried a profound presence, his appearance noble. His dark golden hair contrasted with his piercing purple eyes—eyes filled with a strange, hollow, eternal emptiness. If you looked too deep into them, you might glimpse a devil seated in the heart of an endless darkness.

"Ah, my luck is quite good today. It seems the food keeps coming to me," the creature said, smiling in satisfaction.

"Food, you say?" The young man's gaze locked onto the creature, like a predator sizing up its prey.

[Demonic Arts: Aspect of the Devil – Demon Eye]

The young man's terrifying purple eyes grew more satanic, radiating a demonic essence that caused the creature to instinctively leap back.

'What was that feeling just now? Was that... fear?' The creature couldn't believe it—a being it thought lesser than itself had made it feel fear. 'No, it can't be. It must be a skill. Or perhaps an art designed to instill fear.'

Regaining confidence, convinced it was just a trick, the creature stopped hesitating.

[Skill: Shadow Manipulation – Shadow Hands]

From the shadows, multiple dark hands emerged, attacking the young man.

[Demonic Arts: Aspect of the Devil – Demon Claws]

The young man's right hand transformed into a monstrous black, armored claw. With a single swing, he slashed through all the shadow hands.

But the more he cut, the more they multiplied, doubling with each strike.

'They're multiplying. How bothersome. Well, it doesn't matter.'

His black claws pulsed with ominous demonic energy, cutting down all the shadow hands completely.

'What?! Am I seeing things? His claws didn't just cut them—they nullified them!' The creature's shock grew. 'I suppose I must use that.'

Realizing the power of his opponent, the creature prepared to unleash its trump card.

[Abyssal Arts: Pit of the Abyss]

The creature's shadow began to expand, quickly engulfing the entire area in darkness.

The young man's demonic arts faded, and his arms returned to normal.

'It's blocking my spiritual energy. I can't use any arts.'

"You're an amusing one, kid," the creature taunted. "I'd love to toy with you, but I have someone to find. So, let's end this."

The creature leaned forward, preparing to strike and kill the boy.

"I think that's enough."

A voice echoed from the distance, instantly shattering the creature's arts and freezing it in place.

'Wh-What? I can't move! A-A... And what is this presence? I can feel its power-it's beyond anything I can comprehend.'

The creature strained to look at the source of the voice.

At the entrance of the factory stood a stunning young man. In the crimson light of the dying sun, his fiery red hair shone boldly, and his lime-green eyes pierced the shadows.

There was an essence of divinity in his presence, so overwhelming that even the creature-whose perception of beauty differed vastly from that of humans- was mesmerized by him.

"How beautiful..." the creature muttered unconsciously.

"Thank you. People always say that."

In the blink of an eye, the man who had been standing at the entrance was suddenly between them.

'When did he get here?' the creature thought in shock.

"Wha-"

Before the creature could respond, its upper half exploded. Blood, organs, and body parts splattered against the massive wall behind it.

"You okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine," the young man replied.

Jay, who had been unconscious the whole time, slowly woke up.

"Hello there," the man said in a calm, diligent voice. "I'm Albedo, and this guy here is my companion—meet Luke Grimdal."

"Albedo..." Jay suddenly realized something, his eyes widening. "Y-you mean Lord Albedo Samael, the Thirteenth-Headed King?"

"Yup, that's me," Albedo responded with a smug grin.

"By the way, what happened here?"

"Wh-what do you mean? Eve—everything is just fine."

Tears streamed down Jay's face as he started laughing uncontrollably.

"Hahahaha... ha... haaaaa."

"What's wrong with this guy?" Luke asked in surprise.

[Innate Ability: Nightmare – Embodiment of Disaster]

Jay's eyes turned pitch black, blood streaming from them. Behind him, a gigantic shadow took form.

"What is that thing?"

"Oh my. It seems he possesses an innate ability," Albedo remarked.

"What? This guy has an innate ability?"

"Judging by that monster behind him, my best guess is it's a summoning type."

The massive shadow began to take the shape of a giant baby, larger than the surrounding buildings. It started vomiting swarms of worms, and as soon as they touched the ground, they began devouring everything—buildings, cars, trees.

"H-Hey, what is that thing?"

"M-Monsters! Run for your lives!"

Civilians throughout the city block fled in terror, the area quickly descending into chaos and destruction.

"Disgusting," Luke spat. "How do we stop it? Those worms are eating everything."

"That is a problem," Albedo said calmly amidst the panic. "But don't worry. I'll handle it."

[Draconic Art: Ice Dragon Heart – Frozen God's Temple]

Albedo waved his hand, and a massive ice structure, resembling a grand temple, materialized from thin air, sealing the monstrous baby and its worms inside.

"This will hold it for now."

"What should we do next?" Luke asked, holding the unconscious Jay.

"Take him to a hospital and contact Mira."

Luke nodded and instantly vanished into thin air.

"What an interesting kid," Albedo murmured to himself. "I can't see his future."

Albedo smiled, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "You're the first one... I can't wait to witness a future I can't foresee."

 ************************

Laughter echoed through the classroom, filled with gossip and casual conversation—along with a fair share of mockery and insults mixed in.

It was lunch break, and students had naturally formed their own groups of friends, chatting among themselves. Most of the discussions centered around two major topics: this year's ORDER's Awakened Exam, known as the NAAT, and the upcoming Council of Elders meeting, both scheduled to take place in three months.

These were the hottest topics at the time, especially among the younger generation. The NAAT was particularly popular, as every kid looked up to the awakened as their role models and sources of inspiration.

In the cacophony of the classroom, where laughter and chatter filled the air, there was one corner that stood apart, wrapped in an eerie and profound silence. It was a silence that felt unnatural, as if it had carved itself out of the room and distanced itself from the usual hum of teenage conversation and camaraderie. At the center of this quiet sat a lone boy, unmoved by the noise around him.

His name was Jin, and the silence seemed to radiate from him like an invisible force, commanding the space around him. No one dared to approach, as though they subconsciously understood that this silence belonged solely to him—an embodiment of something deeper, perhaps even darker, than mere solitude. It felt like the reflection of memories buried far beneath the surface, memories Jin himself had long forgotten, or perhaps chosen to forget.

Jin sat at his desk, his posture still, his presence like a shadow among the living. His silky, raven-black hair fluttered slightly in the soft breeze drifting in from the open window. The strands of his hair, as dark as midnight, framed a face that was both beautiful and haunting, a face that seemed to belong to someone far older than his years.

But it was his eyes that drew attention, even in moments of stillness. They were an unusual crimson, the color of blood freshly spilled or rubies held under cold moonlight. Beautiful, yes, but unsettling. His eyes were the kind that could freeze the warmth from any room. The coldness in them made it seem as if they had seen far more than anyone his age ever should. The crimson hue was not just rare, it was almost unheard of. In this world, only a few were known to have such eyes. There were legends about them, dark whispers that spoke of a curse. Eyes like his, they said, carried with them the weight of something unnatural—something dangerous.

Perhaps there was truth in those whispers. Jin had never fully understood it himself, but he often felt it, deep inside—a presence, a lurking shadow, something that stirred only when the world was at its quietest.

He remained detached from the classroom's hustle, his mind far away from the trivial conversations about upcoming exams and the daily dramas of teenage life. While others buzzed with excitement over the NAAT and the Council of Elders, Jin felt no connection to their discussions. His thoughts drifted elsewhere, as they often did. Toward places only he could see.

Jin stared off into the distance, his gaze fixed on the shadow of a tree. For a moment, he saw a flicker—a shadow moving within the shade.

"Seems like trouble."

After school ended, Jin walked home alone, moving slowly through the crowded streets until he reached an old, abandoned building. He stopped, sensing something.

"Hey, how long are you going to hide?" Jin spoke calmly to the shadows. "The sun's already set. It's dark now—your territory."

[Skill: Shadow Manipulation, Silence of Shadows]

A creature emerged from Jin's shadow.

"Forgive me for intruding," it said. "I was tasked with finding someone in this human realm."

"Bet it's not me," Jin replied.

"Correct. Your spiritual energy level is only 48. Even the weakest beings have more than that."

"Yeah, I'm nothing special," Jin shrugged, glancing at his watch. "I should be going, though. It's getting late."

"Wait," the creature hissed. "How did you know I was in your shadow?"

Jin feigned innocence. "Huh? Did I say that? You must be mistaken."

The creature lunged at him, intent on killing.

"Shh... it always ends like this."

[Mathematician: Shadowless Life × 0]

The shadowless collapsed, lifeless.

Jin didn't even blink, walking away as if it were nothing, indifferent to the creature he'd just killed. It was routine now, meaningless.

**************

From the deepest parts of the Abyss, an eerie voice echoed.

"Found you."