CHAPTER 0.
"SO DEEP!!"
A boy exclaimed in shock as he dipped his hands into a coat pocket, lined on a movable hanger with other clothes inside a dressing room.
"You actually didn't know that?"
Another boy standing beside him asked, tapping on his tablet. He wore a green shirt over white trousers, and with his blue eyes, he almost resembled a K-pop idol. His name was Eden.
"No! Though I should have guessed since it's a longer coat than the last one Brian wore for the shoot."
Judging by their appearance and conversation, the two were just 22-year-olds working as stylists for an entertainment company called "LN Entertainment."
They were in the dressing room to pick out an outfit for a show featuring a popular singer who was set to be interviewed by a reporter. The singer needed to change his coat because the fans didn't like what he had originally worn.
"Since we've got the requested one, let's go," Eden replied, urging the other boy. They quickly packaged the coat and rushed out of the room, down the hallway. Several posters were plastered on the walls.
A few minutes later, they arrived backstage, filled with crew members bustling about.The moment the girls spotted Eden, they rushed toward him.
"What do you want to eat? Are you hungry?" one girl asked, flashing a bright smile. Another girl stepped in front of him, playfully placing her hands on his shoulders. "Let's go out when you're free tonight, okay?"
Eden nodded with a smile, gently extricating himself from her grasp as he walked away with the other boy. They approached a boy seated in a chair, surrounded by makeup artists, each specializing in different features. Eden was undeniably better looking than the singer.
One of the girls collected the coat from Eden and admired his looks before turning around with a shy smile. The singer shot Eden a disgusted glance.
"You look like a sheep! You're not as handsome as me," he said, standing up and snatching the coat from the girl with an irritated expression.
"Who asked a goat who got lucky to be a singer?" One of the crew thought, staring at the singer with an annoyed expression.
As he reached the stage door, his demeanor shifted to a bright smile as he began waving at the audience, who cheered his name.
"He applied for the wrong career; he should have been an actor instead," his colleague whispered into Eden's ear, causing him to chuckle. The sound made the girls' eyes widen in awe.
"So pretty, not handsome but pretty. Can he be my husband?" a female thought, tightening her grip on the coffee cup she held, she seemed horny.
"Welcome, everyone! Today, we have a special guest," the host announced, "Let's give a warm welcome to the one and only, Jason!"
Jason strolled onto the stage, he waved to the crowd once more. The host gestured for him to take a seat on the plush armchair, positioned center stage under the bright lights.
"Jason, it's great to have you here!" the host began, flashing a charming smile. "Your latest single has been a massive hit. What inspired you to write it?"
Jason leaned back with a smirk, "Well, it's all about capturing those moments when you feel alive. I wanted to convey that rush of emotions, the highs and lows we all experience."
The host nodded, clearly impressed. "That's fantastic! You really know how to connect with your fans. Speaking of which, how do you handle the pressure of being in the spotlight?"
Jason paused, his expression momentarily serious. "It can be overwhelming at times. But I remind myself why I started this journey—to share my music and connect with people. That keeps me grounded."
****
The interview ended after about an hour, the audience began dispersing so did the crew. Two girls rushed to Eden's side, pushing his colleague away. He shook his head as he walked behind the three, chatting and laughing.
"Girls." He muttered.
Suddenly, rain began to pour in heavy sheets, quickly forming a small pool on the floor. Everyone used their bags to shield their heads. The two girls waved goodbye to Eden as they left with his colleague.
Eden, with a crossbody bag slung over his shoulder, shoved his hands into his pockets and started walking towards the dark road, preparing to cross to the other side.
A sports car sped down the empty street, the driver honking wildly and laughing as if under the influence. The car drifted dangerously close, its headlights blinding Eden.
"What the heck?!" he shouted, just before the vehicle struck him, sending his body flying into the air before crashing back to the ground. Blood pooled around his head as his vision began to fade, his thoughts slipped away.
Two men emerged from the car, their faces was obscured by the rain.
"What a waste. What should we do about this?" the driver asked, devoid of remorse.
"I'll handle it, boss," the other man replied, rushing to the car to grab a spanner. He approached Eden and struck him in the head, killing him instantly. It was a cruel and senseless end.
******
"That's the end for me. It was fun while it lasted."
Strange noises filled the air as Eden slowly opened his eyes. A man quickly approached the woman and placed a black blindfold over the eyes of the baby in her arms.
The man was clad in a traditional hakama. The fabric was a deep indigo, contrasted sharply with the crisp white kimono beneath. The hakama's pleats were meticulously pressed, giving it a refined appearance, while the wide legs allowed for ease of movement.
His hair was tied back into a neat bun, revealing a strong jawline and high cheekbones. A pair of sharp eyes peered out from beneath slightly furrowed brows. He wore a simple obi, cinching the hakama at his waist.
"It's a boy—the last blood of our clan," the man said, gently taking Eden, who appeared to have been reincarnated as a baby. He lifted him from the arms of a woman lying on a luxurious bed, flanked by two other women.
The woman had long black hair with an oval shaped face. Under her eyes were two huge black bags, but even though she looked tired, a warm smile still broke through. Eden couldn't see the remaining people cause of the blindfold.
He tried to lift himself up but found himself too weak to do so. He wiggled his legs, but there was still no response. "Did i reincarnate as a baby? Wait, i reincarnated? Does that phenomenon even exist? Fuck, who are this people?" Different thoughts came to Eden's mind.
"His eyes need to be covered at all times. You have just given birth to the Doom Lord, and those eyes will bring about negative consequences if—"
Before the man could finish, a young man slid open the fusuma, the traditional doors covered with paper and framed in wood. The room was adorned with tatami flooring.
The young man, wearing sunglasses which he quickly removed, said, "No wonder my little brother is here. A Ki pillar has just collapsed, elder."
The woman's expression shifted to one of disappointment.