The planet where I reside is called Cronos . Here, we do not live solely alongside the human race; many other races coexist with us. Beasts, elves, vampires, dwarves, and countless others share this world. We live together as one community, though there are regions inhabited exclusively by a single race.

This civilization can be described as medieval futuristic —a blend of advanced technology and ancient traditions. Regardless of the form of government—be it democracy, republic, or otherwise—all nations resemble kingdoms in structure.

The country where I live is surrounded by towering walls, a feature common to every nation and city on Cronos. This land is known as the Kingdom of Evimeira , a neutral territory founded thousands of years ago by King Alfaeia Evimeira. While three neighboring kingdoms remain embroiled in war, three others maintain neutrality.

The Kingdom of Evimeira is one of the seven largest kingdoms, with the remainder consisting of smaller or mid-sized nations, totaling around sixty-two countries. The capital city, Efkolia , is divided into fifteen districts. I reside in District Nine , a military-exclusive zone located near the castle where the king and his staff govern.

My name is Lucferre Caelum . I've been told that my name carries deep meaning: "Light and Hope." Though I don't fully understand its significance, I carry it with pride.

At the age of sixteen, I became a soldier. Passing the tests was not difficult for me, but I worked tirelessly to grow stronger and earn recognition. Not a single day passed without training—physical conditioning, mental discipline, and honing my skills. Most of my missions involved securing villages far from the kingdom, protecting them from threats.

We fight creatures that were once ordinary animals but have since mutated into what we now call monsters . It's unclear when this transformation began, but it's undeniably eerie. When these monsters are killed, they vanish without a trace—no bodies, no corpses, and no lingering scent. Sometimes, I wonder why the gods allow such horrors to exist. The more I ponder, the more my faith wavers.

Now, the monsters have grown aggressive. In some regions, sightings of dragons—legendary creatures long thought extinct—have been reported. Thankfully, they haven't attacked any cities. Even so, fighting a dragon would be nearly impossible, despite our advanced defenses.

Over the past seven years, I've faced countless monsters, both in groups and alone—packs of wolves, tigers, bears, and more. Some retain their original forms, while others are grotesque mutations. During these battles, I often sense something strange. At times, I see shadows lurking behind the creatures, or perhaps dark auras surrounding them. These visions evoke fear, terror, and even rage within me.

My mentors warned us about this phenomenon. They said that when facing mutant animals—or monsters—we must keep our minds clear. Negative thoughts or emotions can lead to possession, turning soldiers into puppets or worse, mindless zombies. Fortunately, none of my comrades have fallen victim to this fate.

I suspect these occurrences are linked to the dark auras I see, though no one else seems to notice them. My comrades dismiss it as imagination or fatigue, but I've experienced it too many times to ignore. Whenever I fight these creatures, the dark auras appear, enveloping them before they vanish.

In this era, we fight with weapons like guns, though swords and daggers are still used. Modern craftsmanship has made these tools sharper, stronger, and more versatile than ever before. Some feel as heavy as stones, while others are as light as feathers.

Seven years have passed since I joined the military. At twenty-three, I've risen to become a first-class squadron leader—an elite rank—and earned the title of Major . I now have my own office.

One day, as I sat in my office reviewing documents, a soldier knocked on the door. He informed me that General Fysikoxylo wished to see me in person. I immediately headed to the general's office.

When I entered, something felt off. The atmosphere was chilling, almost spooky, despite the bright lighting. The general apologized for troubling me but explained that he needed my help. Our Prime Minister, Kryosaeras, planned to visit the neighboring Evdomos Kingdom , a neutral country. Though the journey seemed safe, we couldn't afford to lower our guard. The general, burdened with other responsibilities, asked me to take charge of the escort mission.

His face looked older than the last time we met. Wrinkles lined his eyes, cheeks, and forehead, betraying his age. Yet, he remained healthy and strong. His gaze, however, was hollow—as if devoid of life or purpose.

Though hesitant, I accepted the mission. When I asked if I could bring Lieutenants Exypto or Leikia along, the general shook his head. Instead, he assigned me his best man, Captain Mavros, to assist me.

As I left the room, I glanced back at the general. For a brief moment, I saw the same dark aura I'd witnessed during battles—a shadowy flame enveloping his body. Shocked, I froze in place until the general snapped me out of my daze. "Is something wrong, Lucferre?" he asked.

I shook my head. "It's nothing, Sir. Perhaps I'm just tired. I'll rest before departing tomorrow."

Back in my office, I found Exypto waiting for me. His short, spiky black hair and warm demeanor always put me at ease. He's my best friend and childhood companion, having joined the military to follow in my footsteps. Together with Leikia, another close friend, we've shared secrets, supported each other, and faced countless challenges.

"Big bro, are you all right?" Exypto asked, noticing my troubled expression.

I hesitated but decided to confide in him. "Do you believe those warnings from our seniors? About how negative emotions can possess our minds and turn us into puppets?"

Exypto laughed, dismissing the idea. "What's on your mind, big bro?"

Changing the subject, I asked if he'd noticed anything unusual about General Fysikoxylo. He shook his head, puzzled. "Why?"

Without holding back, I told him everything—the dark aura, my suspicions, and the eerie feeling I couldn't shake. His expression turned grave, but after a moment, he shrugged. "Maybe it's just your imagination."

I knew he wouldn't believe me, so I dropped the topic. "Forget it. Just promise not to tell anyone."

He nodded confidently. "Don't worry, big bro. You can count on me."

Before we could continue, a knock interrupted us. Leikia entered, his tall frame and scholarly glasses giving him an intellectual air. Like Exypto, he's a childhood friend who lost his parents to monsters. Since the age of eleven, my family has taken care of him, and we've lived as siblings ever since.

"Big bro, I heard you've been ordered to guard Prime Minister Kryosaeras," Leikia said. "Did you hear about the recent news? A monster resembling a dragon has been sighted in the skies between our kingdom and the City of Nubesturrim—the neutral country you're heading to."

His words filled me with unease. Dragons were legendary creatures, and humans had never successfully defeated one. We could only distract or drive them away.

Determined to address the issue, I rushed back to the general's office, hoping to convince him to cancel the mission. Unfortunately, he was gone. Instead, Captain Mavros approached me, introducing himself as my partner for the mission. When I suggested canceling the trip, the secretary dismissed my concerns. "If you're afraid, we can find someone else," he said with a smile.

Realizing further argument was futile, I relented. Before leaving, I noticed the secretary and captain glaring at me. Their expressions were cold, filled with anger and hatred.

Ignoring their hostility, I returned home. My friends awaited me in the living room. "How did it go?" they asked in unison.

I shook my head. "The general insists I go."

Leikia sighed. "You know how stubborn he is. Once he makes a decision, no one can change his mind. All we can do now is hope for the best."

They were right. No matter how uneasy I felt, I couldn't back down. Smiling weakly, I reassured them. "Everything will be fine. For now, I'll rest up for tomorrow."

Though my mind raced with thoughts of the dragon-like creature, exhaustion soon overtook me. As soon as I touched the bed, I closed my eyes and drifted into sleep.

***