As Rin reached for the dagger, his fingers barely brushed against the cold metal when a sudden shiver ran down his spine. The hilt felt strange—almost alive.
The moment he wrapped his fingers around it, an eyeball embedded in the crossguard snapped open.
Rin recoiled, his breath hitching. The eye darted around as if scanning him. He hadn't noticed it before. His instincts screamed at him to let go—but he couldn't.
A sharp, searing pain shot through his palm.
Something was being ripped from him—his strength, his very life force.
Agony burned through his veins as the dagger consumed him, draining him dry. His vision blurred, his muscles locked, and his body trembled under the unbearable weight of it.
Then—suddenly—it stopped.
Gasping, Rin staggered back, clutching his arm. A small, intricate tattoo had appeared on his skin, swirling like ink spreading through water. His heart pounded as he fumbled for the book, flipping through its pages until he found it.
> "If you are reading this after touching the dagger, it means you are now part of the generational Witch Hunters."
His breath came shallow as his eyes scanned the next lines.
> "The tattoo now etched onto your body is a curse. With every witch you slay using this weapon, the mark will spread. The more it grows, the stronger you will become.
> But beware—do not let it reach 100%.
> If it does, your body and mind will be transformed into a being of pure terror. A force beyond human understanding. A creature that no power in this world can contain."
The final words sent a chill through his bones.
> "With this, I leave to you the next legacy of the Witch Hunters. May your path be your own."
Rin sat down, gripping the book tightly. If he had touched this dagger before training, he would have died. The realization settled deep in his gut.
His gaze shifted back to the weapon. The name was etched onto the blade—Eclipse.
A new instruction appeared in the book.
> "Place the weapon at the boundary between barren land and lush greenery."
Following the command, Rin carefully set Eclipse down. The once-black blade pulsed with a red glow, and the eye on the crossguard turned crimson. At the same time, the pendant he wore reacted, reshaping itself into a weapon holder perfectly fitted for Eclipse.
Satisfied, he sheathed the dagger and made his way to the river. The cool water washed over him, cleansing the exhaustion from his body. But as he emerged, he realized something was different.
His hair had grown longer. His body, once lean and frail, had transformed. Muscles coiled beneath his skin radiating strength. Even his stance felt different—his very steps carried power. He hadn't spoken since arriving here, but as he muttered a few words under his breath, he noticed his voice had deepened.
After dressing in a sturdy outfit he had found at a tavern in the Green Lush, he gathered his belongings.
Book? Check.
Garden? Check.
Herbs? Check.
Eclipse? Check.
Weapons he forged but never used? Check.
With everything prepared, he approached a mountainside and inserted a key into a hidden crevice. A portal shimmered into existence. Taking one last glance back, Rin stepped through.
The moment he emerged, something felt off. His body was unnaturally light. He hadn't realized just how strong the gravity had been in the other realm until now.
Walking toward the nearest bus station, he took a seat. Hours passed—five, to be exact. Strange. No Bus or vehicle had passed by.
Eventually, a lone figure passed by. Rin stood and called out, his deep voice carrying across the empty road.
Hey, sir. Do you know when the bus will arrive?
The man flinched, eyes widening as he took in Rin's imposing presence. His well-built frame, sharp gaze, and unreadable expression made him seem like some kind of secret agent.
"Uh… sorry," the man stammered. "No one comes here anymore. It's too dangerous."
Rin narrowed his eyes. "Why?"
"Mysterious disappearances," the man admitted. "Been happening for five months now. The buses stopped coming after too many people vanished."
Rin hummed in thought. Mysterious disappearances…
The tattoo on his hand suddenly began to itch. His eyes flicked down.
A warning.
A witch had been active in this area.
The man hesitated before speaking again. My car broke down. I don't feel safe being here alone. He swallowed hard. If you escort me to the fuel station and back, I'll give you a ride. Two's better than one, right?
Rin studied him for a moment. The fear in his eyes was still there, but his tone had shifted—less panicked, more composed. Suspicious. But logical.
"Fine," Rin said. Then he placed his hand on the pendant before walking.
As they walked, an unsettling sensation crept over Rin. A hidden presence lurked in the forest, its gaze drilling into them from the shadows.
He didn't react. Instead, he kept his pace steady, his senses sharpened. If he acknowledged it too soon, he might scare it off—or worse, provoke it before he was ready.
The man casually asked, What are you even doing in this area? From the looks of it, you don't have a clue what's going on.
Rin just replied with a smirk. I can't say, but I'm here.
The man narrowed his eyes. Be honest with me. Are you a spy? A secret agent? Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.
Rin smirked, deciding to playfully mess with him. Just seeing me could get you killed, so I'd be careful about what you ask.
The man's face paled, and he quickly shook his head. O-okay! Don't worry, after you help me, I won't say a word. In fact, I didn't see anything!
Rin chuckled, amused by the man's reaction as they continued walking. The man, though clearly nervous, was more focused on getting out of there safely.
The path grew darker as towering trees blocked out the fading sunlight. The deeper they went, the heavier the air became.
Then, it struck.
A blur of motion.
With inhuman speed, a figure shot from the darkness rushing straight for the man Rin was escorting. Its palm, as sharp as a blade, aimed for the man's neck, poised to sever his head in a single strike.
But just as the fatal blow was about to land
Rin vanished.
The warlock's attack halted mid-motion. A firm grip locked around his wrist.
From the side, Rin had caught the creature's hand.
The warlock's crimson eyes widened in shock. He hadn't even seen Rin move.
---
Warlock:- A Male Witch