Five Years Ago…
Klak! Klak! Klak!
The rhythmic clatter of horse hooves shattered the silence of the night, carrying with it an ominous tension. The wind howled fiercely, causing the tree branches to sway anxiously. The black horse came to a halt in the middle of the village.
The rider sat upright, his dark gray eyes staring straight ahead. His long, unkempt black hair fluttered slightly in the night breeze. Deep lines on his face added to an eerie aura of exhaustion—like someone who had witnessed far too much death.
"Who is the village chief here?"
His voice was cold, hard, merciless.
The villagers glanced at each other, afraid to answer. Finally, an old man hesitantly raised his trembling hand, pointing towards a house larger than the rest.
"O-over there…"
The horseman dismounted slowly, his boots striking the ground with a heavy thud. He strode towards the house and knocked on the door—
Tok! Tok!
No response.
BAM!
The door was kicked open, slamming against the wall with a loud crack. Dust from the wooden frame scattered, hanging in the air.
Inside, a man emerged from behind a curtain. His brown hair was streaked with gray, his face that of someone who had borne the weight of leadership for too long. His eyes widened when he saw who stood before him.
Zepr.
He remained standing firm, but a slight twitch at the corner of his eye betrayed the wariness he was trying to hide.
"…Zepr."
His voice wavered just enough for the man before him to catch it.
Zepr smirked.
"Have you forgotten this village's debt?" he asked slowly. "Ten years ago, you promised to repay it. Now, the time has come."
The village chief took a deep breath, as if searching for strength.
"Leave this place, demon! That debt has nothing to do with me!"
Zepr stepped forward. His shadow loomed over the chief, creating a suffocating presence.
"Still stubborn?"
The chief clenched his jaw.
"You are not human. You should have died long ago."
CRAKK!
The wooden table between them split in half with a single, brutal strike. Splinters flew, and objects on the table crashed to the floor with a loud thud.
Zepr moved slowly but deliberately, his gaze locked onto the chief without blinking.
"Have you grown old and senile? Or are you just pretending? Your debt to me… is a debt of life."
The chief shook his head firmly.
"That is not a debt. That is your greed for immortality."
BAM!
A powerful kick struck the chief's stomach, sending him crashing against the wooden wall. The structure groaned under the impact, nearly cracking.
BAM!
Another punch landed, making the man collapse onto the floor, coughing up blood.
Zepr stood over him, watching with satisfaction.
"I knew you wouldn't die that easily."
Hwaaarrk!
A raven's cry echoed, followed by the black bird perching on the window. Its crimson eyes met Zepr's before it lifted one foot, a small note tied to it.
Zepr took the note, scanning it briefly before smirking.
"It seems… you are safe tonight."
But before he left, Zepr pressed his finger against the chief's forehead. The skin beneath his touch sizzled, releasing thin wisps of smoke.
"…but now, you cannot escape this place. You know what it's like to watch someone's head explode, don't you?"
Zepr turned, mounted his horse, and vanished into the night. His black hair billowed in the wind, his silhouette fading like a shadow into the darkness itself.
---
Behind a bedroom door…
A little girl covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face.
"Papa…" Yena's voice trembled, her body shaking with fear.
Beside her, her mother was crying too—but out of worry. She clutched her daughter tightly, as if trying to shield her from the horrors of the world.
They rushed to the man still lying on the floor.
"My husband, why didn't you just comply with his demands?" his wife's voice wavered.
The man gave a bitter smile, leaning against her. "If I submit… our bloodline will be doomed."
"But this is about you! Don't think about us!"
The chief clenched his jaw.
"I am not the kind of man who can stand by while my family is oppressed."
Yena could only sob, her small body trembling.
But just when the night was supposed to return to peace…
It turned into terror.
---
AAARGHHH!!!
A scream tore through the air outside.
The chief's breath hitched. "Don't tell me… they…"
He staggered to the window. But the moment he saw what was happening outside, his knees gave out, and he collapsed.
His eyes widened, his breathing turned ragged.
"…No… this is not what I wanted…"
Through the gaps in the window, he saw his village—the place that had always been safe—now turned into hell.
Bandits.
They attacked without mercy, looting, burning, killing.
"Help!!!"
"My child!!"
Villagers ran in panic, like sheep caught in the jaws of wolves.
The chief could only watch. His hands trembled. His strength was gone. His vision blurred with tears.
His wife and daughter covered their mouths, their bodies shaking in fear.
A beautiful night… had turned into darkness.
---
PRESENT DAY
Nao took a deep breath, his eyes locking onto Yena's.
"If that's the case, let me meet your father. I have many questions that need answers too."
Outside, the night wind whispered softly, carrying with it the shadows of the past that still haunted… and mysteries yet to be unraveled.