In the northern fortress of the Eirdina Region, on the continent of Arthena, horrifying screams shook the very soul, while blood stained the white snow crimson.
Chaos consumed the battlefield. Disturbed mana twisted through the air, violent tremors shook the ground, and endless roars created a dreadful symphony of brutality.
In front of the northern fortress stood an uncountable horde of monsters. Their forms were endless and grotesque. Some resembled ordinary beasts—apes, wolves, even octopus-like creatures. Others were far worse, their skin black as night, as if they had been molded from darkness itself.
And it did not end there.
There were flowers as well... smiling flowers, their twisted faces fixed upon the fortress walls with chilling calmness.
The races of monsters were countless, their appearances without limit, their strength immeasurable. Everything one could imagine in a nightmare was gathered there.
Spiders. Trees. Undead figures resembling zombies and skeletons.
Their roars echoed like curses, sending shivers through flesh and spirit alike.
Above the fortress walls stood the soldiers, gripping swords and spears with trembling hands. Sweat covered their brows, and fear was clear upon their faces. Yet beneath that fear, their eyes still held determination.
This was not the first monster wave they had faced.
But this time... it was different.
Even the weakest among the horde carried an aura of Rank C.
"Soldiers!"
A deep, rough voice thundered across the walls.
"Stand ready! Give everything you have, and never surrender to fear!"
The voice rang out once more, now filled with unshakable fury and resolve.
"Think of your families still inside the city! Think of the elders sewing clothes for their grandchildren! Think of the women smiling as they water the fields! Think of the children and youths who still stand at the gates of their future!"
"Forward!"
Slowly, the fear faded from the soldiers' faces, leaving only determination behind—even if it was the determination of desperate men.
They turned toward the man who had reignited their courage.
He was massive in build, with short golden hair hidden beneath a black military cap. His silver eyes were as cold as winter itself as they stared at the battlefield below.
A small scar stretched across his lip, only adding to the aura of strength surrounding him.
Ryan... I hope you hurry.
General Jeff thought grimly as he watched the horde below.
"AAAAAH!"
A scream erupted from deep beneath the earth.
"What was—?" one soldier began.
"AAAAAAAH!"
A second scream followed, louder than before. It sounded almost human... yet filled with rage and terror.
"The mana..."
Jeff's silver eyes narrowed as he stared downward, as though he could see beneath the monsters and into the ground itself.
Then the scream ceased.
At once, every monster began to tremble and roar.
Without exception.
It was as if they were announcing the arrival of their king.
And then... it appeared.
The earth beneath the horde shook violently. Even the fortress trembled, throwing some soldiers to the ground. But none of that mattered anymore.
A black point emerged from the cracked earth.
Slowly.
It was a finger.
The monsters immediately retreated from it, lowering their heads in submission.
Then a second black finger rose.
The ground split apart.
A hand emerged—black as the abyss itself.
Then came silence.
Slowly, a body of ink-like darkness rose from the earth. First its head... then its chest... then its lower body... and finally its long legs.
The creature stood in full.
Its head was pitch black, as though carved from the deepest void. Countless limbs extended from its massive frame. Yet none focused on its shape.
They focused on its size.
Once fully upright, the monster towered far above the fortress walls.
A distorted sound escaped its mouth as it slowly turned its head toward the fortress.
"This..."
"We're going to die..."
The soldiers' determination vanished. One after another, they collapsed to their knees before the creature's many dark eyes.
"Rank S..."
Only one man remained standing.
General Jeff stared at the monster with unwavering seriousness. The determination in his silver eyes had not faded in the slightest. He observed it calmly, as though analyzing a threat on paper.
Chaotic mana ravaged the air around the creature. Black strands like claws twisted through the atmosphere, carrying the scent of blood and terror.
And it had done nothing at all.
It simply stood there, watching.
Another sound escaped it.
Several weaker monsters exploded instantly upon hearing its voice. Others trembled violently, some collapsing dead where they stood.
Ryan... now would be the perfect time to appear.
Jeff's expression hardened further.
"I suppose so."
A low voice drifted through the battlefield. Yet every being present heard it clearly.
"Indeed."
Jeff slowly raised his eyes to the sky.
A faint smile touched his stern face.
"Ryan... you're finally here."
Above the giant black monster floated a lone figure. His small frame looked utterly insignificant compared to the towering beast below.
But then—
Snap.
The figure flicked a finger.
An invisible wave shook the very sky.
In the next instant, every monster except the black giant exploded at the head.
No flourish. No warning.
Only blood.
The black creature raised its many dark eyes toward the sky and released a low growl.
"Oh, you're still alive... my apologies."
Snap.
A second flick rang out.
This time, the invisible force struck only the giant creature.
The soldiers could neither comprehend nor believe what happened next.
The monster's head vanished.
Gone in an instant.
Its enormous corpse crashed lifelessly to the earth.
"Jeff... it has been a long time."
The floating man spoke casually, paying no attention to the corpse below.
"Yes, you bastard."
General Jeff laughed broadly as he answered.
The figure descended slowly, as if walking down invisible stairs.
At last, the soldiers saw his face.
And fear returned to their eyes.
This time, there was no courage.
No determination.
Only pure fear.
He was slender, with long black hair falling behind him. His handsome features made him resemble a prince from some ancient tale. Yet that was not what held their attention.
It was his eyes.
They shone crimson, like the finest jewels in the world. A black coat covered his lean frame.
The moment he landed atop the fortress wall, the soldiers hurried backward.
Only Jeff stepped forward and embraced him tightly.
"Ryan... it has been too long. I'm glad to see you in good health."
The man smiled warmly and returned the embrace.
His name was Ryan Kezas.
A human... yet known by another title.
One of humanity's rulers. One of the symbols of hope in the new age.
He was not the strongest among the rulers.
But he was the most dangerous.
The Demon of Mercy.
And
Director of Erthina Academy