On a calm day beneath a vast blue sky, two figures sat at the edge of a towering cliff. Below them, endless valleys stretched into the horizon, and distant rivers reflected the sunlight like silver threads woven through the land. Cool winds brushed across the rocky edge, carrying the scent of grass and pine from the forests far below. Birds flew freely in the sky, their cries echoing against the mountains. One of the boys sitting near the edge was named Ak. He looked nervous as he stared downward into the deep abyss beneath them. Beside him sat Max, completely relaxed, as if he were sitting in the courtyard of a peaceful home rather than on the edge of death itself.
Ak tightened his grip on the rock beneath him and asked nervously, "Why are we even sitting here?" Max smirked slightly and replied casually, "Just for fun." Ak immediately turned toward him with disbelief written all over his face. "This is fun?!" Max laughed softly. "You need to overcome your fear, little bro." Ak frowned and looked back down the cliff. "Who wouldn't be scared in this situation?" Max crossed his arms confidently. "Do I look scared?" Ak sighed. "Why would you be scared? You're a Vanguard Knight." The title itself carried weight. Vanguard Knights were among the strongest warriors in the northern kingdoms. They fought monsters, protected cities, and stood at the frontlines of every major war. To Ak, Max was someone extraordinary. But Max simply looked at him seriously and said, "One day, you'll become a Knight King too. Am I wrong?" Ak lowered his eyes slightly. "Maybe… but I'm not capable enough right now." Max stared at him for a moment before shaking his head. "I didn't expect words like that from the greatest knight s-s—"
Before he could finish speaking, the atmosphere changed completely. The clear blue sky darkened instantly as if swallowed by some unnatural force. Violent winds roared through the mountains while black clouds spread rapidly across the heavens. Thunder exploded in the distance, shaking the very ground beneath their feet. Ak immediately stood up in shock. "What is happening?!" Max's expression turned serious for the first time that day. "Run toward the kingdom! Now!" Both of them sprinted across the rocky cliffside as heavy rain suddenly poured from the sky. Every thunderclap sounded like the roar of a giant beast. Then, in a single terrifying moment, a massive bolt of lightning descended from the heavens and swallowed both of them in blinding white light.
Pain was the first thing Ak felt when he slowly regained consciousness. His entire body felt numb, and rainwater dripped from his hair as he tried to sit up. Nearby, Max was shaking his shoulders. "AK! Wake up!" Ak groaned and looked around in confusion. "This… isn't the cliff." Max helped him stand. "Yeah. And this definitely isn't our kingdom either." The storm had vanished completely, replaced by calm skies and strange surroundings neither of them recognized. The trees looked darker, the air felt heavier, and the atmosphere itself seemed unfamiliar. Ak stared around in disbelief. "What just happened?" Max slowly shook his head. "I have no idea."
For hours, they wandered through the unfamiliar land searching for answers, but all they found were endless forests and strange roads. Eventually, near sunset, they spotted a small house near a massive kingdom surrounded by towering walls. Max exhaled in relief. "We'll rest here tonight." But Ak still looked restless. "I'm not tired." Max frowned at him. "You got struck by lightning." Ak crossed his arms stubbornly. "I still want answers." Max sighed deeply. "Fine. Just don't go too far."
Without wasting another second, Ak headed toward the kingdom alone. The moment he entered through the gates, his eyes widened with amazement. The kingdom was unlike anything he had ever seen before. The streets were crowded with people wearing unfamiliar clothes, merchants sold glowing crystals and strange fruits, and towering buildings made from black stone and silver metal surrounded him on every side. Everywhere he looked, there was something completely new. But among all the buildings, one structure instantly captured his attention. A gigantic temple stood in the center of the kingdom, surrounded by nine enormous statues. Each statue represented a different figure, some wearing robes while others carried weapons or mysterious symbols. Curiosity pulled Ak toward the temple immediately.
Inside the temple, the atmosphere felt heavy and sacred. Candles illuminated the massive hall while faint chanting echoed through the walls. As Ak examined the giant statues closely, he suddenly felt someone standing behind him. Turning quickly, he saw an old priest dressed in white robes. Ak respectfully moved aside to let him pass, but curiosity overwhelmed him, and he quietly followed the priest deeper into the temple. After several moments, the priest stopped walking and calmly asked, "Why are you following me, child?" Ak hesitated before answering. "I just… have questions." The priest observed him silently before nodding. "Then ask."
Ak looked around the temple once again. "What is this place?" The priest replied calmly, "This is the Temple of the Operator and the Eight Operators." Ak frowned in confusion. "Operators?" The priest nodded. "They are gods. Beings who protect humanity." Ak still looked confused, so the priest continued. "The Operator is one among them. Alongside the Generator and the Destroyer, they maintain balance in this world." Ak glanced toward the statues again. "Protect humanity from what?" The priest's expression darkened slightly. "For centuries, they have protected humanity from disaster-like entities." Ak blinked. "Entities?" "Monsters," the priest answered quietly. "Beings who seek the destruction of the world itself." Ak swallowed nervously. "One monster is that powerful?" The priest slowly shook his head. "Not one. Many. No one knows how many truly exist."
The words sent chills through Ak's body. "This is confusing," he admitted quietly. The priest chuckled softly. "It is a very long story." Ak's eyes immediately lit up with curiosity. "Then tell me." The priest smiled faintly. "Not now. I have duties to complete. Return tonight, and I shall explain everything." Ak nodded eagerly. As the priest prepared to leave, he suddenly asked, "What is your name?" Ak hesitated for a moment before speaking, but the priest interrupted him first. "AK… correct?" Ak looked surprised but didn't deny it. The priest then asked where he came from. "The Arkraiel Kingdom," Ak answered carefully. The priest's eyes widened slightly. "The powerful northern kingdom?" Ak nodded. "That is very far from here," the priest said thoughtfully. "Why travel such a distance?" Ak hesitated once again until the priest guessed, "A traveler?" Ak quickly nodded. The priest then glanced at Ak's young appearance. "You seem young for such a journey." Ak explained that he was traveling with his senpai. Satisfied, the priest told him to bring his companion at night so they could both hear the full story.
As evening approached, Ak returned to the small house, only to realize Max was gone. Moments later, Max returned carrying water. "You're back," he said casually. Ak nodded. "I'm hungry." Max thought for a moment. "There might be fruits in the forest. I'll go get some." Ak immediately offered to go instead, and after a moment of hesitation, Max agreed. Ak headed into the forest alone. The peaceful atmosphere of the woods calmed him slightly, and eventually he discovered a beautiful river flowing beneath the fading sunlight. Deciding to relax for a while, Ak jumped into the water and swam freely beneath the evening sky.
While swimming, however, he suddenly noticed someone standing near the riverbank. The figure wore red cloth that completely covered their body and face. Curious, Ak quietly moved closer and hid behind rocks. Then he heard the mysterious figure mutter, "My job here is complete. I should return." Curiosity completely took over Ak's mind, and he began secretly following the figure deeper into the forest. But after several minutes, the figure suddenly disappeared. Confused, Ak turned around—only to hear a voice directly behind him. "What are you doing here?" Ak froze instantly. The red-clothed figure stood silently behind him. Fear gripped Ak's entire body. Without warning, the figure punched the ground. The earth exploded apart violently as cracks spread through the forest and trees shattered around them. Ak barely managed to dive behind a tree while smoke filled the air. Believing Ak had died, the mysterious figure eventually disappeared into the darkness.
Terrified, Ak remained hidden for hours before finally returning to Max near sunrise. Max looked both angry and relieved at the same time. "Where were you?!" Ak explained everything that had happened in the forest. Max listened carefully before sighing. "It was probably some dangerous beast or criminal. Forget about it." Suddenly remembering the priest, Ak exclaimed, "I promised him I'd return tonight!" Max nodded. "Then we'll go together."
The next day, both of them gathered supplies and food while secretly preparing for the possibility of returning home someday. Max removed his armor and hid his sword to avoid frightening the people of the kingdom. Ak smirked slightly. "See? Sometimes I give good advice." Max laughed. "Rarely." When night finally arrived, they returned to the temple together, where the priest welcomed them warmly before beginning his story.
"Long ago," the priest said quietly, "the Operator was once just a normal boy." Both Ak and Max listened carefully as the priest continued. "He lived happily with his family in a peaceful village. But one night, during supper, their house suddenly caught fire." The priest's voice grew heavier. "His father carried him and his brother outside before running back inside to save their mother. But before he could escape… the house collapsed." Silence filled the temple. "The two boys watched their parents burn to death before their eyes." Ak lowered his eyes quietly. "The villagers believed the children were cursed and exiled them from the village. The brothers survived inside forests and caves until one day they were attacked by bears. The elder brother fought desperately while the younger brother fled in fear. Though the elder brother survived, he lost everything. From that moment onward, he chose power and decided to become strong enough to never lose anyone again."
Before the priest could continue further, sunlight suddenly entered through the temple windows. He sighed softly. "I must finish my duties for now. Return tonight." Ak and Max agreed before spending the rest of the day exploring the kingdom together. As sunset approached, they noticed a large crowd gathered near the center of town. Curious, Ak insisted on going closer despite Max's reluctance. But the moment they reached the crowd, both of them froze. The priest lay dead on the ground, blood staining the stone beneath him.
Ak's eyes widened in horror. "What happened here?!" Before anyone could answer, Max suddenly grabbed Ak's arm tightly. "We're leaving. Now." Ak immediately struggled against him. "Let go!" Something about Ak's voice made Max pause. There was a cold determination in his eyes that hadn't existed before. "If you want to leave," Ak said quietly, "then leave alone." Max stared at him in confusion. "Why do you care so much about this priest?" Ak looked directly toward the priest's body. "How can someone call themselves a knight if they ignore injustice?" Max remained silent.
Ak slowly walked toward the priest's body and tried lifting him, but his legs weakened beneath him. Before he could fall, Max stepped forward to support him. Together, they carried the priest away from the crowd and buried him in an empty field outside the kingdom. After placing flowers near the grave, Ak turned toward Max. "We should investigate the temple." Though shocked by Ak's seriousness, Max agreed.
When they reached the temple, disaster struck again. The entire temple had been destroyed, and the people immediately accused Ak and Max of causing it. No matter how much they denied it, nobody believed them. By sunset, both were officially exiled from the kingdom. Forced into hiding, they survived near the forests where Max had hidden his armor and sword, secretly sneaking into the kingdom whenever they needed supplies.
Days passed in silence until one terrible night when a scream echoed through the darkness. Ak immediately woke up and shouted for Max. Both of them rushed toward the source of the scream—and there he was. The red-clothed figure stood silently beneath the moonlight. Without hesitation, Ak stepped directly in front of him. The killer laughed softly. "Oh? You survived last time." Ak clenched his fists. "You can try again." The killer chuckled. "I like your confidence." Ak narrowed his eyes. "Let's see if you still do later."
Ak charged forward and threw a punch, but the killer instantly countered with terrifying speed. His fist slammed into Ak's stomach so hard that Ak was thrown across the ground until he crashed near the edge of a cliff. The killer slowly approached and placed one foot on Ak's chest. "You're weak." He began pushing Ak closer to the edge. Then suddenly, a sword flew through the air. The killer stepped back as Max's blade struck the ground before him. In the next instant, Max appeared from behind and tackled the killer without hesitation. Both of them fell from the cliff together.
"MAX!!" Ak screamed desperately as he crawled toward the edge, but all he saw below was endless darkness. Moments later, footsteps approached from behind. Turning weakly, Ak saw a stranger standing there. "Are you… fine, buddy?" the stranger asked cautiously. Ak looked away. "Yeah… I'm fine." The stranger hesitated before speaking again. "That man was following me. I saw him kill someone. I barely escaped." Ak remained silent for several seconds before replying coldly, "Don't worry about me. Just stay alive next time." The stranger looked surprised before offering his hand. "Come with me. I can help you."
Ak stared silently into the darkness below the cliff where Max had disappeared. "…I'll come," he whispered softly. "I've already lost everything anyway." The stranger gave a small smile. "Even after everything, you still tried helping me. Thank you." Slowly standing up with Max's sword in his hand, Ak finally spoke again. "AK. That's my name." The stranger nodded. "Mike Calibre." Ak gave a weak nod in return. "Nice to meet you." Mike sighed sadly. "Same here… though I wish it were under better circumstances."
Holding Max's sword tightly, Ak looked toward the distant horizon and silently made a promise to himself. One day, he would become strong enough to protect everyone he cared about. No matter what stood in his path, he would never lose someone important again. And with that promise burning inside his heart, Ak followed Mike toward the camp where a completely new journey awaited him.