Scene – Arrival at the Village
A car sped across an open field and soon entered a small village.
The vehicle stopped.
Villagers paused and stared as Tall and Kin stepped out.
Random Person 1: Who are they?
Person 2: I don't know.
Another Villager: Why did they come here?
Tall: So this is Vali Village.
Kin: It's quite small.
There were barely thirty houses in total.
A man stepped forward. He appeared to be the village lord.
Lord: Who are you?
Kin: Hello, I'm Kin, and this is my husband, Tall.
The lord looked at Kin and smiled.
Lord: Oh, I am Busai.
Tall: So you're the head of this village, hm?
Busai: Yes. What brings you here?
Tall: We came to improve this village.
Villager: What kind of improvement?
Tall: To upgrade the village and protect it from jungle beasts and monsters.
Busai: Oh… my, my.
Kin: We can start right away.
Busai: Please. But first… could you kill the monster?
Tall: Monster? Where?
Busai: Do you see that mountain?
In the distance, a mountain stood beyond the village.
Busai: A monster comes down from there every few days. It captures our people and takes them away. We are very afraid. Can you deal with it?
Kin: Sure. Let's go, Tall.
Tall: Yup.
They began walking.
Busai: Wait! Mrs. Kin, please stay here.
Kin: But why?
Another Man: If the monster escapes and comes here, it could cause problems.
Tall: They're right. Stay here. I'll check it out.
Kin: …Okay. But stay safe.
Tall: Yeah.
Tall left for the mountain.
Scene – Inside the Village House
Busai: Please come, Mrs. Kin. I'll show you your house and bring you some food.
Kin: Okay.
Kin entered a small house with Busai and several other men.
Busai: Here is your food. Please eat.
Kin: Thank you.
The house felt crowded. Several men remained inside.
After eating only a little, Kin suddenly felt strange.
Kin (thinking): What's happening…? I feel weak… I can't control my body…
Busai: Kin, are you alright?
(He smiled strangely.)
One of the men whispered:
Man: I think it's working.
Busai: Then let's begin.
The scene cuts.
Outside the house, laughter echoed.
Voices: Hahahahaha…!!!
Scene – Tall on the Mountain
Tall reached the mountain's peak.
Tall: There's no monster here… Did I come to the wrong place? I should go back.
By noon, Tall returned to the village.
He froze.
The village was destroyed.
Houses were broken. Bodies lay everywhere.
Tall: W-What happened here?!
Did the monster come here?! No way…
Kin?! Kin! Where are you?!
No answer.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him.
Tall turned.
A masked man stood there.
Tall: Who are you?!
Tall drew his sword, ready to fight.
Masked Man: I'm not here to fight you.
Tall: What happened here?! Did you do this?!
Masked Man: Yes.
Tall: Why did you kill them?!
Masked Man: Do you want to know why?
Tall: …!!
Masked Man: Follow me.
Scene – The Truth
They stopped in front of one house—the only one still intact.
It was the same house where Kin had stayed.
Masked Man: Go inside.
Tall entered.
Inside, several men lay dead.
Tall's breath trembled.
Then he saw her.
Kin lay motionless on the sofa, covered with a cloth.
Tall: K-Kin…?! No… no way…
He rushed to her side.
Tall: Kin… wake up… please…!
The Masked Man stepped inside.
Masked Man: They were not innocent.
They harmed her… and killed her.
I arrived too late to protect her…
But I killed every single one of them.
Tall's hands shook.
Tall: Why…? Why would they do something like that…?
We came here to protect them…!
He broke down in tears.
Masked Man: This is reality.
This is the truth of this world.
People do whatever they desire.
Tall sobbed uncontrollably.
Masked Man: But you can change this world.
Tall: Change… this world?
Masked Man: Yes. Destroy it. Recreate it.
Build a world where this never happens again.
Do it for your wife. For women like her.
Tall slowly stood up.
His eyes were empty.
Tall: …Right.
If they killed my beloved wife…
Then I will destroy this world.
And recreate it—for her.
Masked Man: Good.
But you must forget everything—your family, your child, your name.
Forget your old life.
Start a new one with only one mission:
The destruction of this world.
The Masked Man extended his hand.
Tall placed his hand over it.
Tall: Yes.
Writer – Well, this chapter is emotional. I know no one would have expected this, but still… what do you think that mysterious Masked Man is going to do with Tall? Let's see.
Well, comment whether you liked this chapter or not!