A vast field stretched endlessly beneath a crimson sky.
Everywhere Renge looked, red Laligurans covered the landscape. Countless beautiful Rhododendron flowers swayed gently in the wind, their brilliant red petals spreading across the earth like an endless carpet.
The flowers extended toward the horizon, covering the hills and valleys until the entire world appeared to have been painted red.
There were no houses, no roads, and no people.
Only the red Laligurans.
At the very center of this enormous field stood Renge Akihana.
His long, dark hair moved gently in the breeze. Wearing his familiar black traditional outfit, he looked around with a peaceful expression.
For a while, he simply stood there, observing the flowers.
Renge: "So many Laligurans..."
He slowly bent down and looked at one of the flowers growing beside his feet.
Renge: "They're beautiful."
He gently touched one of its petals.
Renge: "I wonder how far this field goes."
A soft smile appeared on his face.
The gentle breeze passed through the flowers, causing thousands of red petals to sway together.
For a moment, Renge felt completely at peace.
He stood in the middle of the endless Laligurans field, surrounded by the flowers that had always been connected to his identity.
Renge: "This place..."
He looked toward the distant horizon.
Renge: "Why does it feel so familiar?"
There was no answer.
He slowly straightened his back.
Renge: "Is anyone here?"
His voice traveled across the field.
Nothing answered him.
He turned his head toward the other direction.
Renge: "Hello?"
The wind continued blowing.
The flowers continued swaying.
Renge lowered his eyes and looked at the Laligurans beneath him.
Renge: "I see..."
He smiled faintly.
Renge: "Perhaps I can stay here for a little while."
But the moment those words left his mouth, something strange happened.
One of the red Laligurans near his feet began to shine.
Renge noticed the light immediately.
Renge: "Huh?"
He leaned forward.
The flower's red petals were becoming brighter.
At first, the glow was gentle, almost like sunlight reflecting off a beautiful flower.
But within seconds, the light intensified.
The petals began shining with an unnatural, blood-red brilliance.
Renge's smile slowly disappeared.
He stared at the flower.
Renge: "What's happening?"
Another Laliguran began glowing.
Then another.
And another.
Within moments, hundreds of red flowers throughout the field were shining with the same strange light.
The entire landscape began turning brighter.
Renge slowly stepped backward.
Renge: "Wait..."
He looked around.
The red Laligurans were glowing everywhere.
The beautiful flowers that had covered the field moments ago now appeared to be filled with something moving beneath their petals.
Something dark.
Something that made the red color look disturbingly similar to fresh blood.
Renge's expression changed.
Renge: "No..."
He looked down at his hands.
His fingers were trembling.
Renge: "Why am I feeling like this?"
Suddenly, a strange sound came from the flower in front of him.
A soft, wet sound.
Renge immediately looked down.
The Laliguran's petals began to bend inward.
Its beautiful red petals slowly lost their shape.
The flower started melting.
Renge's eyes widened.
The petals dissolved into thick, red blood.
One after another, they lost their form, turning into a dark, blood-like liquid that dripped onto the ground.
A drop fell.
Then another.
The soil beneath the flower began turning red.
Renge stared at it in disbelief.
Renge: "What...?"
The flower continued melting.
Its petals collapsed completely, leaving nothing behind except a spreading pool of blood.
Renge took a step backward.
Renge: "No..."
Another Laliguran began melting.
Then five more.
Across the field, thousands upon thousands of red Laligurans began dissolving into blood.
The petals fell apart and melted into the ground, while the red liquid flowed between the remaining flowers.
Renge watched as the blood began spreading in every direction.
The beautiful field was disappearing.
Everywhere he looked, the Laligurans were melting into blood.
Their petals dissolved.
Their stems collapsed.
The entire landscape was slowly being swallowed by an enormous pool of red blood.
Renge's breathing became uneven.
Renge: "Stop..."
He took another step backward.
Renge: "Stop it!"
But the flowers continued melting.
The blood spread faster.
The countless red Laligurans that had once covered the field were disappearing one after another, until the ground itself could no longer be seen beneath the blood.
Renge stood frozen.
The field had become a gigantic blood-red lake.
It stretched endlessly toward the horizon, covering the entire landscape.
The surface was dark red, shining beneath the crimson sky.
The remaining Laligurans slowly melted into the enormous lake, their petals dissolving into the blood until not a single flower remained standing.
Renge's eyes widened.
He looked around in complete disbelief.
Renge: "What is this...?"
He looked down at his feet.
The blood had reached him.
He could see the reflection of his own face on the surface.
For a moment, he thought he saw something moving beneath it.
Renge immediately stumbled backward.
Renge: "No!"
His breathing became faster.
Renge: "What is happening?!"
He clutched his head with both hands.
Renge: "This can't be real!"
He looked toward the horizon.
The enormous blood lake stretched in every direction.
There was no ground.
No flowers.
No trees.
No escape.
Only blood.
Renge's knees began trembling.
He tried to remain standing, but his strength seemed to disappear.
Slowly, he fell to his knees.
The blood rippled beneath him.
Renge pressed both hands against his head.
Renge: "No... no, this can't be happening!"
His voice trembled.
Renge: "What is this place?!"
He looked down at the blood surrounding his knees.
Renge: "Is this..."
His throat tightened.
Renge: "Is this a lake of blood?"
He stared at the endless red surface.
Renge: "Or is it..."
His voice became quieter.
Renge: "My blood?"
The moment he spoke those words, the entire lake began shaking.
A deep vibration traveled across the landscape.
Renge froze.
The blood beneath him began swirling.
The surface rose and fell as though something enormous was moving beneath the lake.
Renge's breathing stopped for a moment.
He felt something moving inside his body.
Something awakening.
Renge: "No..."
He tried to stand.
His body refused to move.
Renge: "No! Stop!"
Suddenly, the right side of his body began changing.
A crimson glow spread across his right hand.
Renge stared at it in disbelief.
Renge: "What's happening to my hand?!"
The red color began climbing up his arm.
His skin gradually transformed into a deep blood-red shade, spreading toward his shoulder and across the right side of his face.
Renge screamed.
Renge: "STOP!"
He tried to grab his right arm with his left hand.
Renge: "Get away from me!"
But the transformation continued.
His right eye began glowing.
The familiar pattern of the Eye of Laligros appeared within it, but something about it looked different.
It seemed darker.
More dangerous.
The red glow spread across his face as his body continued transforming.
Renge fell forward, struggling to remain conscious.
Renge: "I don't want this!"
The blood lake suddenly rose around him.
Waves of red liquid began circling his body.
The pressure became unbearable.
Renge tried to move, but his limbs refused to obey him.
And then—
He heard laughter.
A low, chilling laugh.
Renge froze.
He slowly lifted his head.
The right side of his transformed face remained still.
But the left side of his mouth began to move.
A smile appeared.
Renge's eyes widened.
Renge: "No..."
The smile grew wider.
Renge: "Don't..."
The voice that emerged was unmistakably his own.
Yet it sounded different.
Colder.
Stronger.
And filled with an unsettling confidence.
Blood Demon: "Hahahaha..."
Renge shook his head.
Renge: "No! Stop laughing!"
The Blood Demon tilted his head.
Blood Demon: "What's wrong?"
Renge's eyes trembled.
Blood Demon: "Why are you so frightened?"
Renge: "Get out of my body!"
The Blood Demon laughed again.
Blood Demon: "Your body?"
He slowly raised his transformed right hand.
The enormous blood lake surrounding them began rising into the air.
Thousands of droplets floated above the surface.
The blood moved toward him as though responding to an invisible command.
Renge stared at the sight.
The Blood Demon looked across the endless lake.
Blood Demon: "You still don't understand, do you?"
Renge clenched his teeth.
Renge: "Understand what?!"
The Blood Demon spread his arms.
Blood Demon: "Look around you."
Renge: "I don't want to!"
Blood Demon: "LOOK!"
The command shook the entire landscape.
Renge involuntarily raised his head.
The enormous blood lake stretched endlessly in every direction.
There was nothing left of the beautiful Laligurans field.
The flowers had all melted.
Their petals had become blood.
Their entire existence had disappeared beneath the enormous red lake.
The Blood Demon smiled.
Blood Demon: "All of this..."
He slowly turned toward the lake.
Blood Demon: "Every drop..."
The blood began circling around him.
Blood Demon: "Every little piece of this place..."
He looked directly at Renge.
Blood Demon: "You want to know whose blood this is?"
Renge's eyes widened.
Renge: "No..."
Blood Demon: "You want to know why it is flowing beneath your feet?"
Renge: "Stop talking!"
The Blood Demon leaned closer.
Blood Demon: "Then listen carefully."
The crimson glow intensified.
Blood Demon: "Ever since I entered this body..."
He placed his transformed hand against his chest.
Blood Demon: "This blood has been flowing."
Renge's entire body trembled.
Blood Demon: "And every drop that has spilled..."
The enormous lake began rising around them.
Blood Demon: "Every drop that has awakened..."
The Blood Demon began laughing.
Blood Demon: "IT BELONGS TO ME!"
Renge screamed.
Renge: "NO!"
The Blood Demon raised his head.
His right eye burned with an intense crimson light.
Blood Demon: "THIS IS MY BLOOD!"
The entire landscape shook.
The enormous blood lake erupted into gigantic waves.
The blood rose toward the sky, surrounding the transformed Renge like an endless sea.
Blood Demon: "MY BLOOD!"
Renge covered his ears.
Renge: "STOP!"
The Blood Demon spread his arms wide.
His voice echoed across the entire world.
Blood Demon: "AND THIS..."
The blood lake rose higher.
The last traces of the crimson sky disappeared.
Everything became red.
Blood Demon: "THIS IS MY DOMAIN!"
The words echoed again and again.
MY BLOOD.
MY DOMAIN.
MY BLOOD.
MY DOMAIN.
Renge screamed as the blood-red light swallowed everything.
Renge: "AAAAAAAH!"
And then—
He opened his eyes.
Renge: "AAAAAAAH!"
He suddenly sat upright in bed.
His entire body jerked forward as he gasped for air.
His heart was pounding.
His breathing was uneven.
For several seconds, he could not understand where he was.
He looked around wildly.
The blood lake was gone.
The endless Laligurans field was gone.
There were no flowers melting beneath his feet.
No blood-red sky.
No terrifying laughter.
Only a dark bedroom.
A bed.
A blanket.
And the familiar walls of the room he shared with Shion.
Renge pressed both hands against his chest.
Renge: "Hah... hah... hah..."
He struggled to catch his breath.
His clothes were damp with sweat.
His long hair clung to his forehead.
His hands were shaking so badly that he could barely keep them still.
Renge: "What..."
He swallowed.
Renge: "What was that?"
His eyes moved toward the window.
Moonlight entered the room through the curtains.
Everything looked normal.
But Renge could still feel the strange pressure.
He could still hear the voice.
MY BLOOD.
MY DOMAIN.
Renge squeezed his eyes shut.
Renge: "No..."
His voice broke.
Renge: "Please..."
Beside him, Shion suddenly stirred.
She had been sleeping peacefully, but the sound of Renge's scream had awakened her.
Shion slowly opened her eyes.
Shion: "Renge...?"
She turned toward him.
The moment she saw his expression, her sleepiness disappeared.
Shion: "Renge?!"
He was sitting upright, trembling, his hands pressed against his chest.
Shion immediately sat up.
Shion: "Hey..."
She reached toward his shoulder.
Shion: "What's wrong?"
Renge did not answer.
His breathing remained uneven.
Shion moved closer.
Shion: "Renge, look at me."
He slowly turned his head.
Their eyes met.
And the moment Shion saw his face, her expression softened.
Tears were flowing down his cheeks.
He seemed unable to stop them.
Renge lowered his head.
Renge: "I..."
His voice trembled.
Renge: "I don't know..."
Shion gently placed a hand against his cheek.
Shion: "Did you have a nightmare?"
Renge's lips trembled.
He tried to answer, but no words came out.
Instead, he lowered his head further.
More tears fell.
Shion looked at him quietly.
She had seen Renge injured.
She had seen him fight.
She had seen him face enemies who could threaten entire cities.
She had even seen him awaken the Blood Demon.
But she had rarely seen him like this.
Frightened.
Confused.
And unable to explain what was happening inside his own heart.
Shion moved closer and wrapped her arms around him.
Shion: "It's okay..."
Renge remained silent.
Shion gently held the back of his head.
Shion: "I'm here."
His shoulders trembled.
Shion: "You're not alone."
Renge slowly leaned toward her.
He buried his face against her shoulder.
Renge: "Shion..."
His voice was barely audible.
Shion: "Yes?"
Renge: "I..."
He stopped.
His hands tightened around her.
Renge: "I don't know what happened."
Shion closed her eyes for a moment.
Then she gently stroked his hair.
Shion: "You don't have to explain it right now."
Renge's breathing remained shaky.
Shion: "Whatever you saw..."
She paused.
Shion: "Whatever frightened you..."
She pulled him a little closer.
Shion: "You don't have to face it alone."
Renge slowly lifted his head.
His eyes were red from crying.
Renge: "What if..."
He swallowed.
Renge: "What if something is wrong with me?"
Shion's expression changed.
She looked directly into his eyes.
Shion: "Then we'll face it together."
Renge stared at her.
Shion: "Do you understand?"
He shook his head slightly.
Renge: "I'm scared..."
Shion's heart tightened.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Then she gently guided him back against the pillows.
Shion: "Come here."
Renge hesitated.
Shion opened her arms.
Shion: "Come on."
He slowly moved toward her.
She sat against the headboard and allowed him to rest his head in her lap.
Renge closed his eyes.
Shion carefully brushed the hair away from his forehead.
Shion: "I'm right here."
Tears continued flowing down his cheeks.
Shion gently wiped them away with her fingers.
Shion: "I'm not going anywhere."
Renge's hands trembled against the blanket.
Shion: "Whatever you saw..."
She leaned down slightly.
Shion: "Just breathe."
Renge tried to follow her words.
He inhaled slowly.
Then exhaled.
His breathing remained uneven, but gradually began to settle.
Shion continued stroking his hair.
Shion: "That's it..."
She smiled gently.
Shion: "You're safe here."
Renge opened his eyes.
He looked up at her.
Renge: "Shion..."
Shion: "Hmm?"
Renge: "Please..."
His voice broke again.
Renge: "Don't leave me."
Shion's eyes softened.
She gently placed her hand against his cheek.
Shion: "I won't."
Renge stared at her.
Shion: "I'm here, Renge."
She leaned forward and rested her forehead gently against his.
Shion: "I'm not going anywhere."
For
a long time, neither of them spoke.
The room remained quiet.
Outside, the wind moved gently through the trees.
Moonlight illuminated the window.
Renge slowly closed his eyes again.
His breathing became calmer.
Shion continued holding him, her fingers moving gently through his hair.
She did not ask him to explain the nightmare.
She did not ask him what he had seen.
She simply stayed beside him.
And as Renge rested in her lap, the last of his tears slowly disappeared into the blanket.
Shion looked down at him.
Shion: "It's okay..."
Her voice was almost a whisper.
Shion: "I'm right here."
The room fell silent once more.
And somewhere beyond the quiet darkness of the night, the endless field of red Laligurans remained.
The chapter/story has ended, but we'll remember it someday from another corner of a new universe.