On the other side of the town Joel once knew as Trin, life continued as usual.
The town was full of lively traders selling their goods. Taverns and shops were open, filled with noise and activity.
In one tavern, people were discussing a man at the bar—an adventurer who had become a drunkard know as Jack.
"He said he saw death itself."
"Death itself?" his friend replied.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Ask him yourself."
The man stood up and approached him, then sat beside him.
The drunkard was about to speak, but then he said,
"I know why you're here… what you're thinking. And maybe it's true."
He held his head and opened his eyes wide.
"I saw a terrifying power… something that should not exist in this world! When I sleep, I see the same dream over and over again…"
He lifted his head. His hands were trembling.
"He… was a devil…"
At that moment, Joel lay on a bed.
He was dreaming.
He stood in a sinister place, surrounded by darkness. Dead bodies covered the ground.
Then he heard voices.
Suddenly, Joel felt something strange. He couldn't move or speak.
An unseen entity whispered in his ear:
Open your eyes…
Immediately, he obeyed.
Joel woke up, breathing heavily.
It was a dream…
He turned to his right, but no one was there.
Then, a knock came at the door.
He closed his eyes.
"Enter," he said.
Jena opened the door and stepped in. She paused, surprised by his body.
Joel had well-defined muscles, like sculpted stone.
"Hello, Joel. Dinner is ready, so come and eat."
As she turned to leave, she asked,
"Why are you closing your eyes?"
He replied calmly,
"Because I'm blind."
She left.
After that, Joel wore black clothes and went downstairs.
He saw Eliane already eating and enjoying her meal.
Joel sat beside her, and Jena served him food.
"Should I add beer?" she asked.
She smiled to herself.
More money today.
But Eliane looked at her with cold eyes, and she stepped away.
"You need to eat food and drink only water today," Eliane said.
"You'll need energy."
After finishing his meal, Joel turned to Jena.
"Jena, your food is good as usual," he said with a joyful smile.
She gently touched his head.
"You're a good child."
Eliane folded her arms.
"Joel, today you must complete a B or C-rank quest. You have five hours and three minutes left. These are your quests."
Joel took the papers.
As he was about to leave, Jena called his name.
He turned back, and she handed him a map of the city and nearby areas.
He looked at it.
So this city is called Balom.
Then he headed toward the forest, following the map.
Quest: Clear a cave.
He chose the shorter path through the cursed forest.
Joel heard birds singing and smiled.
One day, this forest will return to normal.
He moved at incredible speed, not even realizing how light his body had become.
After running for a while, he reached a road.
Turning right, he saw a group of about six adventurers.
He slowed down.
Why am I doing this? I need to hurry.
"Hey!"
"Hey!"
Joel stopped and turned slowly.
The adventurers approached him.
"What is a child doing here?" one of them asked.
Joel showed his adventurer card—Rank E.
The man's eyes widened.
"And which quest are you going for?"
Joel showed them the paper.
The man burst out laughing.
But the others remained serious—they were more experienced.
Joel left them.
I don't have time to discuss.
He followed the path indicated on the map.
So the cave is near this area.
There were a few clearings, with flattened grass on the ground.
Joel walked cautiously.
Suddenly, an arrow flew toward his head.
He dodged instantly and caught it mid-air.
Even with his eyes closed, he knew where his enemy was.
"Show yourself…"
From above, hidden in a tree, the attacker hesitated.
Joel remained calm.
Silence filled the area, broken only by the sound of wind and birds.
Joel picked up a stone.
He tightened his grip—his strength surged.
The stone cracked.
He threw it with force.
It struck the attacker's arm, shattering it.
The man screamed and fell from the tree.
Joel approached him slowly, a dark smile forming.
"Where are the people… and where is the cave?"
"Not far from here…" the man said, trembling.
Joel turned his head slightly.
Monsters were already emerging from the cave.
He stepped forward.
"You all… should die. Now."
The monsters vomited blood.
Their organs ruptured.
And death followed.
The scene turned gruesome.
His power was terrifying—his eyes gleaming like a full moon.
The injured man stared in horror.
You're a monster…