"Evil has already consumed this land."
Gina's voice was low, almost swallowed by the wind as she walked beside Dylan through what remained of the village.
The earth was scorched black. Trees stood like skeletons, their branches brittle and lifeless. Not a single leaf remained. Not a single bird sang and not a single hut was spared. Everything was burnt to ashes.
Bodies lay scattered across the ground — hollow, shriveled, as if their very life force had been ripped out of them and burned away.
Gina clenched her fists.
"The demons have returned stronger than before," she continued. "And this time… defeating them in this world may be close to impossible."
Dylan didn't respond.
His boots crushed ash beneath his steps.
"Go and investigate what the demons are up to," he said calmly, ignoring her earlier words.
Gina stopped walking.
"So you're still going to do nothing about the human girl?" she asked, her tone tightening. "You're just going to stay by her side and watch?"
Silence.
"If you continue like this, then I will—"
"No." Dylan's voice cut through hers like steel. "Know your place, Gina."
The air between them grew heavy.
"Do you truly think so little of me?" Dylan's crimson eyes shifted toward her. "Or do you also believe I protect Ellen simply because she is my fiancée?"
Gina lowered her gaze but said nothing.
"The kingdom comes first in my heart," Dylan said quietly. "Always."
Gina studied his face as if searching for doubt. For weakness.
But she found none on the face of this cold man, always wearing a cold face.
"You may go."
She bowed and disappeared into the shadows.
Moments later, another figure emerged from the darkness — a man dressed entirely in black.
"Elias."
"My lord."
"Investigate what the demons were doing at Yant Park this night."
Elias bowed.
"Also," Dylan added, his voice lowering, "keep an eye on Gina."
Elias hesitated. "Do you suspect she intends to—"
"I'm not certain," Dylan interrupted. "That is why you will watch her."
Elias nodded once and vanished into the shadows.
Dylan remained alone in the ruins.
His eyes glowed faintly.
"Ellen…"
****
When I woke up the next morning, my body felt heavier than usual.
Luckily, it was still weekend. I didn't think I could face school today.
After taking a bath, I stood in front of the mirror.
Slowly, I lifted a strand of my hair.
White.
Not fully — but enough.
First the endless nightmares.
Then purple eyes.
Now… this.
What exactly is happening to me?
I opened my wardrobe and took out my medication. My fingers trembled slightly as I swallowed the pills and chased them with water.
As if that would fix whatever this was.
I tied my hair into a ponytail, carefully hiding the white strands beneath darker layers.
Grabbing my phone and earphones, I left for a jog.
Maybe running would clear my head.
The streets were quiet.
I ran until my lungs burned and my legs felt weak. Sweat clung to my skin.
I stopped at a small shop to buy water.
The cashier stared at me.
Not curious.
Not confused.
Terrified.
I ignored him. I was used to strange looks since childhood.
After paying, I turned to leave—
—and crashed into him.
Of course.
The weird guy.
"Hey, Mr. Grump," he called cheerfully.
I didn't have the energy to deal with him.
He slipped past me into the store to buy water, and I used the chance to escape.
But before I could run far, he caught up easily.
"You shouldn't ignore someone who's apologizing," he said. "I'm sorry about last night."
I was about to snap back at him—
—but something felt wrong.
People passing by were staring at us.
No.
At me.
Their expressions weren't normal.
They looked… uneasy.
"Why are they staring?" I asked, suddenly uncomfortable.
"You really are a weirdo," he said, amused.
I glared at him.
"I'd say they're captivated by my handsome face," he continued casually, "but judging by their expressions…"
He tilted his head toward a parked car beside us.
"…you might want to look at your reflection."
My heart skipped.
Slowly, I walked toward the car.
And looked.
My breath stopped.
My eyes—
They weren't crimson anymore.
They were purple.
Not faint.
Not subtle.
But vividly, unmistakably… inhuman.
And for the first time—
I felt afraid of myself.