Back to a few days ago…
While walking down the street, Kael noticed a girl ahead of him.
She looked quiet… almost lonely.
But something else caught his attention.
A dark shadow was following her.
Kael narrowed his eyes and slowly began to follow them.
Suddenly—
"Kael… that shadow isn't normal."
Dark Smiler's voice echoed in his mind.
"It's trying to invade this world."
Kael was shocked.
"How can you tell…?"
Dark Smiler sighed.
"Listen carefully. When a shadow tries to invade this world, it searches for lonely people… people it can connect with."
Kael frowned.
"Then how do we stop it?"
There was a brief silence.
"Simple," Dark Smiler replied calmly.
"Become her friend… or someone she can trust."
Kael let out a breath of relief.
But at that moment—
The shadow suddenly stopped.
And slowly…
it turned back.
Its glowing red eyes locked onto Kael.
A chill ran down his spine.
"T-The Cursed… what should I do?" Kael asked through telepathy.
"Run," Dark Smiler replied instantly.
"Find an isolated place… and trust me."
Without wasting a second, Kael started running.
Ahead of him stood an old, abandoned building.
"Thank God…" he muttered as he rushed inside.
"Stop here," Dark Smiler said.
Kael stopped, breathing heavily.
"What do I do now…?"
A faint smile echoed in Dark Smiler's voice.
"Say it… 'Death Draggers.'"
Kael froze.
"What? How can I use daggers against a shadow?"
"Trust me."
Kael clenched his fists.
"…Fine."
Behind a broken wall, the girl silently watched everything.
Kael took a deep breath and shouted—
"Death Draggers!"
A small, dark vortex appeared in front of him.
Without hesitation, Kael pushed his hand inside it.
Two strange daggers emerged.
Their blades looked like glass… dark and unnatural.
For a moment, Kael hesitated.
Will they break…?
But there was no time.
The shadow rushed toward him.
Kael gripped the daggers tightly and charged forward.
In a single motion—
He struck.
The daggers pierced through the shadow.
A distorted scream echoed in the air.
For a few seconds, the shadow trembled violently—
And then…
It vanished.
Only a strange crystal remained on the ground.
Kael stood there, breathing heavily.
Then he slowly turned around.
"A-Are you okay…?"
His hands were shaking.
The girl looked at him quietly.
Then she ran toward him and gently held his hand.
"A… Arigatō gozaimasu…"
Kael blinked in surprise.
"…You're from Japan?"
She nodded softly.
Kael scratched his head awkwardly.
"Oh… that explains it."
But she didn't let go of his hand.
"I… want to stay like this."
Kael's face turned red.
"O-Okay…"
Then his eyes fell on the crystal lying on the ground.
He quickly tried to hide it—
But failed.
The girl noticed.
After a moment, she spoke softly,
"Don't worry… I understand."
Kael looked at her, confused.
She took a small breath.
"I am also… a shadow."
Kael's eyes widened.
"But that one… wasn't from my world."
Curiosity filled his expression.
"I want to know more."
She nodded.
"I'll tell you later."
Then she paused.
"…What's your name?"
Kael replied,
"I'm Kael."
She lightly tapped her forehead.
"Oh… I forgot to introduce myself."
A small smile appeared on her face.
"I'm Shiya."
Kael sat down on a nearby rock.
"…That's a cute name."
Shiya blushed.
Kael looked away, trying to hide his embarrassment.
Return to the present…
Kael sat quietly with his eyes closed.
So… that's how we first met.
Suddenly, his mother entered the hall, holding a chocolate cake.
Kael's eyes lit up.
"My favorite!"
The room soon filled with laughter and celebration.
After some time, all his friends left.
Night fell.
Moonlight entered through the window, casting a soft glow on Kael's face.
He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
Then he remembered something.
"The Cursed…?"
"Yes… what is it?" Dark Smiler replied.
Kael took a deep breath.
"You said something about an image…"
Dark Smiler suddenly sounded excited.
"Oh… right."
A paper appeared before Kael.
"Take a look."
Kael stared at it.
"…Is she the Demon Lord?"
"I can't see clearly right now," Dark Smiler said lazily.
"I'm feeling sleepy."
He paused.
"Describe them… one by one."
Kael focused on the image.
"Demon Lord…"
"A powerful female demon surrounded by crimson energy. Her glowing red eyes and confident smile show her pride and dominance. Flames of demonic power flow around her like a living aura…"
Next Morning…
A dark room.
No windows.
No light.
Only a faint glow above a table placed at the center.
Three chairs.
Two of them…
Already occupied.
Click…
The door slowly opened.
Tatsuka stepped inside.
His footsteps echoed softly.
Then—
He stopped.
For a brief moment…
Even he didn't move.
The air felt strange.
Heavy.
Alive.
"…So it's true."
His voice broke the silence.
No response.
But—
The shadows around the table shifted slightly.
As if acknowledging his presence.
Tatsuka walked forward slowly.
Each step… careful.
Measured.
He reached the table.
Pulled the chair.
And sat down.
Now—
All three seats were filled.
Silence.
A long…
Uncomfortable silence.
Then—
One of the figures moved.
Just a little.
Enough to be noticed.
A voice echoed—
Low.
Distorted.
"You're late."
Tatsuka didn't react immediately.
A faint smirk appeared on his face.
"…Am I?"
Another presence shifted.
The temperature dropped.
"…We don't have time."
A pause.
Then—
A single name was spoken.
Softly.
"…Kael."
The moment that name echoed—
The shadows in the room trembled.
Tatsuka's eyes darkened.
But he said nothing.
For the first time—
His smile disappeared.
"…So it has begun."
Silence again.
Then—
One of the figures leaned forward.
Still hidden in darkness.
"If he awakens…"
A pause.
"…everything ends."
Tatsuka rested his chin on his hand.
"…or begins."
No one replied.
The tension—
Unbearable.
And just before anything more could be revealed—
Click.
The light above flickered.
And went out.
Darkness consumed everything.