"You have been sentenced to the highest punishment… to become the plaything of demons."
The judge's cold voice echoed through the dark courtroom.
The young boy stood still, his legs weak as if they might give out any second. Still, with thousands of eyes on him, he kept standing despite the despair filling him.
Candlelight flickered, and the shadows of the stone pillars stretched across the room like walls closing in.
"I didn't do anything… I was framed."
His voice trembled with fear as he tried to defend himself against the crushing verdict.
"Every piece of evidence shows you killed your parents."
Those words echoed in the silent room.
"No, that's not true! I didn't do it!" the boy shouted, desperation in his voice.
"I know you may hate the punishment, but the rule is the rule."
"I'm telling you, I was framed!"
He turned toward the witness next to him.
Another boy stepped forward, eyes full of sorrow, revealing the truth.
"He framed me. I was drugged unconscious that day. The only person at my house was him. He made the evidence!" the boy shouted.
The witness's voice trembled with grief.
"You're crazy, Elric Dawes! I saw you kill your family myself, almost died too. I got lucky and escaped by jumping out the window."
Elric faced this torment under a tense gaze.
"Noah! Are you really still trying to frame me?"
His best friend, Noah, pointed at him as the criminal.
Noah's expression was cold and harsh, full of slander.
"That's enough!"
The judge cut in sharply.
"Elric Dawes, 18, is charged with murdering his parents. The evidence confirms it."
"I keep saying, I was framed!" Elric's voice shook.
"That's enough. In thirty minutes, you'll be sent to the Demon Realm."
Elric's face went pale, tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Please… don't make me their plaything!"
A scream of agony rang out, eyes locked on the traitorous friend who was no longer a friend at all.
"I'll kill you for this, you fake friend…"
…
The lively city had turned into a place of fear.
Above the clouds, a crimson-purple light poured down like an evil command. A thick black mist drifted with the cold wind brushing against him.
Far off, the red-purple glow covered the area with a strange feeling—both mesmerizing and repelling.
Cold iron chains wrapped tightly around his wrists and ankles, scraping his skin until it bled, but he had no strength to cry out. He just lifted his head to the light above.
The sky's light showed this was the Demon Realm.
Elric stood naked, tightly chained, guarded on all sides.
Why… why?
He slowly walked forward as the reddish light brightened, guiding him to an open clearing.
"Plaything number 37829, proceed to the area where the light shines."
He gritted his teeth and moved on, obeying only because he had no choice.
Back at graduation, when Noah and I celebrated at my place,
Noah was my only important friend. Though I had just one friend, he meant more than anyone.
I never knew if it was fate or chance that made us close—a boy perfect in looks and skill, so different from me in every way.
Now Elric had reached the spot where the light poured down.
It's hot…
"Now, please bite down on the pill we put in your mouth."
Though it pained him, he obeyed, memories flooding back.
That day, Noah said something odd while celebrating at my house.
"I'm jealous of you…"
I didn't understand what he truly meant then or why he hid it.
Maybe that's why he chose to kill my family and frame me!
Suddenly, Elric felt his mind grow dim.
Is this the soul-transfer ritual?
Through his blurry fading thoughts, he saw a guard raise a gun.
Pointed at his head.
"Good luck, number 37829."
The gunshot echoed as his consciousness slipped away.
…
He was dreaming… dreaming of something.
Dreaming of a narrative.
…
Elric's heavy eyes slowly opened, shocked by the horror around him.
The Demon Realm stretched widely, chaotic and terrifying. It looked like a desert with bright red sand like blood—flat and empty, without any mountains or buildings.
"So this is the Demon Realm everyone talks about."
Some people nearby were still asleep; others sat up in silence and fear.
"Why did we come here? Are they crazy?"
If I find a way back to the human world, I'll come back and take my revenge… Noah!
"Help me!"
Shouts of panic broke out.
Elric rushed to a crying woman.
"Can I help you?"
"I need to take my medicine, but the guards won't let me bring anything. Could you help me find it?"
He shook his head, worried.
He couldn't help at all.
The soul-ripping pill caused atoms and cells to separate and reform in the Demon Realm.
If the body touched outside substances, it could cause abnormal cell growth, cancer, illness, or disability.
Getting sick here, where demons can kill you without mercy, would be awful.
"Where is this place?"
Elric turned toward a muscular man with burn scars on his face.
Others started waking up, their fear growing.
"What now? What's a demon's plaything anyway?"
Amid the chaos, a strange voice spoke.
"Greetings, new playthings."
A demon stepped out from the shadows—hideous, black like a shadow swallowing minds, about three meters tall, with arms reaching the ground.
"I'm Death, the demon who will explain the rules here."
A cruel smile hid behind his cold words.
Fear spread until silence fell.
Then someone shouted angrily, "Let me out! You disgusting demon, I'm not scared of you!"
Though his voice was loud, a flicker of doubt showed in his eyes.
Death stared at him with chilling eyes.
"Humans love saying that, don't they? Let me see…"
Death grinned and lunged at the man.
"What… what are you going to do?" the man quivered.
"Don't worry. I'll help you get exactly what you want."
Death's cold gaze stayed on him.
"You used to be a famous businessman, but after assaulting women, you were sent here. You tried to hang yourself but failed, so you ended up here."
"What? So you're letting me go?"
Suddenly, Death stopped and slashed open the man's stomach with long nails, tore something from within him and hanged him with it.
The horrific scene and the man's screams filled the dark space.
Death used something to hang the man by the neck, killing him instantly.
Death laughed coldly as the terrified crowd, including Elric, watched.
"Humans kill themselves in many ways—especially hanging—but hanging someone with that? I don't think anyone's tried that before! Hahahaha!"
Fear spread, and everyone, including Elric, stood frozen.
"But I'm the host for this round, and I'll explain the rules. Listen closely…"
"You all must take part in my narrative."