**5,000 years ago**, the Demon Lord and his five generals unleashed a torrent of demonic power upon the world.
The very fabric of reality seemed to warp and tear beneath their influence.
Mountains crumbled.
Oceans boiled.
And the sky wept tears of fire.
The Demon Lord, a being of unimaginable power, commanded legions of monstrous creatures—each more twisted than the last—eager to carry out his will.
Humanity, along with the other races—Elves, Beastmen, and Dwarves—and others were powerless against the tide of darkness.
> In desperation, they formed a fragile alliance.
From this union rose five champions—beacons of hope in a world drowning in despair:
**Arthur**, a human warrior blessed by Liora, the Goddess of Light.
**Alefx**, a human holy maiden and devout servant of Liora.
**Henry**, a dwarven warrior known for his unbreakable will.
**Karen**, a beastman mage who wielded ancient elemental magic.
**Ellen**, a deadly dark elf assassin, swift as shadow and silent as night.
> History would come to know them as the Five Heroes.
Together, they embarked on a perilous quest to challenge the Demon Lord.
In the climactic battle, it was Arthur who struck the final blow, vanquishing the Demon Lord and forcing the demon legions back into the sealed Demon Realm.
In the aftermath, Arthur and Alefx—both chosen of The Goddess of light Liora—established a new era.
They founded the Holy Empire, a land guided by the light of their goddess.
---
Draven closed the book with a soft thud.
> Do gods really exist?
He stared at the cover for a moment.
> Even though I was reborn, it's still kind of hard to believe.
He set the book aside and hopped down from the chair, landing lightly on his feet.
He stretched his arms before making his way toward the library door.
> I need some fresh air.
> If I keep reading stuff like this, my head's going to explode.
Draven raised a fist.
**Bang!**
His fist struck the door, sending it swinging open.
The heavy wood creaked as it moved before slowly closing behind him.
---
### [The Day Before His Fifteenth Birthday]
Draven walked through the castle halls, his hands stuffed into his pockets.
> It's just a birthday party.
He sighed.
> I don't know why Mom is going all out.
He eventually stepped out onto the castle grounds and headed toward the forest, seeking some peace and quiet.
But then—
voices.
Draven stopped.
His expression changed.
In a heartbeat, he was in the trees, leaping silently from branch to branch like a shadow.
Below him, three men dressed in black stood in a circle, speaking in hushed tones.
Draven dropped down beside them without making a sound.
"What are you guys talking about?"
The three men jumped back in shock.
"We didn't even notice him!" one of them exclaimed, eyes wide.
"It's just a kid," another muttered.
"What's a kid doing in the forest alone?" said the third.
He was clearly the leader.
His expression darkened.
"Doesn't matter. He's seen us."
He stared directly at Draven.
"He has to die."
> What the hell are they talking about?
>
> I have to die Jesus Christ.
Draven frowned.
> I just asked a question.
The three men lunged at him.
Draven vanished in a blur.
A moment later, he reappeared in a nearby tree.
He crouched on the branch, looking down at them.
"You're trying to kill me for asking a question?"
His crimson eyes glowed in the darkness.
The leader narrowed his eyes.
> He dodged that like it was nothing...
"Blame your bad luck, kid," one of the men snarled.
Draven exhaled slowly.
"Since you're trying to kill me..."
His expression hardened.
"...it's only fair I do the same."
In a flash—
he disappeared.
The men spun around, looking for him.
Too late.
Draven reappeared behind their leader.
His hand shot forward.
**THUD!**
His arm punched clean through the man's chest.
Blood burst forward.
Draven pulled his arm back and stepped aside, his crimson eyes cold.
"One down."
The other two shouted and charged.
Draven moved before they could blink.
His body blurred.
A single fluid motion—
and his hands sliced through both of their necks.
Their heads dropped to the forest floor.
Draven looked at the bodies.
"So weak."
Suddenly—
the "dead" leader stirred.
His body trembled as he slowly pushed himself back to his feet.
His eyes began glowing red.
Draven wasn't surprised.
"You think I don't know you're a vampire?"
He turned.
His fist slammed directly into the vampire's face.
**BOOM!**
The vampire was sent flying through the forest.
He crashed into a tree hard enough to split the trunk.
The tree collapsed with a deafening crack.
Draven walked toward the broken body.
"Low-rank vampires..."
He stopped in front of him.
"...sneaking around my family's castle."
His eyes narrowed.
"What the hell are you looking for?"
The vampire gasped, trembling as he stared at Draven.
"What kind of kid are you…?"
Draven tilted his head.
"You still don't know who I am?"
He raised a fist.
"How dumb are you?"
The vampire's eyes widened.
Draven's fist tightened.
"Guess none of that matters."
His expression turned cold.
"There's no point explaining to a dead man."
His fist came down.
**CRACK!**
The vampire's head was crushed into the ground.
Blood and fragments splattered across the forest floor.
Draven stood there in silence for a moment.
Then he flicked the blood from his hand.
> I thought vampires were capable of blood magic…
He looked down at the corpse.
> I didn't see them use it once.
Draven frowned.
> Maybe I should've asked what they were looking for....