Far within the dominion of the Kaian Empire—an empire renowned for its unwavering justice and overwhelming power—stood a flourishing city built of stone and order.
Kuan City.
Unlike the wooden villages scattered across the outer lands, Kuan was a place of brick and discipline. Streets were aligned with precision, houses stood firm and sturdy, and the people lived under the protection of trained knights and seasoned warriors.
And on one quiet night, within one such home, a new life began.
"It's a boy!" Fayum Yakizo's voice trembled with joy. "He's so adorable… and look at those eyes—just like yours."
Yalin Yakizo gently took the child into her arms, her expression soft, her gaze filled with warmth as if the world itself had narrowed down to that single fragile being.
"What shall we name him?" Fayum asked.
Yalin lowered her head slightly, her lips near the baby's ear.
"…Nork."
Fayum smiled.
"Welcome, Nork… to our family."
Five Years Later
Evening descended upon Kuan City in a cascade of gold and orange. Sunlight filtered through the gaps between buildings, painting the streets in a warm glow.
Inside the Yakizo household—
"Dad! Dad!"
A small figure dashed across the living room, his tiny feet thumping rapidly against the floor as he grabbed his father's arm.
Fayum blinked, nearly spilling his tea. "Woah—slow down, little one. What is it?"
Nork's eyes sparkled. "I want to learn swordsmanship! I want to slay demons like you!"
Fayum raised a brow. "A swordsman, huh?"
"Yes!"
Fayum sighed. "No. You're too young. Wait until you're eight."
Nork frowned. "Why?"
Yalin stepped into the room, her voice calm but firm. "Because your core is too fragile right now."
"What about magic then?"
"Nope."
"Why??"
"If you start now," she said flatly, "your core will explode."
Nork tilted his head. "And?"
"Rest in peace."
"…?"
Fayum chuckled dryly. "It means you'll die."
"Oh…"
Silence fell for a moment—before Nork tried again.
"But swordsmanship doesn't need Astral energy, right?"
"True," Fayum admitted. "But if your body hardens too early, your core won't grow properly."
Nork frowned deeper. "Why?"
Fayum leaned forward slightly, his tone more serious now.
"Because your body and your core must develop in balance. If your body becomes too strong too early, it resists Astral flow. That means your core stays small… and you'll never reach your full potential."
That seemed to land.
"…Oh."
Yalin suddenly smiled. "So tell me, Nork. What do you want to become? A mage?"
Fayum snorted. "He'll be a swordsman. Obviously."
"No, he'll be a mage."
"Swordsman."
"Mage."
They glared at each other.
Then both turned toward Nork.
"What do you want to be?"
Nork grinned.
"Both!!"
Silence.
Yalin blinked.
Fayum blinked.
"…You can't be both," Yalin said gently.
"But I want to."
"It takes years to master even one path," Fayum added. "Only a few ever manage both."
Nork's grin widened.
"What if I'm one of those few?"
For a moment—
Neither parent answered seriously.
Then Yalin chuckled. "Maybe you are."
Fayum laughed. "Yeah… maybe."
"So can I start now?"
"…Nope."
"Ahhh…"
Nork dropped onto the floor dramatically before lifting his fingers.
"One… two… three… three years…"
He sighed loudly. "Fine. I'll read books instead."
"Good boy," Yalin said. "And don't forget—tomorrow, we visit the priest."
"To check your Astral core," Fayum added.
Nork nodded. "Okay, Dad."
That night, under dim candlelight—
Yalin tucked Nork into bed and began telling him a story.
"The six heroes stood against the Demon Lord…"
Her voice softened as the tale unfolded—battles, sacrifices, and legends.
"And in the end, Wilson sacrificed his soul fragments… turning them into Astral energy to save everyone."
Nork's eyes shone.
"Hero Wilson is so kind…"
"Yes," Yalin whispered. "Be like him."
"I will!" Nork said proudly. "Kind like Wilson, strong like Silvana, fast like Lui Shang—I'll save everyone!"
Yalin smiled, brushing his hair aside.
"You will… my little hero."
Within minutes—
He was asleep.
Back in the living room—
"Is he asleep?" Fayum asked.
Yalin nodded, resting her head on his shoulder. "Yes."
A quiet moment passed.
"…Will he choose the right path?" Fayum murmured.
"He will."
"…You sound certain."
"I am."
Fayum stood up dramatically and saluted. "Yes, ma'am."
Yalin burst out laughing. "What is wrong with you?"
Fayum laughed too.
And then—
DANG!!! DANG!!! DANG!!!
The bell rang.
Not once.
Not twice.
But continuously.
A signal no one mistook.
Demon invasion.
The laughter vanished.
Fayum's expression hardened instantly as he grabbed the sword mounted on the wall.
"Lock the doors. Stay with Nork."
Yalin's voice dropped. "…Do they know?"
Fayum paused.
"…Maybe."
Then, with a cold edge in his voice—
"But it doesn't matter."
"I'll kill those demons… and come back."
Chaos consumed Kuan City.
People ran through the streets as demons tore through houses, smashing wood and stone alike, searching—relentless, focused.
Knights rushed to intercept.
Steel clashed against claw.
Blood painted the streets.
"This is weird!" one knight shouted mid-battle. "These are C-rank—some even B-rank! We usually get D or E at most!"
"Shut the fuck up!" his comrade roared. "We're in the middle of a battle to the death!"
More demons poured in.
They were surrounded.
One demon stepped forward, its lips curling into a twisted grin.
"You humans… are going to die here."
Despair crept in.
Until—
A figure cut through the battlefield.
A single slash.
Then another.
Heads fell.
Bodies dropped.
Fayum Yakizo stood at the center.
"Sir Yakizo!!"
Relief surged through the knights.
Fayum didn't waste time.
"Fall back. Protect the civilians. Guard Block C—evacuate everyone there."
"What about you, sir?"
Fayum's grin was sharp.
"I'll handle these disgusting creatures."
The demon sneered. "Alone?"
Fayum's eyes gleamed.
"Hell yeah."
The demon snarled. "Kill him!"
They rushed.
Too slow.
Too weak.
Fayum moved like a storm—precise, controlled, unstoppable.
Then—
"Doom Slasher."
A single technique.
A massacre.
He reached the grinning demon.
Its smile… disappeared.
"What happened?" Fayum tilted his head. "Where's your lovely smile?"
A flash.
Arms—gone.
Legs—gone.
A final thrust—
Straight through the heart.
The demon collapsed.
Silence lasted only a second.
Because more were coming.
Fayum lifted his blade… and looked forward.
Far beyond the battlefield—
On a distant rooftop—
A dark figure stood.
Watching.
Waiting.