"My heir… at last, your eyes begin to open."
The voice echoed through the empty dreamscape.
The sky crked with thunder, and stars moved like they were watching.
Shin stared at the dark figure before him — the golden eyes glowing under the torn cloak.
"Who… are you?" he asked, heart pounding.
"I am the Last King.
The soul that has slept for a thousand years…
And now, I live inside you."
Shin took a step back. He clenched his fists.
"Get out of me. I never asked for this."
"You didn't have to.
Your blood… your soul… they called out to me."
"You are my heir. My vessel. My future."
"No." Shin shook his head. "I don't care about your throne or power. Leave me alone."
The spirit was silent for a moment… before it spoke again — darker this time.
"Even… if I could bring back your parents?"
Shin froze.
"What… did you say?"
"With my power, I can restore what was lost.
Your mother's smile.
Your father's voice.
Their warmth… their love… back in your arms."
Shin's eyes widened. His chest tightened. For a moment — just a moment — he imagined it:
His mother calling his name, his father laughing again, their hands holding his.
But then — he looked down.
"No."
"You lie."
"The dead… should stay dead. If I believe you, I'll lose who I am."
"I'm not your heir. I'm just Shin."
The spirit didn't speak again. It only stared.
And then—
Everything faded.
Shin's eyes shot open. Morning light poured through the cracks in the roof.
His body was drenched in sweat. He sat up, breathing hard.
"Just a dream."
"Just a stupid, twisted dream."
He forced himself up, grabbed his towel, and stepped outside.
He washed himself with the cold water from the well. The sting of the water helped clear his mind.
Then, he returned inside, ate a simple breakfast of rice and boiled roots… all while trying to forget the dream.
"He can't bring them back…"
"Even if he could… it's not right."
After eating, Shin walked out beyond the edge of the village — into the hills where the breeze was fresh and the skies wide.
He stretched his arms and took a deep breath.
"No more weird thoughts today."
"It's a new day."
He smiled slightly, letting the wind carry his worries away.
"Today… I'll live as me."
That morning, after breakfast and helping some villagers, Shin returned to the forest.
He carried a small basket and a short knife.
His goal was simple — to collect herbs and make medicine for the sick in the village.
The forest was thick and quiet… only the sound of birds and rustling leaves filled the air.
But suddenly—
"Aaaaaahhhhhh!!"
A loud scream echoed from the east.
Shin froze, then instantly ran toward the sound without thinking twice.
And when he arrived—
"What… is that?"
His eyes widened.
In front of him — stood a girl, half-human… half-beast.
She had two fluffy ears like a fox, and a long white tail that swayed weakly on the ground.
She was a Kitsune.
A legendary creature from ancient times — ranked top 2 among the strongest beasts in history.
But now — she was injured, cornered by a huge monster.
It looked like a stone gorilla with blazing red eyes, breathing heavily and ready to kill.
Shin froze. He knew he had no powers.
He was just a boy from a weak village.
"If I get involved… I'll die…"
But when he saw the blood on the girl's body… and the fear in her eyes…
He rushed forward without hesitation.
He grabbed a sharp stick — and attacked the monster with all his strength.
But the creature's movements were too strong. With a single strike, it slammed Shin into a tree, and he fell, bleeding.
Still, he didn't stop. He kept trying to save the girl.
"If I die… then I'll die protecting someone!"
Then suddenly—
Just as his life was about to end…
Something exploded from within his body.
His hand moved on its own. Shadows formed a massive scythe from the darkness — sharp and glowing with ancient energy.
"What… is this?"
"A shadow scythe…?"
The Shadow Scythe — a power from the ancient era, long believed to be extinct.
A force only spoken of in legend.
With the scythe in hand, Shin rose again and faced the monster.
His movements became faster, sharper — even though he was still in pain and bleeding.
After a fierce battle, Shin finally slashed through the beast's neck, and it crashed to the ground with a deafening thud.
Shin staggered, blood dripping from his wounds.
He slowly walked toward the kitsune girl.
"Are you… okay?" he asked, smiling through the pain.
The girl looked up at him with wide, guilty eyes.
"My name is… Mya," she whispered.
"I'm sorry… I made you risk your life. I… I should've been strong…"
Shin just gave her a soft, friendly smile.
"Don't worry… I've got herbs to heal myself.
And besides… I'm still alive, right?"
Mya bit her lip, still feeling guilty. But she gave a small nod.
Shin then decided to return to the village.
He walked slowly, still hurting, but his heart felt lighter.
But a few steps later… he heard soft footsteps behind him.
He turned around. Mya was following him.
"You're following me?" Shin asked, confused.
"I'm scared…" Mya said softly. "The monsters around here… they're too strong.
I can't survive alone…"
Shin stared at her for a moment.
He knew… Kitsune were supposed to be incredibly powerful, top 2 among ancient beast races.
But Mya looked weak… or maybe she was hiding her strength.
Either way, Shin felt sorry for her.
"Then… come with me back to the village.
I'll teach you how to survive."
Shin and Mya walked slowly along the forest trail, heading toward the small village where Shin lived.
A cool breeze brushed past them, and the sound of birds chirping softly accompanied their journey.
Though Shin's body was still aching, he kept walking ahead, occasionally glancing back to make sure Mya wasn't falling behind.
At last, the village came into view through the thick trees.
As they stepped into the village area, a few of the villagers spotted Shin.
"That's Shin!"
"He's back!"
Several villagers rushed toward him, including the village chief — an old man with a white beard known as Elder Rago.
"Shin! What happened to you?! Why are you covered in blood?!"
Shin gave a small smile, despite still being exhausted.
"I… ran into a monster in the forest. I managed to defeat it. Don't worry, I'm okay."
Everyone was stunned by his words. But before they could ask more, their eyes shifted to the figure behind Shin.
"Who… is that girl?"
Mya stood still, her furry ears twitching slightly.
Her long white tail swayed gently behind her. She looked anxious… and slowly stepped behind Shin, like a child afraid of being misunderstood.
Shin stepped forward calmly.
"This is Mya. I saved her from being attacked by the monster earlier.
She's not dangerous… she's just injured and lost."
The villagers stared at Mya in surprise and suspicion.
Creatures like Kitsune had never been seen in their village before.
The village chief, though his expression was stern, calmed them with a slow nod.
"Are you… a Kitsune?" asked one of the villagers.
Mya took a quiet breath, then answered softly:
"Yes… but I won't hurt anyone. I'm just… lost."
Shin nodded.
"I need to make medicine — for my wounds and for some of the sick villagers.
I'll let Mya stay at my house for now."
The village chief said nothing, but gave a slow nod of approval.
Some villagers still looked uneasy, but they chose to trust Shin — the boy they all knew to be honest and brave.
At his small house, Shin opened the door and invited Mya inside.
"Just sit and rest. I need to start making medicine."
Mya sat down gently on the mat. She looked around the little house — simple, but warm and peaceful.
"Such a… peaceful home," Mya whispered.
Shin smiled as he pulled out leaves, flowers, and roots from his basket, then began crushing and mixing them carefully.
That day, something had begun to change — not just in Shin's life…
but in the destiny of the entire world.
Inside the small house, silence lingered.
Shin began preparing the herbal medicine — grinding leaves, mixing roots, and slicing medicinal flowers with careful precision.
His body still ached, and pain slowly crept in.
Without saying a word, Shin quietly removed his shirt, revealing his body covered in deep gashes and bruises.
Mya, who had been sitting nearby, accidentally turned her head — and her eyes widened instantly.
"H-he's taking off his shirt?!"
Her cheeks flushed red immediately.
She quickly turned her face away, flustered and overwhelmed with embarrassment.
Calmly, Shin applied the herbal paste to his wounds, then wrapped his torso in white bandages.
Afterward, he put his shirt back on and looked over at Mya.
"Your body looks pretty bad... I'll apply some of this to help heal your wounds,"
Shin said gently.
Mya froze for a moment.
"Eh? Wh-What? No need... I can do it myself… maybe…"
She looked uneasy and afraid — her mind haunted by the possibility that the medicine would sting.
As a half-Kitsune, she had grown up surrounded by suspicion and distrust.
But Shin simply smiled.
"It won't hurt, I promise."
Carefully and gently, Shin applied the herbal mixture to Mya's bruised arm and the injury near her waist where the monster had struck her.
His every movement was steady, calm, and filled with the care of a true healer.
After finishing the bandaging, Shin looked at Mya again and smiled warmly.
Mya looked back at Shin… and this time, her smile was soft and sincere.
"Thank you… You're too kind.
Aren't you supposed to be afraid of me?
I'm… half-human, half-Kitsune.
We're known as liars… killers… bearers of misfortune…"
Shin was silent for a moment.
But his face remained calm, and his voice was as kind as ever.
"I don't think you're dangerous.
What I see… is just a girl who's hurt and needs help."
Mya's eyes widened slightly.
Those words… she had never heard anything like that before — especially not from a human.
She slowly lowered her head, her fluffy tail wrapping around her feet.
And for the first time in her life… she felt truly safe beside a human.
Mya still sat with her head lowered, hands gently clutching the fabric on her lap.
The room was silent — only the soft bubbling sound of herbal medicine in a stone bowl filled the air.
Then, in a voice so soft… it almost sounded like a whisper…
"W-Would you… be willing to become my master?"
Shin, who had been washing his hands, froze.
"Huh? Master?"
He quickly turned to face Mya. His eyes widened — clearly taken aback by her sudden request.
Mya still didn't dare meet his eyes, but her voice came out — quiet and sincere.
"I… haven't had a place to return to in a long time.
I don't know who I can trust anymore. But… you helped me. You were kind, you saved me, you healed me…"
She clutched the edge of her clothes tightly.
"If you'll allow it, I want to follow you.
To be yours.
I won't be a burden…"
Shin stood silent for a moment.
In his mind — he had only wanted to help her, not become anyone's "master."
To him, Mya was someone who needed to be protected… not owned.
"I'm sorry… I don't think I'm worthy to be anyone's 'master'..."
he said gently.
Mya flinched slightly.
She tried to smile, but her shimmering eyes betrayed a glint of sadness.
"I see…"
her voice barely a whisper.
She lowered her head… as if about to stand and walk away.
But before she could, Shin stepped forward and gently placed his hand on her head.
"But… if by 'master' you mean 'friend'... or 'family'...
Then I accept."
Mya slowly looked up. Her eyes widened, her cheeks flushed again — this time not from embarrassment, but from genuine emotion.
Shin smiled softly.
"I don't like making people sad."
Mya clutched her sleeve once more — but this time, with a small, heartfelt smile.
"Thank you… Master."
Shin scratched the back of his head, clearly a little awkward.
"Could you… not call me that?"
Mya simply smiled and replied softly:
"Alright… Shin."