The next day, the sun rose over the peaceful kingdom.For the first time in weeks, the air felt calm. The fires were gone, the monsters defeated, and the people could finally breathe again.
At the royal hall, the King stood before everyone — soldiers, mages, knights, and nobles — his voice echoing through the marble chamber.
"Today, we celebrate the one who stood alone against the darkness… the one who protected us when all hope was lost."
The doors opened.
Renji Akatsuki walked in.He looked tired — bandages wrapped around his arms, a faint scar across his cheek — but his eyes still burned with quiet determination. The crowd went silent, watching him step forward.
The King raised his hand and smiled."Renji Akatsuki… from this day forward, you shall carry the title—"
He paused, his voice strong and proud.
"The Hero of Veldenar!"
The hall erupted with cheers. Soldiers slammed their fists to their chests. Mages raised their staves high. The princesses smiled brightly, clapping with tears in their eyes.
Renji bowed politely, unsure how to react. He wasn't used to the attention — the praise.
He muttered softly, "Hero, huh…?"
The King placed a golden medal on his chest. "You worth it. You saved us all."
Renji smiled faintly. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
But even as the people celebrated, something inside him felt… empty.That night, when everyone feasted and sang, Renji quietly stepped away from the crowd and walked out to the balcony.
The night sky was peaceful. The stars glittered gently. The moon shone brightly above the castle — soft, silver, and calm.
He leaned against the railing, staring at it.
Is this really it?Am I supposed to stay here forever?Fight, protect, repeat?
He sighed, closing his eyes. "Maybe this is what a hero's life is supposed to be…"
But then — everything changed.
The air shifted.The wind stopped.The moon began to glow… crimson.
Renji opened his eyes, confused. "What…?"
The color of the night changed completely — red mist filled the air, and the moon's glow turned darker, bloodier, like it was bleeding across the sky.
The guards shouted below, pointing upward."What's happening to the moon?!""Is this… a curse!?"
Then — the world fell silent.
A huge shadow appeared within the red moon's glow. A figure slowly formed, standing as if upon the moon itself. His cloak fluttered in an unseen wind, long and dark, blending with the crimson light.
The presence alone froze everyone in place. Even the King, who had rushed to the balcony, couldn't speak.
Renji's eyes widened. His heartbeat quickened."That pressure… it can't be…"
The voice boomed across the entire kingdom, deep and terrifying.
"Humans… enjoy your peace while it lasts."
Renji clenched his fists. "Who are you?"
The figure tilted his head slightly, his glowing red eyes locking onto Renji's.
"I am the ruler of despair. The one you call…"He raised his hand. The world trembled."The Demon Lord."
Everyone gasped.The soldiers dropped their weapons in fear. The mages fell to their knees, unable to handle the crushing aura.
Renji tried to move — to prepare — but his body felt heavy, frozen by the pressure.
Then the Demon Lord's voice echoed again."Let me show you a glimpse of true power…"
He raised his hand high, and the moon pulsed brighter than ever.
"Mana Disaster."
A massive, glowing blue light formed in the sky — like a second sun.Then it fell.
The explosion that followed wasn't sound — it was pure silence, then a deafening roar. The sky shattered. The castle walls disintegrated. The shockwave knocked everyone to the ground.
Renji tried to shield his eyes, but the light swallowed everything. He couldn't see. He couldn't breathe. His body felt like it was being torn apart.
Then — nothing.
Silence.
When he opened his eyes again, the world around him was different.No castle. No flames. No kingdom.
Just… ruins. Trees. Mountains. Unknown land.
Renji pushed himself up, realizing his knees were on the ground. His body trembled.
He looked around, confused. "Where… am I?"
The sky was still red, but quieter now. The air was cold. The ground was cracked beneath him.
He clenched his fists, his voice shaking. "I couldn't even fight back…"
Images flashed in his mind — the King, the princesses, the soldiers, the red light — and then darkness.
He gritted his teeth. "I was too weak compare to him?"
For a moment, silence again. Only the wind blew through the ruined land.
He slowly stood up, staring at the horizon.
"But… I'm still alive I have to do what I have to."
He took a deep breath, looking up at the red moon — still faintly glowing above.
"I don't know where I am… or what that thing was."He paused, his tone calm yet filled with fire."But I'll find out."
He tightened his gloves, sheathed his sword, and started walking.
Each step echoed with resolve.
"I'll get stronger. Stronger than anyone."His voice grew louder with every word."I'll fight every demon. Every monster. Every god."
He looked back once, as if seeing the kingdom in his memory."I'll learn everything I can. And when I face him again…"
He stopped and smiled faintly, eyes glowing under the crimson moon.
"I'll make the Demon Lord regret ever showing his face."
The wind picked up. His coat fluttered. The moon shone above him — dark and red — watching the lone hero walk into the unknown.
The story wasn't over.It was just beginning again.