Sirab saw it all again—his family murdered, his village engulfed in flames. He fell to his knees, clutching his head and crying. But suddenly, the entire village vanished. He now stood in a place filled with glowing light.
"Where am I?" Sirab whispered.
"This is the place where I last saw that girl," he remembered.
Then a woman's voice echoed around him.
"How was your last visit?" she said. "Did you see your mother and father? All the poor people? They're all dead."
"Why are you showing me this again?" Sirab asked angrily.
"Because," she said coldly, "I want you to feel the pain. I want you to suffer."
Sirab's anger exploded.
"Burn in hell!" he roared.
A huge wave of fire shot out from his hands, engulfing the woman dressed in black. But she laughed.
"You're too weak to hurt me," she said. "Let me tell you something. What you saw wasn't from me. It was created by the souls of those you've killed — in the jungle and the cities. Everyone you kill, you gain their memories… and their powers. But if your body is cut too many times, your mind will break. You'll lose yourself and become nothing but a killer."
"You cannot die," she continued. "Your body will become a prison forever, cursed to live, always searching for death but never finding it."
As she spoke, Sirab's body began to glow gold. Her voice twisted his mind, driving him mad.
"When I spoke with my mother and father…?" Sirab asked.
"It was just your memory of what they would've said," she replied.
"I want to die," Sirab said, "but only after I make this world a better place. Tell me, how can I become normal again—how can I die?"
She smiled. "Kill all twelve gods of the kingdom. Then I will grant you the gift of death. You will be able to use all kinds of magic, and absorb the powers of your enemies from their dead bodies. But the more you kill, the more your mind will fade."
"Now… go."
Sirab opened his eyes. He was in a dark room, lying on a bed with heavy chains around his wrists.
"Where am I?" he muttered. "It's freezing in here…"
He tried to break the chains using magic, but they blocked his powers.
"So this is how it works…" he sighed.
Just then, the door opened and a man around 25 years old entered.
"How are you, boy? Sleep well?" the man asked.
"Where am I? How long was I asleep?"
"About one month. You had serious problems," the man replied.
"Let me go, or something bad will happen," Sirab warned. "I destroyed a city with a monster before."
"So you remember your last fight?" the man said. "It was against Azzel. You lost. I saved you."
"Why?"
"You'll know soon. For now, wear these clothes and get ready."
Sirab didn't trust him, but thought, Wearing clothes isn't a bad idea.
He dressed, and the man returned with some hard bread.
"In this cold, it's all we can eat."
Sirab ate, and they headed outside. Everything was covered in snow.
"Is it always like this here?" Sirab asked.
"Just a few months ago, this place was a paradise," the man said. "Now… it's a frozen hell."
A small child ran up, grabbed the man's hand, and asked, "Uncle, who is this boy?"
"He's my friend," the man said. "We're going to meet the king. I'll make sure food is sent to your homes."
They continued walking through the snow until they reached a castle guarded by soldiers.
"You've returned from the land of the Black Dragon," one soldier said. "Who is this boy?"
"I'll explain to the king," the man replied.
The gate opened. As they entered the hall, Sirab looked around.
"So much snow… it disgusts me," he muttered.
Inside, the king sat on his throne, surrounded by nobles and warriors.
"Mizu," the king said, "You've finally returned. Did you find help?"
"Yes, my lord," Mizu said. "This… is the help."
Everyone stared at Sirab and began whispering.
"Mizu… you're a wise man," one of the nobles said, "but bringing a child?"
"Do you know who destroyed the city of Albertos?" Mizu asked. "Who killed Prince Albert? Who is called The Hunter?"
"Yes," the king said. "He's the most dangerous man alive. He even fought Azzel. Why are you speaking of him?"
Mizu smiled. "Because he's standing right here."
Everyone went silent… then the room exploded in shouting.
"Are you insane?!"
"You brought him?!"
Mizu stood firm. "I asked the Dragon King for help, but he refused. No one wanted to help us. Then I saw this boy—he destroyed a city, killed elite knights, and uses more than four kinds of magic. He cannot die."
"Fine," the king said, calming down. "But how do you plan to control him?"
"I'll make a deal with him," Mizu replied.
"What kind of deal?"
"He will kill the White Dragon. In return, we will give him his freedom."
"Do what you must," the king said. "But if there's any trouble, you are responsible."
Mizu and Sirab left the castle.
"You must be joking," Sirab said. "Why should I kill a dragon? Why help anyone?"
"Because you're a good person," Mizu said.
"No," Sirab replied coldly. "I'm a monster. I've killed children, destroyed lives."
"Then help us. Help us now, so no more lives are lost."
Mizu dropped to his knees. "Please. If you don't help, we will all die."
"Fine…" Sirab said. "I'll try. But who is this White Dragon?"
"He's a dragon who wants to become good," Mizu explained. "All this snow… it's caused by his power. I'll train you. I'll make you stronger."
Sirab looked ahead.Sirab said, "I will become stronger than everyone. I will take my revenge. I will make them pay for what they did."
He was full of anger and pain.
"I will help to kill the dragon," he said with burning determination.
"Then next chapter… I want power."