A YEAR AGO, A SMALL CABIN
"Nox," said a middle-aged man sitting on an old chair, leaning back comfortably.
"Yes, teacher?" replied young Nox with a cheerful voice. It was an ordinary summer day, too hot, and a breeze-like cold air was blowing from a fan-like, strange device. The cool air made Nox's slightly-long hair flow…
The middle-aged man continued, "Today I'll tell you about a taboo… Actually, it's not really a taboo, but if you ever do this, I must never forgive you. Yes… I won't forgive you, I can't." His tone was calm but serious, and he looked directly into Nox's eyes with a stern gaze as he spoke.
Nox swallowed, and after a few seconds began sweating lightly before he finally answered,
"W-What taboo? What should I not do?"
"Humanity, Nox… Never sacrifice your humanity, even if I die… Never become a soulless dog for the sake of power… If you do, I will never forgive you for all eternity…" Those words came out of the middle-aged man's mouth. Then he continued again, quieter this time—barely audible—as sunlight reflected directly through the window and shone onto his face,
"Never… do what I did, Nox…"
After hearing his teacher's faint words, Nox fully understood what he meant. His teacher was absolutely talking about the same thing he himself had done—the Shinyubi Sacrifice… Giving up one's humanity in exchange for a certain amount of power.
Nox swallowed again, this time his face full of sweat, and with a trembling voice he spoke,
"O-okay… b-but I'm wondering something, teacher."
"What is it?" asked his teacher, and Nox continued,
"You're telling me this is something so serious! But you also have a Shinyubi… Isn't that… contradictory?"
Although Nox managed to say these words a bit boldly, his voice was still shaky; he was in a strange emotional state.
His teacher replied, "Alright, I suppose it's time I tell you."
15 YEARS AGO, FURY CANE PRISON
"HEY! A PRISONER WHO USES SHINYUBI HAS STARTED A RIOT!" shouted a guard in a panic.
Young Doctridux (Nox's teacher) yelled back, full of worry,
"How is that possible!?"
At that time, Doctridux was the leader of a specific section of the prison—Director of Zone Z, Head Warden…
Minutes passed as the prisoner went wild, causing chaos everywhere, and Doctridux desperately tried to find a solution. But suddenly, a relaxed, calm, charismatic voice echoed through the prison, reaching everyone's ears:
"Doctridux, come to my room."
This person was Fury Cane—the highest-ranking individual, practically the king of the entire prison!
The moment Doctridux heard the voice, he didn't think about anything else. He sprinted out of the chaotic scene, ran and ran, until finally reaching that man's room.
He didn't even have time to knock—he forcefully swung the door open. It had been years since he last saw this man… if "seeing" even counted. Before him stood a man whose entire body was completely covered; only his eyes and hair were visible. He wore sleek, grey, stylish garments.
Doctridux, still out of breath, was about to speak when the man (Fury Cane) calmly lifted his left hand and made a "Stop" gesture with all five fingers. Then he began speaking:
"Calm down. I'm going to ask something of you… You will become stronger, Doctridux…"
The room felt heavy—oppressively heavy. It was as if Fury Cane had taken control of the room itself, and every living being inside would kneel if he wished.
Doctridux finally managed to catch his breath after 20–30 seconds. He straightened his posture, wiped the sweat off his face with a handkerchief from his chest pocket, and responded,
"How, sir?"
Fury Cane handed him a paper with something written on it, then spoke,
"I'm going to put you to sleep now. But first, read the instructions on this paper. Then, read the magic words on the back—internally, and with a sincere desire for power. After that, you will gain strength—enough to defeat that prisoner alone."
Doctridux took a deep breath, calmed himself, and asked,
"Sir… are you trying to turn me into a monster like that prisoner?" he said courageously. The panicked, breathless Doctridux from moments ago was gone.
Fury Cane paused for a few seconds, then laughed.
"Ah, Doctridux… Humans are weak. But monsters… monsters are even weaker than humans. That prisoner may be strong, but deep inside he is weak. If you use Shinyubi for good, you won't become a monster—you'll become a hero."
Doctridux froze after hearing those words. Could the philosophy he believed in his whole life—condemning Shinyubi—have been nothing more than a lie? But just as he fell into deep thought, Fury Cane raised his voice slightly:
"Come on, man. We're in a hurry!"
Doctridux gathered himself, embraced the desire for power, and read the words silently in his mind as written on the paper. Then he quietly but audibly said,
"I'm ready."
Fury Cane smiled.
Not even a second later, he appeared behind Doctridux and touched his neck, putting him to sleep.
A DARK ROOM — DOCTRIDUX'S DREAM
Doctridux's eyes slowly opened.
Where is this…? he thought.
But within seconds he remembered why he was here.
He took a deep breath, picked up the dagger from the small table before him—just as written on the paper—and he had to stab the person with the correct emotion.
Those "people" represented emotions.
First, he stabbed the one with a frightened expression. Then, since the paper said "Eliminate two," he immediately stabbed the one with the angry face as well.
Then he said, "Shinyubi."
The card box spun, and the card that appeared before him was the Six of Hearts.
Doctridux woke up instantly. Marks appeared on his pinky and ring fingers.
"Hurry. Go," said Fury Cane.
Doctridux touched his pinky with his thumb, then his ring finger, and said "Shinyubi" aloud.
The marks on his fingers glowed brightly.
Doctridux walked toward the prisoner, and soon neutralized him—ending the riot.
BACK TO THE SMALL CABIN
"And that's how it happened, Nox," said the middle-aged, short-haired man Doctridux (Nox's teacher). He continued,
"I knew from the beginning that it was something bad… but that man named Fury Cane manipulated me. He made Shinyubi seem like something good and stole my humanity… That's why, Nox… I can no longer feel fear, nor anger… I'm a soulless dog… Don't ever become like me. Never… It's not worth sacrificing your humanity just to become stronger, Nox."
Nox swallowed, then said with understanding,
"I understand… I'm sorry for you… teacher."
PRESENT DAY — NOX'S HOUSE, IN HIS ROOM
Nox's eyes filled with tears, and he spoke to himself again,
"But breaking this rule of yours will never be for nothing, teacher… I will crush him… I WILL KILL HIM… AKUOOOON!"