Chapter 1
In the deep darkness of the night, the moon cast its pale light over a desolate land, drowned in a suffocating silence, broken only by the wailing wind as it howled through the ruins. The shattered buildings stood as remnants of a once-recent past, their debris scattered among the corpses that littered the cracked ground beneath Suero's feet. It was as if the catastrophe that struck this place had devoured everything in a single, fleeting moment, leaving behind a barren world devoid of life.
Amidst the devastation, Suero stood motionless, gasping for breath, his tattered clothes telling the tale of a battle that had torn both his body and soul. His eyes, heavy with shock, wandered over the horrific scene before him, as if his mind refused to accept the reality. A city that had once pulsed with life was now nothing more than empty ruins groaning under the weight of death.
He tried to breathe deeply, but even the air felt heavy, saturated with the stench of blood and ash. His hands trembled as he collapsed to his knees, scalding tears slipping down his cheeks, falling onto the barren earth. With a voice barely above a whisper, broken and fragile, he managed to utter:
"They... They're all dead!"
His words came out fractured, weighed down by the unbearable pain crushing his chest. And then, suddenly, his voice erupted through the deathly silence—a cry, raw and desperate, like a lost child trapped in an unending nightmare:
"He slaughtered them all! I... I couldn't do anything!"
He struck the ground with his fists, as if trying to shatter reality itself, but his scream found no answer, only the ruins echoing back his shattered voice. The tears, which had never belonged in his past battles, now flowed freely, the last witness to his suffering.
Yet, amidst the suffocating despair, shadows flickered against the ground, signaling the arrival of another presence.
Spailo descended from the sky with a quiet grace, as if he were nothing more than a fallen star appearing from the void.
His steps were light, undisturbed by the carnage surrounding him. Hands tucked into his pockets, a mocking smirk played on his lips, as though the scene before him was nothing more than a dull spectacle. He cast a cold glance at Suero before speaking in a taunting tone:
"Did your feelings get hurt, boy?"
Suero slowly lifted his head, his burning gaze locking onto Spailo's indifferent eyes. Though his tears had yet to dry, the fury within him was far more evident in his trembling voice:
"You killed them! You killed all the people!"
Spailo raised an eyebrow, as if the words barely registered in his mind. Then, with a tilted smirk, he responded with utter indifference:
"Really? But they were nothing more than insects."
The words pierced through Suero's very core like poisoned daggers, echoing in his mind as an unforgivable insult. A fire roared within him, his blood boiling like molten lava. His teeth clenched as he muttered through gritted teeth:
"Don't mock human life!"
In an instant, a surge of blue energy erupted from his body, a storm defying the oppressive darkness. The ground shattered beneath his feet as he launched forward at blinding speed, his voice tearing through the silence:
"Spailo!!!"
But...
Spailo didn't move.
He remained still, watching the incoming attack with a chilling calm. And as Suero's fist neared him, Spailo merely tilted his head slightly, avoiding the blow with a motion so subtle it was barely perceptible—like a passing breeze.
Suero attacked again, a relentless flurry of punches and kicks, each carrying the full weight of his fury. Yet, every strike was met with effortless evasions, as if Spailo could read his movements before they even happened. And then...
Spailo caught Suero's wrist with a single hand.
For a moment, time froze.
Suero's eyes widened, cold sweat trickling down his forehead. He struggled, but Spailo's grip was like iron—unbreakable. The smirk on Spailo's face widened as he spoke with mocking amusement:
"Is this really all you've got, boy?"
With no apparent effort, he lifted Suero and hurled him toward the ground with devastating force.
The earth shattered beneath him, cracks spreading in wide, jagged circles.
Suero gasped in pain, blood dripping from his nose as he struggled to regain his senses. His blurred vision barely made out the approaching figure, its shadow looming over him with slow, deliberate steps.
His gaze drifted to the dark sky above, his heart weighed down by questions without answers.
"W-When... did it all begin?"
—
Flashback (One Hour Ago)
Night had draped its heavy cloak over the city, slipping through its crowded streets, which had been alive with energy just moments ago. The neon lights reflected off the wet pavement as people wandered between the markets, chatting, laughing, and going about their daily lives—completely unaware that their end was near.
In the heart of this bustling city, Suero walked beside Kamasi, his wide eyes scanning the surroundings, trying to take in the vastness of the scene. He wasn't used to such vibrancy and noise, and he couldn't help but whisper in awe:
"This place... is incredible!"
Kamasi merely cast a brief glance at the illuminated streets before replying in a calm tone:
"It is. It radiates energy."
As they walked, Suero couldn't suppress his curiosity and asked:
"So, what exactly are we doing here?"
Kamasi halted for a moment, his expression turning serious before he asked in a measured tone:
"Suero, do you belong to one of the three great clans?"
Without hesitation, Suero raised an eyebrow and answered confidently:
"Of course not."
Yet Kamasi's gaze didn't waver from his face, as if searching for something hidden beneath his expression. Then, in a hushed voice, he said:
"But… when Spailo was a student under Sbyam Brius, I heard he possessed the Unlimited Technique."
Suero's heartbeat quickened, his eyes widening in shock before he muttered hesitantly:
"I haven't seen my brother Spailo since we were children…"
Kamasi's voice dropped to a whisper, his eyes holding an unspoken understanding:
"Ahh… I see."
Before Suero could process the weight of his words, the ground trembled suddenly, and an enormous explosion of fire erupted from the far end of the city. Flames roared into the sky, turning the night into a sea of embers, while the deafening blast echoed across the horizon like the death cry of a giant.
The passersby froze, their eyes widening in horror before chaos took hold. Screams of panic blended with the sounds of collapsing structures, and thick black smoke began to rise rapidly, as if it sought to swallow the sky itself.
Suero spun around in alarm, his voice trembling as he turned to Kamasi:
"What's happening over there?!"
But before Kamasi could utter a word, a deep, chilling laugh tore through the air.
Spailo's laughter.
It echoed through every corner of the city, making the very ground tremble, sending whips of fear lashing through the hearts of all who heard it.
Kamasi stood frozen, while a cold sensation coiled around Suero's heart, consuming him from within.
"Is… that him?"
Kamasi didn't wait for an answer. He shot forward, racing toward the explosion, and Suero followed close behind, his panicked voice barely escaping his lips:
"Brother…?"
Corpses lay scattered everywhere—some burned beyond recognition, others not fortunate enough to die quickly. Amidst the wreckage and flames, a small child stood trembling, his wide eyes locked onto the lifeless body of his mother, shimmering with unshed tears.
"Mom..?"
The word was barely audible amidst the screaming and collapsing structures, yet it pierced through Suero's heart like a dagger.
Above this burning inferno, Spailo floated in the air, his arms crossed behind his back, his face adorned with a satisfied smile—like an artist admiring his masterpiece as it came to life.
Kamasi and Suero arrived at the scene, halting amidst the destruction, their faces veiled in smoke. Kamasi stared at Spailo in utter disbelief, while Suero's lips trembled as if words had abandoned him.
"What… are you doing here?"
Spailo's smirk didn't fade—it only grew more mocking as he turned his gaze toward Kamasi and spoke in a cold tone:
"Why so alarmed? Isn't this entertaining?"
Kamasi didn't answer. He simply clenched his fists, his voice unsteady.
"Why… why did you leave the Sorcerers' Organization?"
Spailo raised an eyebrow before letting out a light chuckle.
"And did you think I ever wanted to stay? The Sorcerers' Organization? What a joke."
Suddenly, a bright flare erupted behind them. A powerful spark shot through the air toward Spailo, triggering a small explosion just behind him.
At that moment, a tall figure emerged—his cloak billowing in the wind, his eyes gleaming with a deadly focus.
Suero's breath hitched, his voice breaking with shock:
"Commander Shinbo?!"
Shinbo stepped forward, locking eyes with Spailo, his tone unwavering.
"You are Spailo Rashid, correct?"
Spailo's smirk faltered slightly before he responded in a low voice.
With an unshakable calm, Shinbo replied:
"That means you're Suero's brother. I've heard you trained under Sbyam Brius. Is that true?"
Spailo's eyes flickered for a moment as he muttered the name under his breath—barely audible:
"Sbyam Brius… the strongest sorcerer… why didn't he come himself?"
Shinbo's gaze remained fixed, his voice cold and direct:
"Because I'm here to kill you now."
Spailo sighed as if the situation bored him, then smiled slightly:
"Oh… well then."
And in an instant—
Blood sprayed through the air.
Shinbo stood frozen, his eyes widening slowly… before his head separated from his body and fell lifelessly to the ground.
His blood pooled beneath him, staining the streets with the crimson hue of chaos.
Spailo stepped forward, closing the distance between himself and Suero. He met Suero's gaze with chilling indifference before speaking slowly:
"You… are an exception."
Suero couldn't process it. His voice came out in a shaky whisper.
"What...?"
Spailo's eyes gleamed with an ominous red glow, his voice sinking into a haunting tone.
"Realm Expansion: The Unlimited Realm!"
The city quaked violently as if an unseen force had trapped it in an unbreakable grasp. A dark barrier expanded rapidly, creeping into every corner until it swallowed the sky itself, making it feel as though the heavens were collapsing onto the earth.
Suero felt as if the ground would crush him at any moment. The air grew so thick he could barely breathe.
Amidst the growing destruction, Spailo lifted his head, reveling in the overwhelming tension surrounding him. Then, with deliberate calm, he raised his hand, gesturing toward the space around him as he spoke in a low, sinister voice.
"Destroy everything in your path."
His voice echoed in the void—like a distant call from another world.
And then—
Crimson shards began to form out of nothingness. They streaked through the air at terrifying speed, like flashes of red lightning, slicing through everything in their path without mercy.
Buildings crumbled under the onslaught. Massive chunks of earth were torn apart and hurled into the sky. The fleeing crowds collapsed, their bodies shredded like rag dolls caught in a violent storm. Their screams blended with the piercing sound of the crimson shards, and with every explosion, the city trembled—as if writhing in agony under the weight of its destruction.
It didn't take long before Kamasi's body was completely torn apart.
The crimson shards ripped through him with brutal force. With each strike, his screams grew fainter… until there was only silence.
All that remained of him were scattered remnants, lost amidst the devastation.
Suero watched the nightmare unfold, his eyes brimming with tears.
He was powerless.
Unable to move.
Unable to comprehend how his world had turned into a hellish nightmare in mere moments.
---
In the Present...
Suero lay on the ground, staring up at the darkened sky as if it might swallow him whole. Pain coursed through his body, but it was nothing compared to the despair gnawing at his heart.
His eyes, heavy with sorrow, filled with silent tears as they met Spailo's figure. His voice barely emerged, choked and weak.
"Is this what the world has become? Is this… my fate?"
From the shadows, Spailo stepped forward, his presence looming over Suero. His voice was calm, yet carried an enigmatic tranquility.
"Suero, you need to put in more effort… If you want to save the world, you must become stronger."
Suero's exhausted eyes met Spailo's, burdened with disillusionment. In a frail voice, he asked:
"Why did you leave the Mana Organization?"
Spailo was silent for a moment before a cold smile crossed his lips. His voice was barely above a whisper.
"That's not important right now. What matters is seeing your stubbornness, which has always been a part of you, in your efforts to make yourself stronger to face the world."
He said nothing more. He turned away, his footsteps eerily silent yet carrying an undeniable weight.
Suero didn't move. He remained seated amidst the ruins, staring into the emptiness, his mind consumed by an endless storm of questions.
"Why is this happening? … Why?"
He lifted his head, searching for Spailo—
But he was gone. Swallowed by the darkness as if he had never been there.
Slowly, Suero shook his head, closing his eyes. His broken, fragile voice barely cut through the still air.
"Master Sbyam… what should I do now?"
And so, the chapter ended—leaving Suero lost in his own uncertainty, standing amidst the wreckage, searching for a path through the endless darkness.
End of Chapter.