5,000 years ago, the Demon Lord and his five generals unleashed a torrent of demonic power upon the world. The very fabric of reality seemed to warp and tear beneath their influence. Mountains crumbled, oceans boiled, and the sky wept tears of fire.
The Demon Lord, a being of unimaginable power, commanded legions of monstrous creatures—each more twisted than the last—eager to carry out his will. Humanity, along with the other three races—Elves, Beastmen, and Dwarves—were powerless against the tide of darkness.
> In desperation, they formed a fragile alliance. From this union rose five champions—beacons of hope in a world drowning in despair:
Arthur, a human warrior blessed by Liora, the Goddess of Light.
Alefx, a human holy maiden and devout servant of Liora.
Henry, a dwarven warrior known for his unbreakable will.
Karen, a beastman mage who wielded ancient elemental magic.
Ellen, a deadly dark elf assassin, swift as shadow and silent as night.
> History would come to know them as the Five Heroes.
Together, they embarked on a perilous quest to challenge the Demon Lord. In the climactic battle, it was Arthur who struck the final blow, vanquishing the Demon Lord and forcing the demon legions back into the sealed Demon Realm.
In the aftermath, Arthur and Alefx—both chosen of Liora—established a new era. They founded the Holy Empire, a realm guided by the light of their goddess.
---
Draven closed the book with a soft thud.
Do gods really exist? he wondered. Even though I was reborn, it's still kind of hard to believe.
He set the book aside and hopped down from the chair, landing lightly on his feet. Stretching a little, he began walking toward the library door.
I need some fresh air, he thought. If I keep reading stuff like this, my head's going to explode.
He raised a fist and punched the door open without hesitation. The heavy wood creaked as it swung wide, then slowly closed behind him as he stepped out into the hallway.
---
[The Day Before His Fifteenth Birthday]
Draven walked the castle halls, his hands stuffed in his pockets.
It's just a birthday party, he thought, mildly annoyed. I don't know why Mom is going all out.
He stepped out into the castle grounds and headed toward the forest, seeking quiet.
But then—voices.
He froze.
In a heartbeat, he was in the trees, leaping silently from branch to branch like a shadow. Below, three men in black stood in a circle, speaking in hushed tones.
He dropped down beside them without a sound.
"What are you guys talking about?" he asked casually.
The men jumped back in shock.
"We didn't even notice him!" one said, eyes wide.
"It's just a kid," another muttered.
"What's a kid doing in the forest alone?" said the third, clearly the leader. His expression darkened. "Doesn't matter. He's seen us. He has to die."
What the hell are they talking about? Draven frowned. I just asked a question.
They lunged.
Draven vanished in a blur, reappearing in a nearby tree.
"You're trying to kill me for asking a question?" he said, crouched on a branch, red eyes glowing.
The leader narrowed his eyes. He dodged that like it was nothing...
"Blame your bad luck, kid," one of them snarled.
Draven exhaled slowly. "Since you're trying to kill me... it's only fair I do the same."
In a flash, he disappeared.
The men spun in confusion.
Draven reappeared behind their leader and drove his hand clean through the man's chest. Blood burst forward.
He pulled his arm back and stepped aside, eyes cold.
"One down."
The other two shouted and charged.
Draven moved before they could blink, slicing through both their necks with a single, fluid motion.
Their heads dropped to the forest floor.
"So weak," Draven muttered.
Suddenly, the "dead" leader stirred—rising shakily to his feet, red eyes glowing.
Draven didn't even look surprised. "You think I don't know you're a vampire?"
He turned and punched the vampire square in the face, sending him crashing through a tree.
The trunk split and collapsed from the impact.
Draven approached the broken body. "Low-rank vampires... sneaking around my family's castle.
What the hell are you looking for?"
The vampire gasped, trembling. "What kind of kid are you…?"
Standing over him, Draven tilted his head.
"You still don't know who I am? How dumb are you?"
He raised a fist.
"Guess none of that matters.
There's no point explaining to a dead man."
His fist came down with sickening force, crushing the vampire's head into pulp.
He stood in silence for a moment, then flicked the blood from his hand.
I thought vampires were capable of blood magic… I didn't see them use it once.
Maybe I should've asked what they were looking for....