I was still staring at the book in my hands, my mind trying to make sense of what had just happened.
The cloaked man… who was he?
"Why did he give me this…?"
I turned around, toward the tree where he had stood. No one was there. The street had returned to its usual bustle—so ordinary, as if nothing strange had just taken place.
I clutched my sling bag tightly and slowly slipped the book inside. It felt cold—but not because of the air.
I kept walking. Since it was still light out, I decided to take a short walk toward a small night market. I bought a pack of instant ramen, some fruit, and a canned drink. The shop lights glowed in vibrant colors, and the smell of grilled satay from a street vendor filled the air. I smiled faintly. There was a lightness I couldn't quite explain.
"My day's been weird… but still kind of nice."
When I got home, I put everything in its place. The drink went into the fridge, the fruit on the dining table, and the book… I nearly forgot. I took it out last. Still no title, no name—just thick and worn. I stared at it for a long moment, then left it on my study desk.
"Why can't I stop thinking about this…?"
But it wasn't time to answer that question. I had work to finish.
I opened my laptop and started jotting down notes, sketching ideas for a long-overdue project. Maybe two hours passed before I finally let out a big yawn and stretched.
My handwriting in the corner of the page was still clearly visible:
#Project 58 – Rose Elvainne.
I took a deep breath. "One step closer to done," I whispered. Just as I was about to stack the papers, my eyes landed on the book sitting on the desk.
"Oh right… the book."
Curiosity growing stronger, I brought it over to my bed. I sat down and leaned back, opening the first page.
It read:
"18 Elemental Wielders of Earth and the Universe."
"Elemental wielders…? This again."
My brow furrowed.
I'd seen things like this online before. Wild articles, conspiracy theories about people who could control wind, fire, or water. They'd get shared around a lot—claims that they were real, hidden in secret regions of the world. But I'd never believed any of it.
"Hmpph... Just fairy tale."
I yawned. My eyes grew heavy. A tear slipped from the corner of my eye, falling onto the page—
Right onto a line that read:
"It happened in the center of Shionra City."
I leaned my head back onto the pillow.
"A fairy tale that—"
.
.
.
TREMBLING.
The ground beneath me shook.
Gently at first. Then stronger. The footsteps around me slowed… and stopped.
KRK... KRRRKK...!
The asphalt cracked. A deep sound echoed from the belly of the earth.
~GGGRRGRRMMRRRR…
I froze. My breath caught. People around me went silent. Buildings began to sway, windows trembled.
~BRAAAAAAAKKKKKKKK!!!
A colossal hand burst through the split in the road, clawing its way upward. Dust exploded into the air. Screams erupted from every direction. Then the head appeared. Glowing red eyes. Breath like fire.
Behemoth.
"—a fairy tale?"