I don't know how much time had passed in that lab…
But one day, as they injected a strange substance into my veins under Dr. Hayden's cold gaze, something happened…
Something I couldn't control.
A muffled scream erupted from deep inside me, and then—
Spears of blood burst from my body, slicing through the air and piercing the chests of two scientists in an instant.
As if something inside me had broken... or awakened.
I screamed—or maybe I didn't.
All I can remember are their terrified faces, and the blaring alarm echoing through every corner of the lab.
Armed soldiers rushed in, their eyes seeing nothing but a threat to eliminate.
"The boy lost control!"
"He's dangerous!"
And then… darkness.
I woke up in a cell no different from a grave.
The ground was cold, the walls damp with the scent of death.
Iron chains pierced through my limbs, and metal stakes tore into my flesh, pinning my lifeless body down—as if they wanted to restrain the devil himself.
Days passed with nothing but pain…
My body was breaking down, my soul withering. I felt the end draw near.
Then, in a moment of fragile silence, amidst every shard of agony…
I heard a voice—not human.
It echoed inside my head... or was it my heart? I couldn't tell.
"Tired of humans?"
"Do you seek release?"
"Give me your body... and I shall grant you power."
I didn't answer right away...
But something inside me—something broken long ago—did.
That child who held his dying friend, who watched innocent children crushed before his eyes… that child screamed:
"It doesn't matter... I'm going to die anyway."
And then—
Fire didn't erupt inside me… my blood ignited.
A surge of power exploded through my veins, shattering the chains, ripping the stakes from my flesh without pain.
I became something else… something no longer human.
When the soldiers stormed the cell, firing bullets like they were facing a storm—
I didn't flinch.
I walked toward them, slow and calm, as blood swirled around me like armor and blade.
One scream. One strike.
They fell—one by one—without me blinking an eye.
I walked out of that lab…
And for the first time in five years, I saw sunlight.
But it hurt—my eyes had forgotten what light was.
My legs trembled, my heart beat with a deadly fatigue.
And there, in the middle of the street—where no one knew who I was or what I had been—I collapsed.
Unconscious…
My body drained of power. My heart whispered:
Am I a monster... or have I finally become free?
I woke up on a soft bed—so soft it felt unreal.
My wounds were gone. My pain had vanished. Was this... a dream?
I sat up slowly, stared at my hands, my chest, the places where the stakes had once pierced—nothing.
"What's going on? Where am I?"
Before I could drown in confusion, the door opened—and a girl entered.
She was beautiful… almost unbearably so. Her face was calm, her voice warm.
She looked at me and said gently:
—"Are you alright? You shouldn't be out of bed just yet."
I didn't know how to respond. I hadn't spoken to anyone in years. My voice felt lost.
I struggled to speak:
—"Who… are you? And… why am I here?"
She smiled kindly and said:
—"So you can talk. I found you passed out in the street and brought you here."
I hesitated, then asked:
—"Did… you heal my wounds?"
She laughed softly and replied:
—"What wounds? You were like that when I found you. Though your clothes were pretty torn… Ah, sorry—I didn't introduce myself. My name is Liana. Nice to meet you."
I muttered:
—"Arin… My name is Arin."
She smiled warmly:
—"That's a lovely name."
I couldn't believe her kindness… No one is that nice. I didn't trust humans anymore. I had to be cautious.
Then, suddenly, she said:
—"Oh! I forgot the food!"
As soon as she said the word, something inside me stirred: Food…
I hadn't eaten in so long, I couldn't even remember the taste.
She brought me some soup and bread, and gently said:
—"Here you go."
I took a bite—and the moment it touched my lips, tears streamed down my face.
She looked worried.
—"Is it bad?"
I shook my head and whispered, voice trembling:
—"No… It's the opposite. I'm… happy. I haven't tasted anything like this in years…"
As days passed, I learned she lived alone, working at a nearby shop. Every morning before she left, she made me breakfast.
But something felt wrong...
No matter how much I ate or rested, my body remained weak—as if life refused to return to me.
One day, while she was out working, I lay on the bed as usual. Then I heard a commotion from the house next door.
My eyes drifted to the window... and I rose.
I stood up—on my own—for the first time.
My eyes glowed crimson. From my body, a red blade formed, as if forged from blood itself.
I shattered the window and leapt outside.
And there—I saw it.
A creature born of emotion. It was weak, but vicious.
I charged.
We fought. Traded blows.
In the end, I struck it down with my blade.
Then… something strange happened.
A red-black light burst from its body, pouring into mine. The creature shriveled and disintegrated.
I felt heat flow through me… and something like strength.
For the first time…
It felt like my body was changing.