The young boy's gaze was fixed on the book as he slowly turned the pages. His eyes moved left to right, carefully reading every single word.
"Uhh… so finally, it's over," he muttered as he read the last word on the final page.
After constant reading—no, living through it—for eight long years and seven volumes, The Rise of Dawn had finally ended.
It was a fantasy novel set in a world where mythical creatures like dragons, phoenixes, and unicorns existed. A world where people could perform impossible feats—command fire at will, summon floods with mere words, cut steel using wooden swords. Things that could only ever be dreams in this world.
The novel itself was nothing special.
At its core, it was the typical good-versus-evil story. A talented main character embarking on a journey to become the strongest and ultimately defeat the final boss who wished to destroy the world.
Yet despite that, the book held an irreplaceable place in his heart.
Because it was the last gift he had received from his late mother.
"Young man, you're reading that stupid novel again? The one your mom gave you?"
The voice reached his ears, pulling his attention away from the book. His eyes shifted toward a bald old man wearing a white lab coat. A smile appeared on the boy's face.
"Bald Doctor, I've told you many times—it's a good novel, not a stupid one. And it's the only thing I can do in my current situation."
The doctor's gaze softened as he looked at the boy lying on the hospital bed. The young man wore a simple white hospital uniform, a saline drip connected to his vein. A monitor beside him steadily displayed his heartbeat, while a ventilator tube rested beneath his nose.
"Brat," the doctor scolded lightly while adjusting the saline drip, "how many times have I told you not to call me 'bald old doctor'?"
Before the boy could reply, another voice entered the room.
"Doctor, you forgot this on your
desk."
"Ah—sorry about that, Nurse Jolly," the doctor said, turning toward the young woman in a light pink nurse's uniform.
She smiled warmly as her gaze fell on the boy.
"Hello there, young warrior."
"Hello, Big Sis Jolly," the boy replied, a rare smile forming on his face.
Seeing that smile, Nurse Jolly's expression softened even more. She walked over and gently ruffled his hair.
"You know, you're the bravest and strongest person I've ever met."
"Mmm, you say that every time," he complained, though he clearly enjoyed it. "And stop messing up my already ruined hair."
"And I'll keep saying it," she replied softly. "Fighting a brain tumor with such spirit at just sixteen… you inspire me."
The doctor watched the interaction with a faint smile before turning his attention to the medical report. As he read through it, the smile slowly faded, replaced by a heavy, sorrowful expression.
The boy noticed.
In a calm, neutral tone, he asked,
"How much time do I have left, Bald Old Man?"
"Y–You have—"
"No need to lie," the boy interrupted gently, still smiling. "Just tell me."
The doctor sighed deeply.
"Ah… I should've known. You're too mature for your age."
"Enough flattery. Just tell me."
"…You have seven days left."
"Ah. Seven days," the boy said quietly. "Finally, I can meet Papa and Mummy again."
"What?" Nurse Jolly gasped, tears instantly filling her eyes. "H–How can you say that? He's fine right now! How can you say he'll die in seven days?"
She turned to the boy, her voice trembling.
"And you… how can you accept this so easily? How can you smile?"
"Big Sis Jolly," he said softly, "it's not that I don't want to live. It's just… I don't have much attachment to this life anymore. I miss my parents."
The doctor spoke in a heavy voice.
"Even if you only have seven days, we'll make them unforgettable."
"Yes!" Nurse Jolly wiped her tears and forced a smile. "We'll make these the most memorable days of your life."
Seven Days Later
The doctor and Nurse Jolly stood silently before a portrait of the young man.
"He was a strong kid," the doctor said quietly.
"He really was," Nurse Jolly replied. "Lost his entire family at fourteen… then found out he had a brain tumor eating away at his mind. And still, he endured it all."
"May he rest in peace."
???
An infinite black void stretched endlessly in all directions.
A lone figure stood within it.
"So… I'm dead, right?"
"Hello?"
"Anyone?"
A pause.
"Wait… how am I thinking if I'm dead?"
Before he could dwell on it, a sudden burst of light erupted in the void. The figure turned toward it and saw something emerge from nothingness—a book, floating and sparkling.
As he reached for it, the book flew into his hand. The light dimmed, and the letters on the cover became clear.
The Rise in Dawn
His eyes widened in shock. He read the title again. And again.
"…This can't be right."
Minutes passed as strange patterns slowly appeared across the pages. Eventually, the image became clear—a lion's face, with two swords crossed behind it.
"I've seen this before… but where?"
Realization struck him like lightning.
The same symbol was engraved on the necklace his father had given him.
With trembling hands, he opened the necklace. The identical symbol stared back at him.
"They're the same…"
As he removed the necklace, its sharp edge cut into his palm.
"Ouch."
Blood flowed—but instead of crimson red, it was bright yellow.
The glowing blood covered the necklace. Suddenly, it began to shine and flew straight into the book. The pages split open, revealing a keyhole where the symbol was.
The necklace twisted.
ROAR.
Another roar echoed through the void.
The book and necklace spun together, merging before dissolving into nothingness. A single, blinding point of light appeared—then began to expand, connecting into a massive outline.
A colossal white lion emerged.
Its eyes locked onto the lone figure.
"W–What is that…?"
The lion opened its enormous maw and unleashed a mighty roar before charging forward.
The figure tried to run.
"Move! Move, damn it!"
His body refused to obey.
The lion's jaws filled his vision—
And swallowed him whole.