Chapter 1: The Ghost of Eryndor
The story begins on a moonlit night, in a city where danger lurks behind every smile…
The wind howled through the narrow streets of Eryndor, carrying with it the scent of blood and smoke. Lantern light flickered against ancient stone walls, casting eerie shadows that danced like specters.
A hooded figure walked alone, his steps silent and measured. The black cloak wrapped around his shoulders seemed to swallow the light, and his white-blonde hair glimmered faintly beneath his hood like shards of moonlight.
This was Haruto, a name whispered with both desire and fear.
Some called him a wandering mercenary.
Others claimed he was a cursed prince.
But most knew him only by a single title:
The Ghost of Eryndor.
Haruto pushed open the door to a run-down tavern at the edge of the city. The chatter inside stopped immediately. Dozens of eyes turned toward him — hungry, wary, curious.He ignored them.Moving with the calm precision of a predator, he sat at the far end of the counter. The tavern keeper approached nervously, placing a drink before him without a word. Haruto didn't look up.
"...You've been followed," the keeper muttered, voice trembling.
"I know." Haruto's reply was smooth, cold, like the edge of a blade.
The Temptation of the Blossoms
From the corner of the room, a group of stunning women sat at a table, watching Haruto intently. They weren't ordinary travelers — their elegant armor, magical runes, and lethal weapons marked them as warriors of high rank.
Each woman radiated a different kind of allure:
A red-haired swordswoman, bold and fiery, with a smirk that promised both danger and passion. A silver-haired mage, serene and mysterious, her icy gaze never leaving Haruto. A cat-eared beauty, tail swishing playfully as she lounged across the table, her golden eyes full of mischief. A blonde priestess, seemingly innocent, though her lips curled into a knowing smile.
The cat-girl was the first to break the silence, her voice lilting and teasing.
"So this is him," she purred. "The legendary Ghost. I expected someone taller… or at least less grumpy."
The red-haired swordswoman's smirk widened. "Don't be fooled by appearances. They say this man once slaughtered a battalion of royal knights… alone."
The priestess giggled softly. "Rumors. Men like him are always shrouded in mystery."Haruto didn't turn around.
"If you value your lives," he said calmly, his voice carrying effortlessly through the tavern,
"you'll stop staring and leave."A ripple of tension swept through the room.
The cat-girl only giggled louder, licking her lips.
"Oh, I like him. So cold and distant… makes me want to break him."
The red-haired swordswoman stood abruptly, her blade singing as she drew it from its sheath.
"Sorry, Ghost," she said with a dangerous grin.
"But our orders are clear. You're coming with us."
In a blur of motion, she lunged forward.
At that exact moment, the other three women sprang into action — spells igniting, weapons flashing.
The tavern erupted into chaos.Haruto didn't move.Not until the last possible second.
When he did, it was like a shadow tearing through the light. His cloak whipped through the air as he dodged the swordswoman's strike effortlessly, his hand brushing the hilt of the black sword at his hip.SLASH!
In a single motion, the room fell silent.The women froze. Their weapons were shattered, pieces clattering to the floor.
Yet not one of them bore so much as a cut.
The cat-girl collapsed onto her back, breathing hard, her golden eyes wide with shock — and something far more dangerous.
"Gods above… you're even faster than the rumors said."
Haruto sheathed his sword with a click. His expression didn't change.
"Last warning," he said coldly.
"Leave me alone."
The Queen Appears
Before anyone could move, the tavern door burst open. A hush fell over the crowd as a regal woman stepped inside, flanked by armored knights.
She was breathtaking — tall, elegant, with midnight-black hair cascading down her back and eyes like molten gold. A shimmering gown clung to her curves, exuding both power and temptation.
The red-haired swordswoman immediately dropped to one knee.
"Y-Your Majesty!"
Haruto's gaze narrowed.
"…So you've come personally."The queen's lips curled into a sultry, dangerous smile."Oh, Haruto," she purred, her voice like velvet wrapped around a blade.
"You can't run from destiny forever."He said nothing, his expression unreadable.
The queen raised her hand, and a glowing sigil appeared in the air, swirling with ancient magic. The entire tavern trembled as her voice rang out like thunder:
"The Hundred Blossoms shall bloom… and the one who claims them shall rule the world."
The crowd gasped.The queen's golden eyes locked with Haruto's."You, Ghost of Eryndor," she said softly, almost lovingly.
"You are the one destined to gather them — all one hundred women of power and beauty — and through them, to either save this world… or destroy it."
Haruto turned, his cloak swirling dramatically as he walked toward the door.
"I want nothing to do with your prophecy," he said coldly.
The queen's smile only deepened.
"Oh, you'll claim us all, Haruto. Even if it takes a thousand battles and a thousand nights."
Her gaze smoldered.
"And when the last Blossom kneels before you… the world itself will tremble."
Outside, Haruto stood beneath the moonlight, his face finally visible. His striking features were calm, almost beautiful — but his icy, piercing eyes revealed a storm raging beneath the surface.
He muttered to himself, barely audible:
"Hundred Blossoms… prophecy or curse, it makes no difference. If they stand in my way—"The black sword at his hip pulsed with a sinister glow.
"—I'll cut them down."And with that, he vanished into the shadows.Thus began the legend of Haruto — the man fated to rule the Hundred Blossoms.