There were wild creatures of immense power, their heights ranging from three meters up to an astonishing sixty. These beings were covered—everywhere except their hands, legs, and joints—in something as hard as stone. Their skin was usually white or red, and their monstrous teeth gave them a feral appearance. They looked like beasts, yet at the same time, there was something disturbingly human about them.
Some of them had stones embedded in their chests, resembling the Konkai crystals. These stones, pure white or red and hollow inside, were called "Pure Konkai." But no one truly knew what they were, and only a few of these creatures possessed them.
The Rosengards named these beings "Yajūni." Each one was wild and deadly. They wandered aimlessly across the land, savage as untamed beasts. They mostly devoured humans, though animals would also suffice. They were immensely powerful and dangerously unpredictable.
The Rosengards sought a way to deal with these giant creatures. They sent their most skilled Konkai users to attack them—but most who entered Yajūni territory never returned. Many were too weak and failed miserably. Yet Sandriel was determined to solve the Yajūni problem once and for all. She vowed to strengthen his kingdom, to expand it, and—if necessary—to tame those beasts and make them part of his army.
She settled near the borders of their territory and transformed his dominion into a kingdom. Four years passed, but despite countless campaigns, only seven Yajūni had been slain. The Rosengards had learned little about their true nature.
As time went on, a royal palace was built, and Sandriel ascended to the throne. Small houses, farms, and workshops began to appear. Life seemed to move forward normally for Sandriel—until one day, a 24-meter-tall, white-skinned Yajūni approached the borders of the Rosengard Kingdom.
This one was different: it had horns and a Pure Konkai embedded in its chest. The Rosengard soldiers immediately prepared to engage, raising their weapons and fixing their eyes on the creature. But as the Yajūni marched forward with heavy steps, something strange happened—it began to shrink.
Smaller and smaller it grew, until before their eyes stood a young man, about nineteen years old, with white hair, light muscles, and piercing blue eyes.
The soldiers froze in disbelief.
"What in the world… is that?" one of them whispered.
The soldiers didn't quite understand what was happening, but by instinct, they seized the moment when the creature began to shrink and charged at it.
Yet, it swiftly aligned its arm toward them—then, in an instant, a massive limb erupted from its body and seized the soldiers with its giant hand.
MysteriousPerson: "I didn't come here to fight you. Bring me Sandriel. Otherwise, you'll be abusing my goodwill—and trust me, destroying you would be far easier than you think."
(Sound of sand condensing)
The commotion had already reached Sandriel's ears.
Using the sand, she created a distant replica of herself—an illusion—and spoke to the creature through her copy, as if she were truly there.
Sandriel: "Well then, young man, you could've called for me more politely."
Sandriel'sinnervoice: I like his power. This might be a good opportunity.
Mysterious Person: "Sandriel! How about you stop attacking us? We're far stronger than you. In four years, you've only managed to kill seven Yajūni. Pathetic! If you stop fighting and give us some food, we'll spare your lives."
Sandriel: "Hahaha! Don't underestimate us, young man. What makes you so sure that your numbers make you stronger—and that we haven't evolved over time?"
Mysterious Person: "Hah? So, you're confident too? Woman, I could bring down your entire kingdom just by summoning a few Yajūni here."
Sandriel: "First of all, if you're truly that powerful, why haven't you destroyed us already? Clearly, something's wrong—otherwise, they wouldn't have sent you here. I thought the Yajūni were mindless… so you've been conscious all along, huh?"
MysteriousPerson: "Grrr! That's none of your concern! Don't you dare mock me, woman!"
The sentient Yajūni enlarged its arm and hurled a colossal punch at Sandriel.
(Sound of the giant fist)
(Sound of scattering sand)
The sand swirled around the Yajūni, wrapping its arms and holding it in place.
Sandriel: "See? Look what happened to you. Weren't you supposed to be strong? Let's calm down and make a deal. But first, tell me your name… child."
Sandriel and Yakazuna stepped inside. Sandriel sat upon her throne, and soon after, a soldier wielding the Emerald Konkai bound Yakazuna's arms and legs tightly with emerald chains.
(Sound of drooling.)
Sandriel: "Speak, child. If you don't tell the truth and talk, killing you here will be far too easy."
(Yakazuna inhales sharply.)
Yakazuna: "We… are running out. We're only hungry. Our food sources are limited. Even if human food fills us, it's never enough. The more you attack us, the faster our energy drains. We just eat some fishes from the icy lands. Most of us died while trying to get a fish from under the ice. Leave us alone, you scoundrels!"
Sandriel: "The Yajūni have caused us many problems. Leave you alone? First, you must stop. In fact, I already know you're exhausted. That's why I won't stop attacking… yet. But we can make a deal."
Yakazuna: "A deal? Fine… speak."
Sandriel: "Good. First, who is your leader? And are you all conscious? I've seen some of you look different—do you have unique abilities, or is it just appearance?"
Yakazuna: "Is that all? Hmph, fine. Our leader—our tribe's head—is my father, Kyōzuna. No, only those among us with the Pure Konkai in their chests are conscious. The other Yajūni are mindless, wandering creatures. Appearance-wise… I have horns. I can direct the mindless Yajūni. There are also those with special traits that vary by appearance. We, the conscious ones, are Mōjin. On behalf of the Mōjin and Yajūni, I've come to make a deal. Leave us alone, and we will leave you be."
Sandriel: "Leave you alone? Yes, we will—if you agree to my terms."
Yakazuna: "We made a deal after I gave you the information, didn't we? Woman! Are you mocking me?"
Sandriel: "Do you want to kneel and die? If not, listen carefully. You Mōjin will fall under my command. I will feed you, and I will not attack you."
(Sandriel points toward a farm visible through the window.)
Sandriel: "Look, there's a large livestock farm. It's more than enough for us—it's abundant. I will feed you with it. I could even expand it further. What do you say?"
Yakazuna: "Fall under your command? Hmph… not all Mōjin unite under a single tribe. Most of the other Mōjin are our enemies. I can't control them. But my tribe… with my father's approval, we might submit to your command."
Sandriel: "Hah? Enemy Mōjin… then you will protect us from them. In time, they will tire and die anyway."
(Sound of emerald chains scattering.)
Yakazuna is released and head bowed, returns to his nest beside his father. He recounts the entire incident. Though reluctant, his father is forced by circumstance to accept. The Ultim Mōjin tribe now falls under the command of the Rosengard Kingdom.
And what about the other Mōjin tribes? Well… about that—
The Morghen birds. Known for their six-meter wingspans, eagle-like appearance, incredible strength, and dazzling beauty, these birds inhabit much of the world. Yet, they usually settle near the Yajūni… which will bring disaster to them.
The Mōjin tribes outside of the Ultim tribe begin feeding on the Morghen birds. They consume them so voraciously that the birds start to dwindle rapidly. There is nothing anyone can do…