Night had completely fallen over the city.
Streetlights flickered, and the shadows they cast on the walls moved as if they were alive.
Arata was returning home from school. A full day of classes followed by his part-time job had left him exhausted. His parents weren't home, and silence had become a part of his life. But tonight… something felt different in the air.
He heard faint whispers—unclear voices, yet enough to make his heartbeat race.
*"Not again…"* Arata muttered to himself.
Since childhood, he had sensed things others couldn't see. Moving shadows, mysterious voices echoing in his ears… his parents dismissed it as imagination, but he knew it was something else.
---
### Encounter
As Arata turned into the alley that served as a shortcut to his home, his steps froze.
Three men stood there. They wore black robes marked with red symbols—like an ancient script. Their faces were hidden behind strange masks.
They were not ordinary humans. The air around them felt heavy, suffocating.
"The target has been found," one of them said. His voice didn't sound human—it was like a whisper from a shadow.
Gathering his courage, Arata asked, "Who… are you people?"
The tallest one stepped forward.
"Descendant of the Ashura Bloodline… you will now serve our purpose. A sacrifice is needed for the awakening of the ancient god."
As he spoke, his arm stretched forward unnaturally—like a living shadow—lunging straight toward Arata's chest.
---
### The First Awakening of Power
Arata's entire body trembled. His heart pounded violently. And suddenly—the energy he had always suppressed burst out.
A silver light erupted from his body, pushing the shadowy arm back. The masked men staggered in shock.
"This power… impossible! His awakening hasn't even happened yet!" one of them shouted.
Arata stared at his hands in disbelief. Faint glowing markings had appeared—like the lines of an ancient tattoo. His vision sharpened. The whispers he once heard had now turned into clear voices—as if countless souls were guiding him.
"Stay… away from me!" Arata shouted as he threw a punch.
BOOM!
The ground cracked, and one of the men was slammed into a wall.
---
### The Arrival of the Mentor
The remaining two were about to attack when—CRACK!
A sharp sound echoed.
The entire atmosphere of the alley distorted, and their shadowy forms collapsed and vanished.
At the entrance of the alley stood a man.
Tall, wearing a long black coat, with silver hair and eyes that gleamed with both mischief and danger.
A confident smile rested on his face.
"Bullying kids… that's a very bad habit."
The masked men stiffened.
"Th-that… the heir of the Raizin Clan…"
Ignoring them, the man turned his gaze toward Arata.
"So you're the boy of the Ashura Bloodline… interesting." His smile widened.
"Looks like I've found myself a new student."
---
⚡ **To be continued…**