Renka woke up on an unfamiliar wooden bed.
The ceiling above him looked old, and the air was quiet. He slowly sat up, his body still weak.
Click.
The door opened. A middle-aged woman entered, carrying a tray.
"Feeling better?" she asked with a gentle smile.
Renka nodded slowly.
"Yes... thank you."
The woman sat down on a chair.
"What's your name?"
"Renka Tsukasa. From a village south of the city."
The woman stared at him—sharp, but kindly.
"Renka... I'm interested in you."
"Huh!?"
Renka panicked, his cheeks flushing red.
The woman laughed.
"Relax, not in that way. I'm interested in your power. From now on, I'll be your teacher."
"Why?"
The woman stood and looked out the window.
"Because your power isn't ordinary. It's a rare inheritance... from the gods. A power that can save the world—or destroy it."
She looked deep into Renka's eyes.
"Your power is a double-edged sword. If you control it, no one will be able to stand against you. But if you fail... you'll lose yourself."
Renka clenched the bedsheet.
Images of himself rampaging—destroying cities, hurting others—flashed through his mind. He looked up at the woman with determination.
"Please teach me... before I lose myself."
The woman gave a faint smile.
"Training begins tomorrow. But not here. We'll be traveling. And remember—I won't go easy on you just because you're still young."
"Yes, Master!"
Vivi's Residence
Vivi woke up on a luxurious bed. Beside her, her adoptive mother sat with teary eyes.
"Mother..."
"Thank goodness you're awake. Yesterday, you passed out crying..."
Vivi stayed quiet for a moment.
"Mother... my power... is it reliable?"
"Of course it is. But you haven't mastered it yet."
"You're a long-range fighter, Vivi. But if the enemy gets close, you're at a disadvantage. So… how about learning close combat too?"
"Learn from who...?"
"Yuda Akari."
The next day arrived. Renka and his master prepared to leave their small house.
"Master, where are we going?"
"There's a place we need to visit."
They walked far, passing rocky roads and quiet valleys. But suddenly, they stopped.
In front of them... a boy, maybe 14 years old, was brutally beating a grown man.
His laugh was terrifying—empty eyes, yet a bloodstained grin stretched across his face.
When he saw Renka, he stopped and pointed.
"You... you look like me back then. Hahaha..."
Renka froze. His body trembled despite the warm air.
There was a deathly aura in the air.
The boy walked away, chuckling.
"Master... who was that...?"
"No idea. But if he grows up like that... he'll become a monster."
After a long journey, Renka and his master arrived at a forest.
From the outside, it looked terrifying: withered trees, whispering winds, and a faint rotten stench. Renka hesitated to step forward.
"Hey! Come on in! Don't fall behind!"
Trembling, Renka stepped into the forest. But then...
Everything changed.
Inside, the forest was lush, bright, full of life. Birds chirped. The wind was cool and fresh.
"This... is the same forest...?" he muttered. He quickly followed his master.
Within the forest stood a large, elegant house.
Surrounded only by trees—no signs of other life.
"Whose house is this, Master?"
The woman smiled faintly.
"No need to ask. You'll find out soon enough."
She knocked loudly on the door.
"HEY! Bearded old man! Open the door!!"
The door opened… but instead of an old man, a small girl with long blue hair and a cold gaze appeared.
"Who are you?" she asked bluntly.
"Huh? Whose kid is this?" the master muttered.
"Hey, where's the bearded old guy?"
"You mean my father? He's out hunting. Just come in."
They entered and sat in the living room. Before long, a heavy voice called from outside.
"Sweetie, I'm home!"
The door swung open. A bearded old man appeared, surprised.
"WHAT! That old hag? Damn! You finally came by!"
"Yo, Takeda. Been a while."
"Who's the boy you brought?"
"My name's Renka Tsukasa. Nice to meet you!"
"Very polite, aren't you, kid?"
After some small talk, the master asked Takeda to talk outside.
"That boy... Renka... he's the successor of a divine power passed through generations."
Takeda fell silent.
"If that power has reawakened... the world must be heading toward a breaking point."
"That's why I need this place. And… your help."
Before going back inside, the master asked,
"That little girl earlier... who is she?"
Takeda sighed.
"She's Nasha El Serine. My daughter... from my late wife."
Years ago.
When Nasha was little, she and her mother were attacked by bandits.
Her mother tried to protect her… but was stabbed right in front of her.
Nasha screamed—and that was when her power first awakened.
A glowing green rose symbol appeared above her head.
Green poison spread from her body into the ground.
The bandits began coughing, vomiting blood, and collapsed—dead within seconds.
That was the first time her Flowering Poison ability revealed itself.
Since that day, Nasha rarely spoke.
But deep down, she always wanted to become strong.
That night, Renka sat in front of the house.
Nasha suddenly appeared beside him.
"You're not asleep yet?"
"Can't. Too much on my mind."
Nasha sat next to him.
"My mother died right in front of me. I couldn't do anything. But now... I want to be strong."
Renka stared at the ground.
"I lost my parents too. All I could do was cry. But I don't want to be like that forever."
Nasha looked at him and smiled faintly.
"Then let's see who gets stronger first. I'm going to become an Oza too."
The next morning, training began.
"Today, you'll learn to fight WITHOUT powers," Takeda said.
"If your powers are disabled, will you just give up?!"
Renka shook his head.
"Ten laps around the forest! Then 100 push-ups! No breaks!"
Renka ran, gasping for air.
Nasha silently followed behind him.
After the drills, they sat under a tree, panting.
"You look like you're about to die," Nasha teased.
"But I'm not quitting," Renka replied, laughing weakly.
As the sun set, Renka sat cross-legged on a stone.
His master stood behind him.
"Now, meditate. Dive into your shadow. Let your power speak."
Renka closed his eyes. His breathing slowed.
Dark aura began seeping from his body.
Shadows crawled along the ground like they were alive. Then—
CLANK.
A large black scythe emerged from the darkness.
Its blade curved, sharp, and shimmered with a deep violet hue.
The weapon seemed to call his name.
Renka opened his eyes.
"This... is my weapon?"
His master nodded.
"That is your shadow. A part of your soul. But never let it control you."
Black scythe in his right hand, determination in his heart—
Renka Tsukasa was ready to begin his training to master the darkness within him.
And beside him, Nasha El Serine—with her blooming poisonous rose—was growing stronger too.