DON'T SEE! DON'T HEAR! DON'T SPEAK!

Under the beautiful sun and gentle breeze, Kole clenched his fist. He doubted himself. He questioned his existence!

His psyche was at a nadir ever since he came to this world. The emotions when you feel you don't realize yourself—are disturbing, to say the least.

But he didn't let the vague cacophony of madness creep in.

With an unsaid desire to leave a mark in history, he brought The Creation Seed near his mouth… and opened his mouth wide, gulping it down in one go.

…

In a place of unknown origins, a rainbow-colored river was flowing gently.

A vague figure that appeared to be as tall as a gigantic mountain was sleeping by the riverbed. 'It' opened thousands of eyes—spread all over its huge body—A body that seemed like clouds at times while galaxies at other times.

'Its' eyes focused on the river, scrutinizing it very carefully…

"Strange…" 'It' muttered emotionlessly.

"[Insight]… [Insight]… [Insight]…"

'It' kept reiterating itself hundreds of times in a second—but the definition of [Time] seemed to change as a second stretched for thousands of seconds—resulting in a maddened chant that repeated itself over and over again in a time loop.

Suddenly, 'It' stopped, realizing 'Its' prying efforts were useless. Although confused, 'Its' tone didn't waver and maintained its usual monotony with no hint of wariness or curiosity, "An Ultimate One in interfering?"

'Its' eyes closed and 'It' went back to sleep.

…

Although the sun was warm, Kole, suddenly felt he was dropped in liquid nitrogen. The spine-chilling sensation that he felt was indescribable.

He glanced down at his hands, a feeling of extreme terror spreading through his entire being—when he noticed his flesh wriggling—as if maggots were trying to crawl out from beneath.

Before he could calm himself down, he saw his hands vanishing, bit by bit—as if an eraser was being scrubbed over them. Kole saw his entire body being 'erased'.

In his desperation, he tried to look for Little Faneia, to ask for help… but soon he felt like he was plunged to the deepest—coldest parts of the abyss as he realized it was not just him but the entire world around him was being 'erased'… or maybe he was the only one being 'erased'?

He didn't know, but he had to do something.

Kole shouted at the top of his lungs, hoping it would reach Little Faneia's ears, but to his horror, he realized she was standing a distance away with an expectant glint flashing in her eyes.

To Kole, she appeared to have witnessed nothing anomalous.

Do I look normal to her?

Is this the standard procedure?

Wait… Maybe this is all in my mind? An imagination or an Illusion?

With the remaining sanity, he calmed himself as he 'saw' the world becoming dim and blurry around him.

Soon, he remembered the maxim—that he has heard countless times!

Don't See! Don't Hear! Don't Speak!

Upon realizing his mistake, he immediately closed his eyes, shut his mouth tight, and pressed his hands on his ears.

Desperately trying to calm himself down, Kole took deep breaths. The nervousness was inevitable. It took a great deal of effort for Kole to maintain the sinking balance of his spirit.

An unknown amount of time passed by. To Kole, it was like an eternity.

In these moments when he couldn't do anything, memories of the past flashed in his mind.

He was an average salaryman with a decent wife, had a normal child, and lived an average life. It was the shortest and most non-exciting life of his.

When he grew old, he passed away and found himself in the body of a newborn.

The man with the grizzled appearance, with vicissitudes flashing in his eyes, held him and laughed at the corner of the huge gallery, through which the entire city could be looked down upon.

Humans from various walks of life gathered on streets, crowding them—filling them to the brim. They cheered loudly with utmost reverence, chanting loudly—"All Hail His Highness, The Crown Prince!"

The boy grew up to be a competent leader, a strong general, and a visionary who wished to change the world—Not to keep the Devils at bay but—To make One of Us!

Win after Win, fighting hard against enemies. Falling in love with women and battles. Being adorned by the people, he traveled a journey—that legends could only dream about.

He found his own way.

He felt his blood rushing as he ran on the road of his new life with his soul-stirring, sun-like smile. He brought a New Dawn!

He was the Dawn!

Everyone praised him—at least on the surface. Tales of his legendary deeds spread wide. Locals danced to the tune of his feats.

All came crashing down one day… when a number of hideous smiles encircled him. He didn't fear death. He fought against whom he considered his friends.

The very same people who admired him looked at him with disdain. They said—We Won! We will Rule! Why give equal opportunities to the Losers?

Locals who sang about his legendary tales turned him into a villain—One who wants to steal their opportunities!

He saw his lovers being slaughtered one by one under the dim moonlight as he clutched his own chest in pain—that was inconsequential to the agony his soul felt.

A fire burned the capital, but his soul burned the hottest and brightest.

He broke.

His mind suffered an unimaginable pain he never felt before…

He swore, if there was another life, he would not repeat his naïve self-righteousness.

Why should he spend his life for others?

He will do as he pleases that even a Tyrant would blush in shame!

For that—He needed Power, Strength, and Authority.

He won't stop! He accepted his soul was filthy and made peace with himself!

The moment when The Prince of Felony was born—arrived!

…

After a long period of time, Kole opened his 'eyes' as a reminiscent glint flashed in those deep-abyss-like orbs.

He 'saw' darkness covering him. Everywhere he 'saw' was nothing but darkness.

Where am I?

He craned his 'head' a little, stiffly.

Is it not over?

Suddenly 'something' appeared in front of him. It was golden in color and as huge as a planet!

It was circular. A needle hung in the middle, pointing in an unknown direction.

"Argh!! Ughh!!"

In the real world, Little Faneia's eyes teared up seeing Kole bleeding through his eyes.