A Mysterious Encounter

Reluctantly, the sun ascended, its feeble rays struggling to pierce the thick shroud of melancholy that enveloped my weary heart. Each dawn served as a painful reminder of irreversible loss and profound sadness, which lingered in the aftermath of devastation.

Unbeknownst to me, lost in deep contemplation while wandering through the woods, I found myself surrounded by bandits. Their sudden ambush left me with no time for rational thought or analysis. A single numbing dart struck my thigh, rendering me helpless and unable to resist.

When I regained consciousness, I discovered myself confined within a cell alongside two individuals known as the "uncivil." These unfortunate souls bore physical traits of animals, such as tails or ears, and were subjected to a life of slavery. The cell was constructed entirely of steel, with a small barred window situated high on one wall, allowing me only meager glimpses of natural light and fresh air. However, even this window was covered by a metal grate.

Within the cell, a narrow bed and a small hole for personal needs constituted the meager amenities. The bed consisted of a simple metal frame and a thin mattress. Isolation and confinement were the sole companions of my existence, until I learned about the enigmatic group known as the "Shadow Syndicate." They were individuals who had suffered under the tyranny of nobles and sought vengeance by summoning a malevolent force known as the devil upon the Earth.

Externally, the sect masqueraded as a company providing various services, utilizing the imprisoned as unpaid laborers, effectively treating them as slaves. Despite being only fifteen years old, I was assigned tasks that not even a thirty-year-old man could endure, such as mining, quarrying, and constructing elaborate structures like castles and cathedrals. Yet, such labor paled in comparison to the horrors I had endured in my previous life.

Every time they dragged me out of the cell, a putrid stench pervaded the air, intensifying my repulsion. My suspicions deepened upon witnessing the guards disposing of lifeless bodies, although I scarcely cared anymore.

One fateful day, a man entered my prison cell and addressed me as the child they had purchased from the bandits. I maintained a silent demeanor, offering no resistance or response. He surmised my identity and proclaimed that I would not be working that day.

Shortly after, the guard arrived and handcuffed me, leading me somewhere unknown. The path ahead was cloaked in darkness, its destination shrouded in mystery. With each step, the odors of blood and decay invaded my nostrils, while the guards' expressions betrayed the malevolent intentions that awaited me.

The door swung open, revealing a massive chair stained with blood, neglected and untouched by any attempt at cleaning. I took my seat, allowing the chains to bind me. After a brief interval, an aged man emerged.

This elderly figure possessed weathered skin deeply etched with lines and wrinkles, presenting a repugnant countenance. His crooked nose bore the signs of a past injury, and his yellowed, uneven teeth added to his unsightly appearance. Thin and wispy white hair hinted at prolonged neglect, while his gaunt and fatigued eyes rested beneath dark circles. Approaching me, his breath carried a putrid odor, as he beseeched me with an unsettling plea

"Please, child, do not perish. Be the instrument for His Majesty," he implored, his tone then shifting ominously. "For if you fail, this old man shall be deeply disappointed. Understand?"

I remained silent, disinclined to engage in conversation. He stepped back slightly, channeling mana to create a circle, and commenced reciting a magical incantation.

After uttering the incantation, "By the light of the moon and the power of the stars, I call upon the ancient magic that flows through my veins with this spell, I summon the energy of the infernal abyss of Terminatia. Let the universe hear my voice and grant me the power to shape the world around me.With the power of the first prince, let the world know pain and chaos. Please accept this sacrifice, bring your power and soldiers with you, and destroy this cruel world"

However, despite his fervent invocation, nothing happened initially. Yet, after a few fleeting seconds, an unimaginable torment awaited me.

I felt my skin wrench away from my body, as if separating from my very bones. Each cell within me seemed to endure a timeless stain, while blood welled up from every part of my being. My flesh began to melt, my eyes threatened to detach from their sockets, and my human organs started to evaporate. I existed in a state where survival was inconceivable, and yet, inexplicably, I remained alive. Then, a foreboding black aura enshrouded me. Though I had grown accustomed to enduring unspeakable torments, this transcended the boundaries of human suffering.

When consciousness reclaimed me, I found myself in an inexplicable realm. It defied categorization as a place, resembling an endless void. Suddenly, a voice emanated from behind me, though no one stood there. Gradually, the voice drew nearer.

"Finally, after 500 years of waiting, someone has withstood my powers. Though you cannot see me, once you open up about your emotions, there will be much to discuss."

As I regained awareness, I observed the old, unsettling man gazing upon me with a twisted sense of joy. Miraculously, my body had returned to its original state