The night was so dark that even the lord of darkness would have hidden in fear.

On the edge of a cliff, two tall figures in camouflage dragged something heavy and hurled it into the abyss below.

Rain poured down in sheets, masking the sound of what struck the ground. It was the body of a young man—broken, battered, and bruised beyond recognition. His organs were torn apart, his heart and liver exposed, his eyes ripped away, leaving only hollow sockets. His body looked half-melted, as if both fire and blade had claimed him.

And yet, faintly, impossibly, there was still breath. His chest rose in shallow rhythm. His heart still beat.

“Is this how it ends?” he whispered to himself, his voice trembling in the storm. Memories flashed before his fading eyes—his mother’s smile, his father’s strong hands, the warmth of family. “So this is how the world is…”

His name was Valamer. Once, he had been nothing more than a kind, sweet boy. His family were nobles, proud and respected. His father was a knight, a man of honor. There were four members in the household, and Valamer was the youngest among them.

But that was before everything fell apart.

The scene shifts—back to years earlier.

The village market was alive with noise, crowded with voices and footsteps. In the middle of the bustling square stood an old woman, frail and trembling. She struggled with her heavy luggage, but no one stopped to help.

Suddenly, a boy stepped forward. He was a striking young man, with piercing blue eyes, fair skin, jet-black hair, and a confident smile. He lifted the burden with ease.

The townsfolk began whispering.

“Although he’s a noble,” they murmured, “he always helps others. He’s a good man.”

The boy’s name was Valamer.

Just then, a girl appeared and gently tapped him on the shoulder.

“I knew you’d be here,” she said softly. “Come with me first.”

“Alright, Lily,” Valamer replied, “I’ll come with you for a while, and then I’ll return.”

But Lily’s eyes filled with frustration. She turned away in anger and walked off.

Valamer sighed, speaking quietly to himself. “She used to love helping others… she used to love spending time with me. What happened to her? I don’t understand.”

Lily had once been his childhood friend—and she is also his girlfriend. But things had changed. Her family, once proud nobles, had lost everything. Her father had been caught stealing funds, and because of that, their noble status was stripped away. But he still loved her and always helped her with her experiences.

Valomar returned home, where his mother and sister had been waiting anxiously. The moment he stepped through the door, his sister ran to him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. His mother smiled with relief and said gently, “Go and change your clothes.”

The scene shifted to a dimly lit tavern, where Cedric sat with a cup of wine in hand. Around him, his companions spoke in hushed voices, plotting how they might protect humanity from the rising threat of the demon lords.

As the conversation deepened, a young waiter stumbled and spilled wine across Cedric’s shirt. The boy froze, trembling, his voice cracking as he stammered an apology.

Cedric looked down at the stain, then at the boy. Slowly, he smiled—a smile colder than steel. “Don’t make the same mistake in another life,” he said.

Before anyone could react, Cedric seized the waiter and snapped his neck with his bare hands. He let the lifeless body fall to the floor and muttered, “Your greatest sin was spilling wine on my shirt.”

The room fell silent, no one daring to speak. Cedric lifted his cup once more and turned back to his companions.

“Tell the king,” he commanded, “that we have slain one of the demon lords. Humanity has one fewer shadow to fear. And tell him to bring his reward—we will kill the rest as well.”

Then, as if nothing had happened, Cedric turned to his right. There sat Lilly, watching him with calm eyes. His expression softened for the first time that night. A smile tugged at his lips.

“And you, my dear,” he said, his voice low, “are the greatest reward of all—greater than anything the king could ever offer me.”

Lilly’s lips curved into a faint smile. “And you,” she whispered, “are the most stunning and strongest man I have ever met.”

Their eyes locked, the tension between them electric. And then, in the shadow of blood and silence, they leaned in and kissed.