The silence of the night was shattered by a torrential downpour, turning the graveyard’s dry soil into a treacherous mire. Between the weathered headstones and crumbled tombs, the scene looked like a living nightmare.

Ashen lay half-dead in the mud. Every bone in his body felt as though it were screaming in agony. Suddenly, two shadows loomed over him. Without a shred of mercy, they grabbed his cold, limp feet and began dragging him across the jagged, uneven ground.

Rocks and pebbles tore at Ashen’s back, mud filling his fresh wounds, yet he lacked the strength to even let out a whimper.

Suddenly, they stopped. One of the men looked down at him with pure loathing, coiled his strength, and delivered a devastating kick directly to Ashen’s jaw.

"Don't even think about taking your last breath in peace, you piece of trash," the man growled.

The sickening crack of bone was clearly audible over the roar of the rain. A spray of warm blood erupted from Ashen’s mouth, mingling with the black earth.

His eyes grew vacant, and he spiraled into a deep, hollow darkness—unconsciousness. The predators tossed him into a foul, ancient coffin, snatched the meager coins from his bag, and slammed the heavy lid shut, burying him alive.

Minutes later, inside that suffocating wooden box, Ashen’s eyes snapped open. The darkness around him was thick, like ink. When the realization hit that he was entombed beneath the earth, his chest felt like it would explode. He began to claw at the wood like a madman.

"Is anyone out there?! Get me out of here! Can anyone hear me?!" he shrieked, but his voice merely bounced off the coffin walls, mocking him. Broken by his own helplessness, tears began to track through the blood on his face. He whispered in a trembling breath, "I... I can't die like this, forgotten in the dirt. For God’s sake... I just need one chance."

Then, amidst his fading consciousness, a Flashback flickered—a hazy, golden memory from his childhood. A young Ashen felt safe in his mother’s lap. He had said with innocent conviction, "Mother, when I grow up, I won't marry just any girl. I will marry Goddess Alfreya herself!"

His mother, Suyi Jion, had stroked his hair and replied, "Fate and love can sometimes pull even the gods down to earth, my child. If your heart is true, she will surely be yours."

As that memory flared, Ashen’s hand moved to the old locket hanging around his neck—the symbol of Goddess Alfreya. He squeezed it so hard his nails dug into his palms, and with the very last of his soul’s strength, he cried out:

"Alfreya! If you truly exist, look at me! Will you let me rot in this darkness? Give me a chance... for my mother... for my sister! I want to write my own destiny!"

Ashen’s body suddenly went ice-cold. The blood in his veins seemed to freeze solid. With his final exhale, he simply gasped, "I don't want to die..."

In that instant, the heavens tore open. This was no ordinary lightning; a divine and terrifying blue bolt struck the grave directly. The light was so intense it seemed to pierce the very depths of the underworld. Through the supernatural silence, a heavy, echoing voice, vibrating with absolute authority, resonated

"My Ashen... did you call for me?"

CHAPTER ENDED HERE!

The heavy silence of the graveyard was suddenly shattered by a voice echoing from above, ethereal and hauntingly melodic.

​"Did my Ashen call for me?"

​Ashen froze. The faint sound reached his ears like a lifeline in the dark, and a sudden spark of hope ignited within his chest. Desperation took over as he shouted into the cold, rainy void. "Who’s there? Is someone there? Please... someone save me!"

​In that instant, a girl stepped out of the shadows. She was breathtaking. Her eyes were a piercing, icy blue, and her hair—white and soft as fallen snow—seemed to glow against the gloom, enhancing a beauty that felt truly otherworldly. She wore flowing, divine white garments, looking less like a stranger in a storm and more like a celestial being stepping off a high-fashion runway.

​Lightning continued to crackle across the sky, illuminating her divine silhouette against the tombstones.

She was no ordinary human; she was the Goddess Alfreya.

​With a graceful flick of her wrist, Alfreya snapped her fingers. In the blink of an eye, the space around them warped.

Ashen felt a sudden, violent pull, and before he could process the magic, he was teleported out of the suffocating confines of the coffin, standing free on the solid ground once more.

​The torrential downpour had begun to subside, transitioning into a light, rhythmic drizzle. The air around the graveyard had grown biting and cold, yet strangely, in the small space shared by Alfreya and Ashen, the chill didn't touch them.

A faint, comforting warmth radiated from the Goddess, acting as a shield against the elements.

​Ashen cleared his throat, still trying to find his footing. "So... it was really you? You’re the one who saved me?

​Alfreya’s expression softened into a gentle, radiant smile. "You called for me with such love and sincerity," she replied, her voice like a soothing melody. "How could I not come to your side?"

​A pang of anxiety hit Ashen. The miracle felt too fleeting. "Are you... are you leaving now?"

​Alfreya didn't answer immediately. Instead, she gave him a look filled with deep, unspoken emotion—a smile that felt both ancient and incredibly kind. "Whenever you truly want me, I will appear by your side again. Do you understand, Ashen?"

​"I understand," Ashen whispered, returning a small, hesitant smile.

​"Then, I must go for now!" Alfreya declared. Before he could say another word, her form began to shimmer and fade, dissolving into the air until she had completely disappeared.

​As soon as she vanished, the rain stopped entirely. The silence of the night returned, though the weight of what had just happened pressed heavily on Ashen.

He turned toward home, walking through the damp streets for nearly half an hour. When he finally reached his door, drenched and shivering in his soaked clothes, he reached out with a trembling hand to turn the handle.

Page 4: The Silent Homecoming

​Inside the house, Jinha sat huddled alone, her face stained with tears. The weight of her brother's disappearance had become unbearable—until the door finally clicked open. Her eyes snapped toward the entrance, and there stood Ashen.

​Without a word, Jinha lunged forward, throwing her arms around her brother’s neck. Her sobs broke out afresh, muffled against his damp shoulder. "Bhai! Where did you go?" she cried, her voice trembling with a mix of relief and anger. "You could have at least told me!"

​Ashen stood frozen, his mind a whirlwind of divine encounters and graveyard shadows. He struggled to find words that wouldn't sound insane. Finally, he managed a shaky reply. "I... I was at a friend's house. I just stayed there a bit longer than I planned."

​Jinha pulled back, her eyes searching his. She didn't quite believe him—something felt different, something she couldn't put her finger on—but seeing the small, reassuring smile on Ashen’s face, she let out a long breath and decided to let it go.

"Fine," she whispered, wiping her eyes.

"Should I set the table? Are you hungry?"

​"I'm not hungry right now," Ashen said, his voice quiet. "My stomach feels full."

​Jinha’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Huh? Really? Well... alright then," she said, her tone filled with confusion.

​"I'm going to sleep now. Good night, Jinha," Ashen added, heading toward his room.

​Jinha watched him go, her expression a mask of pure bewilderment. He was acting strange, but he was home. "Good night... Bhai," she called out, still trying to process his sudden, quiet return.

​Ashen retreated into the sanctuary of his room. He quickly peeled off his damp layers, wiped himself dry, and pulled on a fresh T-shirt and shorts. He collapsed onto his bed, but sleep felt miles away.

His mind was a chaotic loop, replaying every second of the encounter in the graveyard. Strangely, despite being caught in the freezing rain for so long, he didn't feel that lingering, icy sting on his skin.

​A sharp ping echoed in the quiet room. He reached for his phone—a weather notification: “Heavy rainfall expected tonight.”

​He stared at the screen, his brow furrowed. The more he thought about it, the more it felt like a fever dream.

How could a Goddess truly descend to save him? He looked over at his discarded school uniform and froze.

He crawled to the edge of the bed to inspect it. It was damp, yes, but there wasn't a single drop of blood on it. No stains, no tears—nothing to suggest the horror he had just survived.

​It had to be a dream, he told himself, desperate for logic. He wanted to forget it, to bury the memory along with the fear.

​The air in the room was stagnant; he had kept the fan off because of the sudden drop in temperature. In the next room, the house had gone silent—Jinha had finally fallen asleep.

​Suddenly, the sky broke open again. A heavy downpour began to lash against his window, but the violent thunder and lightning from before had vanished.

The world outside was just rain and shadows. Exhaustion finally overtook his racing thoughts, and as the rhythm of the storm filled the room, Ashen drifted into a deep, heavy sleep.

CHAPTER ENDED HERE!

The morning sun rose, casting a golden hue over the city, but inside the house, a different kind of dawn was breaking.

Ashen emerged from his room, his presence commandingly different. He had traded his school blazer for a simple black track pant, but it did little to hide his transformation. His shirt hung open, revealing a physique that looked as though it had been sculpted from marble—rippling six-pack abs and stone-like biceps that hadn't been there the day before.

​He walked into the hall where Jinha was busy setting the table.

"What’s for Breakfast now?" he asked, his voice deeper and more resonant. Jinha looked up, her left eyebrow shooting up in a mix of surprise and playfulness.

"We have Sushi," she replied, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Why so curious? Did you already have a big meal at some secret girlfriend’s place?"

​Ashen didn't find the joke funny.

He reached out and gave her cheek a firm pinch. "Ouch! Bhai, stop it! I was just kidding!" she squealed, clutching her face. Ashen let go, but his expression remained stoic. Jinha looked at him, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and realization.

"Seriously though, Bhai... you’ve become so handsome. Thousands of girls are going to be lining up behind you now.”

​At the mention of girls and his new look, a shadow crossed Ashen's face.

Instead of being flattered, a surge of irritation bubbled within him. His left hand clenched into a white-knuckled fist, and he slammed it onto the dining table with a force that made the dishes rattle. The room went silent.

​He took a slow breath, forcing the dark energy back down. "I don't care about any of that," he said, his voice cold and steady. "All I want is for Mom to come back. Nothing else matters."

​Jinha stood frozen, a cold sweat breaking out on her forehead.

The raw intensity in Ashen’s eyes terrified her. Realizing she had crossed a line, her eyes filled with tears. "I’m sorry, Bhai!" she sobbed, rushing forward to wrap her arms around him.

​Ashen remained motionless, his face an emotionless mask as she cried against him. This is the second time I’ve had to deal with this drama, he thought privately, feeling a hint of exhaustion.

He eventually told her to dry her eyes, finished his meal in silence, and washed his own plate. "I’m going to school. Good day," he said, turning towards out door.

Jinha wiped her face but as his hand touched the doorknob, she called out, "Bhai, one more thing! Tomorrow is the Farewell Party at school.

You have to be there for me. It’s mandatory for parents or guardians.”

​As he walking out from door, Ashen let out a long, weary sigh. "What a nightmare," he whispered. He knew that taking his current, volatile power into a crowded school was a recipe for disaster.

He was afraid that if even one thing went wrong, he might lose control and break more than just the rules.

​Jinha’s voice drifted through the door, insistent and hopeful. "Bhai, take the day off! You have to come!"

​"Fine! I’ll be there," he shouted back, just to end the conversation. He heard Jinha jumping with joy in the hallway, shouting that tomorrow would be a day to remember.

​Exhaustion finally claimed him, and Ashen gone.

[ FLASHBACK ]

at this night In his dreams, he saw his father—a vivid, warm image of a man holding a young Ashen in his arms, laughing and full of life.

The contrast between that warmth and his current cold reality was too much. Even in his sleep, silent tears escaped his closed eyes and soaked into his pillow.

​

[ THE NEXT DAY ]

(PRESENT)

​The next day arrived with an ominous, still air. Ashen prepared for the Farewell Party, choosing clothes that he hoped would mask the lethal aura he now carried.

As he walked toward the school, his "Hunter eyes" analyzed everything—the distance between people, the structural weaknesses of the buildings, the hidden tensions in the air.

​He reached the school gates, where the bright banners and festive decorations felt like a cruel joke compared to the dark vibes pulsing through his veins.

He wasn't here for a party; he was here because he had promised his sister a normal life, even though he knew he was no longer a normal person.

​Ashen stepped into the crowded assembly hall, and the effect was instantaneous. Conversations died mid-sentence.

Hundreds of eyes—parents, teachers, and students—turned toward the tall, stone-faced figure. He moved with a predatory grace that commanded the room’s attention without him saying a word.

​He found a seat at the very back, hoping to blend into the shadows. However, he quickly noticed a group of men in suits standing near the stage—the same men's beaten him in graveyard.

Their eyes locked onto him immediately. The "Bloody Farewell" was no longer just a title; the air grew thick with the scent of impending violence.

Ashen realized that the men's had found him, and today, the school would witness a first impression they would never forget.

​"Jiha said, 'Come on, let’s go.'

Jiha was walking ahead with Ashen following behind. Suddenly, Ashen began to draw everyone's attention.

However, the attention from the girls didn't seem to affect him at all. He remained silent, simply walking behind Jiha. Some of the girls were blushing and whispering, 'He’s so handsome!' and 'He looks so cool!'”

Suddenly jinha sees a shoot stall. They gone there. The man at the stall laughed to himself, thinking, "They have no idea how many people I've already cheated". But then Ashen spoke up: "One try, just 5 needles".

The man replied condescendingly, "Son, you’ll just lose. Take more chances". Jinhoo simply smirked and said, "Nah, I'd win!".

​The man stepped back and said, "Good luck, kid!". ashen brought the rifle to his eye, closed one, and aimed at the balloons.

Suddenly, a mysterious 'Ghost Soul' whispered in his ear: "Shoot Master!". With a smirk, Ashen fired; one by one, he popped all five balloons with only five needles.

​The man stood there, mouth agape in shock. Jinha was equally stunned, her face going emotionless from the sheer surprise. She eventually looked at Ashen with sparkling eyes and asked, "Big brother! What was that? How... how did you do it?".

Ashen kept a neutral face and replied, "It just requires focus and the right aim". While the man remained frozen in the background, Ashen tapped the table and asked, "Where are my prizes?".

​The man looked like he was about to cry, which made Jinha giggle behind her hand. He handed over the winnings, and Ashen spotted a girl's watch and a pair of Nike sneakers. "I want both of these," Ashen stated.

After the man packed them, Jinha teased, "Don't underestimate my brother!". As they walked away, the man shouted after them, "Don't ever come back here!".

​Jinha laughed, saying his face was a sight to behold, but Jinhoo handed her the bag: "Here, these are for you". Jinha’s eyes lit up. "Thank you, big brother!" she exclaimed.

However, as they continued walking, Ashen felt a strange sensation—as if eyes were boring into him from somewhere in the crowd. Jinha noticed his distraction and asked with a smile, "What’s wrong, brother?".

To be Continued...

SOMETHING BIG IS COMING....

CHAPTER ENDED HERE!