[ Introduction]

When the truth is buried, the monster within awakens.

Humans are the same; when pushed to the brink, the first thing they discard is their humanity. In the end, the most terrifying thing isn't the darkness, but a monster in human form.

A prodigy? A deranged psychopath or even a narcissistic murderer... Society calls them monsters, beasts, scoundrels, the scum of the age. Those who deserve to be cursed and eradicated.

Why does this society call them monsters? They despise, scorn, and insult them. Isn't a monster already present within every living being from birth?

A seed created by their very being, and they deceive themselves into believing that it is the monster. And it is created by:

Greed

Lust

Pride

Laziness

Envy

Selfishness

Possessiveness

...

From the beginning, none of us were pure. The problem is that they are too good at acting, so good that no one detects the problem.

They still live, still laugh, still work, and exist, but inside, that monster has been growing stronger over time. It's just waiting for the moment when the true self is tired, so tired that it no longer has the strength to act. That's when the monster truly awakens. It will do anything to satisfy itself, something that its true self cannot do.

So don't rush to judge, fear, or discriminate against anyone. A monster also exists within you. Don't rush to say:

"It's because they live badly, they live unwisely."

Or even harsher statements like:

"From the very core of their being, the blood of the devil runs in their veins. Cold-blooded murderers without humanity."

But can you confidently say that you yourself don't possess those qualities?

Have you ever envied others' happiness? Have you ever wished for someone's failure so you could rise to theirs?

Have you ever smiled to their faces but secretly badmouthed them behind their backs? Have you ever rejoiced when someone you hated suffered misfortune?

Have you ever selfishly kept someone by your side just to satisfy your possessiveness, even knowing they were no longer happy?

Have you ever been so angry that the thought of hurting someone crossed your mind? Have you ever been indifferent to the suffering of others because it didn't concern you?

Have you ever pretended to be kind just to achieve your goals? Have you ever lied to protect your own interests? Have you ever coveted what belonged to someone else?

You once wanted to control someone, to have them only see you, only belong to you. You once imagined crazy things that, if spoken aloud, would terrify even yourself.

...

So... What makes you different from those monsters? Is it because you're better than them? Or is it simply because, until today, life hasn't pushed you to your absolute limit?

You've never been desperate enough to turn those thoughts into action. It's not because you're better.

But because life still gives you a reason to hold onto your humanity. Monsters aren't born from blood. They're nurtured by silence, by hurt, by betrayal, by desires that are never fulfilled.

Then one day, when there's nothing left to lose, what awakens won't be the human heart, but the very monster they've always hated!

I will prove this to you through seven of my stories. I hope you'll all enjoy them.