Chapter 1: The child

Lucien was known by many names.

'To humans, he was a protector.'

'To devils, he was a nightmare.'

At just twenty-six, he had become the most feared devil hunter in the world. Cold, precise, and unwavering—he never hesitated, and he never failed.

Devils, to him, were nothing more than a threat that needed to be erased.

And tonight… he had been given another mission.

A remote village, hidden deep within a cursed forest, had reported strange deaths. No bodies left behind. No traces.

Only darkness.

Which meant one thing —A DEVIL.

Lucien moved through the forest with silent steps, his senses sharp. The deeper he went, the heavier the air became. Shadows stretched unnaturally, and even the wind seemed to avoid the place.

Then he felt it —An aura.

His eyes narrowed instantly.

It was powerful… but strange.

Not like any devil he had encountered before.

It wasn’t purely dark.

But it wasn’t human either.

Lucien followed it without hesitation, his grip tightening slightly. Whatever this was, it wasn’t normal—and that alone made it dangerous.

Step by step, the presence grew stronger… clearer…

Until he reached a small clearing.

And then—he stopped.

Under the shade of a large tree, surrounded by soft grass and scattered petals…sat a child.

A little girl not older than 4.

She was quietly playing with flowers, pulling at grass, completely lost in her own little world. A soft laugh escaped her lips as she held a flower up, admiring it like it was something precious.

Lucien stared. “…A child?” he muttered.

But the moment he focused— he felt it again.

That aura.

His gaze sharpened.

It was coming from her.

There was no doubt.

She wasn’t human. “…A devil’s child,” he said under his breath.

Yet… something was wrong.

There was no overwhelming darkness. No killing intent. No corruption.

Just… power.

Uncontrolled. Untamed. But quiet.

Lucien stepped closer, cautious but curious. “Where are your parents?” he asked.

The girl looked up at him.

Her eyes met his—calm, soft, almost innocent.

Too innocent.

She blinked slowly, as if trying to understand, then smiled.

“Zia,” she said gently.

Lucien exhaled softly through his nose.

Useless. “She can’t even talk properly…”

He glanced around the clearing. No signs of anyone else. No movement. No hidden presence.

Just her. Alone.

His grip tightened slightly. –A devil’s child… left unguarded?

That didn’t make sense.

For a moment, silence stretched between them.

Then Lucien turned. This wasn’t his concern.

His mission was clear—eliminate the threat in the forest. Getting distracted would only make things worse.

He took a step forward.

Then another. But something felt… off.

His steps slowed...He stopped.

A faint rustle of leaves echoed behind him as the girl continued playing, unaware… or perhaps uncaring.

Lucien closed his eyes for a brief second.

If he left her here, she would either die…

—or grow into something far worse.

His jaw tightened. “Tch…”

Annoyed, he ran a hand through his hair before turning back again.

“…You’re a problem,” he muttered.

He walked toward her once more.

Zia looked up instantly, her eyes lighting up as if she had been waiting.

Without hesitation, she reached out to him.

Lucien paused.Just for a second.

Then he bent down and gently picked her up. She was light—fragile.

Nothing like the power he had sensed.

“I’ll deal with you later,” he said quietly. “After this mission.”

Zia held onto his coat with her tiny hands, resting her head against his shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Lucien frowned slightly… but didn’t push her away.

And as he stepped out of the clearing—the forest grew even darker.

Because far beyond the shadows…

something had already begun to move.

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