In the cold night of the Gray District, it was already ten in the evening, and the veil of night had long fallen, yet the streets were still bustling with people.
Unlike the major cities governed by the great Houses, the Gray District was overflowing with the poor and the downtrodden. Of course, there were wealthy individuals as well, but that didn't change the fact that the majority lived in poverty. Despite the district's massive size—large enough to rival three cities combined—it was heavily neglected. As a result, crime was rampant. People here worked themselves to the bone just to afford a single meal a day.
On one of these streets walked Lesus Sandro, dressed in a black coat and matching black hat, a cane in hand that complemented his outfit and lent him an air of authority. Lesus was of average height, with a strong build and black hair. His face was mostly hidden behind a mask, revealing only a trimmed mustache, a small beard, and sharp green eyes.
"Please, kind sir… help me…"
A frail voice called from the side of the road.
Lesus turned his gaze to see a woman sitting on the curb, holding a small child in her arms. A worn-out blanket was wrapped around them both. She looked utterly destitute.
He offered her a warm smile and bowed slightly.
"Hello there. How old is she?" he asked gently.
The woman smiled back, comforted by the kindness in his voice.
"She's three," she replied, then quickly began talking, desperate to seize the moment and appeal to what she assumed was a rich man's heart. "A week before she was born, my husband worked himself to death trying to save up enough for a hospital bed… he collapsed from exhaustion before he could even see her."
She paused, tears starting to fall as memories resurfaced.
"Still, I took on everything. I wanted to give my daughter a life better than mine, I even brought her with me to work. But then… one day, I broke my leg and couldn't afford treatment. Since then, I've been stuck here on the street. I haven't eaten in three days…"
She broke down, sobbing uncontrollably as years of suffering caught up with her.
Lesus's eyes softened, though the smile never left his face. He reached out and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry, madam. Your love for your daughter will be rewarded one day—I'm sure of it."
He pulled out a golden Sirin coin, bearing the face of an old man, and handed it to her.
Upon seeing it, the woman's eyes widened in shock. She dropped to her knees and began kissing his feet.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, sir!"
He gently stopped her.
"No, I should be thanking you for your courage… and your love for your daughter. It's not much, but it's all I have right now. It should last you a few months. Here, take this as well—it'll give you a little strength."
He reached into his pocket and produced a small black piece of candy.
The woman gasped. She recognized it immediately. Chocolate—something she had only ever heard of. It had been discovered years ago, but only the rich could afford it due to its price.
She began crying even harder, overwhelmed with gratitude.
Lesus left without saying another word.
Despite her injured leg, the woman forced herself to her feet and bowed to his retreating back.
Then, with difficulty, she sat back down, a smile on her face. She raised the chocolate and waved it in front of her daughter.
"Look, sweetheart… this is what they call chocolate."
The girl laughed happily. But the woman suddenly looked around, realizing where she was. Someone could steal her treasure.
She shoved the chocolate into her mouth and began chewing. The taste was unnaturally sweet—but after days without food, it was overwhelming. Still, she savored every bit.
Moments later, she felt a terrible pain in her stomach.
"Maybe… I ate it too fast," she muttered.
But the pain grew stronger. It crawled upward from her abdomen, intensifying with each inch until it reached her head.
Suddenly, her vision changed. Her eyes turned an unnatural shade of red, filled with madness. Her expression twisted. Her body grew slightly larger. Even the leg that had remained broken for years… healed instantly.
She began screaming, looking around wildly, as though searching for prey. People fled in panic.
And then—she heard a child crying.
She looked down.
In her arms was a pile of torn flesh.
She lunged, screaming, tearing into her own daughter. The child's cries grew louder… until they suddenly stopped.
******
Outside the Falling Blue Tavern, Lesus stood before the door, muttering to himself:
"I hope I finally find it tonight…"
Inside this seemingly ordinary tavern was the secret meeting place of Awakened individuals and those who possessed unnatural abilities. People came here to trade knowledge, artifacts, weapons, or even… darker things.
While hosting such a meeting at night was risky, but it seems that the one who organized it, had strong ties with both the police and the temple. He had no fear of being caught.
And in any case, Lesus had no choice. He had attended several such gatherings before—this was at least his sixth. And still, he hadn't found what he was looking for.
He sighed and entered the tavern quietly. It was loud, and the scent of alcohol filled the air.
After brief exchanges with a few individuals, he made his way to a side hall with many chairs arranged in a circle. He took a seat without speaking, then pulled out a golden pocket watch.
It struck ten.
A man laughed lightly and began to speak. Judging by his voice, he was at least in his fifties.
"Looks like everyone here's at a high enough level… no need to explain the rules. Let's begin."
Lesus wasted no time.
"Does anyone have The book named 'Testament' or any reliable information about it? I'm willing to discuss a price."
Silence.
He was about to give up hope—when someone spoke.
"I have it."
Lesus blinked in surprise, quickly forcing a neutral expression onto his face.
'Could be a scam. I need to verify first.'
The voice had come from a man dressed in a long black cloak, his face entirely hidden behind a black mask.
"How much do you want for it?" Lesus asked.
"Two thousand Sirin," the man replied calmly.
'Two thousand? That's everything I have… but if it's real, it'll be worth every coin.'
"Agreed. But I'll need to inspect it first."
The man didn't reply. He simply pulled a book out from beneath his cloak. The cover appeared to be made from goatskin. He handed it to a servant.
The servant took the book to the host—but Lesus quickly spoke up.
"I have a way to verify it. Please, give it to me."
'I can't let him open it… or he can take everything,' he thought.
The servant looked to the host, who gave a small nod.
Lesus took the book in his hands—and the moment he touched it, his skin crawled.
A grin spread across his face.
'It's real. The aura of… demon!'
He pulled out a pouch heavy with golden coins and handed it over.
After a few more trades between members, the meeting slowly came to an end. One by one, people left. Lesus took a dark alley, alone, his excitement boiling over.
"Hahaha… it's really the one! I've waited so long. Once I read it… I won't even need the incantations. I'll ascend instantly!"
Overwhelmed with glee, he pulled out the book and opened it slowly, as though cradling a dream.
But the moment he read the first line, the words seemed to move, twist inside his head. They were incomprehensible… yet somehow, they devoured him.
A pain unlike anything he'd felt tore through him—so great he couldn't even scream.
His veins bulged across his forehead, forming a single word:
Golden.
Then—
BOOM.
His head exploded in a fountain of blood and gore. Lesus dropped dead on the spot.
From the shadows, the masked man who sold him the book stepped forward. He knelt, picked up the now-closed tome… and dusted it off.
Then, another figure appeared—taller, wearing the same black garments. His face could not be seen.
The first man bowed his head.
"Sir, the target is dead."
The other answered calmly.
"Return to base. File your report. Then prepare for your next mission."
The man placed a hand on his chest and bowed again.
"Yes, sir."
The second man vanished into the darkness.
The first remained a moment longer, looking down at Lesus' body. Then, he removed his mask.
His hair was a mixture of snow-white and blood-red.
It was Nyros.
He looked up at the sky, the wind stirring his black cloak. Beneath it, a strange golden insignia shimmered on his garments.
And then—he disappeared into the night.