Episode 3: Error - Chapter 3.1: What is he?

The mass covering Edén’s body began to disintegrate slowly.

Its putrid stench made the stomachs of everyone present churn.

Its appearance was grotesque.

And yet, within it lay the unconscious body of a frail young boy.

Shun snapped his fingers, reducing those unyielding chains to mere dust.

A mixture of sadness and frustration lingered in his eyes as he looked upon the boy’s body.

—He’s all yours, Tenzak —he said dismissively—. Don’t let him die.

—Y-yes…

Shun turned around and slowly walked away from the area.

A single drop of blood ran down his face, shattering the illusion of his perfection.

Meanwhile, Tenzak descended at tremendous speed, following Shun’s orders.

But the moment he reached Edén, his expression changed.

“Even if this boy possesses an extraordinary regenerative ability, this is…”

Edén’s body remained completely intact, as though everything that had happened before his transformation had meant nothing.

Every wound inflicted upon him had already healed.

Shun noticed the bewildered look on Tenzak’s face and asked without turning around:

—Why are you making that stupid face?

—Who exactly is this boy, Shun?

—There’s nothing normal about him. It’s almost as though he were a monster…

—Just like you.

Upon hearing those words, Shun turned around as the wound on his face rapidly healed.

—He… is cursed.

—Huh? Cursed?!

—Hey, hey! What the hell is all of this about, Shun?

—You can’t simply bring someone like him here and expect me to understand without any explanation!

—There is an immense power dwelling within him. A power so vast that neither you nor I are capable of comprehending it.

—I don’t care how powerful he is. He’s dangerous.

—And that isn’t the only problem —Tenzak added—. You know perfectly well how terrible the reputation of demons is in our world, and how deeply they are hated.

—He won’t be the only one who suffers because of it. You will too.

—Your reputation will be damaged merely because you chose to associate with a demon.

—And I doubt the Twelve Families will remain silent if they ever learn about this…

At those words, Shun smiled calmly.

—I couldn’t care less what those old fossils think of me.

—If they have a problem with what I do, they’re free to come after me.

—Not a single one of them will survive.

—And why should I care if my reputation goes to hell?

—You know very well how much I hate being treated that way.

—I’m no hero —he declared, slightly irritated.

…

—Why are you doing all of this…?

—Let’s just say… I’m repaying a favor to an old acquaintance.

Tenzak did not respond.

He simply stared at him.

—Besides…

—I have a feeling that boy will change the world —Shun declared, gazing toward the horizon.

Hours passed.

His thoughts were confused, and his vision remained blurred.

Slowly, Edén began to wake.

—Good morning, Sleeping Beauty —Shun said with a mocking smile.

—Looks like I’m still trapped in a nightmare… —Edén murmured with a smile.

—You little bastard… —Shun grumbled.

Edén looked around and confirmed the truth.

“It wasn’t a dream.”

Shun crouched down until he was at Edén’s eye level and said:

—There are still many things you need to learn.

—About this world. About your powers.

—There are many things you don’t understand…

—And neither do we.

—But before that…

Shun pulled a black cloth cloak from behind his back.

Embroidered upon it were two wings, as white as the clouds.

Extending it toward the boy, he said:

—Welcome to my club of idiots…

—Edén Yomi.

At that very moment, the first step of his hellish training began.

It was time to face his fears with strength…

And his doubts with courage.

For the first time, that little bird spread its wings and took flight.