Chapter 1 — October 7

Darkness.

A slow breath.

Then...

His eyes opened.

Small fingers rested against damp grass.

Around his wrist was a simple watch.

12:00

October 7, 1996

A gentle breeze brushed across his face.

"Arthur!"

He looked up.

Children stood a short distance away, laughing and waving him over.

"Hurry!"

He smiled and ran toward them.

The sky was covered with dark clouds, and the smell of rain drifted through the air.

They laughed.

They played.

Somewhere in the distance...

A woman's voice echoed.

"Arthur! Make sure you don't take your friends up the mountain!"

Without turning around, he shouted back,

"Yes, Mom!"

The wind grew stronger.

The first drops of rain began to fall.

One of the boys pointed toward the mountain.

"Let's go."

Arthur shook his head.

"No."

The others laughed.

"Chicken."

Arthur hesitated...

"...Fine."

Together, they climbed the mountain.

Half buried within the mountainside stood the ruins of an ancient temple.

Its roof remained a deep crimson red.

Everything else had become lifeless grey.

The children slowly stepped inside.

Rows of candles suddenly flickered to life.

No one had touched them.

At the center of the temple stood a giant stone statue.

No head.

No arms.

No legs.

Only its body remained.

Behind it...

A plain brown wooden door.

No carvings.

No symbols.

No lock.

Arthur slowly reached for the handle.

The door opened.

Fire.

Smoke.

A burning house.

Someone held tightly onto his hand.

A firefighter.

Arthur lowered his eyes.

The watch.

12:00

October 14, 1996

Everything faded into darkness.

Arthur suddenly opened his eyes.

He was lying in his own bed.

Morning sunlight slipped through the window.

His breathing was heavy.

Without thinking, he looked at his wrist.

The watch.

12:00

October 7, 2008

He stared at it for a second.

"...I'm late."

In one motion Arthur threw the blanket aside and jumped out of bed.

His foot caught the edge of the blanket.

"Whoa—"

THUD!

He landed face-first on the wooden floor.

"...Ow."

Without wasting another second, he sprang back to his feet and rushed into the bathroom.

A quick splash of cold water across his face chased away the last traces of sleep.

He stepped back into his room.

The room itself was simple.

Against one wall hung a neatly pressed priest's robe.

Beside it stood a wooden wardrobe, half empty, holding only a handful of clothes.

Arthur grabbed the robe and slipped it on before stopping in front of the mirror.

Short black hair fell untidily over his forehead, almost covering his eyes.

His left eye pupil was black

But His right eye...

Didn't have a pupil it was full white

A colorless eye that had puzzled him ever since he could remember.

He stared at it for only a moment before adjusting his collar.

"I'm late!"

He dashed out of the room and raced downstairs.

"I'm late for Mass!"

By the time Arthur reached the church, the morning Mass had already ended.

The final visitors were leaving through the large wooden doors as the old priest stood near the entrance, wishing everyone a safe day.

Arthur slowed to a stop.

"...Father..."

The old priest turned.

Without hesitation—

Bonk!

He smacked Arthur lightly on the head.

"You do this every single time, Arthur!" the old man shouted. "Either you're asleep, or you disappear before Mass even starts!"

Arthur rubbed the sore spot on his head.

"...Sorry."

The old priest sighed.

"It's normal now."

Arthur laughed awkwardly.

The priest paused before speaking again.

"Three priests are arriving today from the United States. They're much higher in rank than I am."

His expression became serious.

"I want you to take care of them while they're here."

Arthur nodded.

"Understood, Father."

As the last visitor left the church, silence filled the hall.

Arthur's expression changed instantly.

"Watch it, old man," he muttered. "I've got a reputation around here."

Bonk!

Another hit landed on his head.

"Then perhaps," the priest replied with the exact same calm voice, "you should arrive on time."

Arthur sighed dramatically.

"...You're impossible."

"And you're late."

The old priest walked away as though nothing had happened.

Arthur watched him leave before grabbing a small basket and heading toward the village market.

As he walked, his thoughts drifted back to the dream.

That place...

Why does it feel so familiar?

I feel like I've seen it before...

He quietly shook his head.

Father said I had an accident when I was little.

That's why I can't remember anything before then.

Still...

Why does it feel so real?

His thoughts shifted again.

And why did he become a priest...?

He used to be a firefighter.

Arthur smiled to himself.

He's annoying…

And he never gives me any money.

The road curved gently alongside a beautiful river.

Morning sunlight reflected across its calm surface.

"Father Arthur!"

Several children waved excitedly from the road ahead.

"Did Father Rex scold you again?"

Arthur sighed dramatically.

"...Yes."

The children burst into laughter.

"He always catches you!"

Arthur pointed toward them.

"Shouldn't all of you be in school?"

"We know!" one of them replied. "We're going now!"

Arthur smiled.

"Good."

"Be safe."

"Take care of each other."

The children waved one last time before running toward their school.

Arthur continued toward the market.

The moment he arrived, familiar voices greeted him from every direction.

"Good morning, Father Arthur!"

"Thank you again for helping yesterday!"

"Morning!"

Arthur smiled warmly at everyone.

"Good morning."

"It was nothing."

"I'm just happy I could help."

As he walked through the busy streets, quiet whispers followed him.

"He's so young..."

"And he's going to become the next Father of the church."

"Such a kind young man."

"He helps everyone."

Arthur kept smiling..

Why are they talking about me...?

Can't they just focus on their own work?

Honestly... if I don't help them, they'll probably get themselves stuck in another silly problem.

Not a single word escaped his lips.

Only the smile remained.

Suddenly—

An elderly man stumbled.

Arthur immediately caught him before he could hit the ground.

"Easy."

"I've got you."

The old man steadied himself.

"Thank you, Father Arthur."

Arthur smiled.

"Don't mention it."

"Just take care."

The old man nodded gratefully before continuing on his way.

Arthur smiled before turning toward one of the nearby stalls.

"I'll take everything Father Rex asked for."

The shopkeeper handed him a small basket filled with the supplies.

"Here you are, Father Arthur."

"Thank you."

Arthur picked up the basket and stepped back onto the riverside road.

The gentle current flowed quietly beside him, reflecting the afternoon sunlight like polished glass.

He always liked this path.

It was peaceful.

As he continued walking, the church slowly came into view on the opposite side of the river, standing proudly above the village exactly as it always had.

Arthur couldn't help but smile.

Then—

Three black cars rushed past him at full speed.

Dust exploded into the air, forcing Arthur to shield his face with one arm.

The cars didn't slow down.

They continued straight toward the church.

Arthur watched them disappear before brushing the dust from his robe.

"...My, my..."

A small smile appeared on his face.

"Some people just can't follow the rules..."

Arthur brushed the dust from his robe one last time before continuing toward the church.

By the time he arrived, the three black cars were already parked outside the entrance.

"So they must be the visiting priests..." he murmured to himself.

Pushing open the large wooden doors, Arthur stepped inside.

Father Rex stood near the altar, speaking with two unfamiliar figures.

As Arthur approached, the man standing on the left immediately caught his attention.

It wasn't the priest's clothing that seemed unusual.

It was the enormous book hanging from his waist.

It was far larger than any Bible Arthur had ever seen.

Father Rex noticed Arthur and smiled.

"Perfect timing."

He gestured toward the man.

"Arthur, this is Father Lincoln."

Father Lincoln gave a polite nod.

"It is a pleasure to meet you."

Arthur returned the greeting before his eyes shifted toward the person standing on the opposite side.

A young woman stepped forward.

Arthur blinked.

A nun...?

Before he could say anything, Father Rex introduced her.

"And this is Lady Jane." she is a priest like us

Arthur's expression froze for only a brief moment.

"...It's a pleasure to meet you as well."

He chose not to question the title.

There would be time for that later.

After introducing himself, Arthur looked around the room.

"Father... where is the third priest?"

Father Lincoln answered.

"He had urgent business to attend to. He'll arrive later."

Arthur nodded before another thought crossed his mind.

"Then... why did the three of you arrive in three different cars?"

Lady Jane smiled.

"The third car brought our belongings."

Arthur looked toward the entrance before nodding.

"I understand."

Father Rex clapped his hands together.

"Arthur."

"Yes, Father?"

"Take them to their rooms. Once they're settled, prepare dinner. I still have a few things to finish."

Arthur nodded immediately.

"Understood."

After showing the two guests to their rooms, Arthur headed toward the church kitchen.

Preparing meals had become second nature to him.

By the time the sun had begun to set, dinner was ready.

He carefully arranged the dishes across the long wooden table before quietly waiting for everyone to arrive.

One by one they took their seats.

The conversation was calm.

The meal was peaceful.

Until Father Lincoln looked up.

"Arthur..."

Arthur stopped eating.

"Yes, Father?"

"I hope you don't mind me asking..."

His eyes rested on Arthur's right eye.

"What happened to it?"

Silence filled the room.

Arthur instinctively reached toward his face.

Before he could answer...

Father Rex calmly placed his spoon down.

"He lost his memories as a child."

The room became quiet.

"He doesn't remember what happened."

Father Lincoln lowered his head apologetically.

"I see..."

"My apologies."

Arthur simply smiled.

"It's alright."

The conversation quickly shifted to other topics.

But Arthur noticed something.

Every time someone came close to asking about his past...

Father Rex would gently change the subject.

No one else seemed to notice.

Arthur did.

He remained silent throughout dinner.

Inside, however...

Seriously...?

Can one meal go by without people asking about my eye?

And Father... why do you always stop them?

Despite the thoughts racing through his mind, his smile never disappeared.

Once everyone had finished eating, Arthur quietly excused himself.

"Good night."

Back inside his room, the smile immediately disappeared.

He threw himself onto the bed.

"What a day..."

He stared at the ceiling.

"That old man..."

"They couldn't ask me about anything else?"

He sighed.

"...I'm exhausted."

Only a few moments later...

He was asleep.

The next morning...

"...I'm late!"

Another morning.

Another frantic rush.

Another scolding from Father Rex.

The following day wasn't much different.

The visiting priests continued asking small questions about Arthur whenever they had the chance.

About his eye.

About his childhood.

About his memories.

And every single time...

Father Rex somehow redirected the conversation before Arthur had the chance to answer.

Arthur never understood why.

October 10, 2008

5:30 A.M.

The village had only just begun to wake.

Most homes were still dark.

Only a handful of shops had opened their doors.

Father Lincoln approached Arthur.

"We'd like to visit the market."

Arthur blinked.

"...The market?"

Lady Jane smiled.

"We'd like to look around."

Arthur wasn't exactly thrilled.

They came all the way from America... to visit our market...?

Still...

He nodded.

"As you wish."

The three of them walked through the quiet streets until they reached the marketplace.

Only one grocery shop had opened that early.

The priests stepped inside while Arthur waited near the entrance.

From where he stood, everything seemed ordinary.

A few minutes later, the priests emerged carrying several bags filled with nothing more than everyday groceries.

Arthur looked at them in confusion.

That's all...?

Without questioning it, he took a few of the bags and began walking back with them.

The streets remained almost empty.

The morning air was cool.

The river flowed quietly beside the road.

The church could already be seen in the distance.

Then—

A man walking several meters ahead suddenly collapsed onto the ground with a loud thud.

Before Arthur could react...

Something yanked the man violently into a nearby alley.

Father Lincoln and Lady Jane instantly broke into a sprint toward the alley.

Arthur dropped every bag he was carrying.

"What the—?!"

Without thinking...

He ran after them.

Arthur raced into the alley.

Father Lincoln and Lady Jane stood several meters ahead, their backs turned toward him.

The man who had been dragged away slowly climbed back to his feet.

He turned to face them.

Father Lincoln immediately opened the enormous book hanging from his waist.

Its pages flipped on their own as though moved by an invisible wind.

Beside him, Lady Jane reached toward the silver cross hanging around her neck.

With one smooth motion, she drew a thin blade hidden inside it.

Arthur froze.

...What is going on?

The man smiled.

He spoke a single name.

The ground beneath him trembled.

Darkness spread across the stone floor before a sword slowly rose from the shadows.

At the same time—

A black figure emerged from beneath the earth.

A demon.

Arthur's eyes widened.

"...What...?"

Father Lincoln suddenly began speaking.

The words were unlike any language Arthur had ever heard.

It sounded almost like a prayer...

Yet nothing about it felt human.

Then—

A horrifying scream echoed through the alley.

It was so loud that everyone instantly covered their ears.

Arthur dropped to one knee, pressing both hands against the sides of his head.

The sound lasted only a few seconds.

When it finally stopped...

Arthur looks

The scream...

Had come from his own shadow.

The possessed man slowly smiled.

"I see..."

"So Father Rex was right."

"He really is possessed."

Without warning—

He charged straight toward Arthur.

Arthur instinctively stepped into a fighting stance.

Before the sword could reach him—

A voice shouted.

"Hey, kid!"

"Are you an idiot?!"

"RUN!"

Something suddenly grabbed Arthur from behind.

His body was violently pulled sideways.

The sword sliced through the empty air where he had been standing only a moment earlier.

Arthur crashed against the wall.

Before he could even react—

He was dragged along it.

Not by anyone...

But by his own shadow.

Father Lincoln, Lady Jane and the possessed man immediately gave chase.

Arthur didn't scream.

Instead...

He stared.

My shadow...

It's... saving me?

As he continued siding along the wall, Arthur glanced behind him.

His eyes widened.

"...Wait..."

"Where's the one with the sword?"

His body suddenly leapt toward the opposite wall.

The moment he landed—

A hand burst out of the darkness.

It grabbed him.

Pulled him toward the wall.

Arthur braced for the impact.

Instead-

The wall shattered like black glass.

He passed straight through it.

Without a scratch.

He landed on the other side—

Only to find the possessed man already waiting.

The sword came down.

Arthur dodged.

Another swing.

He dodged again.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Each attack narrowly missed him.

His shadow continued pulling him backward.

The wall behind him darkened.

A black circle formed across its surface.

It cracked apart.

Arthur passed through it once more.

This time...

He emerged from the shadow of a nearby window.

His body shot upward, racing along the wall of the building.

Higher.

Higher.

Until—

He reached the roof.

The momentum launched him into the air.

Arthur flew completely over the rooftop.

Then...

He saw it.

The open ground below.

There was no roof above him anymore.

Only sunlight.

No shadow

Nothing to catch him.

"...AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!.

His scream echoed across the rooftops.

Seconds felt like minutes.

His body continued falling.

The world slowly faded.

Everything became black.

---

Just before hitting the ground...

Dark hands emerged from the shadow beneath him.

They caught him.

Holding him inches above the earth.

Arthur had already lost consciousness.

One of the shadowy hands slapped his cheek.

"Hey!"

Another slap.

"Hey!"

One more.

"Wake up!"

"If I get captured because of you..."

"I'll drag you straight to Demon Court myself!"

The shadow suddenly froze.

Footsteps.

Three sets.

The hunters were coming.

Without hesitation, every shadow disappeared back into the darkness beneath Arthur.

Father Lincoln, Lady Jane and the possessed man surrounded the unconscious teenager.

"We have to capture him."

None of them noticed the shadows slowly stretching behind them.

The morning sun continued climbing.

Their shadows merged with the wall.

The instant they connected—

Arthur vanished.

The three priests stared in disbelief.

"What?!

They immediately rushed into the building.

At the same moment—

A man stepped through the front door.

"Oh... sorry."

He accidentally bumped into Father Lincoln.

The three hurried inside without another thought.

Hidden within the man's shadow...

Arthur remained unconscious.

The shadow quietly carried him.

The man eventually climbed into his car.

The journey continued unnoticed.

Only after reaching the outskirts of the city did the shadow leave.

It carried Arthur deep into the forest before gently laying him on the ground.

---

The sky had already turned orange.

Arthur slowly opened his eyes.

He stared silently at the evening sky.

"Oh."

A familiar voice sighed.

"Finally."

"He's awake."

Arthur sat upright.

He looked around.

No one.

"...Who's there?"

The voice answered immediately.

"Idiot."

"Look down."

Arthur lowered his eyes.

His shadow.

"I told you."

"I'm in your shadow."

Arthur remained silent for a moment.

"...Thank you."

The shadow laughed.

"You're welcome."

Arthur smiled faintly.

"...And thanks to you..."

"I'm in this mess."

"So give my thanks back."

"...You're welcome."

The shadow burst into laughter.

"...How kind of you."

Arthur folded his arms.

"So..."

"What exactly are you?"

The answer came immediately.

"A demon."

Arthur blinked.

"...Are you Asmodeus?"

"Lucifer?"

"One of the high-ranking demons?"

The shadow snorted.

"Don't think so highly of yourself."

"They're not wasting their time on someone like you."

Arthur sighed dramatically.

"Oh, God..."

"Why me?"

"Couldn't I at least get haunted by a famous demon?"

"So now I'm being followed by some nameless demon with no reputation?"

"Did I miss Mass one too many times?"

The shadow sounded offended.

"Oy."

"You should be grateful."

"I've saved you more times than I can count."

Arthur frowned.

"What?"

"I literally met you today."

Silence.

Then the shadow quietly replied...

"I see..."

"Your dumb self really doesn't remember anything from that day."

The moment those words reached Arthur...

A sharp pain exploded inside his head.

He grabbed it with both hands.

Fragments flashed before his eyes.

Someone walking.

A forest consumed by flames.

Father Lincoln...

Covered in blood.

Then—

Everything went silent.