Prologue - 1

"You are one of them, aren't you?" the wizard said while lying on the ground, taking his last breaths.

"But no need to worry. You all will be cleaned up, and particularly you. You are the one who is shattering the equilibrium."

"Just shut up and tell me, why did you kill the kid?"

"It's all because of you. Hahahahaha. Only if you weren't here, these people wouldn't have to face this disaster. And don't worry, this kid didn't die in vain. At least, he helped me spread fear among the people."

"Are you done?" He wasn't able to show any anger or remorse. He was unable to comprehend what he was feeling.

"Yes, yes. That darkness in your eyes. That's what I am talking about. You are not like the others; you are the devil himself. But it's alright since there are still many people in this world who are as devilish and strong as you, and one of them will be coming for you soon. So it's alright." He said these words and stopped speaking.

Sho Tsurumi, a second-year high school student and a struggling writer. At present, he was sitting in the editor's office for the publication of his new story. The woman sitting in front of him was the editor, and she was reading out his story loudly.

"Why is she reading it so loudly?" Sho thought.

"This is the story of a normal man, Masashi, who lived in a normal village. He grew up as a normal child and was married like a normal adult. The weather, the cattle, the surroundings, and the people in the village were completely normal. But one day something happened in this normal village that wasn't normal at all. The village that was normally surrounded by normal hills was now being attacked by monsters that normally didn't exist there. Masashi also understood this, but because he was normal, he didn't care about it. As the village was on the verge of destruction, the normal Masashi ran with his normal wife who had recently given birth to a normal baby out of the village. They all took refuge in a nearby town, which a normal group of people would do in this situation, as their village was destroyed. But they were still not safe because this town was the next target for the monsters, which is a normal scenario with an obvious result. Time passed by, and the town was surrounded by monsters from all directions..."

She let out a sigh and then stared at Sho.

"Is this your new story that you wanted me to read?" she asked in a serious tone.

"Yeah, isn't it obvious?" he answered her seriously.

"I've already told you so many times these are not the type of stories that the masses like to read-"

"It is not up to you to decide what the readers will like or hate, so it would be nice of you if you read this one till the end."

"Mr. Tsurumi-"

"Miss, it will be efficient for both of us if you just read it instead of discouraging me."

Mrs. Sayaka's right eyebrow flickered as she stood up from her chair.

"How many times do I have to tell you-"

"Mrs. Saya-"

"Just keep your mouth shut, you bastard, and let me finish my sentence." Her switch was flipped.

"Instead of writing all this garbage, why don't you go home and prepare for the upcoming test?"

"I will do it after-"

"Don't give me that crap." She shouted at him while banging her hand on the desk.

"These are the same lines that you are using since the last semester. If you don't pass the exams this time, all of your stories will be locked up, and you will be banned from writing anymore."

"How can you say that, Mom, when you also work as the editor in the same work? At least tell me what I can do to improve it and get it published because I think this is one of the best I've ever written."

Mom exhaled, trying to calm herself.

"Let me get this clear, Sho. I am not trying to discourage you but giving you a bit of advice that it will be better for your future if you understand what's right for you and work on it as soon as possible."

"You all are the same."

Sho understood what his mother was trying to say, but the words coming out of his mouth weren't stopping.

"No one tries to understand what I want to do."

He had lost control of his words, and they were running wild.

"You are just forcing your ideals on me so that everything can meet your conditions."

"Now I have done it. Completely disrespected my mother with baseless accusations." Sho thought.

It's not like this was the first time. Sho always had a biased relationship with his mother.

Finally, he was under control.

He was able to see Mom's worried face, but he wasn't able to speak up.

He tried apologizing, but his lips were locked. Once again, he lost control, and this time his body was the one disagreeing. Instead of confronting and apologizing to her, he went out of the office. . . . He went back to the apartment. His house was on the 3rd floor. Sho was not in the mood to study after all that, so he took his writing sheets and went to the rooftop to distract his mind.

The weather was nice, so he stood near the fences to feel the cool breeze.

"I wish the time just stopped here." Sho thought.

He slowly closed his eyes while feeling the calmness in the air.

Everything was black.

There was nothing around him, no base, no buildings, no roads, no people, no problems, and nothing to worry about. It was as if everything was wiped out to nothingness, and he was the only one left.

While Sho was getting all philosophical, the sound of someone opening the door destroyed all his fantasies.