In a realm of absolute darkness, where no thread of light dared to penetrate, a shadow, even blacker than its surroundings, pulsed with a malevolent red glow. A deep voice, a terrifying presence that could curdle blood and shake souls, echoed through the void, resonating with another being within its grasp.
"Oh, so you are saying, the more I devour, the more powerful I become, gaining long life and invincible powers." Kuin, a young man of twenty-one, spoke, his voice unnervingly calm, his eyes fixed on the shadow's crimson gaze.
"Yes, boy." The deep voice replied, a silken promise.
"I see. So what is the cost of that? I'm pretty sure it's not for free at all." Kuin's tone remained cold, devoid of fear or worry, a chilling composure that defied the situation.
"No, there is no cost. You are free to use that power however you want." The voice was a deceptive whisper, weaving a web of allure.
"Hmm… No cost. Come on, I'm not that naive. But the offer is sweet. Guess what? I will accept it." A devilish grin, a stark white slash in the impenetrable gloom, spread across Kuin's face. In that instant, he vanished, torn from the dark realm by the mysterious entity.
Once Kuin was gone, the mysterious entity's thoughts reverberated through the abyssal space. "I have chosen that boy, not to gain a slave, but to erase the very essence of life itself. There should be no life remaining, only darkness, and I… I shall be the most powerful in this entire universe… HAHAHA!" The darkness around him seemed to writhe, joining in his monstrous laughter, before he, too, dissolved into the void.
Kuin materialized in a squalid shelter, a testament to a life etched by abandonment and neglect. An orphan, adopted only to be cast back into the cruel hands of fate, he had known only the bitter taste of hardship. In his twenty-one years, one truth had burned itself into his soul: no one was coming to save him. The world was a heartless maw, people nothing more than monsters in disguise, kind only when it suited their selfish whims. Growing up in such a toxic environment, his emotions had withered, leaving behind a hollow shell, a dead boy adorned with fake smiles.
"Wow, what is this feeling…?" Kuin murmured, his body aflame with a profound, dark energy. Only yesterday, he had been a breath away from death, ravaged by sickness. Now, a surge of raw power coursed through his veins, an intoxicating elixir that made him feel reborn, destined for superiority.
"Amazing… my body is screaming with power. I like this deal of his. But surprisingly, he really was someone from outer space to grant me such power. I only need to devour some flesh, and my power will increase. Awesome, but dangerous as well. What if people know about this? Know about my identity? They will slaughter me if they find out. I need to be hidden in the dark to work for my darkness. I don't want to end my life even before it starts… HAHAHAHA!" Kuin's laughter swelled, a manic symphony echoing in the cramped space. Devouring human flesh… it was risky, challenging, utterly disgusting.
But only for a normal person. Not for him. He had already silenced lives, eradicated traces, leaving no ripples in the stagnant pool of society.
"So what should I do? I currently have meager money and peak human strength, amplified by my ability. My ability as a devourer… every piece of flesh will give me power. Power that transcends this world." A devilish grin contorted his face.
The next morning, Kuin emerged from his room, a new resolve hardening his features. This place, this squalor, was no longer his. He left, heading towards a remote area, a place where the tendrils of civilization and government barely reached.
Hundreds of kilometers from his old life, a journey of several days had consumed his last savings. As he stepped into the new air, a sense of perverse liberation washed over him.
"Wow, what a fresh air. I am feeling so relaxed." He inhaled deeply. The landscape unfolded around him—short, emerald grass, ancient trees whispering secrets, and villagers toiling in fields, their lives woven into the fabric of nature. It was an old town, untouched by the frantic pulse of the outside world.
"Hah… so many preys… haha…" Kuin's laughter, a chilling, hungry sound, drifted into the wind as he vanished into the silent depths of the woods.
Meanwhile, in Sky's apartment, a mundane domestic scene played out.
"Are you ready, girl?" Sky asked, entering Sillia's room without a knock, their comfort with each other making such formalities obsolete.
Sillia, in the midst of wrestling with her jeans, turned. "Yeah… I'm done. But help me… these jeans got tight over the year, and I can't button them up." Her voice was a frustrated struggle.
"What? Then why are you wearing this? And why haven't you told me? I would have bought you another pair of jeans, you know." Sky knelt before her, his gaze level with the stubborn button, not even registering the glimpse of her brown panty with its playful white bear. He washed her clothes; he'd seen it all before.
"Agh… well, that's because I like these jeans quite much, plus I didn't expect them to get so tight over a year. When I came here, they were so well-fitting." A blush, faint but undeniable, crept across Sillia's cheeks as she saw her brother's unwavering focus on her crouch area. The years of shared space had eroded her shyness. She often roamed the apartment in just a shirt and panties, feeling a profound comfort in his presence, despite his repeated scoldings about privacy. He had eventually given up, but still…
A wave of heat washed over her face as his hands, cool and strong, brushed against her, attempting to secure the button. She turned her head, feigning nonchalance, stealing glimpses of him through her lashes. In moments, the task was done.
"Here, done. But is it comfortable? You aren't feeling tight or suffocating, right?" Sky asked, genuine concern softening his voice.