Years passed.
Centuries faded into dust.
And the world… moved on.
Humanity evolved.
Cities rose where ruins once stood. Skyscrapers pierced the heavens, their lights replacing the stars that once guided lost souls. Technology advanced beyond imagination—smartphones connected minds across continents, warships ruled the seas, and nuclear weapons held the power to erase nations.
To the ordinary eye…
It was a peaceful, modern world.
But beneath that illusion—
Fear still lingered.
A silent, suffocating fear that refused to die.
The name of that fear was…
Reiss.
The Demon God.
Even after centuries, his existence haunted humanity like a curse carved into history itself. Stories of his destruction were no longer just legends—they were warnings.
Because demons… still existed.
They hid in the shadows.
Lurking between cities, blending into darkness, feeding on the weak.
And humanity…
Learned how to fight back.
Organizations were formed.
For protection. For survival. For war.
Among them, one name stood above all—
The Celestial Society.
A global force built to counter the demonic threat. Its influence spread across nations, operating in secrecy while maintaining order in chaos.
Within this society were warriors who had abandoned normal lives to hunt the creatures of the abyss.
They were known as—
Abyss Hunters.
Individuals trained to kill demons. To face horrors that ordinary humans could never comprehend.
They fought in silence.
They died in silence.
And they protected a world that would never truly understand them.
Above them all…
Stood the strongest.
The chosen elite.
The symbols of humanity's last line of defense.
The Abyss Guardians.
They were monsters among humans.
Beings who possessed overwhelming power, capable of destroying entire demon hordes alone. To the public, they were heroes.
To demons—
They were nightmares.
And yet…
Even with all this power…
All this progress…
All this evolution…
No one had forgotten.
Not truly.
Because deep within every heart—
There remained a single question.
What will happen…
…when the Demon God returns?
Some believed he would never come back.
Some prayed he wouldn't.
And some…
Prepared for the inevitable.
Because somewhere, hidden from the world—
A prophecy still existed.
A cursed prophecy.
One that spoke not of peace…
But of destruction.
"When the seal weakens…
The abyss shall awaken once more.
The fallen god shall rise—
And the world… will drown in darkness."
And far away…
In a quiet part of the modern world—
Unaware of the storm that was about to begin—
A certain boy lived his ordinary life.
…for now.
Rain poured relentlessly from the heavens, striking the windows of a quiet hospital like an omen of something far greater.
Inside—
Chaos.
"Doctor—!"
A nurse's voice trembled as she rushed forward, her hands shaking uncontrollably.
"This patient is extremely weak! We might lose her at this rate!"
On the operation bed, a woman struggled to breathe.
Her chest rose and fell violently, each gasp sharper than the last.
"P-Please…!" she cried, her voice breaking. "It hurts…!"
"Don't Give Up!" the doctor shouted, sweat dripping down his forehead. "We're almost there! Just a little more—stay strong!"
The operation began.
And then—
A scream tore through the room.
"AHHHHHHHHH—!!"
Outside the emergency room…
Silence.
Only the sound of rain filled the corridor.
A man stood there, his fists clenched tightly, his eyes fixed on the closed door.
Beside him, two small children waited.
A little girl tugged at his sleeve.
"Daddy…" she asked softly, her innocent eyes filled with worry,
"what's happening to Mommy?"
The man forced a weak smile.
"Your mother… is bringing your little sibling into this world."
The little boy beside him swallowed nervously.
"T-Then… why is she screaming like that?"
His hands trembled.
The man paused for a moment.
Then gently placed his hand on the boy's head.
"…Because she's happy," he said quietly.
"Happy to meet you both… and your new sibling."
And then—
CRACK—!!
Lightning split the sky.
For a brief second, the entire corridor flashed white.
And suddenly—
Everything went silent.
"…W-Waaahhh—!!"
A baby's cry echoed from inside the emergency room.
The man's eyes widened.
His legs gave out as he fell to his knees.
"…She did it…"
A breath of relief escaped his lips.
A smile… weak, but genuine… appeared on his face.
But then—
Something changed.
A presence.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Unnatural.
From within the emergency room—
An overwhelming surge of energy erupted.
Dark.
Cold.
Terrifying.
"…What… is this…?" the man whispered, his expression turning pale.
The air itself felt suffocated.
Even breathing became difficult.
Dark Celestial Aura.
"…Something's wrong."
Without hesitation, the man rushed forward and threw the door open.
Inside—
The atmosphere had completely changed.
The nurse stood frozen.
The equipment malfunctioned.
And the doctor…
Was trembling.
"M-Mister…" the doctor spoke, his voice shaking, his face drained of all color.
Fear.
Pure fear.
"Your child…"
His lips quivered.
"…your child is…"
The air grew heavier.
Darker.
As if something unseen had awakened.
"…the vessel of the Demon God—"
"Reiss."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
And in that very moment—
As the newborn's cries echoed through the room—
A fate… long sealed in history…
Began to move once again.
"That day…"
"…my fate changed forever."
The man collapsed to his knees.
"…Why…?"
His fingers dug into his hair, gripping tightly as his entire body trembled.
"Why… my child…?"
His voice cracked under the weight of fear.
Then, as if suddenly remembering—
"My wife…!" he looked up desperately. "Is she okay?!"
The doctor flinched before replying, his voice unsteady.
"S-She's alive…"
Relief flickered—
"…but she lost consciousness due to the pain."
Before the man could fully process it, the doctor's gaze slowly shifted…
Toward the newborn.
"…But…"
His words stopped.
His throat tightened.
"…the child…"
The room felt suffocating.
The baby lay wrapped in cloth—
Yet something was wrong.
Terribly wrong.
Across the infant's forehead…
Crimson veins pulsed violently beneath the skin.
Like something alive.
Like something trying to break free.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
It wasn't just visible—
It was audible.
The entire room could feel it.
That heartbeat.
That presence.
That… power.
The nurse staggered back, barely able to stand.
"I-I can't breathe…!"
Outside the door, the little girl clutched her brother's sleeve, her voice shaking.
"D-Daddy…"
She swallowed hard.
"…is he… my brother?"
Silence.
The man slowly stood up.
Despite the fear.
Despite the pressure crushing his very soul—
He walked forward.
Step by step…
Until he stood beside the child.
For a moment—
He hesitated.
Then…
Gently—
He lifted the baby into his arms.
The dark aura pulsed again.
Stronger this time.
More violent.
But the man didn't let go.
"…Yes," he said quietly.
His voice still trembled—
But there was something else now.
Resolve.
"…He is your brother."
The children stared in silence.
The rain outside grew heavier.
Lightning flashed once more—
Illuminating the room in stark white.
The man looked down at the child.
At the crimson veins.
At the unknown fate resting in his arms.
"…Your name…"
He paused.
As if challenging destiny itself.
"…will be Ashura."
CRACK—!!
Thunder roared across the sky.
"Ashura… Rivaan."
At that very moment—
On the hospital bed—
The woman stirred.
"…Is…"
Her voice was barely a whisper.
Weak.
Fading.
"…the baby… okay…?"
The man turned toward her—
His expression softening for just a second—
And then—
BOOOOOOM—!!!
An explosion tore through the hospital.
The walls shattered.
Glass burst into fragments.
Flames and debris swallowed the room in an instant.
Screams echoed.
The ground shook.
And within that chaos—
The dark aura surged wildly.
As if…
Something had just awakened.
Fourteen years later…
Hyderabad, India.
Footsteps echoed through the crowded streets.
Fast.
Chaotic.
Relentless.
A boy dashed through the marketplace, weaving between people with unnatural agility. His movements were sharp, almost playful—like this was nothing more than a game to him.
Behind him—
Shouts erupted.
"Catch that idiot thief!"
"Don't let him escape this time!"
"I swear, if I get my hands on him, I'll break his head!"
The boy glanced back.
Then—
He grinned.
A mischievous, fearless grin.
"Catch me if you can~!"
He stretched his tongue out, pulling down his eyelid in a childish taunt.
"YOU BRAT—!!"
People rushed after him, knocking over carts and pushing through the crowd.
Someone yelled—
"Call the police!"
But the boy didn't slow down.
If anything—
He sped up.
With a sudden leap, he flipped mid-air—
Landing effortlessly on a tree branch above the street.
Gasps spread through the crowd.
"H-How did he—?!"
"You idiot! Get down here!"
The boy crouched on the branch, balancing casually as if gravity meant nothing to him.
A soft chuckle escaped his lips.
"Stupid dudes…"
He tilted his head slightly, eyes gleaming with playful arrogance.
"…you don't even know what 'ruling' means."
And then—
With a light push—
He vanished.
"Bye-bye~!"
"HE RAN AGAIN!!"
The voices faded.
The chaos died down.
And the scene changed.
A quiet park.
Far from the noise.
Far from the chase.
A group of small children sat silently on an old bench, their clothes worn, their faces tired.
Waiting.
Then—
A figure appeared.
"Guuuuys—I'm here!"
The boy stepped forward with a bright, carefree smile.
For a second—
Silence.
Then suddenly—
"BIG BROOOO!!"
The children rushed toward him, wrapping their arms around him tightly.
He laughed softly.
"Oi, oi… one at a time."
He gently patted their heads, his expression softening.
"…Here."
From his pocket, he pulled out small packets—food, supplies… things far too valuable for kids like them to have.
Things he had just stolen.
Their eyes lit up instantly.
"Thank you, bhaiyya!"
One of the little girls' eyes filled with tears.
The boy blinked.
"…Hey."
He crouched down in front of her.
"Come on… don't cry."
She tried to wipe her tears—but failed.
He sighed softly.
"…You're alone too, right?"
The children froze.
The boy gave a small smile.
"…Same as me."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Am I crying?"
They shook their heads quickly.
"No…"
"Then don't cry either."
He gently wiped the girl's tears with his thumb.
Silence fell again.
But this time—
It was warm.
"…Thank you, bhaiyya," the girl whispered, her voice full of gratitude.
The boy stood up, stretching slightly.
"It's nothing."
He turned his back to them.
Hands in his pockets.
Walking away like it didn't matter.
"…Take care, okay?"
The children watched him go.
Their eyes filled not with sadness—
But with something else.
Respect.
Love.
Hope.
And as the boy walked away…
The sunlight hit his face.
For a brief moment—
His expression changed.
The smile faded.
Replaced by something distant.
Something… heavy.
As if deep inside him—
Something was sleeping.
Waiting.
Ashura walked forward slowly, hands tucked into his pockets.
The playful energy from before… was gone.
Haaah…
He let out a long sigh.
This is bad…
His gaze dropped to the ground.
I completely forgot to do my homework…
A faint grimace appeared on his face.
Miss Ananya is definitely going to yell at me again…
He kicked a small rock on the road.
It rolled away aimlessly.
"…Tch."
I've been too busy stealing…
…that I forgot my own responsibilities.
He stopped walking.
For a moment—
Silence surrounded him.
"…I'm fourteen now."
His voice was low.
Almost like he was reminding himself.
"Ashura… don't act like a child."
He clenched his fist slightly.
"…You're supposed to be mature."
His eyes shifted—
Landing on a small family walking by.
A child laughed happily between his parents, holding both their hands.
Ashura looked away instantly.
…I don't need parents.
He turned his head sharply.
But—
His steps slowed.
…or maybe…
His thoughts wavered.
His voice faltered.
…maybe I do…
A crack.
Small.
But real.
His expression darkened.
"I'm not weak."
STOMP—!
His foot slammed hard against the ground.
"Get a hold of yourself, Ashura."
SLAP—!
The sound echoed.
He had slapped his own face.
"Wake up."
His voice turned cold.
Sharp.
"You're not meant to be loved."
His fingers slowly rose—
Touching the mark on his forehead.
Hidden beneath his hair.
"Did you forget…?"
His eyes dimmed.
"Your own parents abandoned you."
Silence.
"…Because of this."
The wind blew gently.
But it felt heavy.
"…So why…"
His voice dropped to a whisper.
Barely audible.
"…do you still try to seek love?"
No answer came.
For a few seconds—
He just stood there.
Then—
"…Heh."
A small smile appeared.
"It's fine."
He stretched his arms casually.
As if nothing had happened.
"Yeah… it's fine."
He started walking again.
Light steps.
Carefree.
"La la la… la la la…"
He hummed cheerfully, like a normal teenager heading home.
But—
The world around him didn't see him that way.
People whispered.
Quietly.
Cruelly.
"…That's the demon kid."
"Yeah… disgusting."
"Even his own parents rejected him…"
"Who would accept something like that?"
Ashura kept walking.
Smile unchanged.
…I'm human.
His inner voice spoke calmly.
Almost forcefully.
I know that.
A pause.
And that's enough.
"…I don't need anyone."
He let out a quiet sigh.
"…Compliments… love… none of it."
But—
For just a brief moment—
His smile…
Felt a little empty.
Ashura's steps suddenly stopped.
"…Ahh—!"
He clutched his head tightly, fingers digging into his hair as pain surged through his skull.
"This stupid headache… again…!"
His vision blurred.
His breathing grew uneven.
And then—
A voice echoed.
Deep.
Distorted.
Crawling through his mind like poison.
"Destroy them…"
Ashura froze.
"Those who hate you… those who reject you…"
The voice twisted, almost amused.
"They don't deserve your kindness."
His grip tightened.
"Take my hand…"
The darkness deepened.
"And we will rule once more."
"SHUT UP!"
Ashura stomped the ground violently.
"It's the 1009th time I've said NO!"
His voice shook with anger.
"Don't you understand?!"
His eyes burned with defiance.
"…Idiot demon."
Silence followed.
But only for a moment.
Then—
A different voice.
Calm.
Cold.
Unavoidable.
"One day…"
Ashura's body stiffened.
"…you will choose darkness."
A pause.
"No matter how kind you pretend to be."
The presence faded.
Ashura stood there, breathing heavily.
Then slowly…
He started walking again.
As if nothing had happened.
A few minutes later—
He reached a small, worn-out apartment.
Click.
The door opened.
"I'm home."
Silence answered him.
No voices.
No footsteps.
No warmth.
Just emptiness.
Ashura quietly removed his jacket and hung it on the stand.
Then walked to his bed—
And dropped onto it.
"…I'm lonely."
His voice was soft.
Barely there.
"…so lonely…"
He stared at the ceiling for a few seconds.
Then sighed.
"…Whatever."
He pulled out his phone and opened social media.
"At least… I've got friends here."
A small smile formed.
Not real.
But not completely fake either.
And then—
The scene shifted.
Los Angeles, America.
Inside a bright room—
A young girl stood in front of a mirror, combing her long white hair.
Her cheeks puffed up in annoyance.
"Didi!"
She turned around and yelled.
"When are Mom and Dad coming back?!"
Across the room, an older girl sat lazily on a chair, scrolling through something.
"…How would I know?" she replied casually.
Then, without even looking up—
"Maybe their plane crashed or something."
THWACK—!
The comb flew straight at her face.
"HEY—!"
The older girl jerked back.
"You idiot!"
The younger one puffed her cheeks again.
"You're the idiot!"
The room filled with childishness
The next morning…
A classroom buzzed with chatter.
Students leaned over desks, whispering, laughing, waiting.
The teacher stood at the front, holding a stack of papers.
A proud smile spread across his face.
"Our results have arrived."
Instant silence.
"First of all—congratulations to everyone."
He adjusted his glasses, clearly pleased.
"…Except one."
The air shifted.
"Ashura Rivaan—!!"
His voice exploded through the classroom like thunder.
The class froze.
Then—
A girl casually raised her hand.
"Sir… that idiot is absent."
"…Of course he is."
The teacher slammed his head lightly against the desk in frustration.
"That boy got 37 marks!"
He looked up, eyes wide in disbelief.
"THIRTY-SEVEN!"
The class erupted into laughter.
"He somehow always manages to pass with the bare minimum!"
A boy from the back smirked.
"Sir, he's probably busy stealing something again."
"Yeahhh," the same girl added with a grin,
"That's his real career."
More laughter filled the room.
"ENOUGH!"
The teacher slammed his hand on the desk.
Silence returned instantly.
"This is not funny!"
He sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"…That boy is a problem."
But somewhere—
Deep down—
Even he couldn't deny it.
Ashura Rivaan was…
Different.
And the scene shifted once again.
Los Angeles, America.
Inside the same room—
Chaos continued.
"You IDIOT—!!"
The younger girl grabbed her sister's cheeks, pulling them hard.
"CALL MOM AND DAD RIGHT NOW!"
"Ow—! Let go of my face, you gremlin!"
The older sister struggled, trying to push her away.
"I WON'T!"
The little one puffed her cheeks angrily.
"Fine."
The older sister's expression suddenly turned calm.
Too calm.
"…Then don't blame me."
"Huh—?"
In one swift motion—
She grabbed the little girl by the collar—
And tossed her.
"WAAAAAAHHH—!!"
THUD—!
The younger one landed perfectly inside a nearby dustbin.
Silence.
"…I lost."
Her small voice echoed from inside the bin.
The older sister dusted her hands off.
"Good."
"…Stay there."
A pause.
"…Mean…"
The little girl sniffed.
After A Moment Later
Los Angeles, America.
The room was quiet.
Peaceful.
Shina sat on the couch, holding a glass of milk with both hands.
She took a small sip—
Then suddenly shouted—
"Mahi! Boil the milk properly next time!"
From across the room, Mahi didn't even look up.
"…Call me didi first."
She walked over casually and snatched the glass from Shina's hand.
Shina's cheeks puffed instantly.
"No!"
She crossed her arms stubbornly.
"Not until you call Mom and Dad!"
Mahi sighed.
"…You're really annoying, you know that?"
Shina turned her face away.
"Hmph."
A brief silence.
Then—
"…Fine."
Mahi grabbed her phone.
"…You win."
As she unlocked it—
RING—
The phone vibrated.
Incoming call.
Mahi blinked.
"…Huh."
A small smile appeared.
"Perfect timing."
She showed the screen slightly.
"See? Mom and Dad are calling themselves."
Shina's eyes lit up.
"Really?! Let me see!"
"Wait—"
Mahi picked up the call.
Her tone turned formal.
"…Hello."
A pause.
"This is Mahi, elder daughter of the Velryna residence speaking."
Shina leaned closer, trying to listen.
"…Yes…"
Mahi's expression remained calm.
"…I understand…"
A pause.
"…What?"
Her smile faded.
"…No… that's not possible…"
Silence.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
"…You must be mistaken…"
The room felt colder.
"…What do you mean… attacked…?"
Shina's smile slowly disappeared.
"…Demons…?"
Mahi's eyes widened.
"…No…"
Her breathing stopped.
The phone slipped from her hand.
CRACK—!
It hit the ground—
Shattering into pieces.
Silence.
"Mahi…?"
Shina's voice trembled.
"…What happened…?"
Mahi didn't respond.
Her body shook.
Slowly—
She dropped to her knees.
"…Our parents…"
Her voice broke.
"…they're…"
Tears streamed down her face.
"…they were killed…"
A pause.
"…by demons."
Silence.
"…W-What…?"
Shina's voice cracked.
Her hands trembled violently.
"…What are you saying…?"
Her eyes filled with tears instantly.
"…No…"
"…No, that's not true—!!"
"WHAATTT—!!!"
Her scream echoed through the house.
The glass of milk fell from her hands—
Spilling across the floor.
Shattering the last piece of normalcy they had left.
Chapter 1 Ended