People always say:
"Kindness pays off. Good hearts always win."
And hey… that might be true.
But what they don't tell you is—
Sometimes kindness smiles at blood.
And the softest hearts?
They're the first ones to bleed.
That... was the story of Renji Maruka.
A boy beloved by his village.
A lumberjack since he was twelve—after his father passed.
Ever since, he carried the weight of his family on his back without ever complaining.
He cared for his mother. Protected his younger siblings.
He was the loyal son.
The father figure.
The beating heart of his little home tucked beneath towering mountains.
He had two siblings—
The youngest, a girl just eleven years old.
Her name?
Himari Maruka.
Hair like white silk, soft and flowing—just like her brother's.
Eyes wide and violet, exactly like their late father's.
The same father who sickness claimed years ago.
But even through the sadness, their home was filled with warmth.
Renji held the whole thing together.
He became their pillar. Their protector.
The brother everyone adored.
But…
Everything shattered—
on one cursed day.
That was the day it all began.
---
High in the snowy mountains of the Tsugaiko Kingdom…
Black wings fluttered through the forest.
The shriek of a crow echoed through the trees, a haunting melody of death.
Below it?
A small, poor, but happy home.
But like the ticking of a clock…
Happiness never lasts.
Just like the hands never stop turning.
Perched on a lifeless tree, a crow stared down.
Below its branch, the ground lay blanketed in cold white frost.
Renji was chopping firewood.
Nearby, Himari danced around him with a wooden horse in her hands, laughing with pure joy:
Himari (waving the horse):
"Big brother!
Heeey!
Big broooooo!!"
Renji (smiling):
"What is it, Himari?
You really like that horse, huh?"
Himari (running to hug him):
"Yep! I love it because you made it for me.
I love you, big bro."
Renji (kneeling, hugging her):
"I love you too…
Even if you act like a goose on a sugar rush."
Himari (pouting):
"I'm not a goose! I'm a girl…
And a pretty one too!"
Renji (laughs, ruffles her hair):
"Hahaha! Yeah, yeah—prettiest little brat I've ever seen!"
---
Their mother called out from inside the house:
"Himari! Come inside and let your brother work!"
Himari (running off):
"Renji! Don't forget to bring me something from town after you sell the firewood!
That's an order, not a request!"
Renji (crossing his arms, watching her):
She's got Dad's stare…
He sighed, gathering the wood, then looked up at the stormy sky:
"What would life be like…
if you were still here, Dad?"
---
After bundling the firewood, he slung it over his back.
Just as he was about to head down the mountain, his mother stepped outside, worry in her voice:
Mom:
"Renji, sweetheart, the weather looks rough today. You can sell it tomorrow.
And you've been pushing yourself for days...
You need to rest!"
Renji (waving as he walks):
"Don't worry, Mom.
The villagers need firewood to stay warm.
This is my job now."
Mom (shaking her head, lovingly):
"Alright...
But take care of yourself.
Or I'll ground you for two days, got it?"
Renji (grinning):
"Got it, Mom! I promise I'll be back.
But dinner better be ready this time!
Love you!"
Mom (muttering):
"Just like his father… stubborn as a starving tiger."
---
Renji descended the mountain with ease, light on his feet.
He puffed out his cheeks, thinking:
"Hmmm...
I gotta get back before sunset.
Ahh crap!
Who am I even talking to?
At this rate, I'll be back at midnight..."
---
When he reached the village, the people greeted him with warmth.
Old Lady Yumi (village elder):
"Renji! Welcome back.
Can you help me after you're done selling the wood?"
Renji (smiling):
"Of course, Miss Yumi.
I'll come right over when I'm done."
Yumi (nodding):
"Good! Don't forget—you promised me!"
---
Renji got to work, selling firewood, helping neighbors.
Then… a stranger appeared.
No one had ever seen him before.
Tall. Pale. Quiet.
He looked down at Renji and spoke in a calm, chilling voice:
Stranger:
"So…
You're the boy who helps everyone."
Renji (offering a friendly smile):
"Yeah.
Can I help you, sir... uh…?"
Stranger:
"Kimarwa.
Kimarwa Ronzzztan."
Renji (taken aback by the name, but polite):
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Ronzzztan.
Can I get you anything?"
Ronzzztan (smiling, his eyes briefly flashing red):
"No.
I don't need anything...
But I've seen how you care for your people.
I'd like to reward you."
Before Renji could ask what he meant, Ronzzztan pulled a book from his coat.
He whispered:
"This book will give you what you desire.
But do not open it...
until midnight.
Deal?"
Renji took the book.
But when he looked up again…
The man was gone.
Gone, like he was never there.
---
A chill ran down Renji's spine.
Renji (murmuring):
"Where did he go...?
He was just here..."
He stared at the book.
The words echoed in his mind—
"It'll grant your deepest desire."
He hugged it to his chest and closed his eyes.
"I just want to be with my family…
For them to be happy.
No matter what."
---
Hours later, Renji returned home to the mountain cabin.
His mom welcomed him.
So did Himari and Hiroshi.
But Hiroshi stood in the corner, eyes cold:
Hiroshi:
"Welcome back… big brother."
Renji (smiling, ruffling his hair):
"Haha! Missed you too, ice cube!"
Hiroshi (shoving his hand away, yelling):
"Hey!
Don't touch me. You disgust me."
Hiroshi never liked his older brother.
Always jealous. Always bitter.
But Renji never stopped trying to reach him.
---
After a delicious dinner made by their mom, everyone went to sleep.
Except Renji.
He stared at the book.
Midnight was almost here.
The cover was etched with bizarre symbols—
Four-armed monsters, winged eyes, twisted halos.
Pale brown leather, raised carvings like scars in the skin.
He ran his fingers across them...
Waiting...
---
Renji (gulping):
"Okay... it's just a book.
What's the worst that could happen?"
He opened it slowly...
Inside—illustrations of beasts.
Twisted creatures.
Some human-like.
With cat eyes.
Fangs.
Four arms.
Distorted faces.
Mouths in hands.
Forked tongues licking the page.
There were fourteen of them.
Renji (flipping pages):
"What the hell...?
How is this supposed to make me happy?"
---
Hiroshi, still awake, was watching.
He smirked—
Snatched the book and ran off.
Hiroshi (mocking):
"Haha!
These are your monsters?
Aww, they look adorable.
Just as weak as you, freak."
Renji (chasing after him):
"You idiot! Give it back!"
Hiroshi (standing outside under the moonlight):
"In your dreams… brother."
---
As moonlight hit the book—
It began to glow.
Vibrate.
The images started… moving.
Hiroshi (panicking):
"What the hell is this?!"
He threw it.
Ran back inside.
Renji approached it slowly.
The symbols pulsed purple and blood red.
Then—
The book grew heavy.
It slipped from his hands.
His eyes widened.
He couldn't scream.
He couldn't move.
---
The pages cracked—
like they were a cage breaking open.
The creatures began to emerge.
Snarling.
Screeching.
Crawling.
Renji was frozen.
Helpless.
Then...
One of them approached.
Different from the rest.
Veins glowing like fire.
Orange eyes burning.
Its body armored in bone.
It raised a finger—
And touched Renji's forehead.
---
Behind it, Renji saw the others:
Ten of them—part human, part monster.
Already free.
Their bloody smiles gleamed under the moonlight.
Tears welled up in his eyes.
He couldn't move.
He was watching the end—
with open eyes.
---
Suddenly, the fiery creature turned to smoke—
and surged into Renji's body!
Renji (screaming):
"Mom… Himari… Hiroshi—RUUUUN!!!"
He collapsed.
Writhing.
Darkness taking over.
---
Before he blacked out, another creature approached.
One with a mouth in its hand.
It lifted Renji by his hair, grinning like a maniac:
Monster:
"Ahh...
So you freed us?
Looks like Lord Ronzzztan has finally forgiven us."
He followed Renji's terrified gaze toward the house.
Then looked back at him and laughed:
Monster:
"Oh?
You got a family, huh?
Hmmmm…
Well, I guess you get to live.
For now."
---
FWOOSH!
It hurled him like a ragdoll—
CRACK!
Straight into a tree.
Blackout.
---
The creatures swarmed the mountains.
Hundreds.
Thousands.
The ten strongest disappeared into the woods—
All except one.
He turned to the house.
Licked his lips.
Cracked his knuckles.
And said—
"Let the Slaughter begin."