Morizuki lets out a sigh and descends the stairs with his friends. Hyōgetsu props Engetsu against the wall and releases him.
Morizuki: "Get some rest. We'll check on something, and if anything happens just call out. Mori will come to the rescue!"
Engetsu: "Thanks."
The scent of corpses spreads from the house, drifting out through the open windows and doors.
(A Yajūni roar)
Morizuki: "What was that?"
A Yajūni appears—its neck, hands, and legs bound tightly with chains, restricting its movements. Though crouching, if it stood upright it would reach nineteen meters tall. Beside it stands Nekryon, wounded, grasping the chains and keeping the beast under control.
Nekryon: "My beloved people… all their scents are seeping out of that house… You will pay for this!"
Nekryon yanks the tense chain, signaling and preparing the Yajūni.
Morizuki: "Their scent?! What kind of person are you?! Why is the smell of dead bodies valuable to you? You're out of your mind."
Hyōgetsu's inner voice: "He wasn't born this way, I'm certain. The emotions in his eyes are conflicted. He's intelligent, but his psyche is shattered. How does a human fall this far?"
Nekryon slams his feet against the ground in agitation.
Nekryon: "I can feel them moving away from the house! Aaah…"
He glares at Morizuki and Hyōgetsu with hatred.
Morizuki: "This guy is seriously troubled."
Morizuki calls out to Nekryon.
Morizuki: "What do you want from us?! As if abducting us wasn't enough, now you're spewing hatred at us."
Nekryon unleashes a furious, unhinged scream. He jerks the chain, commanding the Yajūni to charge at Morizuki's group.
Hyōgetsu's inner voice: "The reason… it can't be meaningless."
(Memories resurface)
Fifteen years earlier, in a peaceful village, people lived happily, bartering goods. Apples for horses, horses for bread—simple trades filled the bustling village center. The constant noise often irritated the elderly who tried to sleep early. They would step outside and harshly rebuke the merchants.
But were only the elderly disturbed? Certainly not. Young people and children—whether outdoors all day or preferring the quiet of home—were also sometimes bothered and wished for silence, longing for distant, tranquil places.
Among these children was one with medium-length gray hair and eyes of the same color. He wore a leather jacket, inspired by his father. Although he was happy at home, the streets had become his playground.
This boy was Varnok, sixteen years old. He enjoyed wandering through the deserted, dark village streets at night. To him, it was thrilling and fun—yet also calming. In those peaceful streets, even the smallest sound disturbed him so intensely that he felt an urge to kill anything causing it. But he never did. He was a kind-hearted boy.
His mother was precious to him, and he admired his father in every way. That was why he cherished his leather jacket so much—his father wore the same one. After some time at home, boredom struck. His heart longed for the quiet streets again. Once night fell, he put on his jacket and stepped outside. He walked quickly toward the deserted area he loved. Once he reached the street, his pace slowed.
There was no point in rushing through a place where he sought peace. He kept walking. Everything seemed the same as any other night—except for one thing. Something important. A man disrupting the silence of the quiet street. In front of the man lay a human corpse. The sound of a knife slicing flesh shattered the serenity of the night. The man carved the body calmly, like a butcher at work.
Varnok was frightened, but the man disturbing the silence intrigued him. Foolish though it was, he approached and whispered:
Varnok: "Who are you?"
The man froze, the knife suspended midair. He glanced at Nekryon with a calm expression.
??: "I should be the one asking. No child would remain this calm in front of something like this. I can feel the quiet ferocity in your eyes. You walked up to me without fear. Tell me… what do you want?"
Varnok: "Quiet ferocity? Huh… Aren't you the one carving up a corpse in the middle of the street and ruining the peace?"
??: "And you're the one treating it as if it's normal. Look at yourself—cruelty and savagery written all over your future."
Varnok: "You're not in a position to judge me. Huh, I'll let you off for today. I won't expose you."
Varnok turns his back and takes a step away.
??: "Are you not curious who I am?"
Varnok looks back at him.
Varnok: "Who are you?"
??: "I am Thanatox. Aren't you curious whose body this is?"
Varnok: "I'm Varnok. Varnok Varys. You know what? I don't care at all."
Thanatox: "Yie-hehheh…"
Thanatox laughs. Varnok walks away, returns home, and goes to bed. His hidden curiosity toward corpses begins paving the road to his dark future. But that curiosity must remain out of sight.