Chapter 1: Not Understanding
The rain was pounding the night relentlessly. Lightning split the sky as the old mansion stood like a dark giant. Wind howled through the broken windows, and the shadows at the door seemed to twitch as if they were alive. A scream echoed in the distance, but no one heard it.
Two silhouettes stood in front of the door. One was Haruto Akatsuki—holding his kuiriyana cards, tilting his head up to smell the rain. The other was Kaito Shirogane—cold-eyed, his silver chains ready.
Haruto (voice worried):
This smell... There was a lot of Kuiru here. Some might still be alive.
Kaito (coldly):
Then let's finish this quickly. Inside.
Haruto (yawning):
Ah come on, rainy days make me so sleepy... Uğahhğaahh...
(He lets out a long yawn.)
Kaito (angrily, swinging his chain toward Haruto):
Are you serious? You know what, Haruto—I could drive you into the ground like a stake with these chains.
Haruto (hesitating, then grinning as he turns to the door):
Shouldn't we be careful? There might be survivors...
Kaito (cutting him off):
There are no survivors. Only corpses. Open the door.
Haruto (sighing):
Are you for real? Why are you like this? Oh God, what am I gonna do with this guy... I've been trying to change you for years. I hope someone comes along who can.
The door shattered, and the two rushed inside. The dark corridor was filled with blood and black shadow remnants. Kaito thought to himself: The Kuiru had massacred everyone here.
Kaito found something on the floor: A golden necklace bearing the Kurogane family crest.
Kaito:
Them again... Rich bastards sacrificing their own children.
Haruto (clenching his fist):
Let's check the basement.
They descended the stairs. Bloodstains on the walls, small handprints of children... The sound of chains echoed: ting... ting...
The basement door was ajar. A faint breath came from inside.
When they entered, they saw it: A child, leaning against the wall, chained. Around 10 years old, hair disheveled, drenched in sweat, mouth slightly open, eyes desperate and empty. Faint black veins were appearing on his body—like a Kuiru curse, but different.
Haruto (whispering in shock):
This... it's a child.
Kaito:
Alive... How?
Haruto approached and touched the chains.
Haruto:
Don't be afraid, we'll get you out of here.
The child trembled but said nothing. Haruto broke the chain with his flame sword.
Suddenly the child jolted. The black veins on his body swelled.
Child:
It hurts... Don't come closer...
Kaito (warning):
Don't touch him! The energy is reversing!
But it passed. The child screamed, black waves bursting from his body. The surrounding Kuiru remnants melted, and the room seemed to darken. The wave pushed the duo back.
Haruto (shielding the child):
Hey hey, little guy! It's okay, calm down...
The explosion ended. The child passed out.
Kaito:
This one's dangerous. Leave him here.
Haruto:
No! He's a victim. We'll take him to the organization.
Haruto hoisted the child onto his back. They moved away from the mansion under the rain. The child was unconscious, but his eyes were slightly open—The veins inside had turned black and were emitting a faint glint.