From childhood, I knew only two truths: you either kill without hesitation, or hesitate and get killed. The battlefield only strengthened this belief. When I came of age, I had to enlist in the army.
I spent three years in military service, undergoing training that forged me from an ordinary man into a killing machine. I watched my brothers-in-arms die—some the moment a bullet struck them, others in my own arms. I learned quickly to hold my head high and keep moving forward.
To fight for those who are no longer here.
To ensure no one else has to die.
I earned medals, commendations from superiors, and promotions through the ranks—but what good was any of it? None of these honors could fill the void left each time a comrade fell. What use was strength if I couldn't save them?
This thought weighed on me every day until I reached a conclusion: if I wanted to protect others, I had to become stronger. I didn't aspire to be a hero. I simply refused to watch the people I cared about die.
So I began my training.
I pushed my body until my bones could bear no more; each enemy kill became second nature to me. I didn't know if all this bloodshed had made me cold, but I didn't care. I felt I was closing in on my goal.
When I completed seven years of service, I was promoted to commander for my outstanding performance. Without ever seeking it, I had become a ruthless efficient killer.
Now I led an entire platoon. For some, it was a duty. For me, it was a responsibility.
And I would do everything in my power to keep them all alive.
That was my purpose.
✦☾✦
Rain poured in sheets across the battlefield, pooling into muddy puddles underfoot. I liked this weather. The sound of raindrops muffled all noise—including footsteps. It made things easier. Especially killing.
It was the perfect moment for an attack.
So I ordered my soldiers to gather and prepare to move out. They lined up shoulder to shoulder, waiting for my command.
"Form up," I ordered, my voice steady and low. I didn't need to raise it.
The soldiers straightened at once, responding the moment they heard my voice.
"Given the weather, this is an ideal time to strike," I said, meeting each of their eyes in turn. "We move out immediately."
"Yes, Sir!" they shouted in unison.
Most voiced their agreement, but I could see doubt creeping into the faces of the less confident among them. It wasn't long before one spoke up.
"S-Sir… are you sure this is a good ide—"
"Was I not clear enough, soldier?" I cut him off before he could finish. "If anyone has a better plan, step forward now."
As I'd expected, no one moved. They fancied themselves brave, but when it mattered most, not one would stand their ground.
"We move out in ten minutes. Don't make me repeat myself."
"Yes, Sir!"
✦☾✦
We reached enemy territory ready for what lay ahead. According to our reports, security would be lighter at this hour—a chance to slip inside.
We hid in the bushes and surveyed the enemy camp, waiting for the perfect moment to move in.
There were two watchtowers—one at each end of the road. The guards were far too relaxed, confident they'd never be attacked on a rainy day. A grave mistake.
"When I give the signal… we move in," I whispered.
This was exactly what my suppressed M14 was made for. I aimed first at the guard on the right—his back was turned, distracted, with no idea he was in my sights.
The shot hit him square in the head, piercing his skull before he could make a sound.
The guard on the left met the same fate. No alarm was triggered. Perfect work. A perfect death.
"Now," I signaled.
My soldiers moved out, advancing in flawless silence, drawing no attention.
Or so we thought.
An alarm shattered the quiet—loud enough to rouse every enemy in the camp.
Someone had seen us.
Or worse—they'd been waiting for us.
"Intruders!" an enemy soldier yelled, followed by a hail of gunfire aimed our way.
We dove for cover just in time, but it was useless. They'd already spotted us.
Then came the explosions.
Grenades.
The lifeless body of one of my soldiers was thrown against me by the blast.
"Damn it…" I muttered.
This was happening all over again.
I pulled out the cloth I always carried and laid it over the fallen soldier's face.
"Rest in peace," I said, though he couldn't hear me. "Not one more will fall today."
I ordered my men to return fire despite our disadvantage, joining in and managing to wound several enemy soldiers.
But the odds were stacked against us.
And it showed far too quickly.
More of my soldiers fell with each passing moment.
Slowly, our hope of escaping began to fade. That's when the idea took shape in my mind.
Sacrifice myself.
They had families—wives, children… I had nothing left to lose.
I turned to the soldier beside me, my decision made.
"Soldier—you all fall back. I'll hold them here."
The soldier stared at me, confused.
"W-What? What are you going to do, Commander?"
"Goodbye."
I emerged from cover with a grenade in my hand, charging toward the largest group of enemy soldiers.
They responded with a storm of bullets that tore through my body in several places, sending waves of unbearable pain through me. But the lives of these men rested on my shoulders—I couldn't afford to fall now.
By the time the grenade's final warning chirped, it was too late for them.
And for me too.
The explosion hurled me hard against a wall with a harsh, ugly crack. Parts of my body were torn away. My vision blurred, barely able to make out what was happening around me.
But I didn't care.
I'd taken out a large number of enemy soldiers, creating an opening for my men to escape.
I could rest easy knowing they were safe now.
So I thought.
But life isn't fair.
In my final moments of clarity, I watched as my soldiers were captured by the enemy.
They hadn't made it out in time.
They were forced to their knees, heads bowed. The panic on their faces told me exactly what was coming.
No. No.
This… it has to be a nightmare.
The enemy raised their weapons to my soldiers' heads and…
Fired.
They were executed right before my eyes. Without mercy. And I was powerless to stop it.
It has to be a joke.
A cruel trick of fate.
I didn't even have the strength to cry for them. Everything had been for nothing.
My sacrifice was meaningless.
Everyone is dead now.
And it was all my fault…
If only I'd been stronger…
None of this would have happened.
Once again, I couldn't protect them all.
I could no longer feel my body. My eyelids began to close, a sign my time was up.
"If only… I'd been stronger…"
Everything went black.
✦☾✦
My eyes snapped open.
Before me stood a man and a woman I'd never seen.
I scanned my surroundings, trying to make sense of where I was. The space was vast, filled with symbols, weapons, gardens, and statues of gods I didn't recognize.
Where am I?
It looks… like a temple.
And my body… it feels small.
Yet at the same time, it's filled with indescribable power.
Why can't I speak?
Wait…
Am I… a baby?
The woman holding me in her arms had bright red hair and soft pink eyes. At last, she spoke:
"Look at him—he has your eyes. He's beautiful," she said, gazing down at me with a gentle, motherly expression.
The man beside her carried himself with a serious, almost aristocratic air. His eyes were a deep red, his hair dark as night. He watched me as one might examine a new tool.
"It must be him," he said. "I can feel his power radiating from his body."
The woman—whom I assumed was my mother—smiled with a warmth I'd long forgotten how to receive after years on the battlefield.
"I expected nothing less from our son. What shall we name him?"
The man—my father—paused to think. Not from doubt, but to find a name worthy of the occasion.
"Rei. Rei ArcDusk."
My mother nodded, pleased with the choice.
What was happening?
What became of the enemy army?
And my comrades?
Despite my confusion, one truth was clear: I had died, and somehow been reborn in another world.
I had only to discover what lay ahead.
Perhaps this was my chance to fulfill my purpose.
I'd wait and see.
And I wouldn't let things stay as they were.
✦☾✦
Eleven years have passed since I arrived in this world. In that time, I've learned much about my new home. Magic exists here—like in the fantasy books from my old life. My clan, the ArcDusk, is an ancient line of shadow assassins. Their techniques focus on shadow manipulation, combined with physical discipline and stealth movements.
My father and mother are the clan leaders—he the patriarch, she the matriarch. That makes me the heir apparent, so I too can wield shadow powers.
The clan currently resides in the Temple of Silent Night, located in the most remote region of the Duskvany Kingdom. From what I've heard, the temple is even older than the kingdom itself.
From what little I've been able to investigate beyond the temple walls, this world's infrastructure resembles my own in the 1800s to 1900s. They've made advances in other areas, but there are no firearms—magic remains their primary tool.
My father trained me from early childhood alongside other clan children, showing no favoritism despite being his son. With my military experience from my past life, this was no challenge.
I was told I needed to be strong because I was special—that I was destined to bear the "True Shadow."
I didn't understand what it meant.
Not yet.
But I quickly noticed that during training, the other children began to fall behind me. Not because they were weak, but as if something was holding them back.
Within months, I was considered a prodigy in the art of assassination, training alongside children older than myself. But no one could match me. My parents were proud—especially my mother, who doted on me more than I was comfortable with.
One day, I received a summons from my father. His tone made it clear the matter was important.
He waited for me in his private study—not overly lavish, as wealth was secondary here; strength was all that mattered. He sat behind his desk with his arms crossed, my mother standing at his side as was custom.
"Thank you for coming, Rei," my father said.
"Father. Mother," I said, bowing my head slightly in respect.
"I'll be brief. Today you will undertake your first official mission. Given your performance, you will lead it."
I didn't celebrate or offer thanks. I simply stated what needed to be said.
"I understand. Details?"
My father leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk.
"We've received reports about the Broken Eclipse Order," he said, his voice laced with disdain. "They've sent a small group of Dirshap to cause trouble. I want you to locate them and eliminate them."
The Broken Eclipse Order…
I'd heard of them. They weren't fanatics or idealists—they were a mistake given human form. They didn't seek power; they sought to erase everything that created it.
The Dirshap were the Order's enforcers—the ones who handled the dirty work: kidnapping, murder, infiltration, and banditry.
I nodded—not making promises or boasting, but giving my word.
"It will be done, Father."
My mother, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward and stroked my head.
"Be careful, Rei. Don't worry your mother."
I didn't pull away. A part of me cherished having a mother who cared for me.
"I won't."
"You'd better not."
I bowed slightly before leaving the room, leaving my parents to wait for my return.
My first mission…
I won't let them down.
This time will be different.
Two young men waited for me at the temple entrance—one appeared fifteen, the other fourteen. Both wore the clan's combat uniform: black attire designed to reflect light and enhance stealth.
The first was clearly excited, his friendly demeanor obvious even from a distance.
"Rei, right? I've heard so much about you! You can call me Isei."
The second was quieter, but showed no sign of weakness—he had the look of someone who moved in shadows.
"Saechi," he said, giving only his name.
"You should both be briefed on the mission. I've been assigned as leader," I said—not to sound superior, but simply stating a fact.
Isei smiled, unfazed.
"We're under your command, Rei."
Saechi only nodded once in acknowledgment.
"Good. We march at—"
I was interrupted by approaching footsteps—light and careful, as if asking permission of the ground itself. A young girl walked toward us, moving as if unsure she had the right to take up space.
A lock of her silver hair fell over one of her aqua-green eyes, which she quickly pushed aside with trembling hands. She wore a crisp black-and-white maid's uniform with a spotless apron.
I recognized her immediately: Liria, one of the temple's maids. A year older than me, she'd been trained since childhood to be my personal attendant. Even so… she was very shy.
Liria's cheeks flushed before she'd even spoken.
"R-Rei…"
My tone softened slightly when I saw it was her.
"What is it?"
"I-I heard you had your first official mission today."
"Yes. It's today."
Liria took a deep breath, as if gathering courage for what she was about to say.
"I-I made… this for you."
She held out a white cloth—similar to the one I'd always carried, but with my initials embroidered on it. When I took it, I felt the edges were reinforced—not for show, but clearly designed to hold up in battle.
She'd really thought of everything…
"It's for luck… so you'll come back safe," she explained.
As I tucked it away, I noticed one more detail: the cloth was mostly white, save for a small aqua-green mark in one corner—the exact color of Liria's eyes.
She saw me notice it, looked away, and her cheeks burned even brighter.
"Oh that… I put it there because… I want you to think of me when you use it."
"…I'll keep it safe. Thank you, Liria."
A small smile touched her lips.
"I-I'm glad you like it."
"Go back inside. I'll return."
She nodded, giving a subtle bow before heading back the way she'd come.
I turned to the boys to continue with the operation. Isei's smile was still there, but now it was wider. More suggestive.
"Who is she? Your girlfriend?"
"My servant," I corrected him flatly, with no patience for jokes.
"Sure, sure—your servant."
"Move out."
The three of us vanished into the shadows, as if we were part of them. In seconds, we were gliding across the rooftops of the houses.
Unlike Isei and Saechi, who hopped and ran from one roof to the next, I can move through shadows as if they were flowing space itself.
With an instant shift, I jumped to the shadow three rooftops ahead. I can also travel short distances, as long as there's a shadow to activate the ability.
Umbra Step.
That's what I called it.
Isei seemed even more excited now.
"Whoa! That's…"
"Efficient," Saechi finished the thought.
We didn't take long to find our targets. In the distance, we saw black smoke rising, followed by shouts. They might as well have yelled "we're over here" to make it easier.
We stopped on a roof just below where the fire was burning. Looking down, we spotted them.
They were far too clumsy and impulsive to be kidnappers. Far too burly to be simple underlings.
Bandits.
Seven of them.
They wore black armor emblazoned with symbols of a broken eclipse. Their weapons held no shine—not because they were dull, but because they didn't reflect light at all.
Three with bows.
Three more with swords.
And the last one—the leader—carried an axe.
The houses in that area were ablaze because of them. Trapped by the flames, a woman lay clutching her young daughter. With no way out, all she could do was pray someone would rescue them, while the bandits laughed at her despair.
"P-Please… someone…" Her voice was fading from the smoke and heat.
The girl cried against her chest, terrified.
"M-Mommy… I'm scared…"
"Ha! No one's coming for you!" one of the bandits jeered. "Maybe if you'd followed our orders, we wouldn't have had to burn everything down."
"Yeah. This'll teach them a lesson," another said. "Luk, why don't you finish this?"
The leader, Luk, stared at the woman and child in the fire with a cruel grin.
"You're right. Let's put them out of their misery."
Isei clenched his fists.
"Bastards…"
"Enough," I said to Isei and Saechi without looking at them. "Isei, you get the woman and child to safety. Saechi and I will handle the bandits."
"Yes! Got it!" Isei said.
"Understood," Saechi replied simply.
I saw a shadow just a few steps away. I reached out toward it, and the darkness began to take shape—solidifying into a sword of shadow.
Nox Edge.
My faithful companion.
This was another of my abilities: Solid Night. I can materialize darkness into shadow weapons—blades, stakes, chains, swords, anything I need.
I took the sword and leaped from the roof toward the leader, no flair or drama about it. Just as Luk raised his arm—likely to cast a spell—my blade severed his limb before he even realized what was happening.
"W-What the hell?!"
Isei seized the chance to pull the woman and her daughter from the fire, carrying them to safety.
Saechi took out one of the sword-wielding bandits with impressive stealth. No one saw him coming—it was as if the man had dropped dead of nothing at all.
I didn't kill the leader right away. I planned to save him for last.
I needed to question him first.
Instead, I used Umbra Step to shift to the shadow of another bandit. I appeared behind him and took his head clean off with one simple motion—no wasted movement, no showboating. I wasn't here to impress anyone. Every action was calculated to use exactly the energy needed, as efficient and effective as possible.
The three archers tried to shoot at what they thought were "moving shadows."
Their arrows flew wide, hitting nothing at all. They grew desperate, firing blindly and faster.
"Where…! Where the hell are you?!" one growled.
They ran out of ammo in their panic. Terrified and defenseless, they tried to flee as fast as their legs could carry them.
"There's nowhere to run," I stated.
My throwing knives found their mark—striking their legs, not to kill them, but to crush any hope of escape.
Saechi flickered into view and delivered the killing blow to all three.
Only one remained.
The last man—Luk—raised his axe at me with his only good arm. His legs shook with fear at the sight of something he couldn't understand, but he still had fight left in him.
Not for long.
"J-Just who are you? What kind of monster are you?"
I didn't answer. I took a step forward.
"Answer me. Who sent you?"
He stepped back on instinct.
"N-Nothing to you. I won't say a word."
Fine.
Have it your way.
Luk swung his axe clumsily at my face. I tilted my head slightly, and the blade whistled past me. Before he could react, I grabbed his wrist and twisted his arm behind his back.
A soft crack of strained bone escaped his shoulder. I forced him forward, his arm locked in place behind him.
"Don't move," I said calmly. "Or it'll hurt more. You have nowhere left to run."
"Talk. Now."
"You little bastard. I'll kill you—"
I squeezed just enough for him to feel how easily I could shatter his arm.
"O-Okay! Okay! I'll talk, I'll talk!" he begged. "I was sent by him."
"Him?"
"The High Void. Leader of the Order."
"Do you know his real name?"
"No. No one's seen him clearly."
"Then you're no use to me anymore."
His face drained of color at my words.
"W-Wait—"
I twisted his arm until the bones snapped. He screamed in pain, but I didn't care. When that woman had begged for her life, he'd shown no mercy.
I would show him none either.
I raised Nox Edge to finish the job.
"S-Stop! I can give you anything you want!" he pleaded with his last strength. "Spare me… please…"
"No."
I didn't hesitate for a second.
My sword cut through the air.
And his head followed.
It rolled across the ground. My uniform and part of my face were splattered with his blood.
Isei returned after leaving the woman and child in a safe place, looking downcast about missing the fight.
"Damn it… I missed all the fun."
I pulled out the handkerchief Liria had given me to wipe off the blood. For a moment, I stared at the pale mint green fabric, thinking of her just as she'd wanted me to—her words, her blushing cheeks, her eyes…
Her smile.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts and wiped the blood from my face. The mission was a success. We needed to report back to my father and leave before anyone spotted us.
"Good work, both of you. Let's head back to my father's."
"Yes!" they replied.
We vanished into the shadows just as we'd arrived—as if we'd never been there at all. Leaving the bandits' bodies behind us. No witnesses to what had happened.
Or were there?
✦☾✦
Hours later, at the scene of the fire, several figures pushed through the crowd. They weren't from the ArcDusk clan. Nor were they part of the Broken Eclipse Order.
They were the Knights of the Eternal Radiance—the capital's order of knights.
By the time they arrived, the street was already packed with onlookers. No one dared touch anything, but the whispers burned hotter than the extinguished flames.
"Who could have done this?" a man murmured.
"I don't know… but they say the killings were silent," another replied.
In the crowd, the rescued woman and her daughter had returned, hoping to find their savior and thank him.
One of the knights approached them.
"Excuse me, ma'am. Were you here when this happened?"
"Yes," she answered, her voice still trembling.
"We need you to tell us what you saw."
The woman took a deep breath.
"We didn't see clearly. Only… shadows moving. And a red glow."
"Red?" the knight asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes… like eyes. A gaze that cut through the darkness."
Several people nearby turned to listen, intrigued.
"I've heard that too," an elderly man called out from the back. "They say someone's been prowling the streets at night… a shadow with glowing crimson eyes."
The knight frowned.
"Any name?"
"Some call him… the Crimson-Eyed Shadow."
The whisper spread through the crowd in an instant.
"They say he appears when no one else can help."
"They say he kills before you even know he's there."
"They say he protects people, but doesn't want to be seen."
The whole street began to repeat the name.
The Crimson-Eyed Shadow.
The Crimson-Eyed Shadow.
The Crimson-Eyed Shadow…
No one knew who he really was.
No one knew he sought no fame, no recognition, no thanks.
That shadow had a name.
Rei ArcDusk.
And he didn't want to be a hero.
He only wanted to stop anyone from dying in front of him ever again.
This was his new life.