Unseen by , high within the shadows of the trees and the forest, sothing watched.
Perched atop an enormous tree, several ters above the ground, a dark figure hid silently. The overlapping shadows of the forest concealed its presence so completely that even if the entire forest were flattened, its silhouette would remain unseen.
Its eyes glowed with an eerie, blood-red light as it gazed down at .
"Oh? I’ve caught a prey," the figure whispered softly.
"My, my... judging by his appearance, he seems to be the first to have sensed that thing. A child from a nearby village, perhaps."
The red glow in its eyes intensified.
"Oh... I could make use of him. It wouldn’t be so bad to gather children from the lowest levels of society—understanding their structure, their hierarchy. If His Majesty’s experint succeeds..."
The voice faded into silence, unanswered.
[Ragna POV]
And that, my parents said, was how it all began.
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CURSED CHILD POV...
"This should be where the teor landed... Dammit!"
It was already night-ti. Moonlight filtered through the treetops, casting a pale hue over the forest, while cold winds whistled through the darkness.
The temperature seed to fall with every passing mont. I couldn’t help but wrap my arms around myself, trying to trap even the slightest bit of warmth against my chilled shoulders.
The fear of the unknown—and the suffocating darkness surrounding —made my body quiver. My heartbeat quickened as I walked deeper into the forest, each step heavier than the last.
Suddenly, a series of birdcalls erupted from the treetops.
"Eek!"
I yelped in fright, jumping like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"Who is it?! Who’s there?!"
My sharp, childish voice only startled more black crows into the sky, their wings beating loudly as they vanished into the night.
"Hah..."
I realized my heart was pounding faster than it ever had before—so hard it felt like it might burst straight out of my chest. I clasped my hands together and prayed silently to my late mother, who had been a devoted believer in the gods of our land. I begged her to protect , to guide , and to keep any evil far from my path.
After praying, I felt a little braver.
My hands still shook as I pushed aside the tall grass, but my steps were firm as I ventured farther in.
"Nothing... there’s nothing at all other than a huge, charred pit!"
Disappointnt crept into my voice as I scanned my surroundings, trying to take in every detail. I felt a pang of sadness and an unwillingness to leave, even though there was nothing to see.
Still, I continued rummaging around the area, clinging to the hope that I might find sothing.
"How can there be nothing?"
I muttered to myself.
"Where’s the legendary weapon? A magic item? An artifact? Even a few gold or silver coins would do..."
I didn’t know it then, but sothing was watching .
A presence hidden in the darkness took interest, amused by my small figure and foolish dreams.
"Interesting... What a child. For piquing my interest, I shall use you—and ruin your foolish dream."
Threads of light shimred from the sides of a broken sword buried in the earth, making it glow faintly in the pitch-black night.
As expected, my eyes were imdiately drawn to the strange brilliance.
My eyes widened as I stood before the broken sword. Ignoring the damp soil beneath my knees, I used my bare hands to push away dirt and rocks, uncovering the blade and bringing it back into the moonlight.
"The light... it ca from this sword..."
I said aloud, uncertain.
But the more I examined it—the rust, the corrosion along the hilt—the less convinced I beca. Even so, my hand refused to let go of it.
Even if it wasn’t a magical artifact, I still wanted it.
My love for weapons wasn’t just from stories; it ca from deep within my heart, especially when it ca to magic and fantasy.
"Mmm! Blacksmith Uncle could buy this. It’s worth at least five coppers! No—maybe ten!"
Holding the broken sword, I felt satisfied. Its weight pleased , and I was certain it was worth more than I first thought. Though it was only half its original length, I tried swinging it a few tis, only to feel disappointed at how awkward I was.
"Hmmm! I’ve decided. Even if Blacksmith Uncle offers five—or even ten—coppers, I won’t sell this!"
I nodded firmly, approving my own decision. Tucking the sword carefully by my side, I humd happily as I made my way back to the village.
When I arrived ho, the cost of my little adventure quickly caught up with . Papa’s beating, my siblings’ worried faces, and a stern warning followed—never to enter the forest alone again.
I nodded obediently, though inside I felt like a hero returning from a great battle. I carefully hid the sword among my belongings, even more secretly than the rest of my "adventurer’s items."
If Papa found it, he would surely sell it for a few cups of cheap liquor—pouring it down his throat and into his "little brother" to anything walking with skimpy skirts.
That was sothing I absolutely could not allow.
This sword was my chance to beco sothing more than a simple woodcutter. Sothing greater. Sothing useful.
Even if Papa was my father, I wouldn’t let him squander my life’s turning point.
With that thought, I sneaked back into the house, content and smiling, drifting into my favorite dreamland—imagining myself as a rich rchant and a valiant hero.
Outside, the darkness never once faded.
But it had begun to change.
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FIGURE IN THE SHADOW POV...
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"By orders of the gods of this land, let peace and harmony be unto this abode!"
I watched from the shadows as those words rang out, heavy with false sanctity. A group of knights slowly encircled the village below, their formation precise and rciless.
They rode black horses clad in light silver–plated armor, while others, fully ard and encased in gleaming steel, sealed every possible escape route.
Even from afar, I recognized the symbol embroidered upon their chests—crossed swords, proud and unmistakable.
The Shrine.
The so-called military arm of the Holy Shrine. A banner of strength, pride, and wrath. An order that tolerated no defiance.
Though the air trembled with the clatter of armor and hooves, the village remained blissfully ignorant. Families slept soundly, unaware that their peace was already over. Their surprise would co soon enough.
But this... this was not rely a routine visit.
"The gods have foreseen that this place harbors sothing that does not belong," a voice declared.
"A foreign source, steeped in unending pollution. It must be spiritually cleansed."
At that, the knights slowly parted. I narrowed my eyes as an old man erged, riding forward with deliberate elegance. He wore a simple brown robe, with a double-crested sword embroidered on both sides of his chest.
Barely over five feet tall, with a calm, gentle smile and a harmless build—he looked like a kindly grandfather on a holiday stroll. Yet I knew better.
This was the EYES OF THE GODS.
"EYES OF THE GODS,"
One knight reported, riding up beside him,
"The area has been completely surrounded, as instructed."
"Our journey begins here," the old man replied, extending his wrinkled hand ever so gently.
"Good,"
He continued pleasantly. "Shrine corps, prepare yourselves. Coordinate well. Success—or failure—rests with us."
Young acolytes and middle-aged n dressed in gray followed behind him, while the steel knights spread out into smaller, efficient units.
The village was already in crisis, though its people still dread peacefully—for now.
I observed everything from my perch high within the branches of an ancient tree.
My sanguine-red pupils glead as I stared down at the unfolding scene.
"Interesting..."
I murmured.
"So the saintly humans have arrived already."
My voice faded into the night.
I extended my senses, carefully sweeping the area. I felt the oppressive holiness of the Shrine, the sleeping villagers... and most clearly of all, the little boy.
Who was about to beco a Cursed Child.
Unaware. Vulnerable.
It was... pathetic, really. For him to be taken just like that. I felt sothing unfamiliar twist within —sadness, perhaps. Regret. Yet in my current state, all I could do was watch the heart-aching future creep closer.
Still...
What if things could change? What if I made my majesty’s experint more interesting?
The thought sent a thrill through my veins—bloody, intoxicating excitent. Success would bring reward. Failure...
"Well,"
I whispered with admiration. "They are swift to act. Impressive, really... afflitto."
I had sensed their presence long before they arrived. My role was rely to observe and report the results. And yet, sohow, my little friend had altered my course.
I should not intervene. The pact my superiors signed left no room for indulgence. This village was protected—a domain under another’s jurisdiction.
Experints were permitted, yes, but only within strict bounds.
Massacres were not outright forbidden, but every human subject had to be accounted for.
A single careless death could be deed blasphemy. Those who violated the pact were burned alive with holy water. I learned that lesson well from my predecessors.
"How unfortunate," I sighed softly.
My body trembled with hunger and excitent, my heart pounding violently—but I could do nothing. I could not even take a bite of the sweet little boy.
"The taste must be unique... if only."
Yet as I continued to watch, anticipation crept in like a playful child awaiting a spectacle. Whether this beca tragedy or triumph, I would savor every mont—and gather valuable insight into the ages to co.
"Let there be carnage!"
In the depths of the night, the broken sword responded.
A streak of dark red brilliance pulsed from its blade, glowing with a deep, crimson light.
[Author Notes: I would like to say a big thank you to everyone for reading this novel, and our top fans,I appreciate every comnt, review, powerstones, golden tickets you guys give the book. But we need more.]
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