What happened next?
I can’t recall. Or perhaps I simply didn’t want to remember.
Only I survived in the end. How? Who knows?
Yuri’s gunshot was the spark. Yet neither she nor he ever regretted it.
Not shooting meant death. Shooting might mean death too—but it meant revenge!
When that motherly figure was killed, her world turned gray and white.
Revenge.
Those two words filled her mind then. And she’d carry them for life.
All I remember is being transferred to a new orphanage. But warmth never awaited me. Only a deeper hell.
The robber, knowing his fate was sealed, used stolen gasoline. He set a fire. Chose to end it all…
Yuri was rescued, but burns covered her body. She survived, yet ugly scars marred her face.
Bullets had pierced her too. She lived, but lost her health. Became fragile.
Somehow, her story spread through the orphanage. It grew worse with each retelling.
The other kids called her a monster. Bullied her for fun.
Children’s minds are simple. Too simple—sometimes more extreme.
They bullied her. Even the director saw her as a jinx. In that place, Yuri grew silent. Darker.
Naturally, no one wanted to adopt her.
Until years later. She met someone. A person who wanted to adopt her.
That man signed papers with the director. Took her home.
…
“How… foolish.”
Yuri gently stroked the pale cheek of the boy beside her. Her face was blank. But her eyes trembled violently.
He was dead. After that man’s “adoption,” torture stole his life.
That man had two sworn brothers once. They perished in a fire…
Reports covered it everywhere back then.
His eldest brother didn’t die in flames. A hostage shot him—with his own gun.
That special handgun he’d bought as a gift!
It was all so clichéd. Yet cruel. Dark.
He searched long before finding Yuri’s orphanage. Revenge began naturally.
Surprisingly smoothly.
Yet the boy never screamed under torture. Just stared with hollow eyes…
Until death.
“Humans… how terrifying.”
Yuri closed her eyes. The world turned pitch black again.
Karma. Every cause has an effect. Every effect has a cause.
What cause creates what effect…
When she opened her eyes, everything changed.
The sky bled ominous black-red. The earth lay parched and dry.
Even stray weeds were a strange crimson-black!
Where was this?
Unfamiliar. Yet oddly familiar.
Yuri stood at the road’s center, gazing around in confusion.
In the distance, a figure grew clearer.
A girl. Jet-black hair flowed to her calves. Pure crimson eyes.
She wore a tattered dress. Her face was cold. But her gaze held deep confusion.
That look—of a lost wanderer. No direction. No home.
She walked aimlessly. Not knowing why she existed. Or where to go.
She never paused. Desperate to find meaning.
Her name was forgotten. Or perhaps she never needed one.
Yuri followed her. Watched her walk for ages. Watched her dazed.
Strangely, Yuri felt everything the girl felt…
Time flew. Yet felt like an instant.
Until…
“Hey! Two scary guys are fighting ahead. Don’t go forward.”
A woman blocked her path. Beautiful. Dressed in an elegant gown.
Her gaze held something unreadable.
Naturally, the girl ignored her. Didn’t even pause.
Those “scary guys” shattered with a wave of her hand.
Like countless times before. They couldn’t take a single hit.
But afterward, something formidable clung to her…
“Wow! You’re amazing!”
“…”
First time. No reply.
“Wanna be my subordinate? I’ll unify this world!”
“…”
Second time. Still ignored. Then third. Fourth…
“Why won’t you talk? What’s your name? Hey—we’re friends now! Answer me.”
“…”
“No name? Then… Akate? Hmm. Doesn’t suit a beauty like you…”
Abruptly, the girl stopped. Her unwavering gaze slowly shifted to the conflicted woman.
“A…ka…te?”
“Huh?” The woman froze—startled after endless silence. Then she beamed. “You can talk! I’m Lilith! Destined to rule this world! Be my subordinate? I’ll make you a grand duke when I’m queen!”
Watching Lilith lost in delusion, then grinning foolishly, the girl’s ancient eyes flickered slightly.
“Seems… interesting.”
“You agreed?! Ahaha! I knew it—I’m born to be queen!”
Her reply inflated Lilith’s confidence. A smile burst across her face.
“Let’s name our army! Eternal Night Legion? Where we march—eternal night! Awesome, right? Hahahaha!”
“…”
The two walked away. Yuri didn’t follow.
She lowered her eyes. “So this is yours.”
Fate is mysterious.
Back then, Lilith’s words were just a whim. Who’d think… they’d all come true so soon?
“The past is just the past. What use is staring at it?”
Yuri shook her head. Turned the opposite way.
Crack!
The world fractured.
…
“Lord Akat, you’re awake?”
Maria stood as soon as Yuri opened her eyes.
Yuri didn’t answer. She scratched her jet-black hair. “How long did I sleep?”
“About two hours, Lord Akat.”
“Is that so?” Yuri stretched. Rose from the makeshift bed. Muttered, “Seems I had a rather unpleasant dream.”
