In a dim world, the sun hung in the sky like mere decoration, emitting no light whatsoever. Shadows swallowed every inch of the gloomy earth, leaving not a single patch illuminated.

Amidst this ashen landscape—a place that seemed to drain all hope from the air—I witnessed a sight so utterly despairing it nearly buckled my knees.

Before me rolled the severed head of the man who had been my father. His face was frozen in terror, a horrifying mask that seeped into my bones. A deep, primal fear began gnawing at what little sanity I had left.

Grief and a desperate hope for rescue flooded my heart.

“What… what kind of monster is this…? Ugh!”

I looked up. Towering over me was a rotting, goat-like skull. Exposed muscle glistened without skin, sharp fangs jutted downward, dripping a transparent liquid that sizzled where it hit the ground. Its skeletal frame trembled as it crouched, crimson lizard eyes fixed on me.

“Uwaaaaahhh!!!”

Every instinct screamed to run. But when I tried to flee, I froze. No matter how hard I willed my legs to move, they remained rooted to the earth, fused with the ground itself.

“Move! Move, damn you!!”

As the monster drew closer, a warning siren blared louder in my mind. I strained with every ounce of strength—

—and my legs gave way. I collapsed onto the dirt. A warm, yellow stain slowly spread across my trousers. Only then did I realize: I’d already lost control. My body had surrendered long ago, broken by the sight of my laughing father torn apart in an instant. Instinctive terror held me captive before this grotesque, goat-headed horror.

I had no idea when this shadowed world had swallowed me, or how the monster appeared. My mind held only one thought: escape.

The creature dragged my father’s mangled body closer, jaws dripping viscous saliva. Its greedy gaze locked onto me—its next meal.

“Stay back! Stay away!” I shook my head wildly, scrambling backward on trembling hands, trying to put distance between us.

*Gurgle-gurgle-groooan…*

It ignored my terrified cries, stepping nearer. A thick strand of drool stretched from its maw.

“Don’t come closer! DON’T!!”

Cornered by fear, I snatched a nearby stone and hurled it at the monster.

*Gurgle-gurgle-gurgle…*

The stone struck its face. It barely flinched, shaking its head slightly before resuming its slow advance. My throws did nothing to halt it.

“…”

Frantically, I grabbed more stones, pelting it like a madman.

*Gurgle-gurgle-groooan…*

The stones bounced harmlessly off its frame. It didn’t retreat. Its eyes only grew hungrier.

“1… 1… 110!”

My phone slipped from my pocket, landing in the dirt. Seeing it, I lunged for it—dialing the only lifeline I knew: 110. I didn’t know if police could stop this thing. But it was my last prayer. My final hope.

Hands shaking violently, I jabbed at the screen.

But…

No matter how many times I pressed call, the number wouldn’t connect. Panic clawed at my throat.

“*Out of service area?*”

After dozens of failed attempts, I finally noticed the icon: zero signal bars.

*Out of service area.*

Despair crashed over me. *Why me?* I was just an ordinary guy. A weakling otaku who couldn’t fight off a chicken. Someone who only wanted a quiet life. Yet here I stood—at the end of my road.

Memories flashed: my father, mother, older brother…

“Is this… my life flashing before my eyes?”

I glanced down. The monster’s claw had pierced my chest. My eyelids grew heavy. Cold seeped into my bones, making me want to curl inward.

But prey has no such right.

The monster seemed to have tired of its game. It leaned in—to end me. To close my story.

*No.*

*I refuse to end here.*

*Anyone… anyone… grant me the strength to fight back… the power to avenge… these abominable monsters… I…*

I glared up at the twisted beast, teeth clenched with hatred. If looks could kill, I’d have slain it a thousand times over. I refused to let it steal my life. I prayed—to gods, demons, anything—

*Grant me the power to destroy it. I’ll pay…*

***“Any price?”***

***“Even if it means walking with demons?”***

***“The power you seek…”***

***“Your deepest desire…”***

***“Your hope…”***

***“Have you truly…”***

***“Accepted the equal exchange?”***

As despair swallowed me, seven distinct voices echoed in my mind—piercing the darkness like the first rays of dawn.

***“Give me power! Take your price!”***

Death was inches away. What did I have left to lose? Without strength, my dull life would end here anyway. But now… a path to survival opened. Could I refuse it? Could I shrink from the cost?

No. I wouldn’t. I—

***“GRANT ME POWER! DEMON OR GOD—TAKE YOUR PRICE! I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE!!!!!!”***

***“As you wish…”***

***“We are the Seven Heavens of the Fallen World!”***

***“Your thirst…”***

***“Your wish…”***

***“We shall fulfill them all…”***

***“The price is…”***

***“The memories you entrusted to others!”***

As the pact sealed, strange imprints flooded my vision. Countless scenes—memories—surged into my mind like a tidal wave.

*Gurgle-gurgle-gurgle?*

The monster paused, sensing the shift. It tilted its head, studying me.

My pupils slowly turned the color of crimson jade.

My black hair bleached to silver, lengthening until it brushed my waist.

My tall, muscular frame shrank rapidly—down to five feet—leaving me delicate, almost frail.

*Gurgle-gurgle!*

The monster yanked its claw from my chest and leaped backward.

“Monster,” I rasped, rising smoothly. Power thrummed through my veins. I raised my arm—and froze at the sight of it. Slender. Pale as frost, faintly flushed with rose. Utterly unfamiliar.

*This… is the price?*

A flicker of confusion. But there was no time.

The wind’s howl snapped me back. Ignoring my transformed body, I reached into empty air—and pulled out a belt. It resembled a certain world-destroyer’s gear: a rectangular card slot fixed between two buckles. Just like *that* hero’s.

*Gurgle-gurgle-what?*

“Monster,” I hissed, strapping the belt around my waist. Straps snapped tight automatically. “Repent for your sins!”

The memories flooding my mind had shown me how to wield this power—the power I’d gambled everything for.

A manic grin spread across my face. I plucked a card from thin air. It depicted a longbow. I slid it into the belt’s slot.

***“Card recognized…”***

***“Recognition complete. Weapon confirmed…”***

***“Weapon card locked! ‘Sodium Bow—Fimilaharde, the Eternal Binder of Winter’ initializing…”***

***“Initialization complete. Materialization ready…”***

A bow-shaped outline shimmered before me.

***“Materialization complete!”***

***“Manifest! Sodium Bow—Fimilaharde, the Eternal Binder of Winter!”***

Seconds later, I hefted a colossal bow taller than myself. As my fingers closed around it, my silver hair bled into pale blue. My crimson eyes deepened to arctic blue.

*Sodium Bow—Fimilaharde, the Eternal Binder of Winter.* The name resonated in my soul.

*Gurgle-gurgle…*

The monster hesitated. Instinct told it this bow meant death. It took a step back, seeking escape.

But I’d never let it flee.

It killed my father.

Shattered my world.

I’d never forgive it.

Slowly, I raised Fimilaharde, aiming at the beast.

*Gurgle-gurgle!*

Realizing I’d show no mercy, it coiled—and lunged.

“Freeze all, Fimilaharde!”

I drew the bowstring without hesitation. An arrow of pure ice formed instantly. I released it.

The arrow, wreathed in deep blue light, shot forth as the bowstring snapped back!

It perfectly struck the charging monster!

The instant the monster touched the arrow, white frost coated the point of contact.

But the change didn’t end there.

The frost spread like a contagious plague, rapidly creeping across its body.

Within seconds, the monster was frozen solid into a giant ice block!