"I can hear it howl. I can hear it scream. It wants to get free, from the barricade of these unknown feelings. What is it? An insane beast that can't be controlled.........."
"Nah! it's the curse of the Sin he is carrying, for dedicating his loyalty to that devil."
Sehoon walked through the deserted yard, solitude enveloping him. The air pulsed with life, a gentle breeze caressing his skin. He had wandered far from home; his steps weary yet determined. Pausing, he glanced back before fixing his gaze forward.
"I see no distinction. Where am I headed?" he pondered aloud, scanning the surroundings from atop the hill for a clearer perspective.
With no destination in mind, he lay down nearby, under the shade of a tree. Looking up, he watched as sunlight filtered through the rustling leaves, like a gentle sun shower. As he rested, he gradually drifted asleep, lulled by the soothing symphony of nature.
"Ha Se woo, you know, 'The Wizard King' is the greatest enchanter of all time. He emerged from realms unknown, bringing life and harmony to a world once in chaos."
A subtle yet familiar voice stirred memories, guiding him when his thoughts faltered.
"He truly seems remarkable. Father, I wish to meet him too."
"Yes, my child. You will meet him, for you are destined to be the guardian of his successor."
"His successor...?"
"Someday, in the vastness of 'The Wizard Land,' you will encounter that amazing wizard awaiting your arrival."
Sehoon envisioned a fleeting scene of a young boy smiling at a peculiar humanoid monster with three heads.
As he blinked open his eyes, twilight enveloped the surrounding. Yet, he hadn't secured shelter for the night. Rising to his feet, he walked down the hillside as darkness descended the evening sky.
He heard a noise from behind, a small wooden truck being pulled by a pair of horses. Sehoon waved his sword to signal the driver. The driver, a middle-aged man with a round, chubby body and a big black mustache, wearing thick round glasses, stopped the vehicle to see Sehoon. "What are you doing here at this hour?" the driver asked suspiciously. Sehoon explained that he was lost and needed help navigating the path. However, the driver, noticing Sehoon's sword, remained skeptical, unsure if he was a bandit.
Sehoon wasn't the type of guy who seemed eager to do anything unless forced or ordered. The driver seemed friendly, so he politely asked him where he was headed.
"Hmm... Maybe 'The Wizard Land' is that place?" he said, still unsure about his destiny, recalling bits from a recent dream. The driver suddenly burst out laughing, leaving Sehoon confused, wondering if he had misspoken. However, to his surprise, the driver offered to help him. Without hesitation, Sehoon climbed into the vehicle and settled near the window, where the driver sat. The truck was mostly empty except for some crafting materials belonging to the owner.
As the horses hummed to life, the vehicle rumbled along the uneven but plain road, its lantern casting a flickering glow as darkness enveloped the landscape.
After a journey through the desolate terrain, they arrived at a quaint town cloaked in silence, where only a handful of figures roamed the streets. Sehoon peered out the window as the vehicle came to a halt and inquired eagerly, "Is this the Wizard Land?"
The Driver shook his head, his voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia, "No, young man. That place is just a memory now. The Wizard Land has long vanished from these lands."
Sehoon's voice cracked with doubt, "What does that mean? And why did you bring me here?" The driver, with a hint of concern, explained that he thought Sehoon seemed lost and troubled, in need of assistance amidst the late hour. He emphasized the dangers of wandering alone at night.
Sehoon, his posture straightening with confidence, countered that he was trained as a warrior from youth and, being a Borion, he wasn't afraid of such dangers.
The driver's eyes widened in surprise at the mention of Sehoon being a Borion. Without hesitation, he whisked Sehoon off to the nearby Town Hall, urgency in his every step, despite Sehoon's heavy reluctance.
Struggling under the weight of an unseen burden, Sehoon queried with a mix of confusion and apprehension, "Where are you taking me?"
Without hesitation, the driver ushered him into the town hall, where a few people were still bustling about, packing up for the day. It seemed they were on the brink of closing up office as the clock ticked towards closing time.
As they stepped inside, all eyes turned towards them in a tense hush. Breaking the uneasy silence, the driver called out for the Head Representative of the town hall. Sehoon felt a pang of confusion, unsure of what awaited him in this unfamiliar setting. Yet, despite the tension, he remained unfazed, his confidence unwavering. He knew he possessed the strength to handle whatever came his way, ready to confront any challenge head-on.
The well-dressed head, about to leave, emerged from his cabin, curious about the commotion. Everyone fell silent, directing their attention to the driver, accompanied by a strange boy. Approaching the head, the driver engaged in a hushed conversation about the boy. Sehoon, with his menacing family sword strapped to his back, surveyed the hall while others watched him intently. They eventually gathered around the two conversing figures.
"What's your name, young man?" inquired the town head, prompting Sehoon to reply.
"Ha Se Woo," he answered.
The old man continued, "My man told me that you are a Borion. Does that mean you were born into a family of Royal Knights? If so, I need your help with something, but I need to know if you're willing." Sehoon, without hesitation, agreed to help, relying on the training he received from childhood to face any challenge without fear. The Head then instructed everyone to leave and wait outside while he spoke to Sehoon alone. He explained the task at hand: a quest to deal with a female devil named Artemis. She posed a significant threat to them, hindering their travels beyond a certain point. Her residence lay along the path they needed to cross, which once also led to the Wizard Land. However, anyone attempting to pass her way was lured by her charm and never heard from again, presumably devoured by her. As a result, nobody dared to attempt that path anymore.
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Sehoon, born a Borion and trained to combat, didn't hesitate to agree to their plea for assistance. The old man now led him to meet the other members who would accompany him on his journey to the forbidden fort. They were a select few, chosen to guide him to his destination. Tonight, he would rest, preparing himself fully for the challenges that awaited him tomorrow.
Sehoon was graciously provided a dorm by the Town Head for the night, where he could rest without any worry about what the next day might bring.
Sehoon, now all alone in his dorm tried to sleep but was distracted by the thoughts of who the person his father used to tell him about. He stayed awake for a while thinking about what he will do and how he must find that person. But before that he made his goal to help these people, as a Borion, it's in his nature to fight for the right mean. He finally gave in to sleep and dropped to get some rest.
The night swiftly passed by.
The next morning, they ventured outside of town to the designated location where the infamous Devil woman was rumored to reside. Sehoon led a group of five men, including the driver he had met the previous night. The eerie allure of the natural surroundings unsettled the men, but Sehoon remained unfazed, striding forward with unwavering confidence. The others hesitated, apprehensive about approaching the fortress-like structure looming ahead on the hill ground. As Sehoon pressed on, he noticed the absence of footsteps behind him, turning to find his companions frozen in their tracks, their gaze fixed upon the foreboding fort.
"Are you all not coming inside?" Sehoon asked, with no worry about the fact that the woman he was about to confront is a devil. One of the group members expressed concern, saying, "Will it be fine if you go alone? We don't want to risk our lives."
The driver said, "And also, you're a Borion, so it's not a big deal for you to gain control over that devil". Sehoon glanced at them briefly before proceeding without a word. The other men were left stunned as they watched him enter without hesitation. Sehoon navigated the uneven path leading to the fort and paused to take in its imposing presence. The double-sided door loomed large, its rusty surface covered in dust, adding to the ominous aura of the tall structure. As Sehoon cast one final glance back, he saw the men still struck with disbelief, resting on the unshaped stairs in the distance.
As Sehoon pulled the door open, a sense of foreboding enveloped him as he stepped inside. He remained composed, aware that he was about to encounter something far from ordinary. He put his bag aside on the floor, he was carrying all along. Suddenly, a soft, feminine whisper reached his ears, barely audible at first. It called out to him, drawing him closer. Sehoon sensed that his presence had been detected by the mysterious entity within. The door behind me slowly closed itself. Sehoon unafraid, turn to face the large hall.
"Then what are you waiting for? I've come here to subdue you."
Sehoon took his stance.
"Before we proceed, may I ask who you are? Your presence emits an unusual aura that intrigues me."
Out of nowhere, smoke enveloped the grand hall, coalescing into a peculiar humanoid form. Gradually, a tall woman in regal red attire materialized before Sehoon. Though she resembled a revered queen from a distant palace, she was merely a devil assuming this guise to detain passers-by. Sehoon remained unfazed by her presence, his expression unchanged, showing no interest. Without a word, he drew his sword, poised for battle. Artemis grew irritated at being ignored, as it was the first time anyone had disregarded her.
Her expression shifted to shock when she saw him holding the sword, as if she knew something. Then, a sudden realization spread across her face, and her shocked mouth transformed into a wide grin. Sehoon looked at her, bewildered.
"Ah, a Borion, I see," she said, drifting among the smoke with legs obscured from view. "I know who you are."
Sehoon, poised to advance, halted at the sound of her low voice.
"What?! What did you say?" he asked, his eyes filled with concern.
Artemis grinned broadly, observing Sehoon's agitated expression.
"Your fate is shrouded, blinded by your own promises. Do you truly believe you can meet your father's expectations? How naive."
"What do you mean?" Sehoon's temper flared as he realized she knew about his father, a fact he hadn't disclosed. Unaware of how she knew, his aura heightened as he swung his sword, slashing through the thick air, narrowly missing her with each strike. He continued slashing, frustration driving his movements.
"Your father..."
Sehoon halted in his tracks.
"He wasn't proud of you. You are a big disappointment to him. If it weren't for you, he wouldn't have died. All his efforts in training you are just a waste."
Sehoon, seething with rage, snapped, "Just shut up! Say one more word, and I'll tear you apart." This was perhaps the first time Sehoon had been overtaken by his anger. Artemis seized upon his anger, manipulating him further, "You know it's true. Your failure to meet his expectations led to his demise, and now you think you can fulfill the promise without a clue of what you're doing."
Sehoon's mind snapped, consumed by a dark aura that gripped his body. Artemis gasped in surprise, exclaiming, "This... This isn't how I assumed it..."
Artemis realized she had made a grave mistake, sensing that Sehoon was not someone she should have angered. Surrounded by a dark aura, Sehoon exuded a menacing presence, his expression unreadable but hinting at regret. Attempting to flee, Artemis found herself hindered by thickening smoke that seemed to pull her back towards Sehoon, slowing her escape. As tension mounted in the hall, Sehoon's demeanor shifted, his eyes betraying a growing emptiness as he struggled with his inner turmoil. With no other option, Artemis braced herself to confront him, her nails poised for attack. Yet, as she moved to strike, the situation took an unexpected turn, her eyes widened in despair.
A thunderous roar echoed through the area, sending shivers down everyone's spines. The sound was so deafening that it startled the men outside, waiting for Sehoon. Suddenly, a blast erupted from the left side of the fort in the distance, frightening the men and causing them to flee without Sehoon. They likely assumed Sehoon failed to defeat Artemis and had become prey to her.
Artemis stood frozen in horror as she beheld a towering, three-headed humanoid monster before her, with Sehoon nowhere in sight. Desperate to escape, she tried to flee, but it felt futile, as if there was no way out.
The men were still running uphill towards the town when they heard a monstrous growl again. Looking back, they saw the fort shrouded in soft fog but still visible from the hilltop. Suddenly, the entire fort exploded right in front of them, sending a shock wave their way. They were too stunned to speak, their eyes filled with terror from what they had just witnessed.
And then, the entire fort collapsed. No one knew what had happened. It was the first time they had witnessed such a disaster. They began to wonder if Sehoon and Artemis were still alive, as they had no intention of returning to check. They felt utterly helpless.
In a distant place, someone observed everything unfolding. "Welcome! Hound Sin", he muttered and began walking, certain of their destination, and whispered again, "Fate has begun its game... Well, we'll meet soon, Ha Se woo."
----------------------------------------------------
A faint voice,
A dream,
Or a nightmare?
Is it inside you?
The demon, that is making you go insane.
Who is it?
Maybe it's your own fear.
"Who will save me if I become a demon again?"
~ Ha Se woo looks at the sky as a single tear slips through his cheek.
~ Ha Se woo looks at the sky as a single tear slips through his cheek [https://img.wattpad.com/27d10f94cb3015b35cbf45a74983b7fee2c16582/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f5954565a53546e783745647034773d3d2d313237333536393738312e3138313234663832346132336166643137353538383739393837322e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]