"Hah… hah…"
The barking of dogs echoed through the forest.
Loud. Hungry.
Chasing their prey.
And the child—the prey—could only run.
"Ugh!"
But prey would always remain prey.
The child twisted his ankle and crashed hard onto the dirt.
His bruised face was drenched in sweat, blood, and mud.
Even so, the child forced himself back up, gritting through the pain and stumbling forward once more.
Pitiful.
No power. No control.
Naturally, the dogs caught him.
And naturally, they bit him.
Sharp fangs sank deep into the prey's legs, immobilizing him instantly.
The child screamed. Cried. Fought back.
All in vain.
The dogs dragged him by his legs.
Slowly.
Painfully.
Bit by bit.
Until they pulled him all the way back to a mansion.
To anyone else, it would have looked beautiful.
Moonlight reflected across its enormous windows, while the carefully placed lights illuminated the estate without drowning out the stars above. The mansion stood surrounded by forest, isolated within the darkness.
And from that darkness, the dogs emerged—dragging their prey behind them.
Soon, they entered the mansion halls.
Waiting for them was a man.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Strong.
Long brown hair framed a face twisted by sadistic amusement, his brown eyes gazing down at the child's miserable state with enjoyment.
"Enough. Good boys."
As if obeying a master they feared more than death itself, the dogs released the child's legs.
"Lord Abraham, I have returned the prisoner."
The man spoke respectfully.
Then another figure stepped out from the shadows behind him.
The moment he appeared, the entire atmosphere changed.
An overwhelming aura suffocated the surroundings.
"Good job… Alexander."
Hearing those words, Alexander's face filled with relief and hope.
"My lord… please forgive me for failing to keep him imprisoned! I recaptured him, and all I ask for is forgiveness!"
He begged.
Like a loyal dog seeking praise from its owner.
"Hm… well, you certainly corrected your mistake…"
A smile spread across Alexander's face.
A smile that remained—
Even after his head hit the floor.
His decapitated body collapsed beside the child, blood pouring across the ground and mixing together.
Lord Abraham looked down at the child with cold, lifeless eyes.
The pressure of his aura stole the very air from the child's lungs.
The child began suffocating violently, his body convulsing uncontrollably.
"In this mansion, only trees remember."
Abraham's voice was cold. Mad.
"In this mansion, only trees remember."
Again.
"In this mansion, only trees remember."
Again.
"In this mansion, only trees remember."
Again.
He climbed on top of the child.
"In this mansion, only trees remember."
His hands wrapped around the child's throat, squeezing tighter.
"In this mansion, only trees remember."
His eyes were black. Empty.
"In this mansion, only trees remember."
His hair had become long and dark, obscuring the light above.
"In this mansion, only trees remember."
The child's eyes rolled back.
"In this mansion, only trees remember."
"Heeeh!"
Ryu jolted awake.
His hands clutched at his neck as he gasped heavily for air.
"…"
Looking around, he found himself lying in a bed. His upper body was bare, wrapped in bandages.
His hair clung damply to his forehead from sweat, partially covering eyes as black as the void itself.
Taking several deep breaths, he slowly calmed down.
Soon, he pushed the blanket aside and got out of bed.
The chain was still locked around his right ankle, though it looked to be in better condition now.
"Still there…"
Letting out a tired sigh, Ryu decided to leave the room.
I need food first…
He grabbed the door handle and stepped outside.
The same village greeted him.
Did I collapse?
Confused, he looked around, searching for answers.
"It seems you've finally woken up."
An old man appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
"You…"
Ryu recognized him immediately.
"Chief… Wang?"
The old man burst into laughter once again, loud and cheerful.
"Yes! Yes! It seems your memory is perfectly fine, young man!"
His laughter mixed with the lively sounds of the village around them.
Ryu was about to ask where exactly he was when his stomach interrupted him.
"…You got food? I'm hungry."
The request delighted the old man for some reason.
"Good! Good!" Wang laughed warmly. "A young man who feels no shame asking for food—this old man likes that!"
Then Chief Wang placed a hand on Ryu's shoulder and asked gently,
"But first… what is your name, young one?"
"…"
Ryu stayed silent for a moment.
"876."
The old man blinked in surprise.
A number?
How could a number be someone's name?
Still, Wang did not press further.
"Young man, if that is what you wish to be called, then this old man shall respect it."
Everyone carried their own burdens, after all.
"Nonetheless, come," Chief Wang said with a smile. "Let us get you some food."
The elderly chief turned around and slowly began walking, gesturing for Ryu to follow him.
And follow he did.