Chapter 1: Meeting
A wall stood before them.
Not just any wall—
but a towering barrier of dark stone, rising nearly forty feet into the air. Time had worn its surface, yet it remained unyielding, carved with ancient runes that pulsed faintly… as if something within it was breathing.
Kers stared up at it, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"So this is the Demon Kingdom?" he asked, unable to hide the thrill in his voice.
Beside him, Ars stood in silence.
Calm. Too calm.
His sharp gaze traced every inch of the wall, as if memorizing it.
"Yes," Ars replied. "This is the Demon Kingdom."
Then his tone shifted—cold and precise.
"Don't forget why we're here. The stone is our only objective.
Nothing else matters."
Kers took a slow breath. The excitement in his chest settled into focus.
"…Got it."
For a brief moment, everything fell silent.
Then—
Both bent their knees.
Boom.
The ground cracked beneath them as they launched into the air. In a single leap, they cleared the massive wall, landing effortlessly atop it—
—and without a sound, vanished into the depths of the kingdom beyond.
At the very heart of the Demon Kingdom…
A mansion floated in the sky.
A colossal structure suspended in midair, surrounded by a drifting garden where stone paths twisted through the air and flowers bloomed without gravity. The atmosphere itself felt heavy—oppressive—like an invisible force pressing down on everything.
At the grand gates stood elite guards.
Silent. Unmoving.
Their mere presence was enough to suffocate the air.
From the distance, a lone figure approached.
Silver hair swayed gently behind her.
Ursula.
She didn't slow down.
Didn't even glance at the guards.
She walked straight past them—
as if they didn't exist—and entered the mansion.
Inside, the contrast was striking.
The interior was lavish, almost unnaturally perfect. Soft sofas lined the halls, while crystal lights floated above, casting a gentle glow that felt… artificial.
Ursula stopped.
Crossing her arms, she clicked her tongue.
"Yura," she called out, irritation clear in her voice.
"Where are you?"
Footsteps echoed in response.
From the second floor, a man slowly descended the stairs.
Black hair. Half-lidded eyes. A face that carried permanent boredom.
Yura.
"What is it?" he asked lazily.
Ursula shot him an annoyed look.
"A messenger came. From the Diamond Kingdom."
Yura yawned.
"So?"
Ursula's eye twitched slightly.
"They've called for a meeting."
Yura paused mid-step.
"The Three Great Kingdoms."
"…Ah."
A brief silence followed.
"Fine," he muttered. "When?"
"Now."
"Now?" Yura sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "They really never change."
"Then get moving—"
"I'm coming too!"
A cheerful voice cut in.
A girl stepped forward, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Yuri.
Yura glanced at her for a moment… then shrugged.
"…Do whatever you want."
As if on cue, two more figures appeared.
Riyu stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Lord Yura, allow me to accompany you."
Zack crossed his arms.
"I'm coming as well."
Yura shook his head.
"No. You're staying."
They froze.
"…Why?" Zack asked.
"Because only two representatives are allowed at the meeting of the Three Great Kingdoms."
The answer was simple. Absolute.
Their shoulders dropped.
"…Understood," they replied in unison, unable to hide their disappointment.
Moments later—
Yura, Yuri, and Ursula stood within the floating garden outside the mansion.
Yura stretched lazily.
"Alright… let's go."
Yuri nodded eagerly.
"Yeah!"
The next instant—
Space distorted.
Reality twisted.
And in the blink of an eye—
Yura and Yuri vanished.
The world shifted.
When their vision cleared, they stood before a massive structure.
A meeting hall so enormous… it dwarfed even the grandest royal palaces.
Yura tilted his head slightly, staring at it.
"It's been a while…" he murmured. "Seeing this place again."
Yuri smiled faintly.
"Yeah."
Without another word, they stepped inside.
The meeting room was vast.
Silent.
Five grand chairs stood arranged in a perfect circle.
Two were already occupied.
Hyuri sat upright, her presence calm yet commanding.
Beside her, Izuha leaned back casually, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Yura scratched the back of his head.
"…Am I late?"
Izuha let out a soft laugh.
"Not at all. We just got here early."
Hyuri gestured toward the empty seats.
"Sit. Let's begin."
Yura took the seat opposite her.
Yuri sat across from Izuha.
Leaning back, Yura crossed one leg over the other, completely at ease.
"So," he said, "what's this about?"
Hyuri's expression turned serious.
"You're aware of the Black Organization… aren't you?"
Yura straightened.
The laziness in his eyes disappeared instantly.
"Yeah," he said quietly.
"A dangerous group."
Hyuri inhaled slowly.
Then—
"They've unsealed the Dragon God."
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Unshakable.
As if the world itself had just taken a breath… and forgotten how to exhale.
End of Chapter 1