Kairo slowly opened his eyes.
It was still dark outside.
The sky had a faint blue color, and the sun had not risen yet.
From the position of the light, Kairo could tell it was around four in the morning.
For a few seconds, he just lay there on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Then suddenly, the memories of last night came rushing back — Ketlos, the punch, the pain, the humiliation.
Kairo slowly sat up and touched his stomach, the place where Ketlos had punched him.
But… there was no pain.
Not even a little.
Kairo frowned and pressed harder on the spot, but still, he felt nothing.
It was as if the injury had never existed.
That's… strange, he murmured quietly.
But he didn't think too much about it.
Every morning, Kairo used to go for a walk alone.
It was the only time he felt a little free, a little away from everyone.
So he stood up, wore his old clothes, and quietly left the house.
The morning air was cold and fresh.
The world was silent, and for a moment, Kairo felt calm.
But today, his heart was heavy.
As he walked, he kept thinking about Ketlos's words.
You're a disgrace.
You have no power.
Why did this family even keep you?
Kairo's hands slowly tightened.
No power… huh, he whispered to himself.
After walking for some time, Kairo stopped and looked toward the forest nearby.
He used to come here sometimes for training.
Since he had no cultivation talent, he trained his body instead — lifting stones, running, jumping, climbing trees, catching small animals.
It was painful and difficult, but he kept doing it.
Because somewhere in his heart, he still hoped…
Maybe one day, I'll become strong.
Today, he decided to train harder than usual.
He entered the forest and started his training.
He lifted heavy stones again and again until his arms started shaking.
He ran between the trees until his lungs burned.
He tried to catch rabbits, jumping and rolling on the ground.
He climbed trees and jumped from one branch to another, sometimes falling, sometimes slipping.
His body was soon covered in dirt and sweat, but he did not stop.
It was as if he was trying to release all his anger and pain through training.
After a long time, Kairo stopped to catch his breath.
He bent down slightly, breathing heavily.
That's when he noticed something.
Something in the grass.
Something… shining.
Kairo frowned and slowly walked toward it.
The light was faint but strange, like a deep red glow hidden under the grass.
He crouched down and moved the grass aside.
There, he saw a small, strange stone.
It was dark red in color, and faint lines were carved on its surface.
The stone looked old…
very old…
as if it had been lying there for hundreds of years.
Kairo picked it up and looked closely.
There were words written on it.
Give a drop of your blood.
Kairo's eyes narrowed.
A drop of blood…? he whispered.
For a moment, he hesitated.
What is this?
Is this some kind of trap?
Why would a stone ask for blood?
His mind told him to throw the stone away and leave.
But then another thought came into his mind.
I don't have cultivation talent.
I don't have power.
I don't have anyone on my side.
Even if something goes wrong…
what do I really have to lose?
Kairo looked at the stone again.
Then, without overthinking anymore, he bit his finger and let a small drop of blood fall onto the stone.
The moment the blood touched the stone—
The stone started shaking.
A deep red light burst out of it.
Strange symbols began to glow on its surface.
The air around Kairo became heavy, and a strange pressure filled the area.
What… is this? Kairo said in shock.
The light became brighter and brighter.
And then—
BOOM!
The stone exploded.
A powerful blast threw Kairo several meters away.
His body hit the ground hard, and his vision started spinning.
His ears were ringing, and his entire body was in pain.
He could barely move.
His eyes were slowly closing.
But before he lost consciousness, he saw something in front of him.
Floating in the air…
A dark red book.
The book was covered in strange black patterns, and a terrifying aura was coming from it.
Just looking at it made Kairo feel fear in his heart.
But at the same time…
He felt like the book was calling him.
With the last bit of strength left in his body, Kairo slowly stretched his hand toward the book.
His fingers touched the cover of the dark red book.
And everything went black.
When Kairo opened his eyes again, the sun was high in the sky.
The light was strong, and for a moment, he didn't understand where he was.
Then slowly, he remembered — the forest, the stone, the explosion, the book.
Kairo quickly sat up and looked at his body.
He was fine.
No wounds.
No pain.
No broken bones.
It was as if his body had completely healed.
Only his clothes were torn and dirty, covered in mud and dust, as if he had gone through a battle.
What… happened? he whispered.
Confused, tired, and dirty, Kairo slowly stood up and walked toward the nearby river.
He took off his torn shirt and stepped into the cold water.
As he washed the dirt and blood from his body, he kept thinking about the red book…
and the explosion.
He didn't know it yet.
But the moment he touched that book…
His fate had already changed.
And the path he was about to walk—
Was a path of blood, darkness, and power.