《Voidlight》
Chapter 1: Radiant vs Abyssal
The Spiritual World¡ªa parallel reflection of our own¡ªis a place where the energy of the human realm takes new form. Unlike Earth¡¯s familiar greens, this world blooms in alien hues: grass glows in deep, iridescent blues and purples, and trees shimmer with silver-touched leaves. It¡¯s a realm of breathtaking beauty, alive with motion and mystery.
Here, spiritual creatures of all shapes and colors wander freely. Some are wisps of pure light, others shifting shadows or beasts of flesh and uncommon shapes. The air hums with faintly visible streams of energy¡ªlike rivers of starlight, flowing across the skies and valleys, ever in motion.
But beauty hides danger.
From the abyss itself, Abyssals were born¡ªtwisted beings of hunger and hatred. These creatures exist to devour humanity, their presence like a curse on this world. In response, warriors rose from among the humans¡ªthe Blinders, elite fighters who dedicated their lives to defending what remained.
Thanks to them, humanity has survived¡ barely.
High above, the landscape stretches in luminous waves. A glowing forest of bioluminescent blue leaves rustles under a sky filled with drifting energy.
Two figures approach one another beneath the trees.
The first is Liliane¡ªa warrior maiden with snow-white hair and glowing sapphire eyes like her halo. She moves with grace honed by years of katana training, each step she takes produces life in the ground from her energy of life. Her slender form flows like a dancer, wrapped in an ethereal aura of white light, pulsing with serenity and strength.
Facing her from the shadows¡ Hollow.
An Abysmal in human shape, yet unmistakably monstrous with a bottomless dark hole in his lower chest area proving so. With every step, the earth beneath his feet withers, the glowing plants dying in silence. His hair falls in dark waves like the midnight sky, but it¡¯s his eyes¡ªblood-red, with slitted pupils like a predator¡ªthat demand attention. They burn with unnatural intensity.
Two sharp, black horns curve from his forehead, just above his eyes.
He is destruction incarnate. A being forged in chaos, shaped by endless battle. Hollow lives for the thrill of combat¡ªfor the carnage, the hunger, the war. His confrontations with Liliane are infamous¡ clashes that shatter the world around them.
The balance of the Spiritual World rests on a fragile truce between these two legendary beings.
And that truce¡ is about to shatter.
Hollow grins¡ªferal and sadistic¡ªas he steps into view. His voice slithers with anticipation.
¡°How delightful¡ You came to play all on your own.¡±
Across from him, Liliane stands tall, serene as ever. Her tone is calm, but her words strike with iron resolve.
¡°Whenever you appear¡ someone gets hurt. I won¡¯t let you do as you please.¡±
Though her expression remains composed, her stance shifts. She reaches for her katana, its sheath shimmering with quiet power. With a flash of light, wings of pure white unfold from her lower back¡ªangelic, radiant, alive.
Hollow¡¯s smile only widens, fangs flashing as he draws his own blade in one fluid motion. From his back, black wings snap open¡ªsleek and predatory¡ªand a thin dragon-like tail coils behind him, twitching with excitement.
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The air around them hums with unbearable tension.
Then¡ªthey vanish.
In a blur of motion too fast to follow, they reappear in a violent clash. Their katanas collide with a thunderous boom, unleashing a shockwave that carves a massive crater into the earth. The very landscape quakes.
Steel grinds against steel. Sparks fly. Their eyes lock.
Hollow¡¯s crimson gaze burns with unholy glee.
Liliane¡¯s is focused, unwavering.
And then¡ª
The battlefield explodes into chaos.
Light and shadow collide in a fury of slashes and strikes, their energy tearing the world apart. Each movement is precise, elegant, deadly. Katanas arc like falling stars, bursting with radiant flashes and deep, hungry darkness.
A cyclone of raw power forms around them.
Trees are shredded. The air screams.
Every impact of their blades sends shockwaves through the forest, reducing everything nearby to debris.
He is the embodiment of destruction.
She, the last bastion of serenity.
And in this clash¡ neither holds back.
High above the glowing forest, Liliane and Hollow soared¡ªwings outstretched, majestic and menacing.
As they ascended, the world below twisted into a blur of color and motion. The sky rippled with pressure. Liliane narrowed her eyes, channeling Astra into her katana. The blade flared with radiant light before she unleashed a slash so powerful it tore through the air like a divine judgment, cleaving the clouds apart.
But Hollow was already moving.
He raised his own katana¡ªwreathed in swirling darkness¡ªand cut the incoming attack cleanly in two. Though they were miles above the surface, the remnants of Liliane¡¯s strike crashed into the ground, exploding into pillars of dust and energy that scarred the land.
In an instant, they collided once more.
Steel met steel with a deafening clash, shockwaves thundering across the sky. Hollow struck from the side, his blade coated in Abyssal darkness. Liliane twisted mid-air with supernatural grace, deflecting the blow and countering with a precise thrust of pure light.
They moved at blinding speeds, flickering like mirages in a dance of death. Bursts of light and shadow flashed across the sky as they exchanged blow after blow. Liliane conjured a volley of radiant spears, firing them in quick succession. Hollow shapes his flame-like Abyssal shadows into claws, intercepting the strikes before reaching toward her.
With a flicker of motion, Liliane vanished in a storm of slashes¡ªslicing apart the shadows with streaks of divine brilliance.
Missed attacks rained destruction below. When they struck the ground, the impact carved deep fissures, while the force of each clash sent slicing gales in every direction, ripping through the forest like a hurricane of blades.
"That''s all you''ve got?" Hollow yelled, voice thick with challenge and delight.
He surged forward, wings flaring wide as he hurled himself at her with a roar. His blade gleamed¡ªcoated in seething darkness¡ªas he delivered a powerful strike meant to split her in two.
"Not even close," Liliane replied, her voice calm and cutting.
She ascended with elegance, meeting him head-on. Their blades crashed. She caught his strike and redirected it with precision, striking a weak point in his guard.
In one fluid motion, she spun and delivered a diagonal slash.
The air screamed.
The force of the attack was so immense, the earth far below shuddered¡ªand a mountain in the distance cracked.
Hollow¡¯s arm was severed in a single stroke. A deep gash split across his chest, sending black blood pouring from the wound.
He staggered.
Liliane pressed forward, unrelenting. Her sword aimed straight for his head. But just before impact, Hollow laughed¡ªlow and wild¡ªand tilted his head aside. Her blade missed by inches.
With his remaining arm, he plunged his katana into her stomach.
Liliane gasped, her eyes wide in shock.
In one brutal motion, he dragged the blade upward, carving a brutal wound across her torso. Blood¡ªred, human¡ªgushed from her body.
She clenched her teeth and raised her left hand, gripping her katana with one arm while pressing her right palm to Hollow¡¯s face. A sphere of white energy pulsed in her grasp.
Hollow opened his mouth, revealing a growing orb of black energy forming inside.
They released their attacks simultaneously.
A blinding explosion split the sky.
Light and darkness collided in a cataclysmic burst, blasting the two warriors apart. Their auras flickered, battered by the force.
From the torn stump of Hollow¡¯s arm, black energy twisted and surged¡ªreforming his limb with unnatural fluidity. The gaping wound across his chest sealed over moments later, his form knitting itself back together like shadow returning to shape.
Across from him, Liliane hovered midair, her hand pressed to the wound on her abdomen. A soft white glow enveloped her body, restoring her form, cleansing away the blood as light reknit her torn essence with gentle pulses.
They were whole again... but not untouched. The strain of the clash still clung to their bodies, even as their forms regained their grace.
Their battle wasn¡¯t over.
Hollow raised a hand, gathering a sphere of Abyssal energy, and hurled it from the sky. Liliane veered aside, letting it soar past. The projectile slammed into a cliffside below¡ªannihilating it in a single blast.
In response, Liliane raised her sword and unleashed a volley of radiant beams. The sky lit up like thunderbolts falling from heaven. Hollow spun, wings cutting through the air as he avoided the strikes, retaliating with Abyssal flames of darkness that launched towards her.
Liliane cut through them with arcs of light from her sword.
Their aerial movements became a deadly ballet¡ªelegant, fierce, unrelenting.
Below them, the world could only tremble.
Every living creature in the area fled in desperation. The terrain warped¡ªcraters forming, cliffs shattering, fissures widening with each collision of power.
Liliane spun mid-air and released a wave of cutting light.
Hollow wrapped himself in a cloak of living shadow, letting it absorb the incoming energy like a second skin. Then he launched himself from within the darkness, blade first, howling toward her once again.
¡°Come on, Liliane! Give me a real fight!¡± Hollow roared, his laughter echoing through the skies as his eyes gleamed with savage delight.
Liliane answered with a blinding surge of light, the force of it driving Hollow back through the air.
¡°I won¡¯t stop until you¡¯re no longer able to hurt anyone,¡± she said, her voice sharp and unwavering.
Chapter 2: Spiritual Exile
The air trembled with the fury of their attacks. The earth quaked beneath the force of their strikes. It was more than a battle¡ªit was a clash of destinies. Light against shadow. Protection against annihilation. A war that seemed to have no end.
Far in the distance, a group of humans clad in ceremonial kimonos watched the chaos unfold. Each bore a weapon that marked their role as Blinders, the guardians of humanity. Some held swords, others spears, scythes, bows, or ornate staves¡ªevery armament reflecting a distinct combat discipline and spiritual specialty.
They stood on a high ridge, peering through binoculars made of manifested spiritual energy, allowing them to witness events occurring hundreds of kilometers away.
But even with enhanced vision, the battle between Hollow and Liliane blurred into a storm of divine chaos. Blinding flashes of white and crashing waves of darkness exploded across the horizon. The shockwaves alone could be felt from their observation point, rattling the stones beneath their feet.
¡°This is bad. At this rate, they¡¯ll completely destroy the entire Whispering Sector¡ and I was finally getting used to the peace,¡± one of the Blinders muttered, lowering his hands from his face, the spiritual binoculars fading from his fingers.
¡°We had two years and six months of peace¡¡± another said, his voice steady but weary. ¡°That¡¯s the longest we''ve ever gone without chaos.¡±
A younger recruit sighed and slumped down onto the grass. ¡°Just don¡¯t let this one last as long as the last time. They fought nonstop for over three hundred years¡¡±
A third Blinder, older and more composed, kept his eyes on the flashing sky. His tone was grave. ¡°These are the two strongest beings ever to walk this land. Even the Grand Martial Emperor said it himself. What we¡¯re witnessing now¡ is exactly the scale of power he warned us about.¡±
¡°Someone needs to alert him,¡± another voice chimed in¡ªa girl with sharp eyes and restless energy.
Without waiting for approval, she stood up in a flash.
¡°I¡¯ll go!¡±
With a swift motion, her body shimmered¡ªand in the next heartbeat, she vanished from view, soaring across the land toward the heart of humanity¡¯s stronghold.
Mitzy, the messenger, darted across rolling hills and glowing landscapes. The trees lining the path sparkled with iridescent leaves, shifting from blue to violet beneath the sunlight. Ethereal creatures with transparent wings and luminous bodies fluttered around her, singing soft, surreal songs that echoed through the wind.
But Mitzy had no time to admire the beauty.
At the top of a distant hill, the human settlement came into view¡ªJin Kyoten, the last great city.
A massive fortress rose into the sky, enclosed by towering wooden walls and adorned with curved rooftops and intricate carvings. At its center stood an enormous sakura tree, towering far above the hills¡ªbetween eight and ten kilometers high. Its petals shimmered in gentle pink hues, fluttering through the wind like falling stars, a breathtaking contrast to the distant battle raging beyond the horizon.
As she approached the city gates, the guards recognized her and opened the colossal doors without question. Inside, life went on undisturbed. Merchants bartered, citizens bustled through their daily routines¡ªoblivious to the cataclysm looming outside the city¡¯s protective walls.
Mitzy moved quickly, ascending the wide stone stairways that led toward the fortress core. Each level grew more elegant and less crowded, signs that she was nearing her destination: the residence of the Grand Martial Emperor.
Along the way, walls were adorned with murals of ancient heroes and epic battles¡ªsilent reminders of the blood and courage that had kept humanity alive.
At last, she reached the final gate.
The guards stepped aside without a word. They knew her face. They knew her mission.
Mitzy entered the grand hall and knelt, bowing deeply before the throne where a lone figure awaited her.
¡°I bring news, Your Majesty,¡± she said clearly. ¡°Hollow and Liliane have begun their battle¡ once again.¡±
The Grand Martial Emperor watched Mitzy with calm intensity.
His gaze, ancient and unreadable, carried the weight of centuries¡ªwisdom earned through countless wars and impossible decisions. He understood exactly what it meant for Hollow and Liliane to clash once again. In their current forms, they were no longer people. They were forces of nature¡ªuncontainable storms of divine violence. Their battles could stretch across years¡ even centuries.
"I understand," he said firmly, rising from his throne.
"Inform the Blinders to evacuate all extraction posts and nearby resource zones. We cannot allow a single civilian to remain within that battlefield."
Mitzy nodded without hesitation. She knew what was at stake.
The resource zones were scattered across the far reaches of the Spiritual World¡ªused for mining rare minerals and harvesting spiritual materials. They weren¡¯t homes, but many people worked there¡ and any delay could cost lives.
"Messenger Mitzy," the Emperor continued, his voice as steady as stone, "I want continuous surveillance on the battle. If their trajectory shifts even slightly, report to me immediately. We cannot let them approach another sector."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I¡¯ll do whatever it takes," she replied, her voice filled with resolve. Then, without wasting a second, she turned and vanished, racing to return to her observation post.
Across the distant hills, the Blinders were already in motion.
They couldn¡¯t stop the battle. But they could protect the innocent.
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Moving in organized squads, they weaved through hidden paths carved into the terrain¡ªtraversing hills, valleys, and narrow canyons with practiced precision. Each team was assigned to a different outpost, their goal clear: evacuate the workers, safeguard the supplies, and move before the destruction spread.
¡°Move fast. We need this mine cleared before the battle draws any closer,¡± one Blinder commanded, helping a group of workers pack their tools and spiritual gear.
¡°Do you really think they¡¯ll come this far?¡± asked a young worker, his voice trembling with unease.
¡°We¡¯re not waiting to find out,¡± the Blinder replied, lifting a heavy container of spirit-mineral ore. ¡°We get everyone out¡ªnow.¡±
Elsewhere, in the hills overlooking the chaos, Blinders stood in strategic formation. They watched the swirling storm of light and shadow in the distance¡ªtwo titans battling beyond the comprehension of most.
¡°They shake the whole world every time they clash,¡± one muttered, his voice a low breath of awe and fear. ¡°No matter how many times I see it¡ it¡¯s hard to believe two beings can unleash that much destruction.¡±
The Blinder beside him remained focused, his eyes locked on the horizon. ¡°I know. It¡¯s like the very balance of the world starts to unravel. But we can¡¯t afford to be overwhelmed by their power.¡±
He tightened his grip on his weapon. ¡°Our duty is to protect humanity¡ªno matter how small our role feels compared to theirs.¡±
They exchanged a brief look of understanding before turning back to their posts.
They knew the truth: their vigilance could mean the difference between safety and annihilation. If Hollow and Liliane drifted even slightly from their current trajectory, countless settlements and extraction posts would be at risk.
¡°We stay sharp,¡± another Blinder ordered, his voice firm and clear. ¡°If their path shifts, we notify the evacuation patrols immediately. No delays.¡±
The others nodded, refocusing their attention.
Back in the heart of the human fortress, the Grand Martial Emperor remained seated¡ªunmoving, unshaken.
He stared toward the distant sky, where light and darkness danced like gods at war. His face betrayed no emotion, but behind those eyes, calculations churned endlessly. Every variable, every possibility. The survival of his people depended on it.
And he would not let them fall.
"Mitzy," the Grand Martial Emperor said, his voice calm yet unwavering.
She turned back to him instantly.
"Stay in close contact with the advance teams. If there¡¯s even the slightest indication that the battle shifts toward another sector, we need immediate readiness for evacuation."
Mitzy nodded sharply. Her eyes held no hesitation now¡ªonly clarity.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I¡¯ll make sure all teams stay alert and ready to act."
The Emperor¡¯s gaze shifted toward the window once more, his expression sharpening.
"Have all Blinders hold their positions. We cannot allow this battle to destroy more than it already has," he murmured. Then, more to himself than to her, his voice dropped lower¡ªlike steel being drawn from a scabbard.
"This is only the beginning."
Far away, the battle between Hollow and Liliane raged on¡ªa storm of divine violence.
Every strike shattered the land. Shockwaves tore apart the earth, splitting mountains and gouging massive craters into the terrain. The very fabric of the world trembled beneath them.
Across the Spiritual World, Blinders remained stationed at key locations, watching with growing tension as the distant sky flickered with catastrophic bursts of light and darkness.
Evacuations were still underway in nearby settlements, with squads ushering out miners, scouts, and support crews. Chaos unfolded like a tide¡ªbut not without preparation.
"Every time they fight¡ it¡¯s the same," muttered one of the Blinders, his eyes never leaving the horizon. His voice was lined with weariness and quiet frustration. "They treat the world like it¡¯s their own personal battlefield. Everything in their path just¡ ceases to exist."
"And to think there was a time we believed we could stop them," another added softly, gazing at what had once been a forest¡ªnow a smoldering wasteland.
"No matter how often we witness it¡ the destruction always feels unreal."
"The worst part is knowing that, when it ends, all that remains is rubble," said a third, his voice grim. "We''re lucky we evacuated as fast as we did."
The sky above them darkened further¡ªnot just from the time of day, but from the battle¡¯s magnitude itself.
Even nature seemed to recoil.
The horizon darkened.
What began as a deep twilight blue had shifted¡ªslowly, then suddenly¡ªinto a suffocating black. The skies churned as if reality itself had been turned inside out. Clouds twisted into a swirling vortex, stretching across the entire firmament like a veil of doom.
Then the light died.
A darkness deeper than night fell upon the world. Not shadow. Not absence. A void so absolute it made time itself feel frozen¡ªlike existence had been caught in a moment of eternal pause.
And in that moment, something began to take form.
High above, the darkness shifted¡ªetched with the first lines of something vast. Glowing runes began to carve themselves into the sky, spiraling outward in brilliant complexity. Lines, arcs, and ancient symbols wove together in a massive celestial array, forming a shape that resembled... an eye.
Its center glowed with a sinister radiance, like the pupil of a god staring down from the heavens.
Hollow and Liliane halted their battle instantly, gazes locked skyward as the impossible unfolded above them.
"...What is that?" a Blinder whispered, his voice lost in the void.
The eye-shaped circle pulsed with lights of shifting color. Beams of crimson, sapphire, emerald, and gold arced through the black sky, cutting through the darkness with unnatural clarity. Around the edges of the circle, shapes began to emerge¡ªvast silhouettes with no clear form. Gigantic. Amorphous. Unfathomable.
The Superior Spirits had arrived.
Each was cloaked in an aura tied to a fundamental element¡ªfire, water, wood, wind, earth, light, and darkness. They did not resemble anything human, beast, or god. Their bodies were chaotic, ever-shifting, impossible to comprehend fully. Just looking at them made the sky vibrate, made thought feel slow.
¡°I thought... they were only legends,¡± muttered a Blinder, his voice trembling.
Hollow, still gripping his sword, stared at the sky with a rare look of confusion. "What the hell¡ are those things?"
Liliane stood silently, her blade lowered, her body bathed in the flickering glow of the runes. She looked so small beneath the looming presence of the circle.
¡°They''re¡ something beyond us,¡± she whispered.
The spirits didn¡¯t speak to them. Their voices echoed across the entire Spiritual World, vibrating through the soul rather than the ears. Their language was ancient, unintelligible¡ªbut its meaning was undeniable. Power. Judgment. Command.
The entire sky lit up as the symbols aligned¡ªforming a design so immense it seemed to embrace the heavens themselves.
Panic surged through the Blinders.
¡°They¡¯re... they¡¯re banishing them!¡± one of them shouted. ¡°They¡¯re trying to exile them!¡±
At the edge of the hills, Mitzy stood frozen, eyes wide, heart hammering.
Her gaze locked on Liliane¡ªthe radiant warrior who had been a symbol of hope for so many. Something in her chest twisted. She didn¡¯t think. She just ran.
¡°No¡ªMitzy! Stop!¡± a Blinder cried out, lunging to catch her.
Too late.
Mitzy slipped through his grasp, sprinting toward the battlefield, her voice breaking through the silence.
¡°LIL¡ª!!¡±
The runic circle began to rotate.
Its lines burned brighter, its center collapsing into a single point of blinding white. Hollow and Liliane, caught within the very heart of the array, looked to one another¡ªeyes wide, breaths held.
The air grew so dense it felt impossible to breathe.
¡°We¡ can¡¯t escape this¡¡± Liliane said quietly.
¡°What is going on¡?¡± Hollow¡¯s voice wavered¡ªnot with fear, but with genuine disbelief.
The sky exploded.
A radiant surge of energy erupted from the circle, enveloping them¡ªHollow, Liliane... and Mitzy, mid-run, arms outstretched, eyes glowing with fear and desperation.
There was no time.
There was only light.
A silence so deafening it erased all sound swallowed the world. In a heartbeat, the three figures vanished¡ªconsumed by the blinding burst. The rune faded. The energy dispersed. And then¡
Nothing.
The sky cleared.
The runes, the spirits, the chaos¡ªall gone. Only a quiet, open sky remained, as if none of it had ever happened.
The Blinders stood motionless.
Not one of them dared speak. Not one of them moved.
Peace had returned to the Spiritual World¡ but the price had been beyond comprehension.
Chapter 3: Human World
Hollow opened his eyes slowly.
The ground beneath him was cold. Solid. Real.
Too real.
His body felt¡ wrong¡ªheavy, dull, weakened. Something was missing. A lot of things were missing. The raw power that once coursed through him like a living flame was gone. He felt hollow in more than just name.
He tried to focus, raising his head.
People. Dozens of them. Laughing, talking, walking past him without a second glance.
A park.
A human park.
Children played, couples strolled, and street performers entertained passing crowds. The entire scene was buzzing with pointless, mindless life. Not a single soul screamed. Not a single person ran for their life.
It made no sense.
In the world he came from, humans hid. They screamed. They bled. But here¡ they lived like nothing could hurt them.
Hollow narrowed his eyes, now dull black instead of their usual infernal red.
¡°What the hell is this¡?¡± he muttered.
He reached within himself, trying to draw power, to summon the familiar surge of Abyssal energy¡ª
Nothing.
His fingers trembled. There was no hunger, no darkness. No connection to the void.
¡°¡I have no power,¡± he whispered.
He stared at his hand like it had betrayed him.
No claws. No shadows. Nothing.
¡°Am I¡ starving?¡± he wondered aloud. ¡°Maybe if I devour one of these humans, I¡¯ll get my strength back¡¡±
A tall, muscular man walked nearby, earbuds in, gym bag slung over one shoulder. He wasn¡¯t paying attention.
Perfect.
Hollow rose shakily to his feet, his pride seething beneath his empty skin. His eyes locked on the man. ¡°Yes¡ this one.¡±
With all the speed his weakened body could muster, he lunged¡ªhand slicing through the air like a dagger aimed for flesh.
But instead of cutting¡ he bounced.
His fingers crumpled awkwardly against the man''s chest. Pain jolted up his arm.
"What¡?" Hollow blinked in shock.
The man turned, pulling out his earbuds with a scowl.
¡°The hell¡¯s your problem, freak?¡± he growled.
The words hit harder than any physical blow. Hollow¡¯s eye twitched.
How dare he¡?
¡°You dare mock me?¡± Hollow hissed. ¡°I''ll show you your place, pathetic human!¡±
He clawed again, this time aiming for the man¡¯s neck. But the blow was blocked¡ªeasily¡ªby a raised shoulder.
Then the man swung.
Hollow didn¡¯t see it coming.
A single punch to the face sent him sprawling across the pavement. The impact rattled his skull. Pain pulsed through his entire body.
He lay there, stunned, the taste of defeat sharp in his mouth.
The man snorted and walked off. ¡°Lunatic in the park,¡± he muttered.
Hollow groaned, trying to stand.
¡°You dare turn your back on me¡?¡±
Fueled by humiliation, he hurled himself at the man again, wrapping his arms around his neck from behind. The man staggered slightly¡ªthen reached back and slammed him to the ground.
By now, a crowd had formed.
¡°Is he crazy?¡±
¡°What¡¯s with the outfit?¡±
¡°Bro, is this a prank or something? This better be on YU2!¡±
Phones were recording. People were whispering.
That was when the police arrived.
Two officers parted the crowd. One knelt beside the fallen Hollow with an exhausted sigh.
¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡±
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¡°He¡¯s the problem!¡± came the chorus of voices. ¡°He attacked that guy!¡±
The man who punched Hollow was dusting off his shirt and rolling his shoulder.
The officers exchanged a look. One of them crouched beside Hollow.
¡°Hey, kid. Can you stand?¡±
Hollow blinked up at him, disoriented and aching. The words didn¡¯t make sense. They meant nothing. He tried to respond, but only a growl escaped.
¡°Alright,¡± the cop said with another sigh, pulling out handcuffs. ¡°Don¡¯t strain yourself.¡±
With casual ease, he flipped Hollow over and cuffed him.
¡°Show¡¯s over, people. Move along.¡±
They hoisted him up and hauled him toward the patrol car. Phones followed. Whispers and laughter followed.
And Hollow?
He could barely breathe.
Each step burned.
His body was broken. Humiliated.
And as the police shoved him into the back of the vehicle, he muttered through clenched teeth.
¡°This¡ isn¡¯t over¡ damn humans¡¡±
¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± one of the officers said, slamming the door. ¡°They¡¯re all crazy these days.¡±
Meanwhile, far away¡ª
Liliane dropped to her knees on soft, damp grass.
She gasped for air, heart racing as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. She was in a forest clearing, surrounded by tall trees that whispered with the breeze. Everything felt off. Her body felt heavier¡ unfamiliar.
She looked at her hands¡ªand froze.
Her skin was the same. But her hair, once snow-white, was now a deep brown. Her once-vibrant sapphire eyes were a soft, hazel-brown.
"What¡¯s happening to me¡?"
But she didn¡¯t have time to panic. Not now.
She had to find Hollow.
Pushing herself up, she left the clearing. A short walk brought her to a quiet residential street¡ªlined with tidy houses and well-trimmed hedges. Children played with soccer balls. Laughter echoed from open windows.
Lily furrowed her brows.
How could they be so calm? Didn¡¯t they realize the danger?
She approached a group of teens, her voice clear and urgent.
¡°You there! What are you doing just standing around?! There¡¯s an Abyssal loose¡ªHollow is somewhere nearby! You need to find shelter, now!¡±
The teens stared.
One with dyed blue hair laughed. ¡°Whoa, is this part of a con or something?¡±
¡°Are you in cosplay?¡± another asked, already lifting his phone. ¡°Can we get a picture?¡±
Lily took a step back, confused.
¡°No¡ I can¡¯t waste time here,¡± she said under her breath, and turned away.
¡°She seemed crazy¡,¡± one boy muttered.
¡°Kinda cute, though,¡± the other added with a grin.
Lily didn¡¯t hear them. She walked on, heart pounding with anxiety and anger.
¡°How can they act like this? What kind of place is this¡?¡±
Ahead of her, the street rose in a gentle slope. She climbed, half in a daze.
And then, at the top¡ª
She saw something that made her breath catch in her throat.
Before her stretched a vast city of steel and glass.
Skyscrapers pierced the clouds like modern titans, their reflections glittering under the afternoon sun. Cars crawled along busy roads. Buses rumbled by. The hum of civilization echoed in every direction.
Liliane stood still at the top of the hill, eyes wide.
She had never seen anything like it.
In the Spiritual World, human settlements were small¡ªhidden, fragile. Always watching the skies. Always ready to flee.
But here¡
Here, they lived in peace.
Loud. Bright. Vulnerable.
¡°How can they live like this¡?¡± she whispered, placing a hand over her chest. ¡°How can they be so calm¡ when everything¡¯s at stake?¡±
She stepped back, shaken. The weight of her confusion threatened to break her resolve.
But Hollow is here, she reminded herself. Somewhere.
No matter how strange this world was, no matter how powerless she had become¡ªshe had a duty. A vow.
She turned her back on the skyline and descended the hill with renewed determination.
The city was overwhelming.
People stared as she walked¡ªher white kimono stained and torn, her expression alert and searching. Her eyes scanned every face. Every alley. Every reflection in the glass.
No sign of Hollow.
At one point, she found herself in front of a glass building with spinning doors. Curious, she stepped into one. The door moved¡ªbut so did she. And then again. And again.
She pushed harder. The world spun around her.
Trapped.
A small crowd gathered. Some chuckled, others filmed. Eventually, a building guard stepped in and helped her out with visible confusion.
¡°Thank you¡¡± Lily said breathlessly, brushing her hair back. ¡°This place is far more complex than it appears.¡±
The man just shook his head and walked off.
Next, she encountered a strange metal staircase that moved on its own¡ªcarrying people upward without effort. She stepped onto it confidently¡ and nearly lost her balance at the top. Her kimono snagged.
¡°W-What¡?¡±
She tugged, but it only made things worse. A couple of strangers tried to help, but it took a sharp pull to free her. The garment tore loudly.
She stumbled away, flustered and glaring at the machine.
¡°What kind of trap is this?¡±
Laughter followed her.
Some thought it was cosplay. Others a publicity stunt. But to Lily, it was a minefield of confusion.
And things only escalated.
She wandered into a building lined with glass and glowing panels. It looked public. Instead, it was a corporate office.
A man behind a desk blinked in surprise.
¡°I¡¯m sorry, miss, but this is a workplace. You can¡¯t be in here.¡±
¡°I¡¯m looking for someone,¡± she said earnestly. ¡°A man with black hair and red eyes. He¡¯s dangerous. Have you seen him?¡±
The receptionist scratched his head. ¡°Uhh¡ no? I think you¡¯re in the wrong place. Maybe try a convention center or¡ something?¡±
¡°Please,¡± Lily said, stepping closer. ¡°It¡¯s important.¡±
¡°I¡¯m gonna have to ask you to leave,¡± the man said, pressing a button under the desk. ¡°Or I¡¯ll call security.¡±
She hesitated a moment longer¡ªthen turned and left, confused and increasingly frustrated.
Behind her, employees peeked over cubicle walls, whispering about the "weird kimono girl" walking around like she was in a fantasy movie.
Back outside, the air was crisp but warm. Lily clenched her fists, her thoughts swirling like a storm.
She didn¡¯t understand this world. She didn¡¯t know how she got here.
But she knew one thing for certain:
Hollow was here.
And the humans¡ªwhether they realized it or not¡ªstill needed protecting.
She walked faster.
Her torn kimono fluttered behind her, drawing stares and whispers. But she didn¡¯t care. Her mission kept her focused.
Then¡ªtwo police officers approached.
The older one raised a hand in greeting, voice gentle but firm.
¡°Excuse me, miss. Could we speak with you for a moment? You¡¯re not in trouble¡ªwe¡¯ve just had a few reports. We want to make sure you¡¯re okay.¡±
Lily blinked at them, still trying to process this strange world.
¡°Do you know where Hollow is?¡± she asked abruptly. ¡°He¡¯s extremely dangerous. I need to find him before it¡¯s too late.¡±
The younger officer glanced at his partner, then back at her with a polite smile.
¡°Let¡¯s go somewhere safe first,¡± he said calmly. ¡°We¡¯ll talk there. Then, we can help you find your¡ friend.¡±
Friend.
The word struck her like a blade.
Her eyes widened, her cheeks flushing unexpectedly. Why did it sound so wrong? So¡ personal?
¡°He¡¯s not my friend!¡± she snapped. ¡°He¡¯s a threat! I¡¯m the only one who can stop him!¡±
The officers exchanged another silent glance¡ªthis time, with a touch more sympathy.
¡°Understood,¡± said the older officer. ¡°Let¡¯s just talk, alright? Then we¡¯ll see what we can do.¡±
Lily took a deep breath.
She was shaking.
Her chest felt tight. Her thoughts scattered.
But¡ she had no other leads. No strength. Only her human form, and the will that still burned in her heart.
¡°Fine,¡± she whispered. ¡°If you¡¯ll help me find him¡ I¡¯ll come with you.¡±
They nodded.
Gently, they guided her toward the patrol car. She climbed in without resistance, her eyes scanning the horizon one last time.
She didn¡¯t know where this path would lead.
But she was still Liliane.
And she wasn¡¯t done.
Hollow sat in a small interrogation room, the dim overhead light casting sharp reflections off the metal cuffs binding his wrists to the table.
He yanked at them once¡ªhard.
The chains rattled, but held firm.
What once could crumble mountains now left nothing but red marks on his skin.
Two officers stood across the room, watching his struggle with growing disbelief.
¡°What exactly do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± one asked, unable to hide a smirk.
Hollow stopped. He lowered his arms, defeated for now. He didn¡¯t answer.
The younger officer stepped forward, adjusting his notepad. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s start from the beginning. Can you tell us your name?¡±
¡°Hollow,¡± he replied flatly. His voice held no emotion. Just... weight.
The officer exchanged a glance with his partner. ¡°Hollow. Okay. Where are you from?¡±
¡°Nowhere.¡±
The answer came sharp and dry¡ªtoo hollow to question.
Elsewhere, in a quieter room, Liliane sat with her hands resting gently in her lap. She looked calm, composed¡ªeven serene¡ªdespite the strangeness of her surroundings.
¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± the officer across from her asked, his tone warm, trying to put her at ease.
¡°Liliane Moonlight,¡± she said clearly.
The officer raised an eyebrow. ¡°Moonlight? Is that your real name?¡±
¡°Yes,¡± she answered without hesitation.
¡°And where are you from, Liliane?¡±
¡°Jin Kyoten. It¡¯s the human settlement. You must know of it. I need to get back there.¡±
The officer blinked. ¡°Jin Kyoten? I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯ve never heard of that. Is it in another country?¡±
Liliane¡¯s voice sharpened. ¡°It¡¯s the fortress of humanity. I have to return. There are people counting on me.¡±
Back in Hollow¡¯s room, the questioning continued.
¡°Why are you here, Hollow?¡± the older officer asked, now seated and scribbling notes. ¡°What brought you to this point?¡±
Hollow stared blankly at the table.
¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±
The officer frowned. ¡°That¡¯s all you have to say?¡±
He didn¡¯t respond.
The silence grew heavy. After a few more questions that yielded nothing, the officers stood and quietly exited the room. The moment the door clicked shut, Hollow tried the cuffs again¡ªpulling with all the fury he had left.
Nothing.
Only pain.
He winced and leaned back in the chair, breathing hard. The absence of power in his body was agonizing. There was no hunger. No rage to feed. No shadow to command. Just weakness.
Just emptiness.
The door creaked open again.
Hollow looked up.
The man who entered was different.
He wore a long, modern coat detailed with abstract patterns along the seams¡ªelegant, strange, and unmistakably custom. His gray hair was slicked to the side, and a pair of tinted glasses hid his eyes, adding to the air of precision and control that clung to him like a tailored aura.
He moved with ease. Confidence. The kind of man who wasn¡¯t supposed to be here¡ªbut made you feel like you were the one out of place.
¡°Well, well¡¡± the man said, pulling the chair across from Hollow and sitting down. ¡°The Lord of the Abyss himself. My, how far you¡¯ve fallen.¡±
Hollow¡¯s eyes narrowed, his voice low and rough. ¡°Who are you?¡±
¡°Call me Nick,¡± the man said with a grin, resting his chin on a gloved hand. ¡°And of course I know who you are. One moment you¡¯re a walking catastrophe¡ªfeared across realms¡ªand now you¡¯re sitting here, cuffed like a common delinquent.¡±
His smile widened.
¡°Life¡¯s funny like that. Or perhaps I should say¡ this is your first taste of what life really is after all.¡±
Chapter 4: New Home
¡°Well, well¡¡± the man said with a wide grin as he settled into the chair across from Hollow. ¡°The Lord of the Abyss himself. My, how far you¡¯ve fallen.¡±
Hollow raised his head slowly, eyes narrowed in confusion and growing anger.
¡°Who are you?¡± he asked, his voice low and tense. ¡°How do you know who I am?¡±
The man smiled¡ªa knowing smile, like he¡¯d been waiting for this moment.
¡°Call me Nick. And of course I know who you are. One day you¡¯re ruling over shadows as a feared Abyssal, and now? You¡¯re shackled in a metal box, at the mercy of humans. Funny how life works, isn¡¯t it? Though¡ I suppose this is your first time actually living it.¡±
Hollow¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡°I don¡¯t understand. Why am I in this human body? I¡¯m the opposite of a human.¡±
Nick crossed his legs, lounging casually as if they were talking in a caf¨¦.
¡°Well, that¡¯s the thing. In this world, Abyssals don¡¯t exist. So to function here, your essence had to¡ adapt. You¡¯ve been, let¡¯s say, humanized.¡±
¡°Humanized,¡± Hollow repeated, spitting the word like poison. ¡°That¡¯s absurd. I would never¡ª¡±
Nick raised a gloved hand calmly, cutting him off. ¡°Easy. I get that it¡¯s a lot. But let me make it simple: you¡¯re not in the Spiritual World anymore. This is the human world. No spirits, no hunters, no wars. Just... people. Like you now.¡±
Disbelief twisted across Hollow¡¯s face, slowly giving way to quiet fury.
¡°Why am I here? What¡¯s the point of this?¡±
¡°That,¡± Nick said, resting his chin on one hand, ¡°is the million-dollar question. What I can tell you is this¡ªyour actions, and Liliane¡¯s, pushed the Spiritual World too far out of balance. So now, here you are. Just another soul among billions.¡±
In another room, under the flicker of soft fluorescent light, Liliane sat with her hands folded in her lap.
The air was sterile. Quiet.
¡°Liliane, Liliane,¡± Nick¡¯s voice echoed with playful rhythm as he entered, like he was reciting an old tale. ¡°The poor heroine of humanity, now trapped in a mortal shell. Isn¡¯t life hilarious sometimes?¡±
Liliane stood abruptly, alarm sharpening her voice.
¡°You¡ you know who I am?¡±
¡°Of course,¡± he said with that same disarming calm. ¡°One of the strongest Blinders to ever walk the Spiritual World. But that was when you were spirit. Now, you¡¯re just Liliane. A human.¡±
Her expression twisted¡ªconfusion, fear, disbelief all blending at once.
¡°This isn¡¯t possible¡ What happened to me? Where are we?¡±
Nick tilted his head, his smile still polite¡ªbut unmistakably mocking.
¡°Nothing to fear. You¡¯re in the human world. Think of it as the other side of the Spiritual World. The chaos of the past few centuries caused quite the cosmic backlash. Let¡¯s just say, your presence was no longer¡ accepted. So you were sent here. In a human body. To fit in.¡±
He paused, watching her stagger under the weight of the truth.
¡°And the most important thing you need to know is¡ªthis world has no Abyssals. No spirits. No monsters. Here, people live differently. They go to work. Study. Spend time in cities, in houses, with technology¡ all the simple things.¡±
Liliane blinked rapidly, struggling to keep up.
¡°But¡ how am I supposed to live like this without my powers?¡±
Nick leaned in slightly, offering a patient smile.
¡°I understand your concern. But there¡¯s a faster way for you to learn everything you need.¡±
He gestured toward the door.
A figure entered silently¡ªa tall woman with violet hair, glasses that reflected the light in an unreadable shine, and a long coat draped like a shadow around her.
¡°This is Miram,¡± Nick said. ¡°She¡¯ll help upload everything you need to know. It won¡¯t hurt. I promise.¡±
Without a word, Miram stepped forward and gently placed a small device against Liliane¡¯s temple.
In an instant, information flooded her mind¡ªconcepts, systems, technologies, economies, cities, social dynamics. Everything about modern human life surged into her brain like a river bursting through a dam.
Back in Hollow¡¯s room, the tone had shifted.
¡°This is the human world¡¡± he muttered, brows furrowed. ¡°But that doesn¡¯t make sense. I shouldn¡¯t be here. I can¡¯t be here.¡±
Nick, still seated comfortably, nodded with a sigh.
¡°I know it¡¯s hard to accept. But don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve prepared the same thing for you.¡±
He gestured again.
Miram entered once more, silent and efficient. She placed the same device on Hollow¡¯s head.
Knowledge poured in.
Jobs. Families. Media. Phones. Societies built on money, law, convenience. No war. No devouring. No endless hunger. No strength.
Only¡ living.
As the data transfer finished, both Hollow and Liliane sat in heavy silence¡ªeach struggling to process the weight of what they¡¯d just learned.
Liliane gripped the arms of her chair, breathing unsteadily, her mind reeling.
¡°This¡ this is too much,¡± she whispered, eyes fixed on the floor. ¡°I can¡¯t be just¡ human. I need my powers. I have to protect everyone.¡±
Nick nodded, sympathetic yet composed. ¡°I know. But the only way back to the Spiritual World is to live a complete human life. If you can find peace and fulfillment here, your soul will naturally transcend back. Force your return before then, and you could damage your essence permanently¡ªmaybe even lose your chance to ever go back.¡±
Liliane looked up at him, eyes wide with fear. ¡°What if I can¡¯t do it? What if I fail?¡±
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
¡°You don¡¯t have to decide that today,¡± he said gently. ¡°Just take the first step.¡±
Meanwhile, Hollow sat stiffly across from Nick, his expression carved in stone as conflicting emotions battled inside him.
¡°This is ridiculous,¡± Hollow muttered. ¡°Live like a human? After centuries of devouring them, you expect me to become one of them?¡±
Nick leaned forward, elbows on the table, calm as ever. ¡°It sounds absurd. I agree. But let me ask you something¡ªdo you still feel that hunger? That endless void that drove you to kill without pause?¡±
Hollow¡¯s mouth opened¡ then closed.
He searched inside himself.
It wasn¡¯t gone entirely, but the agony¡ªthe all-consuming need¡ªwas silent.
Weakened. Muted.
He still felt hunger, but it was shallow. Mundane. No longer the gnawing abyss that had ruled his existence.
Nick saw the hesitation in his eyes and smiled. ¡°Exactly. That torment isn¡¯t there anymore. Your instincts have changed. You¡¯re not a slave to the Abyss here.¡±
He gave a nod to Miram, who stepped forward with a tray and silently placed it on the table. A steaming hamburger sat neatly in the center.
¡°I thought you might be curious,¡± Nick said. ¡°Try it. You might be surprised.¡±
Hollow glared at it warily, but the scent hit him hard¡ªrich, savory, intoxicating. His stomach growled.
Cautiously, he picked it up.
One bite. Then another.
The flavor shocked him¡ªnot in intensity, but in complexity. It didn¡¯t bring dominance, didn¡¯t flood him with power. But¡ it was satisfying. Simple. Real.
By the time he realized what was happening, the food was gone, and he sat back in silence, breathing deeply as a strange, foreign feeling settled into his body.
Fullness.
Nick smiled. ¡°See? Maybe it¡¯s not so bad. You¡¯ve just experienced something new¡ªand not unpleasant. That¡¯s what being human is. And if you keep exploring, who knows? You might even enjoy it.¡±
Hollow didn¡¯t respond. He wasn¡¯t sure what to feel. His pride still bristled¡ªbut something deep inside was shifting.
A flicker of curiosity. A strange awareness.
Nick placed a sleek smartphone on the table in front of him.
¡°This will help,¡± he said. ¡°Do you know what it is?¡±
Hollow stared at it, drawing on the knowledge Miram had uploaded moments before. ¡°A phone. Used for communication¡ and other functions.¡±
¡°Correct,¡± Nick nodded. ¡°You¡¯ll need it. It¡¯ll be our primary method of contact. Plus, you¡¯ll find that life here¡ªdespite its simplicity¡ªis heavily intertwined with devices like this.¡±
Hollow scowled. ¡°Why would I need to keep in touch with you? I never agreed to participate in any of this.¡±
Nick chuckled softly. ¡°Not yet, maybe. But you¡¯ll see. Besides, you¡¯ve noticed, haven¡¯t you? Human life doesn¡¯t last forever. Most people here live around seventy years.¡±
He paused, tapping the phone with a finger.
¡°You arrived in a body that¡¯s maybe twenty. That leaves you¡ªgive or take¡ªseventy years. That¡¯s all. Just seventy.¡±
Hollow¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Seventy years?¡±
¡°A blink, compared to the centuries of war you¡¯ve survived. You¡¯ve endured longer sieges with far worse odds.¡±
Hollow went quiet.
As much as he hated it, Nick was right.
He couldn¡¯t refute the logic.
Elsewhere, Liliane sat forward in her chair, still shaken.
¡°Seventy years¡ that¡¯s a long time. I can¡¯t waste that much time while the people of the Spiritual World are still in danger.¡±
Nick, ever patient, raised a hand to ease her worries. ¡°I understand. But remember¡ªtime flows differently across worlds. A few years here may feel like moments there. Besides¡ the Spiritual World has endured worse without you. It will survive.¡±
Liliane didn¡¯t respond. Her doubts swirled, but now they were quieter. Softer. She didn¡¯t want to believe him¡ªbut she also didn¡¯t know how to prove him wrong.
And so, both Hollow and Liliane sat on opposite sides of a fate neither had chosen. Stripped of power. Stranded in an unfamiliar world. Vulnerable, confused, and alone.
Whatever they believed, whatever they resisted¡ªthere was no going back.
Not yet.
They had only one option left:
To live.
And see if this strange, fleeting world of humans held anything worth staying for.
The city shimmered under a blanket of nighttime lights. Towering skyscrapers loomed like giants, their windows glowing with the pulse of urban life. From a distance, the streets resembled rivers of light, packed with cars and people moving in all directions, each carrying their own story, their own fate.
Liliane walked along the sidewalk, guided by the instructions on her phone. She still felt overwhelmed by everything that had happened in the last few hours. The events blurred together like fragments of a dream¡ªthe data transfer, Nick''s explanations, and the dizzying realization that she now lived in a world both foreign and oddly familiar.
"Hollow..." she thought suddenly. "I forgot to ask about Hollow..." A pang of guilt twisted in her chest. She had let the opportunity slip away. But before she could dwell on it, the roar of a bus engine snapped her back to the present.
"Oh no!" she gasped, rushing forward and nearly stumbling as she climbed aboard. She made it just in time, heart pounding from both the sprint and her inner turmoil. Using her phone to pay, she stared in awe at how effortless the process was. Everything here was so different from the world she knew.
Collapsing into a seat, she looked out the window, taking in the urban sprawl: tall buildings, neon lights, people walking calmly down the sidewalks. It was peaceful¡ªso different from the chaos and conflict that had filled her life until now.
"Incredible..." she whispered. "Humans are incredible when they''re not under threat." Cities thrived. People moved with purpose. Life continued without the shadow of Abyssals. Liliane felt small beneath the vastness of human civilization, yet a spark of hope flickered in her heart. Maybe, just maybe, this world could offer more than eternal conflict.
Meanwhile, Hollow had also left his interrogation room. Hands in his pockets, face tense, he walked through the city guided by the same kind of phone. Every step felt heavy, weighed down by unfamiliarity.
He looked around, eyes narrowing at the crowds. People moved through their routines, laughing, distracted, blissfully unaware of his presence. It was unsettling. He felt like an intruder, like everyone could see what he really was¡ªa monster in human skin.
"Why am I doing this?" he wondered. "Can I really accept this as my reality?" Nick''s words echoed in his mind¡ªhow the hunger was gone, how his instincts had changed.
It was true. The endless void that had once consumed him was quiet. He still felt hunger, but it was mild. Manageable. Human.
The city smelled different¡ªgrilled food from street vendors, rain on concrete, mingling perfumes. It was chaos. But part of him was curious. Drawn in.
"Try living. Find purpose. Experience this life," Nick had said. If he refused... what else was there? Oblivion? Emptiness?
He turned a corner and stopped in front of a tall building. His reflection shimmered in the glass windows. According to the phone, this was his new "home."
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the apartment key and stared at it for a long moment. Then he stepped inside.
In a different point in the city, Liliane stood in front of a similar building, her own phone leading her there. She paused before entering, drawing in a deep breath. This was only the beginning. But it already felt like too much.
Her thoughts drifted to Hollow¡ªhis whereabouts, his possible schemes.
Back, Hollow unlocked his apartment door and stepped inside. The space was modest, but clean. Warm. Real.
A small kitchen gleamed under artificial light. A wooden table stood beside a couch. A window opened to a quiet street bathed in amber glow. It was the first time he''d seen a human home like this¡ªnot torn apart by battle, not reduced to ashes.
He wandered inside, stopping at the bed. The soft blankets, the inviting pillows. Strange.
"So... this is what it means to live like a human," he muttered. He pulled off the remnants of his old robes and let them fall onto a nearby chair. Then he laid down, and for the first time in his long existence, felt the pull of genuine fatigue. Not spiritual exhaustion¡ªbut the weariness of a body that had experienced, felt, endured.
His eyes closed slowly, and the darkness came gently.
Across the city, Liliane shut her apartment door behind her. The layout mirrored Hollow''s¡ªbasic, clean, livable. She touched the surface of the table, the cool steel of the refrigerator, the soft fabric of the couch.
Her room waited quietly. As she entered, she felt her body growing heavier. She sat on the bed, then let herself fall backward onto the mattress, her breath catching.
"How am I supposed to adapt to all this?" she whispered.
She stared at the ceiling, heart beating slow and steady. There was so much she didn¡¯t know. So much she had to understand.
But as the rhythm of the city faded into the background, she felt something rare: peace.
She finally laid on her bed.
Her thoughts returned to Hollow.
Wherever you are... I¡¯ll find you.
With that final vow, her thoughts faded into sleep.
Both of them, in their quiet apartments, lay still beneath the soft blanket of a peaceful night¡ªeach unaware of how close they were.
Each unaware that their story, far from ending, had only just begun.
Chapter 5: Job Interview
The morning sun filtered faintly through the blinds of both Hollow and Liliane¡¯s apartments. They opened their eyes slowly, still adjusting to this new reality.
Liliane rose from the bed, her movements tentative. Everything around her felt unfamiliar. As she wandered through the apartment, she noticed details she had missed the night before¡ªsleek kitchen appliances she didn¡¯t recognize, strange lights, and unfamiliar textures. The room felt more like a simulation than a home.
¡°This is my life now¡¡± she thought, remembering Nick¡¯s calm insistence that adapting was the only way forward.
In his own apartment, Hollow felt much the same. He ran his fingers along the walls, eyes scanning every corner. The furniture, the design, the silence¡ªit all reeked of foreignness. Nothing screamed ¡°his.¡± Just the dull reminder of what Nick had told him: ¡°Everyone in this world works. It¡¯ll help you find your place here.¡±
The idea disgusted him, but he couldn¡¯t entirely dismiss it.
On the small table, both of them found manila folders¡ªprepared r¨¦sum¨¦s detailing their newly crafted identities. Their phones contained detailed instructions, including addresses of companies hiring nearby.
They moved to their closets.
Liliane''s hand brushed across a neatly pressed skirt and white blouse. Simple. Modest. Something a young human woman might wear to an office. She hesitated, then began dressing with slow precision, watching her reflection with quiet uncertainty.
Hollow¡¯s wardrobe was darker¡ªgray shirt, fitted black pants. He scowled at the feel of the fabric. The clothes clung uncomfortably, not like the robes he was used to. Still, he dressed without complaint, approaching the act like preparing for battle¡ªcoldly, methodically.
Both stepped out into the morning light at nearly the same time, r¨¦sum¨¦s in hand, unaware of how close they truly were. Hollow walked with his head low, his mind echoing Nick¡¯s words about ¡°survival.¡± Liliane, more focused, silently repeated her mission. Find stability. Find purpose.
They arrived at the same building¡ªan office complex bustling with movement. Liliane made it to the reception desk first and handed in her papers with a polite bow, trying to copy what she¡¯d seen in the data transfer.
As she left the front desk and turned, she became distracted by the crowded lobby. In a moment of misstep, she collided hard with someone coming from the opposite direction.
They both hit the ground. Papers scattered in a flutter of awkward silence.
Hollow barely registered the fall. He was lost in his own frustration, bitter and weary. Being knocked down so easily... it was humiliating. Before he could react, he heard a soft voice beside him.
¡°I¡¯m so sorry¡¡± Liliane said, kneeling to gather the papers.
Something about her tone snapped his brain into the present. The etiquette data from his download kicked in instinctively. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± he replied¡ªnot annoyed, just hollow. Empty. A man reciting what he thought he should say.
As he reached for his documents, he noticed Liliane gently pushing a small stack of papers toward him. His name caught her eye.
¡°Hunter, right?¡± she asked gently, reading off the top of one of the r¨¦sum¨¦s before offering it to him.
He blinked, still dazed, and took the papers from her outstretched hand.
¡°Ah¡ yeah. Thanks, I guess,¡± he mumbled, still distant, speaking more to himself than to her.
Liliane offered a small, nervous smile¡ªthe kind that came from genuine apology, tinged with awkwardness.
¡°There¡¯s no need to thank me,¡± she said kindly, her voice warm and posture relaxed. ¡°It was my fault anyway.¡±
Hollow stared at her for a moment, taken aback by the sincerity in both her tone and expression. Something about her presence¡ªher unfeigned gentleness¡ªleft him momentarily speechless. When she offered her hand to help him up, he accepted it without thinking, like a reflex.
¡°Well¡ good luck,¡± the girl added as she turned and walked toward the waiting room, leaving him before he had time to fully process the encounter.
Still silent, Hollow walked over to the reception desk and handed over his r¨¦sum¨¦. The receptionist skimmed the top page with a professional nod and gestured down the hall.
¡°Please wait in the room at the end of the corridor. We¡¯ll call you when it¡¯s your turn,¡± she said without looking up again.
Hollow headed down the hall, glancing around with a neutral expression. When he entered the waiting room, rows of chairs stretched along the wall, a few other applicants seated quietly, lost in thought. Only one empty seat remained¡ªnext to someone he immediately recognized.
It was her.
The same girl from earlier.
Their eyes met briefly, and for a split second, something like recognition passed between them.
¡°Oh, you¡¯re here for the interview too,¡± Liliane said, trying to break the awkward tension. Then she laughed at herself, slightly embarrassed. ¡°Well, I guess I already saw your r¨¦sum¨¦.¡±
Hollow narrowed his eyes faintly, recalling the earlier moment. Her laugh didn¡¯t amuse him¡ªit felt more like some cruel joke from fate. ¡°Yeah¡ I guess,¡± he muttered, his voice flat, the words falling out of habit rather than feeling.
They sat side by side in stiff silence for a few seconds before Liliane tried again, her voice quieter, hesitant.
¡°Is this your first time doing something like this?¡±
Hollow¡¯s gaze had drifted to the wall, but he turned it back toward her. ¡°Yeah. It is,¡± he answered simply.
Liliane nodded, relaxing a little. ¡°Same here. This is all just¡ so different from what I¡¯m used to. Where I come from, things were... I don¡¯t know, simpler.¡±
A flicker of curiosity stirred in Hollow. ¡°You¡¯re not from around here?¡±
She smiled faintly, wistfully. ¡°No. I come from somewhere really far away.¡±
¡°¡Same,¡± Hollow murmured, almost to himself. The quiet surprise in his voice betrayed how unexpected the admission felt.
Liliane looked over with renewed interest. ¡°Really? Then I guess¡ we¡¯re both starting from zero.¡±
Her voice had softened¡ªwarmer now, like that shared coincidence grounded her.
Hollow gave a slight nod. Though his expression remained unreadable, something inside him acknowledged her. A quiet understanding. ¡°Seems like it.¡±
The conversation, though brief and awkward, gave them both a moment of reprieve. Liliane leaned back slightly, letting a small, genuine smile form on her lips.
¡°It¡¯s good to know I¡¯m not the only one feeling overwhelmed,¡± she said quietly. ¡°All of this¡ it¡¯s a lot.¡±
Hollow didn¡¯t respond right away. He was still thinking. It was strange, he realized¡ªhow a few words could settle the turmoil inside, even if only a little.
¡°I guess not everyone knows what to do in every moment,¡± he said at last, his tone gentler than before.
¡°Yeah¡ I guess not,¡± Liliane replied. And for a moment, they shared a peaceful silence¡ªbrief but comforting. In the uncertainty of this unfamiliar world, they had found something steady in each other¡¯s presence.
The low hum of voices and distant footsteps filled the room, but for them, time slowed for just a moment longer.
Then the office door creaked open.
¡°Next,¡± called a staff member.
Liliane blinked, realizing it was her turn. She stood with a mix of nerves and resolve, brushing down her skirt and adjusting her blouse.
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¡°Well¡ looks like I¡¯m up,¡± she said, flashing Hollow a quick, unsure smile.
He gave a small nod, watching as she prepared to walk away. Something within him tugged unexpectedly¡ªa faint pull that made him speak without knowing why.
¡°Wait,¡± he said, stopping her just before she reached the door. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±
She turned back, blinking, caught off guard.
¡°Oh, right. I guess I saw your name in the paperwork, but you never saw mine.¡± She paused, thinking briefly before answering.
¡°I¡¯m Liliane. Liliane Tsukihi.¡±
Hollow froze for a beat, the name hitting him deeper than he anticipated.
¡°¡Liliane,¡± he repeated under his breath, tasting the word like something familiar. Like something buried far beneath the surface. A ripple of recognition passed through him¡ªnot logical, not even conscious¡ªbut something in him knew that name.
She smiled once more and turned toward the interview room.
¡°I hope we meet again, Hunter.¡±
Hollow said nothing. He just watched her walk away, lost in thought, haunted by the name and the strange connection that lingered in the air long after she had disappeared through the door.
Before he could unravel the feeling, his own number was called.
And with that, their brief, uncertain encounter faded into the silence of the waiting room.
Hollow stepped into the interview room and sat down across from the man at the desk¡ªa weary-looking interviewer with heavy bags under his eyes and a dead stare. He cleared his throat and glanced down at the r¨¦sum¨¦.
¡°Hunter Musho?¡± he asked, searching Hollow¡¯s face for even a flicker of engagement.
¡°That¡¯s what it says,¡± Hollow replied flatly, eyes drifting to a random point on the wall, utterly apathetic.
The interviewer suppressed a sigh, trying to remember the directive from upper management: Hire as many as necessary. Ethics aside, they were under pressure to fill an absurd number of positions. Still, the sheer lack of enthusiasm from this one was almost laughable.
¡°Alright then, Hunter,¡± he said, forcing a more upbeat tone. ¡°What motivated you to apply for this position?¡±
¡°Money. Same as everyone else, right?¡± Hollow responded, devoid of tone or effort.
The interviewer felt a headache blooming behind his eyes but moved to the next question. A thousand hires¡ No matter how bad they sound, he reminded himself while gripping the pen harder.
¡°Can you tell me what you consider your strengths?¡±
¡°I¡¯m efficient. I don¡¯t like wasting time.¡±
He blinked. Was that a positive? Or a threat? Hollow¡¯s voice made it impossible to tell.
¡°Sure, sure¡ And, uh, what about weaknesses?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t care about any of this.¡±
The man nearly dropped his pen. He had to resist the urge to rub his face. Am I being pranked? Is this some twisted karmic test? he wondered.
Trying to salvage the wreck, he went for one final question.
¡°Then¡ if you were to join our team, what would be your long-term goal with the company?¡±
¡°Earn enough and not get fired.¡±
The silence that followed was deafening. The interviewer stared at Hollow in disbelief, then glanced at the clock, then at the r¨¦sum¨¦, then back at the wall.
¡°¡Perfect. Thank you, Mr. Musho. We¡¯ll be in touch.¡±
Without any expression, Hollow stood up and walked out. The interviewer stared at the door for several seconds before scribbling something down in defeat. He wasn¡¯t even sure what he wrote¡ªjust that it probably wasn¡¯t optimistic.
Meanwhile, in a different office...
Liliane sat across from her interviewer, a sharp-eyed older woman with silver hair tied in a perfect bun. Her expression was unreadable, but her gaze over her glasses made it clear: she had zero patience for nonsense.
She flipped through Liliane¡¯s r¨¦sum¨¦ with a sigh, then looked up.
¡°Alright, Miss Tsukihi,¡± she began curtly. ¡°What specific skills do you believe you bring to this position?¡±
Liliane froze. Specific skills? She barely even understood what the job actually was.
¡°Um¡ well¡ I¡¯m¡ pretty good at¡ trying?¡± she answered hesitantly, her voice shrinking. ¡°Yes. I try really hard.¡±
The woman raised an eyebrow. ¡°Trying? What does that mean?¡±
Liliane swallowed hard. ¡°It¡¯s just¡ when I don¡¯t know something, I give it my all. And, um¡ it usually works. Sometimes.¡±
The woman wrote something down with the kind of finality that sounded like a career ending.
¡°How do you handle pressure in the workplace?¡± she asked, her tone icy.
Liliane stared blankly for a moment, scrambling for the correct answer.
¡°Well¡ when I¡¯m under pressure, I, uh¡ try to breathe? Deeply,¡± she said quickly, then blurted, ¡°And I try not to think about how awful pressure is! I think¡?¡±
The woman exhaled slowly. Liliane could feel her confidence sinking into the floor.
¡°So would you say you¡¯re someone who manages stress well?¡±
¡°Oh, absolutely!¡± Liliane said too quickly, forcing a shaky laugh. ¡°I mean¡ªsometimes I feel like, maybe, I¡¯d rather be doing something relaxing, but that doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t handle stress! I just¡ stress is stressful, you know?¡±
The interviewer blinked. Slowly. As if contemplating every life decision that had led her here.
Liliane realized how terrible her answer had sounded and scrambled to fix it.
¡°I mean,¡± she added, smiling nervously, ¡°I do like being productive! Really! And when something gets too stressful, I just think maybe¡ maybe I need a nap. Or a small break? Is¡ is that okay?¡±
The woman stared at her silently for a moment longer, then sighed and closed her notebook.
¡°Thank you, Miss Tsukihi. We¡¯ll be in touch.¡±
Liliane stood, bowed politely, and walked out with a stiff smile that dissolved the moment the door closed. Once alone, she let out a long, exhausted sigh.
As she stepped out of the building, Liliane kept her eyes low, her face still flushed with embarrassment. The interview had been¡ strange. She couldn¡¯t tell if it went well or poorly, but the lingering uncertainty gnawed at her chest.
Just as she let out a sigh, a sudden gust of cold wind swept past, making her shiver and wrap her arms around herself. She hadn¡¯t thought about the weather when picking her clothes¡ªand now she was paying for it.
She walked briskly toward the bus stop, shoulders tense, when she caught sight of a familiar figure. A few meters ahead, leaning casually against a lamppost with his hands in his pockets, was Hunter¡ªHollow.
Noticing her gaze, he tilted his head in a subtle nod of acknowledgment.
¡°Oh¡ªHunter,¡± Liliane said as she approached, still using his alias out of habit. ¡°Didn¡¯t think I¡¯d see you here.¡±
¡°Same place. Same reason,¡± he replied, sounding neither surprised nor particularly invested.
She nodded with a smile, but another chill wind made her shoulders hunch. Hollow glanced at her, eyes narrowing slightly as he noticed her arms tightly crossed, her body shivering in the cold.
¡°Did it go well?¡± she asked, trying to make conversation.
Hollow thought for a moment, then answered honestly, ¡°I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t have anything to compare it to.¡±
Liliane blinked. That¡ actually made sense. She barely understood how her own interview had gone.
¡°I guess I¡¯m in the same place¡¡± she admitted, letting out a nervous chuckle. ¡°I tried my best, but I don¡¯t really know what that means anymore.¡±
Hollow glanced at her from the corner of his eye, noting how the wind kept biting at her exposed arms and legs. His human body was still adjusting to noticing these things¡ªbut for some reason, watching her shiver made him¡ uncomfortable.
Without thinking too much about it, he pulled off the scarf around his neck and held it out to her.
¡°You look like you need this more than I do.¡±
Liliane blinked, caught off guard. ¡°Eh? No, really, it¡¯s okay¡ª¡±
¡°Just take it.¡±
She hesitated a moment, then accepted it. As she wrapped it around her neck, she could feel the residual warmth lingering in the fabric.
¡°Thanks,¡± she said softly, adjusting it gently.
Hollow just nodded in response, saying nothing more.
That was when Liliane¡¯s bus came into view, its headlights cutting through the early evening haze. She glanced at the road, then back at him.
¡°We¡¯ll see each other again, right?¡±
Hollow met her gaze for a beat before replying.
¡°I guess.¡±
She smiled faintly, then boarded the bus. From her seat by the window, she looked out one last time. Hollow was still standing there, hands in his pockets, staring off toward the streetlight.
Without fully understanding why, Liliane pressed the scarf a little tighter around her neck.
The city¡¯s neon lights blurred in the window as the bus drove away, carrying her into the heart of a world that still felt like a dream.
Meanwhile, in the interview office¡¯s break room¡ªa small, fluorescent-lit space cluttered with coffee mugs and snack wrappers¡ªthe two interviewers sat across from one another, nursing their caffeine in silence after a long morning of unorthodox applicants.
¡°Anyone weird on your list today?¡± asked the first man, deadpan as he stirred his coffee.
The older woman across from him let out a sharp exhale and shook her head. ¡°Weird doesn¡¯t even begin to describe it. That girl, Tsukihi? It was like¡ she had no idea what a job even was. She was trying, bless her heart, but her answers? Gods. I wanted to hand her a pillow and tell her to nap through the shift.¡±
The man let out a dry laugh. ¡°At least she tried. Mine¡ªHunter Musho¡ªhe just sat there like life meant nothing. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve seen someone so openly apathetic in my life. He literally told me he just wants money and not to get fired.¡±
They exchanged looks of mutual exhaustion and resigned misery. Without saying much more, they both stood and shuffled over to the dusty old computer in the corner to input the final evaluation forms.
The machine took a few seconds longer than expected before delivering a result.
They leaned in to read it¡ªand both groaned in disbelief.
¡°Hired? Both of them?¡± the woman snapped, glaring at the screen.
The man snorted. ¡°Yeah. This company¡¯s seriously losing it.¡±
¡°Unbelievable,¡± she muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose. ¡°I had a feeling we were hitting rock bottom, but I didn¡¯t think we¡¯d start drilling through it.¡±
He sipped his coffee and gave a lifeless chuckle. ¡°Well¡ only 978 interviews to go.¡±
The two sat back down in silence, staring into their mugs like they held answers to the meaning of life. Or at least to where the hell their dignity had gone.