Prologue

  Twenty thousand years ago, a battle was fought against the demons, lasting for decades. The demons ravaged the land, and humanity fought back with everything they had. Three heroes rose in this dark time—Sotiras, Prostátis, and Kairos. They were the ones who finally faced the Demon King. In the end, they were the ones who defeated him.

  But only one survived the battle.

  The surviving hero was granted a wish by the Guardian of the Portal for restoring balance between the two worlds and sealing the demons away. What that wish was, no one knows. The hero vanished, leaving the world to rebuild.

  Humans, who once had no magic of their own, began to learn the ways of magic from the remnants of the battle. They studied the scriptures and remnants left behind, hoping to prepare for a time when the seal might break, or when the demons might return.

  Fast forward to the present day: the seal has broken. The demons have found a way to open portals once more, and the balance between the two worlds is no more. The past, now nothing but a legend, is difficult to believe—fragments of stories and many different versions making it hard to know what is true. But the legend of the three heroes—Sotiras, Prostátis, and Kairos—still lives on, passed down through generations, inspiring young hearts and old minds alike.

  Magic had become a part of daily life, used in every aspect of human society—farming, construction, healing, even daily chores. The possibilities seemed limitless.

  In a quiet village giocca , however, magic was mainly used for peaceful purposes. Combat magic was rare, and warriors who trained to fight were few. Yet, in this village, two friends trained, each inspired by the stories of the legendary heroes from long ago Driven by the goal of vanquishing Demons, they trained relentlessly, hoping to one day embark on a journey to face whatever threats lay ahead.

  “Let’s go, Imano! We gotta start training!” Ataki 19 said

  Imano, 18, grinned and held up a new weapon. “I made a new one. This one won’t break. It’s an artifact from the pre-magic era, called a sword. This is how it was described in the scriptures.”

  Ataki paused, a bemused look crossing his face. “Maybe you should focus more on your magic. At this rate, there’s going to be a gap between us. Don’t forget the goal we set.”

  Imano shrugged with determination, giving his sword an experimental swing before walking

  As they walked toward the training spot, Imano couldn’t resist showing off. With each step, he swung his sword, effortlessly cutting through the trees in his path. He moved fluidly, attempting a few fancy flourishes as he imagined himself as a hero of legend, battling demons and saving the world

  Ataki glanced back over his shoulder, his expression deadpan. Imano swung his sword with a few fancy moves, finishing with a confident grin.

  Ataki, unimpressed, let out a long breath, an audible “Ouff,” and shook his head, continuing to walk.

  They reached the base of the mountain, where Ataki immediately sank into a cross-legged position on the ground. His eyes closed, and a calm aura of mana began to flow around him, lifting nearby leaves as though drawn to his presence. Birds settled on his shoulders, unbothered by his stillness. His magic radiated steady, controlled energy—calm yet powerful, like the peaceful force of nature itself.

  Meanwhile, Imano continued swinging his sword, fully immersed in his training.

  As he brought the sword down with all his might against a sturdy tree, there was a sudden crack. The sword shattered in an instant, sending a shard flying toward Ataki.

  Imano stared at the broken pieces. “Well, that was... unexpected.”

  Before he could finish his sentence, Ataki, still seated, suddenly stood up. A piece of the broken sword was lodged in his forehead.

  Punches Imano

  POP!

  A cartoonish bump shot out from Imano’s head.

  Imano, dazed: “Ouch.”

  Ataki adjusted his glasses and turned. "No training today. Follow me, I have to show you something."

  They set off, moving through the dense jungle. The air was thick with moisture, and the scent of damp earth and wild greenery surrounded them. As they climbed higher up the mountain, the trees began to thin, revealing glimpses of the sky.

  Then, as they pushed through the last of the trees, a powerful gust of wind slammed into them.

  But as they neared the edge, Ataki’s steps slowed. His usual calm demeanor seemed to crack, and a slight tremor ran through his body. Imano noticed this—he had never seen Ataki like this before, his usually steady and unshakable friend now visibly rattled. Ataki’s face was grim, his eyes distant, as if he were steeling himself for something.

  Imano blinked, his usual playful tone dropping into something more serious. "Ataki...?"

  Ataki didn’t respond. He pushed through the last of the trees, and as the cliff came into view, a powerful gust of wind slammed into them. Imano staggered, but Ataki stood motionless at the edge, staring down with a look of distant pain in his eyes.

  Ataki stood at the edge of the cliff, staring down.

  Imano stepped forward—and froze. Below them, where a village should have been, there was nothing. Just an enormous crater, stretching across the land, vast enough to swallow an entire city. The edges of the destruction were jagged, as if the land itself had been ripped apart in an instant.

  Ataki’s voice was quiet, yet heavy. “Ten thousand people… all dead. It happened in the blink of an eye.”

  As he spoke, flashes of memory surfaced—charred bodies, twisted remains, the faces of what might have been his parents, lifeless and unrecognizable. A flashback overtook him: his father, silhouetted against a backdrop of what seemed like demons. The memory echoed his father’s voice, desperate yet calm. “Don’t be scared... run.”

  Ataki: "To be truly free, to live without fear, we need to eliminate all the demons. We need to become the strongest. We’re not ready to make the first move until we’ve conquered this fear. And that can only happen if we’re the strongest."

  As he spoke, his hand trembled.

  Imano's mind flashed back to his childhood. He saw his mother handing him the book, The Three Legendary Heroes, urging him to read it without paying attention to anything else.

  As he read, the words on the page blurred. Suddenly, a harsh voice echoed from the other room. "Come here, you piece of shit!" The sound of yelling followed, and his father’s angry shouts rang out as his hand struck.

  Imano’s young self cried quietly, trying to focus on the book, the words a blur, as pain and fear consumed him. His mother’s voice faintly reached him from the other room, but he could do nothing but try to read through it all.

  Ataki didn’t budge, his gaze locked on the destruction below. “Relying on anything but magic won’t work. It took a King Mage to defeat just one of the demon generals. And after the battle, he said something terrifying.” His voice dropped lower.

  “The demon… even in its final moments, showed no fear.”

  Ataki’s fists clenched. “Demons don’t experience fear. If the legendary heroes really didn’t use magic, then… that means the demons have gotten stronger. Much, much stronger.” His jaw tightened. “No amount of physical strength will accomplish anything against them.”

  deep rumbling sound interrupted the moment.

  An earthquake.

  The ground trembled beneath their feet, and loose rocks tumbled down the mountainside.

  Imano’s eyes widened. He barely had time to react before he lifted himself into the air with his magic.

  “Uh… Ataki?”

  His voice wavered. He was staring at the sky.

  Ataki followed his gaze, and their breath caught in their throats.

  Above the massive crater, the air twisted and warped. The sky itself seemed to tear open, revealing a swirling black portal, its edges crackling with dark energy. Something was emerging from within—a shape, shifting and unnatural, its very existence unsettling to look at.

  Then, Imano spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.

  “…That’s a human.”

  The figure plummeted from the sky, crashing into the ground with a thunderous impact. Dust and wind blasted outward from the force of his landing.

  He stood up—completely naked He looked to be in his early 30s.

  Then, in a sudden burst of energy, he threw his arms into the air, his voice echoing across the ruined landscape.

  “I’M BAAAAACK!!”.

  His pose was dramatic, like a warrior reaching his ultimate form—until, as suddenly as he arrived, his body wavered, and he collapsed forward, unconscious.

  Ataki reacted instantly. His hand shot out, mana crackling around him, aimed directly at the fallen figure, an attack forming in an instant.

  But before he could release it—

  WHOOSH

  Imano moved in a blink, gripping Ataki’s wrist and forcing it down with a firm hold, his expression unreadable.

  Imano tightened his grip on Ataki’s wrist. “Calm down. We don’t know what he is yet.”

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Ataki didn’t lower his hand, mana still crackling around it. His eyes stayed locked on the unconscious figure.

  “You saw where he came from. That was clearly a d portal.”

  A few seconds passed in silence.

  Imano held onto his wrist. “Please, Ataki.”

  Ataki clicked his tongue in frustration, then pulled his hand away

  ataki throw a spellshaping a cage nearby. The wooden bars gleamed with embedded spells, sealing the unconscious man inside.

  All the while, the unconscious stranger lay motionless, the mystery of his arrival still unanswered.

  Imano crossed his arms, staring down at the unconscious figure. “So… what is he?”

  Ataki:“He’s obviously a pervert demon. Let’s just kill him”

  THWACK!

  A punch landed on his head.

  While rubbing the sore spot, Ataki muttered, “Did you notice the amount of magic that portal had? I’ve heard demon portals have immense mana, but I never thought it would be that much. If this guy wakes up, it might be dangerous.”

  Imano frowned:

  “Yeah, but that’s the weird part.” He glanced at the unconscious figure. “I can’t sense anything from him. No magic at all.That doesn’t make sense. A portal like that should’ve spat out something strong.”

  Ataki’s gaze sharpened, deep in thought.

  “There’s only one explanation…” His voice was low, calculated. “He’s a high-level mage. The kind that can suppress their mana completely—even while unconscious. If he’s doing it instinctively, that means he’s strong. Really strong.”

  The idea settled between them like a heavy weight.

  “There’s no police in the village,” Imano finally said. “We’re the only fighters.”

  ataki sighed. “Then we definitely shouldn’t take him back. If he turns out to be dangerous, we’d be putting everyone at risk.”

  Imano nodded. “Right. We’ll report this to the authorities instead. That portal had insane mana—maybe someone sensed it and will come investigate.”

  The two of them stood over the unconscious figure, unease creeping in. If ataki was right… then whoever this was, they weren’t dealing with an ordinary person.

  Once secured, they dressed him in a pair of shorts—just enough for decency. Then, silence settled over the shelter. The only sound was the faint rustling of leaves outside.

  Each of them sat in deep thought, the weight of the situation pressing down. The flickering light of imano magic lantern cast long shadows, their expressions unreadable.

  Then—

  “Hello, kids.”

  The voice was calm, unnervingly casual, as if nothing was out of place.

  In an instant, the atmosphere shifted.

  Imano gripped the hilt of his broken sword,

  Ataki’s eyes darkened as he took a step forward.

  He didn’t hesitate. His voice was sharp, cutting through the tension.

  “Answer immediately—what are you?” His mana pulsed, pressing against the space between them. “Any other response… and your life ends here.

  The man, still seated, spread his hands wide with a cocky grin. “I am the epitome of what a human can become the strongest, most handsome, the greatest to ever walk this planet. I am Kairos, the survivor who defeated Cherir, the Demon King. How does it feel to witness greatness kids?”.

  Silence.

  The kind that grips the air, making even breathing feel loud.

  Imano, and Ataki stood frozen, their minds struggling to process what they had just heard. Their eyes darted toward each other—unspoken words passing between them.

  Eu… Ei…

  You… how… wait… but…

  Their thoughts tangled, their bodies locked in place as they stared at the man before them.

  Kairos simply smirked, his confidence unwavering. He exuded an aura of something… grand. Something that made it hard to dismiss his claim outright, even if logic screamed otherwise.

  Ataki was the first to break through the fog in his mind. He straightened, his voice coming back with sharp authority. “Prove it.”

  Kairos raised an eyebrow. “Does my presence alone not say enough? Can you not feel the greatness before you?”

  Imano, already staring at him differently, swallowed. His eyes gleamed with something close to awe. “Sir… do you use magic?” His voice was almost reverent.

  Kairos chuckled, tilting his head slightly. “Do I really look like a demon?”

  Ataki wasn’t so easily convinced. he narrowed his eyes. “Yeah? If you’re really Kairos… how are you still alive?”

  Ataki crossed his arms, his tone hard. “And why did you come out of a demonic portal?”

  Kairos leaned back slightly, exhaling through his nose, as if expecting the question. “I had a wish granted.”

  Imano’s eyes widened in shock. “The legendary wish…?!”

  Their expressions tightened.

  His gaze turned distant, as if looking at something beyond this moment. In his mind, a conversation played out—one they couldn’t see.

  A place of endless light. A figure beyond comprehension. A voice, ancient and knowing.

  "What can I give you for bringing balance?"

  "I am not able to grant everything, but there are certain things I can do."

  Kairos stood before the guardian, his body worn, his spirit heavy. The weight of his battles pressed upon him, but he stood tall.

  Kairos took a deep breath, his eyes focused. “What I ask is this... place me in a dormant state—sealed away until the time is right. When a new Demon King arises, I wish to return, to fight once more. But I will not age, I will not change. I’ll emerge exactly as I am now, to do what must be done.”

  The guardian was silent for a long moment, its presence unreadable. Then, it spoke—intrigued.

  "Are you doing this out of love for humanity… or because there is no one left for you to return to?"

  Kairos’ expression remained still.

  His response was simple.

  "I am doing it…..."

  The flashback stopped, and the present moment settled back into place.

  Kairos frowned “hey kids Since I came back… there’s something strange, I’m not sure why, but it feels like the air’s thinning. My arms… they’re numb, can’t seem to move them properly. Vision’s fading, too. It’s like I can barely see. Do you have any ideas”.

  Imano turned sharply. “Ataki, you’re the best healer here. Check him out.”

  Ataki stepped forward, placing a hand near Kairos and casting a diagnostic spell. His face remained neutral—too neutral. His expression didn’t shift, didn’t react, as if what he saw was entirely expected.

  After a short pause, he exhaled and straightened. “There’s nothing I can do.” His voice was flat, unreadable.

  Imano stiffened. “Hein?! How?!”.

  Ataki’s gaze flickered downward, catching a faint, ominous mark just below Kairos’ neck. He stared for a moment before speaking, tone still steady, controlled. “What is that...?”

  His eyes widened as realization hit him, and in a flash, his voice sharpened with urgency. “That mark... it’s a Demon Brand. It pulls demons toward whoever bears it!” He spun around, his body already moving to prepare for what was coming.

  Silence strangled the air for a second too long.

  Then—

  A low, unnatural growl echoed through the walls. Claws scraped against wood. Shadows twisted unnaturally, seeping in through the cracks.

  “They’re coming.”

  With a deafening crash, creatures of darkness forced their way inside.

  Imano gripped his broken sword, swinging it wildly. Each swing sent a slash of lightning through the air, cutting down creatures in rapid succession. Ataki raised his hand, and the house groaned as wooden spikes shot out in all directions, impaling the remaining creatures.

  Kairos, still on the ground, watches with growing amusement as the two speak in unison.

  Imano: “The village—”

  Ataki: “The village is in danger.”

  Without another word, they both spring into action, rushing towards the village.

  Imano’s eyes dart around as he runs, his expression surprised. “What do we do with him?”

  Ataki doesn’t even glance back. “Don’t worry about him. He can barely move with the oxygen levels as low as they are.”

  Imano, still running, raises an eyebrow. “So you could’ve helped him—”

  Ataki cuts him off, voice steady, unflinching. “and I was right not to.”

  The forest was nearly pitch black, the only light coming from a sliver of moonlight that barely pierced through the dense canopy above.

  As they sprint through the forest, an overwhelming presence suddenly sends a chill down their spines. Both Ataki and Imano freeze, their instincts kicking in. They immediately hide their mana, ducking behind the nearest trees.

  Imano stays perfectly still, his eyes narrowed as he peers through the branches, trying to spot the source of the dark, oppressive aura in front of him. The air around them feels thick, suffocating with malevolence. He doesn’t dare move, waiting for any sign of movement.

  Ataki's voice snaps through the tension. “Imano, behind you!”

  Imano spins, heart racing, but before he can react, a shadow looms over him. A figure stands far too close—its form tall, imposing, with an otherworldly presence. Its head is right next to his, unnaturally still, with hollow eyes that radiate an unholy coldness. The shape is humanoid covered by darkness

  An explosion of dark energy bursts, sending Imano hurtling through the air. His body crashes into the ground with a heavy thud.

  As the dust settles, the demon is revealed, its hands and legs bound by roots that have shot up from the ground, holding him in place. Ataki stands, his hand outstretched toward the creature, his voice steady.

  Ataki:"I got it in time. I was able to reduce the impact with the roots."

  Imano stirs, getting up with minimal injuries—just the result of being thrown. He shakes off the dust and looks back at Ataki, a little dazed but otherwise fine.

  "I'm fine," Imano mutters,

  The demon, bound by the roots, doesn’t seem troubled. The roots burn away instantly, consumed by dark energy,

  The demon, bound by the roots, doesn’t seem troubled. The roots burn away instantly, consumed by dark energy, as if the demon barely notices them.

  Ataki’s voice is sharp, urgent " We need to finish with this one before the other one shows up.”

  Imano nods, launching a barrage of lightning slashes toward the demon. But as the strikes close in, The demon raises a hand before him, and a magical barrier forms, blocking each of the slashes with ease.

  imano flies higher into the air, searching for an opening, while Ataki prepares himself for the next move.

  The demon swings his hand, and a violent gust tears through the air, disrupting Imano’s flight and blurring his vision.

  As Imano regains control, the demon is already above him in the sky, hands clasped together, swinging down in a powerful attack.

  Ataki reacts instantly, moving in front of Imano and taking the hit. The force sends them both crashing to the ground, leaving behind a trail of destruction.

  The demon lands soon after—but both its hands are missing. A flash of memory hits as it realizes—Imano had severed them mid-attack.

  Imano’s voice had rung out in alarm. “Ataki!”

  Ataki stood in front of him, having taken the full force of the blow. Blood seeped from his chest, a deep wound marking where the demon’s attack had struck.

  The demon looks almost impressed, a twisted grin forming. “Even in your state, I can kill you with both of my hands missing.”

  As he steps forward to strike, his body suddenly gives out. He collapses to the ground, confusion flashing in his eyes. Another memory resurfaces—the moment he landed his punch.

  Ataki had grabbed both of his arms, holding him in place just before Imano severed them. But that wasn’t all. In that brief moment, Ataki had channeled a devastating spell directly into his body. The damage was already done.

  As the demon's body begins to disintegrate, fading into nothing like ash in the wind, his gaze locks onto Ataki. Before his vision blurs, he mutters, “At least I took one with me…”

  But as his sight clears for a final moment, he sees Ataki—already healed, standing unscathed.

  The demon stares in disbelief and gasps, 'I’m... Impossible…' Before he vanishes into nothingness."

  Before they even have time to celebrate their victory, the previous oppressive aura begins to approach them. Ataki’s expression tightens. "I don't have any mana left... We have to run."

  But it’s already too late. The ground beneath their feet begins to shift, turning into thick, sticky mud, trapping them in place. Their bodies, already pushed to the limit, feel like they’re sinking.

  The massive figure of the demon emerges from the darkness, its aura so heavy that the air itself seems to warp. Towering above them, it’s far larger than the previous one. Huge, twisted horns curve from its head, and its mouth—gaping wide—reveals nothing but an abyss of pure darkness, an emptiness that seems to swallow light itself. Its eyes? Gone, replaced by a deep void, adding to the sense of pure malevolence.

  Ataki’s body shakes involuntarily. Memories of the mangled bodies, of the carnage left in the wake of such creatures, flash through his mind.

  As the demon’s gaze settles on Ataki, it notices the subtle tremor running through his body. A dark, twisted smile creeps across its face, its lips curling as it senses the fear.

  As the demon approaches, its footsteps suddenly halt. A distant sound of footsteps echoes through the forest, growing louder. The man who called himself Kairos steps forward. His face is emotionless, his eyes cold and empty as he walks toward them.

  The demon, in shock, stammers, “Y-You... who are you? You’re supposed... Impossible... are you immortal?”

  As he speaks, his body begins to melt, turning liquid-like as fear overtakes him. The sight is unsettling. Ataki watches as the demon, now terrified and scarred, stops shaking.

  Kairos approaches, his gaze unwavering. The demon, petrified with fear, feels his liquid form seize up as Kairos grabs his head—now nothing but a malleable,

  Kairos his voice cold “I told you ,If I ever see you again, I will kill you.”

  With a swift motion, Kairos crushes the demon's head.

  Ataki and Imano, still in shock, watch the scene unfold before them. As Kairos looks back at them, the sun begins to set, casting a warm glow over the scene. Kairos, with a refreshing smile, asks, “What are your names again?”