The Altherion residence was drowned in silence.
Magical lights dimmed one by one, like a stage drawing its curtains. Everyone in the house had fallen asleep… or at least, that's what they thought.
In one of the upstairs rooms, Kazuki sat cross-legged on the floor, a soft purple glow hovering above his palm. Before him, Neera—the demon girl who had become part of his grand design—sat formally on her knees, eyes fixed warily on the orb of light.
Kazuki extended his hand toward Neera.
"I'll give you a portion of my magic... just a little, but enough to keep you from collapsing midway," he said, his voice calm but imbued with a deliberately regal tone, as if this were some high-level sacred ritual.
As the magic light touched Neera's forehead, her body trembled slightly. Kazuki's pure mana surged through her veins—warm and dense... far greater than anything she had ever felt.
"This... this is incredible... such overwhelming power..."
Kazuki stood without answering. He walked toward his wardrobe and opened it slowly and dramatically. Inside hung a long black coat—symbol of silence and invisibility.
Without a sound, he put it on and pulled up the hood, partially hiding his silver hair.
He stared into the mirror for a moment.
"Perfect appearance. Darkness, mystery, and style... an unbeatable combination."
He turned to face Neera.
"Now, it's time to step onto the real stage."
Neera rose to her feet, her body still adjusting to the new flow of mana. But her eyes burned with determination and resolve.
Kazuki stepped to the window and opened it quietly. The night wind swept through, tousling his hair.
"Let's go..." he said, his voice soft but sharp, like a cold whisper in the enemy's ear.
Neera nodded without hesitation.
Kazuki smiled faintly. In his heart, he murmured:
"Midnight Shadow Operation, commence. One small step for the world... one giant leap for Nocturne Eclipse."
And that night, two shadows leapt from the upper window, piercing the darkness... heading toward the underworld waiting to be haunted.
---
Midnight – Downtown Back Alleys.
Kazuki and Neera's silhouettes merged into the shadows, weaving through narrow alleys soaked in the scent of stale alcohol and the skittering of rats. The faint glow of magical lanterns in the distance dared not touch this place.
Kazuki stood still at the end of an alley, arms crossed and breathing calm.
The night wind stirred his black coat.
In his heart, he began to mutter, like a narrator only he could hear.
"I need more members… But not too many girls. If it's all girls, people might think this is just a harem. Not cool."
He glanced at Neera, standing beside him, alert. Her red eyes still shimmered faintly from the magic Kazuki had bestowed.
Kazuki opened his mouth, his voice quiet but heavy with the weight of command, like a general issuing orders.
"Neera. I have a task for you."
Neera immediately straightened, tense.
"A task, my Lord? What would you have me do?"
Kazuki turned slightly, his sharp eyes catching the moonlight.
"You will find new members for Nocturne Eclipse."
Neera looked slightly surprised, but nodded firmly.
"Understood! I'll search the entire city if I have to."
But Kazuki raised one finger.
"Not yet."
Neera held her breath.
Kazuki stepped forward and patted her shoulder—classic style of a mysterious underworld boss.
"First... we infiltrate. Quietly. Like shadows dancing behind the light."
He turned his gaze to the end of the alley leading to the city's underground main street.
"This place... is a den of information. But also a graveyard for fools who don't realize whose stage they've stepped on."
Neera simply stared at him, both awed and confused.
Kazuki continued in his thoughts:
"Step one: infiltration. Step two: influence. Step three... domination from behind the curtain."
He took a deep breath and grinned faintly.
"Neera, prepare yourself. Tonight... we are not just shadows. We are the screenwriters in a world unaware it's being manipulated."
And with light steps, they began to move... slipping through alleys that had never seen the light of justice.
---
Elsewhere in the city—at the end of the alley connected to the main underworld street.
An old warehouse stood decrepit and rusted. Inside, a red lantern cast a dim glow over vile, unmentionable dealings.
Dozens of large men—tattooed and armed—busily traded slaves of various races: humans, beastkin, even elves and dwarves, all chained and defeated. But something more horrifying was at play…
Every slave sold had been injected with a poisonous magic serum. Their skin turned black, eyes glowing madly—not living beings anymore, but corrupted monsters sold as living weapons.
Coarse laughter echoed in the stifling room.
In one corner, the boss sat atop stacked crates, wearing a faux-fur coat made from beastkin hide. His face was wide, a scar running down his right cheek, and a disgusting smile stretched across his lips.
Suddenly—
Slow footsteps echoed from the front door.
Everyone turned.
Neera walked in alone, her thin cloak fluttering, red eyes glowing faintly under the dim light. Her expression was cold, emotionless… yet unwavering.
From the rooftop across the street, Kazuki watched with narrowed eyes.
"Good... the stage is opening."
He folded his arms, leaning casually against a rusted metal beam.
"Neera enters first as bait. Me? Of course... the lead actor always enters last. Under the spotlight."
Meanwhile, inside the warehouse...
The crime boss grinned wide, his tongue rolling out like a starving beast.
"Hoooh? Look who we have here… A new slave offering herself, huh?"
His goons burst out laughing, their voices polluting the air.
The boss stood from his makeshift throne, lumbering toward Neera.
"And... from the demon race, too. Perfect! Exotic ones sell the best!"
He raised his hand and barked:
"Don't hurt her! Capture her alive! We can sell her for a fortune… or use her first!"
His lackeys moved in from all directions, wielding magical chains, whips, and portable cages.
But Neera didn't flinch.
Her crimson eyes stared straight ahead.
From outside, Kazuki smirked slightly, seeing everything go according to plan.
"Counting down. Five... four... three..."
The criminals had no idea...
They weren't capturing a slave.
They were welcoming the end of their filthy show.
Chains shot toward Neera from every direction, wrapping around her arms, legs, and even neck. They laughed, thinking it was over.
Neera stayed still for a few seconds.
As if letting herself be caught.
Then, in a flash, her eyes flared.
A glowing symbol appeared on the back of her hand—a golden, intricate circle with Kazuki's magic core glowing calmly... yet carrying deadly power.
"Active Skill: Judgement Light."
Her voice was calm, but sharp enough to cut air.
In an instant, beams of golden-white light pierced through the bodies of every criminal nearby. They didn't even get to scream. Their bodies disintegrated like dust in a holy storm.
Clean. Total.
Neera stood tall in the center of the scorched floor, the magical chains melting away.
She stared forward.
"Not that easy… YOU DAMN FOOLS!!"
Her scream echoed through the room, slapping the egos of any living thing left breathing.
Only one man remained.
The boss.
His once confident face now tightened. But shame turned to burning rage.
"I changed my mind!!" he roared, grinding his teeth. "I'LL KILL YOU, YOU DEMON BITCH!!"
He drew a massive black sword from his back, dark and thick, emanating poisonous energy. Without warning, he lunged forward with brutal force.
Neera raised her left hand, forming a shield of light.
CLANG!!
The strike hit hard, shaking the room, but Neera didn't budge.
Their eyes locked.
Thus began a fierce duel between holy demon and vile human.
Dark blade clashed with sacred light, the sound of clashing steel and small explosions echoing endlessly. Every strike left trails of raw energy. The room fell apart—walls shattered, floor split.
But above the chaos...
Kazuki still stood on the rooftop, arms folded calmly.
The wind rustled his coat.
His eyes narrowed slightly, like a director watching a stage of blood and fire.
"Good... Neera is holding him off alone. Just a little longer."
He bent one knee, preparing to leap.
"Now it's time... for the lead actor to appear."
The sounds of battle ceased.
Neera was flung to the floor. The crime boss's last blow had cracked her light shield, sending her flying into the wall.
Dust filled the air.
The demon girl knelt, gasping. Her breathing ragged, shoulders trembling. Her magic had not yet fully recovered.
The boss walked slowly toward her, his steps heavy with menace.
"Heh... so much for the light of the demon race," he sneered, raising his blade. "Perfect. I'll end it with one swing."
Neera looked up weakly. Her eyes met the looming shadow of death.
But then...
The world fell silent.
The air froze. Dust hung still, as if time refused to move.
The boss stopped mid-step… eyes wide, body frozen.
His pupils... glowing.
Kazuki.
From the darkness, the Reaper emerged. His left eye glowed with bright violet light. A cold aura enveloped the room like midnight mist.
"Active Skill: Temporal Perception – Distorted Frame."
Kazuki's voice was soft, yet it echoed clearly in the slowed-down world.
Time... moved slower than a heartbeat.
In a blink, Kazuki now stood before Neera. His body blocked the attack, though the blow had yet to arrive.
"If you lay a single finger on my member..." he said, cold as ice.
Kazuki raised one hand toward the massive blade inches away. And with a flick...
The sword stopped.
Space around it rippled. The black blade, cleaving through dimensions, was halted by something denser than logic itself.
Kazuki stared forward, his violet eye glowing sharply.
"I don't like repeating cliché lines... but you've stepped beyond the script I wrote."
He glanced slightly at the still-shocked Neera.
"Don't worry. The supporting role is done. Now... the lead takes the stage."
Then, with one surge—
Time resumed.
BOOM!!!
The halted strike suddenly backfired. The boss was flung backward by invisible pressure, crashing into a stone pillar, shattering it instantly.
Kazuki stood amid dust and wild magic.
His head lowered slightly, silver hair hiding part of his face. His black coat fluttered in the breeze.
He raised one hand to the sky.
"...Now," he whispered.
"It's time... for Shadow Annihilation Operation to begin."