In a pocket dimension belonging to a legendary warrior, a boy named Ao was born, grew up, and was raised by the peculiar inhabitants of this secluded place: his master and his many servants.

At the heart of this dimension stood a grand temple, its towering spires clawing at the empty void above. Every surface was carved with intricate prayers to a long-forgotten deity, the air heavy with the scent of incense and whispers of faith.
Beneath the temple lay an enormous library, crammed with books, films, and relics of the ancient world.
Today, 11-year-old Ao is enthusiastically preparing for his journey

Aaaarghhh.. I'm in so much pain !
Master’s training has been absolutely brutal recently.
Every muscle in my body ached like it's on fire.
Yesterday, after all the trainings, he had me run a thousand laps around the temple carrying a giant boulder. A FUCKING GIANT BOULDER!!
He must be preparing me for the world below, but at this rate, I’ll be dead before I even leave!

I can't wait for the journey to begin, I'm sick of living in this temple!
It's cold, the people here are unbearable, always looking down on me like I’m some kind of bug, we eat the same food every day, and between the training sessions, the exams where I nearly die, the endless revision sessions on the ancient world, star magic, self-control and all the rest...
I WANT TO LEAVE! AAAAAAAAH

Knock, knock
Hm ?
Servant: "Ao! Wake up, your master is waiting for you!"
Ao (Child) : "I'm coming !"

I can't wait to get out of this damn temple !
Groaning, Ao rolled out of his bed and pulled on his training clothes—a simple brown haori and trousers that hung loosely on his frame. The cold hit him immediately, sharp and unforgiving, like it always did. Shivering, he opened the door to his room and made his way down the creaking wooden stairs to the mezzanine, where his master waited below.

Brrr.. It's so cold, I'll never get used to it !

At the entrance to the temple stood his master, as still and cold as the stone walls around him. The man’s white cloak cascaded to the ground, hiding most of his frame. A hood cast his face in shadow, leaving only his long white beard visible, stark against the dim light. He looked less like a man and more like a phantom—stern, unyielding, and utterly unreadable.

Master of Ao: ‘Ao, come here!’ Points at his feet
Uuuuh... As friendly as ever, the old man, not even a hello !
Ao (Child): Gets closer to his master ‘Yes master ?’

SMACK
The slap came so fast Ao didn’t even see it—he only felt the sharp sting on his cheek. He staggered slightly, more surprised than hurt.
Master: 'Show some respect, Ao.'
Ao’s jaw clenched as his thoughts raced
This old wizard reads in my mind !

The master sneered faintly, as if hearing every word. Without another comment, he turned and began walking toward the far end of the temple.
Master: ‘Come with me’

Hmm.. We're going to go training again.. I can feel it, he's prepared another sick test for me!
I'm going to come out of this with broken bones all over again!

They stopped in front of something that shouldn’t have been there: a door. It stood upright on its own, unattached to any wall or building, as if someone had plucked it from another place and dropped it here. The wood was dark and worn, its iron handle gleaming faintly. There was no frame, no sign of what lay beyond. Just the door, standing silently before them.

Master: Stands next to the door and looks at his disciple
‘Listen to me carefully Ao, because once you go through this door, you won't be able to go back’
Ao (Child): ‘Hmm.. Right?’
Master: Sigh ‘I'm serious.’
That’s… weird. It’s rare for my master to speak to me like this. Naturally, I mean. Like a real person, not some cold, all-knowing wizard.
Master: ‘Well...’ Takes a deep breath
‘This is the last trial of your training.’
THE LAST?! That means that after this I’ll finally be able to go on a journey!
Master: ‘You're going to have to adapt to many situations, fight creatures you don't understand, make trusted allies, and be prepared to act according to your principles and ideals.
Everything you've learned here will stand you in good stead, but you'll need to learn new things to survive once you get there
You're bound to make mistakes, but NEVER let them get you down, do you understand, my boy?’

He put his hand on Ao's shoulder, and Ao blinked up at him, unsure what to say. His voice sounded… warm. Almost kind. It was strange, coming from him.

Ao glanced around. and he thought to himself
Why are the servants here too? Why do some of them look so… sad?
Their grim faces sent a small knot of unease twisting in his stomach.

Master: Taps Ao on the shoulder ‘Well, here's the purpose of this test.’
Ao (Child): ‘I'm listening Master!’
Master: ‘You must ░░░░░░░░░ ░░ ▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒ ▓▓▓ ▓▓▓▓’
Ao (Child): Confused look ‘Wh.. What?’
Master: ‘Go on, Ao, open the door.. and don't look back.’
I.. didn't really understand the test.. well, here goes!

Beyond it was nothing—just emptiness, endless and silent.
Ao hesitated, glancing back at his master one last time.
His hands tucked into his cloak, but his stance looked… almost hesitant.
Then, with a deep breath, Ao stepped forward and leapt into the void.

...
...
...
...

---

Bright. Too bright. No, wait—dark? Both?
I can't see a thing, can't feel anything solid beneath me.
My heart is pounding so fast, am I falling—or floating? What’s going on? Where—
SWOOOOSH

Cart driver : ‘OHI KIDDO ! GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE WAY !!!’

Woooooow !!

Wait, where the hell am I?! A dirt road, half-destroyed wooden houses around me, people looking at me from all sides like I'm a messiah, and.. a cart behind me? And horses?! I've never seen any horse in real life! Fascinated look at the horses

Cart driver: ‘GET OUT OF THE ROAD KIDDO!!’
Cart guard: ‘I'll take care of it, sir’

A man jumped off, his hand already on the hilt of his sword. He marched toward Ao, his eyes narrowed.

Cart guard: ‘Move it, kid, we've got nothing to give you!!’
Ao (Child): ‘Ah.. Sorry, I was just fascinated by those horses, I'd never seen one before!!!’
Cart guard: ‘Tss, go away now!’

Ao moved out of the way just as the cart rumbled past, shaking the dust off his clothes.
Sigh Well, I'll explore around a bit, I'm sure I'll find some clues somewhere.
But still, it’s strange… It’s the first time I’ve come across people in an ordeal!
Hmm… Let’s see.
There are people sitting all over the place on the ground. Their faces look hollow, their bodies thin. Some are sleeping, others just… staring. It doesn’t look like a trial area—it looks like a poor village. I think I read about villages like this in a book once. Villages cut off from the outside world
The area itself is gigantic.
I try to find an exit on the horizon, but all I see are mountains and a dense forest in the distance.

Out of the corner of Ao's perception, he noticed movement—a little girl stumbling toward him. Her long black hair clung to her face, her torn dress streaked with blood. She looked up at him with wide, tear-filled eyes and collapsed to her knees.
Little Girl: 'Please… help.' Her voice broke as she started to cry.
Ao (Child): ‘What's wrong ?’ Crouching down, his heart tightening at the sight of her tears.
Little girl: ‘I.. bad guys.. they want to kill me!’ She sobbed harder, her small hands trembling.
Ao (Child): ‘Ooooh... Don't worry, I won't let them hurt you!’
Little girl: ‘Really?’
Ao (Child): ‘Yes, I promise!’ Smiles, trying to reassure her.
Little girl: Throws herself into Ao's arms ‘Thank you!’
Ao (Child): ‘What's your name, little one?’
Little girl: ‘Miki’
Ao (Child): ‘Nice to meet you Miki, I'm Ao! Follow me—I'll take you to safety’

This poor little girl.. she looks so scared. So lost. Not so different from me, I guess.
Let's walk a bit throught the village, I might find something—Hum.. Looks at the sign of a dilapidated building A saloon? That's what you see in westerns!
I guess it’s as good a place as any.
She’s probably hungry, and maybe they’ll have some food for her—and some information for me.

---

The saloon door creaked as Ao pushed it open, the smell of stale alcohol and sweat hit him like a wall.

Inside, the air was thick with smoke and noise—men shouting, clinking glasses, and pounding tables. A few heads turned to look at us, their eyes heavy with suspicion, before returning to their drinks.

Ao guided Miki to an empty table, staying close to her.

Ao (Child): ‘Sit here, I'm going to see the saloon manager’
Her stomach growled loudly, and she blushed, looking away in embarrassment.
Miki: “Hmm.”

Just as I thought—she’s starving. I’ll ask the manager if they have food for her. If they don’t… well, I saw a forest nearby. I’ve never hunted before, but there must be something out there. I’ll figure it out.

Ao approached the main counter and saw a half-drunk manager slouched against it, lazily wiping a glass with a dirty rag. The man squinted at him, his red, bleary eyes barely focused.

Ao (Child): 'Hello, sir! Um… I’d like to know if you have anything for that little girl over there to eat?'

Manager: 'Whaaat…?” His glass froze mid-wipe as he stared at Ao, then his lips curled into a wide grin. Suddenly, he burst out laughing.
“AAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!'

What's he laughing at? Did I say something funny?
Manager: 'Eeeeh, guys! Look at this little kid, coming up to me, asking for food! FOOD! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!'
The entire saloon erupted into laughter, their voices loud and cruel. Some banged their glasses on the tables as they howled.

Ao (Child): ‘Tss.. What's so funny?!’
Manager: “Ahhh, kid, you’re killing me here.” He wiped tears from his eyes as he leaned closer.
“You must be new, huh? Listen, you should get out of this village. You won’t find anything resembling food here. All we’ve got is dust and despair.”

I see... it's clearly famine here.
Ao (Child) : ‘Heuu... OK, but I'd like to know where—'

Before Ao could finish his sentence, the saloon door slammed open with a deafening bang, silencing the room. Five figures strode inside, their black ponchos sweeping the floor, gold embroidery glinting faintly in the dim light. Their boots thudded heavily against the creaking wood, and their sharp eyes scanned the room like predators on the hunt.

???#1 (Leader): “We’re looking for a little girl with long black hair! Have any of you seen her?”
???#2: “Boss, she’s here!” He pointed directly at the little girl sitting at the empty table.

The five figures moved toward her with purpose, their steps heavy and deliberate. But before they could reach her, Ao stepped in their way, his small frame blocking their path.

???#1 (Leader): “Kid? Move aside. We’ve got a job to do.”
One of them tried to push Ao aside, but he didn’t budge.

Ao (Child): “You’re not touching that girl!”
???#2: “Hey, half-pint, don’t get cocky with us! Let us pass, and everything will be fine for you.”
Ao (Child): “You don’t seem to get it—I’m not letting you lay a _finger_ on her. She’s under my protection now.”

???#3: “What kind of bullshit is that?!”

The leader, a man with striking red hair, held up his hand, stopping his men before they could escalate further. His calm gaze fixed on Ao.

???#1 (Leader): “Listen, kid. I get it—you’re trying to do a good deed, but you’re wrong. That girl isn’t what you think she is. She’s dangerous, and for everyone’s sake, she needs to be dealt with.”

Ao (Child): “When you say ‘dealt with,’ you mean to kill, don’t you?”
???#3: “Well done, kid! You’re learning fast. Keep it up and maybe you’ll reach the adults one day!”

Those bastards… I won’t let them hurt her. No way.

Anger surged through Ao, and a wave of blue energy burst outward from his body. Tables rattled violently, glasses shattered, and the floor beneath him cracked as the force slammed into the men in black ponchos, sending them stumbling backward. A faint blue aura surrounded Ao, crackling like flames.

Ao (Child): “I don’t need to talk to you anymore. GET OUT NOW!”
He dropped into a fighting stance, his fists clenched tightly as the room trembled around him.

???#4: ‘You wanna play warrior, kid?! Take that!!’

???#4 lunged at Ao, his fists raised, but Ao sidestepped with ease, his movements quick and fluid. As ???#4 stumbled past, Ao spun on his heel and delivered a powerful flying kick. His foot connected squarely with the man’s face, sending him crashing through the saloon wall in an explosion of splinters. Gasps rippled through the saloon as everyone turned to stare at the gaping hole left behind.

Panic spread like wildfire. Patrons scrambled away from the fight, knocking over chairs and spilling drinks as they rushed toward the counter. The tension in the room was thick, the air heavy with fear.

???#3:‘YOU LITTLE—’

???#3 charged at Ao, his fist swinging in a wide arc. But Ao raised his arm, blocking the punch with ease, and retaliated with a powerful right hook. The blow connected with ???#3’s jaw, and the man flew backward, skidding across the floor before coming to a stop outside the saloon.

???#2 : ‘SHIT, YOU'RE ALL USELESS OR WHAT ?!’
???#1 (Leader) : ‘Don't move’
Is that it? They've got it?

???#1 stepped forward, his calm gaze locking onto Ao. He raised his hand, a faint glow emanating from his palm as he muttered an incantation.

???#1: “Kōsoku”
Ao felt the energy ripple toward him, the spell aiming to bind him in place.
A binding spell.. But it won't go the way you want !
Ao moved quickly, dodging to the side and rushing forward. His hand shot out, connecting with ???#1’s chest and incanting.
Ao (Child): "Shōkyaku"

Heat surged from Ao’s palm, and flames erupted where his hand made contact. ???#1’s poncho caught fire instantly, the flames spreading hungrily. Snarling, ???#1 ripped the burning fabric from his body and threw it aside, where it landed against the wall, feeding the growing inferno.

Smoke curled through the air as the flames spread, licking at the wooden beams of the saloon. The patrons screamed, scattering for the exits, but neither Ao nor ???#1 paid them any mind. The two stood across from each other, their eyes locked in silent challenge.

Ao (Child): ‘Bring it on, old man!!’
???#1: ‘Enhance: Full body’

A golden aura surged around ???#1 as he activated the technique, his muscles tightening and his stance solidifying. Star power coursed through his body, amplifying his speed and strength. Ao’s blue aura flared in response, and the two charged at each other in unison.

Blow after blow rang out as their fists collided, sending shockwaves rippling through the burning saloon. Ao launched a quick jab at ???#1’s ribs, but the man blocked it with an upward motion of his arm. ???#1 countered with a sharp kick, forcing Ao to duck just in time. Flames roared around them, casting flickering shadows across the room as the two fighters pushed each other to the limit.

Damn! That old man can fight, no doubt about it!

Damn! That kid can fight, no doubt about it!

Neither fighter held back, their movements precise and unrelenting. The saloon creaked ominously as the fire consumed it, but the two continued their battle, paying no attention to the chaos surrounding them.

???#1 (Leader) : Waves his hand ‘STOP!’
Ao froze mid-charge, his fists still raised. His heart pounded in his chest as he glared at ???#1.
Ao (Child): ‘What? You admit defeat?!’
???#1 (Leader): “Kid, you have to understand—this little girl can’t be saved.”
Ao (Child): “Stop lying! It’s not working on me!”

???#1 (Leader): “SHE KILLED HER PARENTS!”
Ao’s stomach twisted violently. He turned to look at Miki, his mind racing.

No… no. That’s not possible. She’s just a little girl—a scared, lost little girl! She couldn’t—she wouldn’t—do something like that. Would she?
But then he saw her...

---

...
...
...

BLOOD, BLOOD everywhere.

Miki stood by the counter, her small hands tearing into the flesh of the saloon patrons who had sought refuge there. Her mouth dripped with crimson, and her torn dress was soaked in blood. A black aura swirled around her, and long, sharp claws extended from her fingers. Black veins snaked across her face, which was twisted into a horrifying snarl. Her once-bright eyes were now nothing but pools of black.

Wha.. What the.. Breathes heavily Blood.. everywhere.. She's eating.. the people in the Saloon?!
Ao (Child) : "Miki.. is that you ?!"

Miki slowly turned to him, her head jerking unnaturally as she growled. Her blood-soaked mouth opened, as she let out an inhuman scream.