Across from him stands a Yamari. Unlike the monstrous Hanma, this one appears almost human. Calm expression, twisted smirk, unsettlingly normal face. Yet the power radiating from it is overwhelming.

> Yamari: "Your story ends here… little brat."

The Yamari launches forward in a blur.

The boy raises his sword just in time—

CLANG! A shockwave bursts out from the impact, cracking the ground beneath them.

> MC: "I’m… not done yet…!"

The Yamari's grin widens, amused.

The boy coughs blood. His knees tremble. Still, he refuses to fall.

> MC (thinking): "No matter what… I’ll stand."

MC (aloud): "It all started… from this."

Everything flashes white—

---

One Year Earlier

A small, peaceful village. Birds chirp. Children run through the narrow paths.

The main character is walking home alone at sunset, hair messy, clothes dusty from playing.

> MC (to himself): "I’m so dead… she’s gonna yell at me again."

He approaches a modest wooden house and slowly opens the door.

Inside, his grandmother is placing food on the table.

> Grandma: "You’re late again."

MC: "I lost track of time! But… the food smells great!"

She gives him the usual disappointed-but-loving look.

They sit and eat. It feels peaceful.

Until—

CRASH!

The back wall of the house suddenly bursts open, wood flying across the room.

A Hanma appears — tall, monstrous, with wild limbs and dark veins.

> MC: "Wha—?!"

The grandmother shouts—

> Grandma: "RUN!"

She throws herself between the Hanma and the boy.

> MC: "NO—GRANDMA!!"

The Hanma swings —

SPLASH! Blood hits the wall.

The boy is pushed out of the house, landing roughly on the ground.

Silence.

His hands shake. His eyes widen. Tears fall silently.

> MC (whispering): "...She’s gone..."

He grips the dirt.

> MC (to himself): "They took her from me…"

His eyes burn with rage.

> MC: "I’ll make them pay. I don’t care how long it takes… I will fight."

---