It was a dawn no different from any other. With so much work to do today, you had no choice but to head home at this familiar late hour. Barely moving your stiff body, you trudged along with heavy steps, your shoulders slumped.

Before you knew it, you had reached a secluded alleyway slightly away from the busy streets. Since your house was in a remote area, you had to walk through this dark, eerie alley every night with a sense of unease—a place where there wasn't a single light, let alone a streetlight.

Stepping into the alley, you fully entered the darkness. Since this lightless path was one you walked every day, you weren't particularly scared. That was when—

From up ahead, a long, squelching, sticky sound echoed. In the empty dawn alley, the viscous and unpleasant noise rang out even louder. Unfortunately, your eyes, already adjusted to the dark, focused ahead so you could see through the shadows.

The sight before you was shocking enough to make your legs lose their strength. A very tall man, drenched in blood, was holding a sword and stabbing a human-like object, trampling over it while smiling brightly. His large, round eyes, glimpsed through his hair, added to the sense of alarm.

Clang—

The loud metallic sound of a sword hitting the ground echoed through the alley.