The instant Joshen stepped into Kame's room, an unsettling chill crawled down his spine.
Kame stood motionless at the centre of the room, his pale fingers gripping a sheet of paper—completely black, as though it had devoured every trace of light around it. His pupils trembled, and sweat rolled down his forehead.
"Ka—Kame…?" Joshen called out, his voice quivering as he approached."What's wrong? What is that thing in your hand?"
"K-Keep your distance!" Kame stammered.
But the warning came too late.
The black paper shuddered violently. An invisible force burst outward, piercing straight through their minds. Their thoughts fractured, reality twisted, and a nauseating sensation tore them apart as if time itself was ripping them from existence.
Their consciousness collapsed.
When they awoke, cold soil pressed against their backs.
Above them stretched a barren land, tinted orange by the light of dawn. A gentle breeze carried the scent of harvested crops. Nearby, a farmer calmly swung his
his sickle, slicing through tall stalks of grain.
He stopped when he noticed them.
"Hey, you two," the farmer called out with a laugh."What are you doing lying around here so early? Don't tell me you drank yourselves to death last night."
Joshen nearly answered honestly.
Before he could, Kame grabbed his sleeve and whispered,
"Master, don't. He'll think we're complete fools."
Kame sat up and bowed slightly."Sir, my name is—"
"Henry," the farmer interrupted kindly. "That's my name."
"Mr. Henry," Kame continued smoothly, "we were traveling last night when we were attacked by bandits. We lost our way and ended up far from our homeland."
Henry studied them for a moment, then sighed."Unfortunate. You both look exhausted. Come—my house isn't far."
They followed him to a modest farmhouse on the outskirts of the fields. Inside, Henry poured them warm tea. Moments later, a girl entered the room, placing the cups on the table.
"This is my daughter, Catia," Henry said.
"I need to return to work. Catia, show our guests around the village."
After Henry left, Catia looked at them curiously.
Kame smiled faintly."So, Ms. Catia… I hear you'll be giving us a tour."
He glanced outside at the peaceful scenery.
"I must say," he added softly,"this village feels lively… and surprisingly peaceful."
Catia suddenly spoke again—her voice sharp, almost sadistic.
"Peaceful…?"She let out a soft laugh. "Yes. I wish."
Joshen and Kame froze.
That single sentence unsettled them more than anything they had seen so far. As they continued walking, both began to notice it—an invisible weight buried beneath the village's calm exterior.
Every smile carried fear engraved into it.
They soon realized something chilling: a laughing face did not mean happiness.
The villagers spoke kindly, answered questions politely, and maintained the same modest smiles—but it all felt rehearsed. Too perfect. Too uniform. Their expressions reminded Kame of crocodile tears and a hyena's laughter—emotion without sincerity.
Fake.
They tried engaging more villagers, but the result was always the same. The tone never changed. The smiles never faded. Individuality itself seemed absent.
Something was deeply wrong.
Their tour continued until a massive structure emerged before them.
A castle.
It was enormous—towering over the village—yet strangely, it hadn't been visible from afar, as if reality itself had concealed it until now. The gates stood wide open, guarded by armored sentries.
What disturbed them wasn't what the guards did—
—but what they didn't do.
They didn't stop them.They didn't warn them.
Instead, they welcomed them.
Warmly.
Almost eagerly.
That was when both Joshen and Kame understood:whatever plagued this village… was connected to the castle.
As they passed through the gates, Kame suddenly felt a chill.
He turned around.
Catia stood behind them.
She had been following them the entire time.
"You…" Kame muttered, forcing a crooked smile."How did we not sense you? What are you—some kind of witch who can conceal her presence?"
He laughed loudly, trying to brush it off.
Joshen grabbed his arm and whispered sharply,"You don't get it, you absolute idiot."
Kame glanced at him.
"The guards," Joshen continued, his voice low."They weren't smiling at us."
Kame's laughter faded.
"They were greeting us."
Inside, the castle was lavish—ornate pillars, intricate carvings, and luxurious decorations lined the halls. Everything screamed elegance, wealth, and authority.
Yet the deeper they walked—
…the heavier the atmosphere became.
Until—