Tip… Tip… Tip…
Heavy rain fell on the leaves of the trees. The thunderstorm was fierce that night. Deep inside the forest stood a small wooden house. From within the house, a woman's painful cries echoed as she struggled to give birth to a child.
Moments later, the cries faded.
The woman gently held the newborn in her trembling arms. Tears ran down her face as she smiled softly.
"Oh, my dear child… your name is Kim," she whispered. "I'm sorry… I don't have any family name to give you."
As she looked closer at him, something strange caught her eye.
On the child's head, a red mark appeared. It looked like a crystal shaped like wings.
Fear filled her eyes.
Before she could react, the mark slowly faded… and disappeared completely.
She held the child tightly, unsure of what she had just seen.
Five Years Later
Kim and his mother, Ashley, lived alone in the forest called Denmark.
Ashley was inside their wooden house, cooking food over the fire. Outside, Kim was playing happily with his friends—four small squirrels.
"Hehe… you know," Kim said excitedly, "Mom said that from tomorrow I will go outside with my uncle. I'm going to learn many new things!"
The squirrels looked at him quietly, as if they could understand his words.
Kim gently patted their tiny heads.
"It's okay. You guys are my best friends. I will bring you with me too."
The sunlight filtered through the trees, turning the dim forest bright and warm.
Kim sat on the grass, his face becoming a little sad.
"I don't understand why Mom never tells me about the books in our basement… or those strange artifacts."
Suddenly—
Neigh!
A horse's sound echoed through the forest.
A beautiful horse walked toward him. Its fur shined like silver under the sunlight, and its eyes were strangely hypnotizing.
Kim laughed happily.
"Come here, my friend!"
He patted the horse's head lovingly.
Climbing onto its back, Kim carefully placed his four squirrel friends inside the pockets of his clothes.
"Let's go home!"
The horse galloped gently through the forest.
When Kim reached the house, his mother was already waiting outside.
Ashley walked toward him and knelt down so she could reach his height. She hugged him warmly.
"Oh dear, how many times have I told you not to go too far away?" she said with a soft smile.
She also patted the horse affectionately.
"Your uncle is coming tomorrow," she continued. "And my dear child, you will be going to the Kingdom of Al."
Her smile grew wider.
"So today I will make your favorite rice cakes."
"Yippee! Mom, I love you!" Kim shouted happily.
Later that evening, Kim went down into the basement.
The basement was filled with old books and mysterious artifacts.
He began reading one of the ancient books.
Hours later, during the quiet night, he returned upstairs.
"Mom," Kim said thoughtfully, "according to this book, a great war once happened between gods, demons, and humans. It says the planet was almost destroyed."
Ashley listened silently.
Kim continued reading.
"It also says that in the human realm, my uncle is considered the most powerful non-magical warrior. The book says he killed ten angels by himself. But… angels can manipulate time and even reality sometimes. Is that really true?"
Ashley slowly nodded.
"Yes, son," she said calmly. "Your uncle is considered the greatest warrior the human race has ever produced."
She closed her eyes for a moment.
"For me… he was just a foolish brother who left everyone when he learned I was pregnant."
Her voice softened.
"But I know he will take care of you."
Kim smiled warmly.
The Next Morning
Early in the morning, a horse cart arrived in front of the house.
A tall man stepped down from it.
His presence was powerful yet calm. His body looked strong like a warrior's, but his expression was gentle. He had a thick moustache and sharp eyes.
Ashley walked forward and hugged him.
"How have you been?" she asked.
"I'm doing well, my dear sister," he replied with a smile.
He looked around.
"So where is our little guy?"
Kim ran forward and waved.
"Uncle!"
The man laughed.
"Well, well… small warrior. Are you ready?"
"Yup, Uncle!"
Ashley looked at him seriously.
"Take care of my son, Halim."
Halim smiled confidently.
"That's not even a question."
He turned toward Kim.
"Come on, little one. Let's go."
Just before they left, Halim handed Ashley a bag.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Your groceries for this month."
"Thank you," she said quietly.
They waved goodbye.
The horse cart slowly moved out of the Forest of Denmark.
Soon, massive stone walls appeared in the distance.
Behind those walls stood the last surviving kingdom of the world.
As soon as the guards saw Halim, they immediately opened the gates.
Kim looked up at his uncle.
"Uncle… remember what you told me?"
Halim nodded.
"If anyone asks who you are," Kim continued, "I should tell them honestly that I'm your nephew. But I must say that my mother is dead and that I have always lived with you."
"Correct," Halim said calmly. "Any other questions?"
Kim looked toward the dark horizon beyond the forest.
"Uncle… is it really true that this is the only kingdom left on the planet? And that beyond the Denmark forest there is only dark smoke and monsters?"
Halim's expression turned serious.
"Yes, little one. After the Great War, this was the only place that survived."
He pointed toward the city.
"This kingdom exists under the blessing of the God of Fate."
They passed through the gates.
Inside, the kingdom was alive with activity.
Tall buildings rose everywhere. People from many races walked through the streets, talking and trading.
Kim's eyes widened with amazement.
Finally, the cart stopped in front of a grand palace.
Halim stepped down and looked at Kim.
"Welcome to your new home."