"I hate the rain," grumbled the large man in a sharp suit, watching the drops hit the car's windshield.
His partner, a woman in the passenger seat, took a long drag from her cigarette. "Stop whining," she said. "We need to catch that maniac before the day ends, or we're in big trouble."
The man leaned back in his seat, clearly annoyed. "Then why are we here waiting on her to tell us where he is?, Don't you think we can find him ourselves?."
"Because it's boss's orders and I don't question the boss's orders ," the woman replied, blowing out smoke.
Just then, the man's black watch beeped. He quickly checked it, his body tensing.
"Speak of the devil," he muttered. "He's at a place called Sacred Virtue's Orphanage."
The woman's eyes widened. "Those poor kids better hope we get there in time."
The car sped off into the rain.
---
Inside the orphanage, chaos had broken loose. The children were running everywhere, screaming in panic after seeing what happened to Kai.
Richard's evil grin grew wider as he watched them. His eyes lit up with sick joy as he pulled the knife from his shoulder. Blood dripped to the floor. He spotted a group of girls trying to escape and started walking toward them.
But Miss Agatha stepped in his way.
Tears filled her eyes. Her face showed both fear and courage. She got down on her knees, her voice shaking. "Please… don't hurt them. Take me instead."
The strong, calm woman they all knew was now crying and begging.
Richard stared at her silently for a few seconds. Then, with a cold voice, he said, "Maybe I'll take both."
Before she could react, he slashed her across the chest. Blood poured from the cut as she collapsed.
Richard didn't stop. He moved through the orphanage, attacking anything in his way. The halls echoed with terrified screams. Miss Agatha lay on the floor, bleeding badly. Her thoughts were filled with regret.
Was this all my fault? Should I have never started the orphanage?
In her final moments, she whispered, "God… please help."
Her eyes closed.
---
Outside, in the rain, something strange began to happen.
Kai, who had been left for dead, slowly opened his eyes. They were glowing red.
The wind picked up, and a strange dark energy surrounded him. The power took shape, forming a shadowy figure with bright red eyes. It stood tall over Kai, giving off a strong and scary presence.
Kai, weak and hurt, looked up. "Who… are you?" he whispered.
The shadow looked down, its red eyes blinking. Then Kai passed out again, leaning into the figure for support.
Suddenly, Richard's voice rang out from nearby. He had felt the strange power and came to check it out. His eyes widened when he saw the shadow standing over Kai.
Richard grinned. "He's one of us," he said, laughing. "One of the Cursed!"
He was thrilled. The boy he thought was dead was actually cursed like him.
The shadow gently placed Kai near a tree and then faced Richard. Its red eyes locked onto him.
"Oh? You want to fight?" Richard laughed, ready.
The shadow didn't speak. Instead, it raised one arm, and a dark sword appeared, glowing with dangerous energy.
Most people would be scared—but not Richard. He had never known fear.
"Then I won't hold back," he said coldly.
His eyes turned bright red as he activated his cursed power
"The Joy in Chaos."
Dark energy swirled around him. The fear inside the orphanage made him even stronger. His muscles grew, his body changed, and his laughter echoed through the night.
He had become a monster.
And then… both figures charged at each other.
The battle had begun.