All I know so far... is that I was kidnapped, and I'm being tortured for the amusement of some people.
I wasn't a killer, nor some dangerous criminal.
I was just... just taking a walk through the streets after midnight.
And now, I'm hanging upside down by my feet.
I feel... I feel like I'm about to die.
All the blood is rushing to my head, and the only sound I can hear—
is the steady drip of my own blood hitting the floor.
They're still whipping me.
Did I scream for mercy?
I did. Many times.
But they only enjoy it more.
(???)
Still talking to yourself, huh?
(Necros)
No—please, stop! I can't take this anymore!
What did I ever do to you?!
Why are you doing this to me?!
I was sobbing as I spoke, and he just laughed.
He was enjoying it.
He was filming me while I was being tortured
turning me into some grotesque, bloodied canvas.
Then he stopped.
His eyes—now colder, crueler—fixed on me.
And he said:
(???)
So, how would you rate your torture experience with me, hmm?
(Necros)
You're insane!
Why?! Why are you doing this?!
Before I could finish, he pulled out a massive, razor-sharp knife.
(???)
Now, how about a few holes?
Hahahaha!
(Necros)
No—what are you going to do?!
Please, no—NO!
(???)
Oh yes... yes indeed.
(Necros)
AHHHHHHH!
I could barely breathe.
He stabbed me in the back—
laughing harder with every strike.
After six deep wounds, he grabbed my face.
I was on the edge of unconsciousness from the pain.
He forced my head toward the camera and said:
(???)
Smile, loser!
The audience is cheering for your death.
Let's give them a beautiful ending to your pathetic life!
He shouted that and forced me to smile at the camera.
Then… everything went quiet.
No sound.
No pain.
Only darkness.
But within that silence, I heard whispers.
They felt like they were right beside me in the shadows:
(The Whispers)
Your time has not yet come.
Death is not the end.
It is only the beginning… heir.
I didn't see a bright light, like they say.
Instead, I awoke.
In a thick, shadowy forest.
When I stood, I felt no pain—no wounds, no blood.
But I was completely naked.
My skin… pale, as if death had drained my soul and simply left.
(Necros) [frightened]
What...?
Where am I?
What happened to me?!
My body… it's different.
Why am I so pale?
I began running through the forest.
I found a river and leaned over to see my reflection—
terrified of what I might find.
And there it was:
– My hair was now silver, partially long.
– My eyes… deep red, slit vertically like a venomous serpent.
– My body... muscular, hardened, powerful.
As I ran my hands over this strange new form,
I felt something on my back—
where I had been stabbed.
I touched the area and found six solid, bone-like bumps.
When I pressed on one,
a tendril of bone burst out.
Segmented, like a spine, yet smooth and flexible.
Each ended in a sharp, spear-like tip.
They were solid—deadly.
But I couldn't control them.
They moved on their own—
with awareness, with will.
As if… they were alive.
Fully extended, each was twice my height.
I screamed at the top of my lungs:
(Necros) [shouting]
WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING TO ME?!
WHO ARE YOU?!
HOW DO YOU EVEN HAVE A WILL OF YOUR OWN?!
One of the tendrils turned and slapped me—hard.
SLAAAAP
(Necros)
What the hell was that?!
You're part of me! How dare you slap your master?!
One tendril nodded.
Another gently patted my head.
A third began scratching something into the dirt, and it wrote:
"No, you're not in control.
We have free will.
Don't try to command us.
Our mission is to enjoy ourselves and protect you.
We live as long as you live—because we're part of your body, obviously, you naked idiot."
I stared at the words, my face filled with shock.
(Necros)
So you're saying…
you're parasites in my body? That's—
SLAAAAP X6
(Necros)
HAAAAAAAH!
That HURT!
Why did all of you slap me?!
One tendril wrote again:
"Don't call us parasites, you cursed human."
(Necros)
Oh really? So you have feelings now?
You're just tendrils growing out of my back!
How the hell do you even get offended?!
And what do you mean by 'cursed human'?
I'm barely even human anymore!
I'm a monster!
I'm just a 17-year-old guy—
kidnapped off the street, tortured for fun by some sick bastards…
Now I'm naked…
with a new body…
and with some—very lovely—
bone tendrils coming out of my back!
While I was yelling, all my tendrils suddenly turned to focus on something.
A direction—toward the river.
I looked… and saw an old man with a long white beard, approaching.
Of course, I was still naked.
I quickly hid behind a rock, grabbed a massive leaf, and covered myself.
I peeked over, watching him come closer.
He looked at me from head to toe, then said:
(Old Man) [deep voice, amazed]
Damn...
I thought your kind had gone extinct centuries ago.
Where have you been living?
Are there others like you?
(Necros)
Uhh… I wasn't born like this, sir.
I was tortured to death…
Then woke up in this body, with these tendrils.
I guess I've been resurrected for… 20 minutes now?
(Old Man)
Resurrected?!
You're telling me you used to be human?
(Necros)
Yeah. Just a regular 17-year-old kid.
I used to eat pizza every Thursday.
By the way… where exactly am I?
And who are you?
(Old Man) [chuckles softly]
So, you're a young man…
Well then, my boy—
you are in the Kingdom of Ervalis.
The land of magic and wonders.
Here, demons, humans, and countless other beings live together.
As for me…
I'm Arclemos, Headmaster of the famed Valgrim Academy.
And what's your name, lad?
(Necros)
I'm Necros…
And uh, I could really use some clothes right now.
I'm currently covering myself with a giant leaf.
(Arclemos) [laughing heartily]
Well then, young man—
I have clothes for you.
Follow me…
and you'll see wonders like you've never imagined.
We followed him through the forest.
And when we emerged, I saw it—
the Academy.
Valgrim Academy.
To be continued…