The next morning, while Diana was studying aristocratic etiquette with her attendant Testari, Hegemon took the opportunity to go to the central market of the capital to buy some necessities for the mansion. At the stalls, he overheard the excited chatter of the merchants and locals. They whispered about a strange ghost that always appeared and disappeared at night, kidnapping young children in the outskirts of the kingdom. However, Hegemon didn't pay much attention; he thought that in such a large capital, the royal army and knights like Kenji would handle security. He quickly reunited with Lily, and the two strolled through the bustling streets, chatting happily before returning to the mansion to finish their work and chat with the three maids, Resta, Fatesa, and Testari.
A few days later, while accompanying the Noble mansion's carriage to the outskirts to purchase agricultural products, Hegemon and Lily had the chance to visit a small village nestled on the edge of the forest. Here, the two quickly befriended the children playing at the edge of the village. Among the mischievous children, Hegemon noticed a boy who seemed rather introverted, quiet, and shy, always sitting huddled in a corner. Sympathizing with the lonely, Hegemon approached and sat beside him, gently encouraging him and giving him a small candy, helping the child to smile warmly for the first time.
However, disaster struck that very night when they decided to camp in the village.
Around midnight, Hegemon was startled awake by a strange feeling of unease. Stepping out of his tent, he was horrified to see the introverted child from earlier that day walking unconsciously deeper into the dense forest, his eyes vacant as if brainwashed. Hegemon immediately followed to assess the situation. The deeper he went into the darkness, the more terrified he became to see not only that boy, but a whole host of other children from the village also slowly advancing like zombies.
At the end of the road, a mysterious figure, shrouded in a pure black cloak, stood casting spells, emitting malevolent sound waves that controlled minds.
"Damn it! Wake up!" Hegemon shouted, rushing forward to try and rouse the nearest child and intending to run back to alert the villagers.
But he was too careless. The figure in black was not alone; he had accomplices lying in ambush in the bushes.
"Swish!"
A cold flash of light ripped through the night. Hegemon was completely caught off guard. A figure emerged from the shadows, swinging a sharp dagger that struck him in the neck. Fresh blood gushed out, staining his cloak crimson.
Hegemon collapsed to the ground, clutching the deep wound in his neck. His face showed utter terror, not from the fear of death, but from the helplessness of being unable to do anything to save the children, and the horror of realizing he was about to experience the soul-splitting sensation once again. His vision darkened, his breath catching in his throat amidst the cold laughter of his kidnappers.
"Boom!"
The space exploded, scattering even the abstract information dust particles that sustained the world. Hegemon's consciousness was dragged into the endless void.
When he awoke, his eyes wide with bloodshot rage and gasping for breath, he found himself standing in a green meadow. Birds chirped and the morning sun shone directly on his face. His spawn point had changed. It was no longer the same spot, but had been pushed back to the day before they arrived at the suburban village.