The moment I finished reading the first page, I slowly turned to the next one.
The handwriting was different from the introduction. It looked sharper… more serious.
I began reading carefully.
"First of all, I want to make one thing clear.
If you think this diary is the journal of World War III, then you are wrong.
This diary only exists to answer your questions about the war.
Every question you may have about that time can be answered through the pages of this diary."
My eyebrows slowly tightened as I read those words.
The real history — the untouched and true journal of World War III — belongs to Taffi.
And that diary still exists."
My eyes widened slightly.
"The location of Taffi's tomb… and the location of his diary are not the same.
I am the one who hid Taffi's diary.
I am also the one who buried Taffi."
I stopped reading for a moment.
My fingers tightened around the fragile page.
"Both places were separated intentionally.
History has already been manipulated many times in the past — just like it happened during World War I and World War II.
I did not want that to happen again."
A deep frown formed on my face.
World War I?
World War II?
What were those?
The words sounded important… but I had never heard of them before.
My heart started beating faster as I continued reading.
"So this will be your test.
A test of your patience.
A test of your hard work.
Only then will I know whether you are worthy enough to revive humanity…
and whether you have the ability to become their king."
I blinked in confusion.
King?
Revive humanity?
What was he talking about?
"If you wish to find Taffi's diary, then do not read the rest of these pages yet.
Turn directly to page number 106.
Your journey to find Taffi's diary begins there.
But if you have questions about the war or the past, you may return to page three and read from the beginning."
The page ended there.
For several seconds, I simply stared at the paper.
Then slowly… I closed the diary.
I sat down on the floor, staring at the wooden box beside me.
My mind was filled with questions.
"A test…?" I murmured quietly.
"What does he mean by testing my patience and hard work?"
My forehead wrinkled as confusion filled my thoughts.
"And what does he mean by reviving humanity… and becoming their king?"
I let out a slow breath and rubbed my face with my hands.
"Is Ayush really my ancestor…?"
My thoughts became even more tangled.
"And what are World War I and World War II…?"
I had never heard of such things before.
For a moment, the room felt strangely quiet.
Then another thought crossed my mind.
"Taffi's tomb and Taffi's diary are in two different places…"
I looked at the diary again.
"If that's true… then there's no reason for me to search for Taffi's tomb."
I leaned back slightly against the wall.
"What would I even do after finding it?"
After thinking for a while, my eyes slowly hardened with determination.
"No."
"I should focus on finding Taffi's diary."
"If that diary contains the real truth about the war… then that is what I need."
I stood up slowly.
The confusion on my face slowly disappeared, replaced by quiet determination.
Tomorrow… the search would begin.
I walked toward the small water bowl and splashed water on my face, letting the cool drops wash away the exhaustion.
Then I lay down to rest.
As I closed my eyes, only one thought remained in my mind.
Tomorrow…
my hard work begins.
The next morning, after finishing breakfast, Bhanu picked up the diary once again.
This time he directly opened page number 106.
The handwriting was the same as before.
He began reading.
"So, you are here to find Taffi's diary.
A nice choice.
My name is Ayush, and for now, I will be your guide on the journey to find Taffi's diary.
But before you begin, don't you think you should return to page number three?
You should first understand why you must also find Taffi's tomb."
Bhanu lowered the diary slightly and thought for a moment.
"Yeah… he's right," he murmured to himself.
"If I'm going to start this journey, I should know the reason behind it."
His curiosity slowly grew stronger.
"Why are Taffi's tomb and his diary hidden in two different places?"
Without wasting any more time, Bhanu flipped the pages back and opened page number 3.
Written there were the following words:
"Taffi's tomb contains something far more valuable than his body.
Inside the tomb are the blueprints and the true method to restore humanity.
The knowledge needed to rebuild civilization and become the true king of humanity.
Those blueprints were written by another companion of ours during the war.
His name was Tofu.
He fought alongside me and Taffi during World War III.
The three of us stood together during the darkest days of the war.
However, after the war ended, even we were unable to determine the exact location of Tofu's tomb.
But we still possess one thing connected to it.
Tofu's remaining belongings.
And I hid those remains in the same place where Taffi's tomb lies."
Bhanu slowly lowered the diary again.
His mind was spinning.
"So I need to find that too…?"
He sighed and scratched the back of his head.
"What a troublesome task…"
But after a moment, a small smile appeared on his face.
"The reward is worth it though."
"Restoring humanity… becoming the king of humans…"
"That actually sounds like something meaningful."
Bhanu closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.
"Alright."
"I'll give it a try."
"But first… I should find Taffi's diary."
With renewed determination, Bhanu flipped the diary again and opened page number 106.
He continued reading.
"Now you understand why both Taffi's diary and his tomb must be found.
However, this diary will only guide you to Taffi's diary.
Your journey begins with preparation.
Pack your bag.
open the last page of this diary.
There you will find the list of things you must carry with you."
Bhanu immediately flipped to the last page.
A small paper was stuck there.
At the top of the page, a title was written:
"Things You Will Need to Find Taffi's Diary."
Bhanu carefully read the list and started preparing his bag.
After finishing the preparations, he once again opened page 106.
There was one final line written there.
"Now that you have packed your bag, leave your house.
Start walking in the direction where the sun rises."
Bhanu slowly closed the diary.
"So… the east," he whispered.
Without telling his father or anyone in the settlement, Bhanu stepped outside his house.
The morning sun was just beginning to rise.
He looked toward the horizon.
Then, with determination in his eyes, he started walking.
Toward the east.
Toward the ruins of the forgotten world.
Toward the truth hidden inside Taffi's diary.