During the end times of humankind, when Grace abandoned humanity, all things tainted by corruption were cast out of Heaven. That forsaken place became the world in which people now lived.
Fury and endless battles ruled the land.
There was no more peace.
No more righteousness.
In this era, only the strong preyed on the weak, while the weak struggled desperately against the strong.
Thus, the age of endless suffering began.
“But Uncle Dan,” a child asked innocently, “why did Grace abandon humanity? Is Grace sad?”
Another child quickly added,
“Is Grace hungry?”
The children began whispering among themselves.
“Maybe Grace was hit by His parents and ran away,” one child said.
“Yeah, that sounds right,” another agreed.
Uncle Dan sighed deeply.
“No. Grace is not sad, not hungry, and not hard-headed like you brats.”
Shin suddenly spoke up.
“Uncle, why are you pointing at me? I’m good! I’m the most honest person in the Village of Wander! No one is greater than me—and I’m handsome too! Hehehe.”
“You—!” Uncle Dan snapped.
He struggled to contain his anger.
“Did you think I didn’t know you were the one who stole my hen?!”
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“But Uncle Dan,” Shin replied calmly, “you don’t have any evidence that it was me.”
“You—!”
“Uncle Dan, it was Shin!” one of the children blurted out.
“He stole your hen, roasted it, and ate it with Fatso!”
Fatso panicked immediately.
“It wasn’t me! Shin ate more than I did!”
“Lin!” Shin shouted. “You sold me out! I shared it with you!”
Lin crossed her arms.
“But I wanted the drumstick. You gave me the wings. I don’t like wings.”
“SHIN OF BROKEN STONE—NOW WHAT?!” Uncle Dan roared.
“Ehhh… forgive me,” Shin muttered.
“Come here!” Uncle Dan shouted. “I’m going to beat your ass!”
Uncle Dan punished Shin for his misdeeds while the children cheered loudly, laughing as Shin cried out in pain.
That afternoon, Shin, Lin, and Fatso walked home together.
“Ahh…” Shin groaned. “Uncle Dan is so strong. I almost died.”
“Hmph,” Lin replied. “You deserved it. If you’d given me the best part of the chicken, I wouldn’t have sold you out.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Shin said. “Next time I’ll give you the drumstick. Just don’t betray me again, okay?”
“I don’t knooow~” Lin replied playfully. “Hehehe.”
She smiled evilly.
“Ask Fatso. If he agrees, then I’ll keep my mouth shut.”
“Me?” Fatso puffed out his chest.
“I’m not Fatso I Am Bek. I am strong—the son of an ironsmith!”
He spoke proudly.
Bek then added,
“But Shin, do you know where Uncle Dan came from? My father said he was already a storyteller even before my father inherited the shop from my grandfather. He already looked old back then.”
“Really?” Shin said. “I never thought about that… but that’s interesting.”
“And my father also said,” Bek continued, “that wherever Uncle Dan stays, evil spirits and monsters never cause trouble.”
“Wow…” Shin muttered. “Maybe he’s the emperor of ghosts and monsters.”
“Yeah,” Lin said loudly, “maybe he’s a ghoul. Look at him—he never bathes, he smells weird, and he’s a skinny old beggar.”
“Hey, shut up!” Shin hissed. “He might hear you! I don’t want to get beaten again. That’s scary.”
Bek lowered his voice.
“Actually… my father said Uncle Dan is immortal.”
Before any of them could react, a sharp voice interrupted.
“Hey, you orphans.”
The son of the village chief stepped forward.
“I heard you bragging,” Pik said smugly. “I challenge you—walk around the graveyard three times under the moonlight.”
One of his companions sneered.
“I think he’s scared.”
“Yeah, he’s scared,” another echoed.
Shin snorted.
“You weirdos. Where did you hear that I’m brave? I said I’m handsome, not brave, you idiots!”
Lin giggled.
“Hehehe. Maybe they’re idiots because they can’t hear properly. Poor ear hygiene.”
“You—!” Pik snapped, his anger flaring.
“Fine,” he said cold
ly. “If you accept my challenge, I’ll give you this mana stone.”
