"Ash Phantom: The Legend Reborn"

When Zackey came out of the house, his fans rushed over, clapping and celebrating. The women standing outside their homes quickly ran back inside in fear. Meanwhile, Zackey, breathing heavily, laughed, "I never knew she was a virgin… she's now purified with my holy water. She's been blessed! Ehehehe!"

He looked at the girl's father, who was lying on the ground with his face buried in the pile of money, smiling like he was living a dream."I made his life happy," Zackey grinned widely. "Look at him!"

Then, raising both arms toward the crowd, he shouted, "Look at me! I am your leader! I care for you!"

The crowd of men chanted back, "Yes! You are great! Our leader is great!"

Zackey, wearing nothing but leaves wrapped around his waist, continued walking forward — behind him, his loyal puppet followed silently.

Inside the dim house, Riba, the girl who witnessed zacky's demonic act, lay still. Her body trembled from the pain, her clothes shattered her eyes wide open yet distant — filled with shock, betrayal, and silent screams that no one heard. Her dignity stripped, and her soul left shattered.

Blood stained the floor beneath her, and the cold breeze from the cracked window whispered through the silence. It wasn't just the physical pain — it was the wound inside her heart.

Moments later, her father entered with a wide grin, holding a sack of money. Coins jingled as he spun the bag in joy.

"Look, Riba! We're rich! He gave us ten thousand Zen! Can you believe it?" he laughed, blinded by greed.

But then, his eyes fell on his daughter — bruised, broken, and crying heavily. His smile faded for a moment. Rushing to grab a cloth, he covered her and sat beside her, still smiling nervously, unable to grasp the depth of what had just happened.

"Riba… we're rich now. Everything's going to be okay, right?" he whispered, trying to justify it, trying to believe his own lie.

Riba slowly turned her face toward him, her eyes filled with betrayal. Then — she spat on him.

Her voice heavy with pain, how can you do this, Father? to your own daughter. She was unable to talk any further.

He froze… yet even then, his mind couldn't break free from the illusion of wealth. He stood up, chuckled awkwardly, and walked to his room, muttering, "We can have everything now…"

Riba remained on the floor, covered in silence.

Image of Zackey on her, moving like a wild animal.

Her fingers clenched. Her lips trembled.

Her voice, barely audible, rose in a whisper that turned into a scream:

"Why?! Why me?! What did I do to deserve this?"

She looked up — not to the ceiling, but to the heavens.

Tears ran down her cheeks, mingling with the blood and dust.

"Someone… please… erase this monster from Yuzen. I want him gone. I want to see him fall. I want to see him dead."

She again burst out into tears.

The house remained silent… but her scream echoed in the soul of the world.

Meanwhile…

Auren stood by the ship's window, watching the wind push gently across the sky. Time: 12:00 PM. He suddenly felt a strange sensation in his chest. Placing a hand over it, he rubbed slowly.

"What is this feeling...?"

Without a word, he stepped away and went inside his room.

He lay down on the soft bed, both hands resting behind his head, eyes gazing up at the glowing magical lamps above him. Slowly… his eyelids closed.

And then—it appeared again.

The crown.

Auren focused harder."I want to see it... I can find something... Don't fear it, Auren. You can do this."

The crown moved—first into water, then disappeared into the desert. Next, it appeared over a mountain… then a dark room… and suddenly, it floated in midair. Then—a royal palace. Huge. Glowing.

Auren's eyes shot open. His chest rose and fell rapidly. He was sweating. Breathing heavy.

He sat up on the bed, unable to process what he had just seen."What… what is this? Why did I feel so afraid?"

He stood, walked quickly to the small kitchen corner, poured water from the clear crystal canister, and took a long sip.

Still unsettled, Auren rubbed the back of his head. His eyes moved around the room, restless.

"That crown... Was it a king's crown? Why am I seeing it again and again?"

He looked at his own reflection in the mirror near the window.

"Is this crown connected to my ancestors? Or... is this from my past life?"

Silence.

Only the sound of distant waves brushing against the hull of the ship could be heard. But Auren's thoughts... were louder than ever.

Auren stepped out onto the balcony, still deep in thought.

Suddenly, from a lower deck, someone waved at him.

Auren blinked. A figure stood there: a tribal-looking man, but richly dressed. His golden torso gleamed in the sunlight, and exotic ornaments hung from his ears and arms. He looked important—like someone from a noble clan.

Auren, confused, glanced sideways, thinking,"Is he waving at someone else?"

The man kept waving—gently but directly.Auren pointed a finger at himself."Me?"

The man nodded.

Auren hesitated."…What did I do?"

The man smiled softly. "You did nothing. I just want to talk."

"…Why?" Auren replied, still unsure.

"Where are you going?" the man asked.

Auren answered, "…To Baku City."

"Oh, I'm going there too," the man said, smiling. "Where in Baku City are you headed?"

Auren narrowed his eyes."Why are you asking me all this?"

The man gave a peaceful nod."Kid… I can see the pain you're hiding."

Auren froze.

"I know," the man continued, "you're heading toward Hollow Mountain… or maybe some meditation temple there. Somewhere, you think you'll find answers."

Auren's eyes widened."How do you know about that?"

The man stepped forward slightly, his golden bracelets jingling."I'm from the royal family of Omas. We came here from Raman City."

Auren remained silent, still processing.

The man looked up with wise, knowing eyes.

"You and I… might have something in common."