Two hundred kilometers north of the southern region, a man in a black cloak sat cross-legged inside a desolate cave nestled between two arid mountains.
His face was both handsome and mature—at least, it would have been, if not for the sword scar that ran down the right side, marring his otherwise striking appearance.
His short hair was gray with streaks of black, and his well-built, slightly muscular frame was hidden beneath the black cloak he wore.
At that moment, a deep frown creased his brow as a sudden, inexplicable pain gripped his left chest.
"Pfft!"
A mouthful of blood spilled from his lips, and he gasped, clutching his chest.
"Damn it… What happened? Who interfered with the Demon Emperor's resurrection?" His eyes snapped open, blazing with fury.
He glanced around the barren, lifeless surroundings—nothing stirred, not even an insect.
Taking a deep breath to suppress the pain, he began casting healing magic.
