Gerald and the true spirit.

Deep inside the great forest of Terra, a young boy ran frantically, clutching a loaf of bread in his small hands. Behind him, two enraged men pursued with heavy steps, their expressions twisted with fury.

"There's nowhere to run, kid! Today, you'll suffer a fate worse than death!" one of the men bellowed, his voice echoing through the dense trees.

"How the hell is this frail brat still ahead of us?! Doesn't he ever get tired?" the other man complained as the distance between them inexplicably grew.

"You promised! We had a deal!" the boy gasped, his breath ragged from exhaustion. The men had tricked him—they promised him food in exchange for work, but when the time came to pay, they went back on their word. So, he stole the bread instead.

But it wasn't even for him.

The boy was an orphan, and the only family he had left was his younger sister, Genny who lay sick at home—probably due to malnutrition. He couldn't let her starve.

"What do you know?! You're just a kid, and you dare strike a deal with us? Haven't you heard of respecting your elders?!" one of the men sneered, picking up a medium-sized rock. Without hesitation, he hurled it at the boy, striking him hard on the head.

The impact sent the boy stumbling forward, but he refused to stop. Gritting his teeth, he pushed through the pain and kept running.

Then, up ahead, he spotted a cave. His heart pounded with renewed hope. If it was dark inside, he could hide.

Without a second thought, he sprinted into the cave's mouth.

To his surprise, it wasn't dark at all.

The inside of the cave glowed faintly, an eerie yet mesmerizing light illuminating the stone walls.

"Shit!" he cursed under his breath. There was no other exit. He was trapped.

But just as he turned, expecting his pursuers to burst in after him, a horrifying sound filled the air—screams. Bloodcurdling, desperate screams.

Then, silence.

The boy's breath hitched as he peeked toward the entrance.

The men were gone.

Only their tattered clothes remained, soaked in a pool of blood.

"What the…?" The boy's legs trembled as he took a cautious step back.

Something wasn't right.

Driven by fear, he turned toward the entrance, trying to escape—but the moment he stepped forward, an invisible force stopped him in his tracks.

It was as if the air had solidified into an impenetrable wall.

Panicked, he kicked his shoe toward the exit.

It passed through effortlessly.

"What's happening? Is this… magic?" he muttered, staring in disbelief.

After several futile attempts to leave, he had no choice but to venture deeper into the cave.

"I have to get home… I have to give Selene the bread. She's probably starving. She's sick, and it must be so painful for her…" he whispered, steeling himself as he moved forward.

The cave wasn't as deep as he expected. After about three minutes of walking, he reached a dead end.

But the sight before him was beyond anything he could've imagined.

A person was chained to the wall.

The figure's face was exposed, but strangely, the boy couldn't make out their features. It was as if their appearance shifted, blurred, or existed outside normal perception.

"Come closer."

The boy staggered back, his heart nearly leaping out of his chest. The voice wasn't natural—it sounded like multiple voices speaking in perfect harmony, layered over one another.

"W-Who are you? And… do you know why I can't leave? Am I going to end up like you?" he stammered, his fear barely contained.

"You ask too many questions," the figure chuckled. "But I'll answer you shortly. First, tell me your name, boy."

The boy hesitated before swallowing hard. "…Ge-Gerald."

The chained figure seemed to smile. "Now, Gerald. Let me ask you something. Do you desire absolute strength? Strength to crush your enemies and protect those you love?"

Gerald froze.

Strength? He had never even thought about it.

He never dreamed of being powerful. All he had ever wished for was to live a peaceful life with his sister.

But in this world…

That was impossible.

He clenched his fists.

Nothing ever came without a price.

"What's in it for you?" Gerald asked cautiously.

The chained figure laughed—a deep, resonant sound. "You have nothing to offer me. I simply wish to return to the mortal world. The only way to do so… is to serve a master."

"A master?" Gerald frowned.

"Place a drop of your blood on my forehead, and my power shall be yours. That is the contract. In return, I will follow your every command," the figure said, their voice filled with an almost divine certainty.

Gerald didn't hesitate.

His head still throbbed from the earlier injury, and blood was already trickling down his face. Lifting a trembling hand, he let a drop of blood fall onto the figure's forehead.

The chains binding the mysterious being instantly began to glow—pulsing with a radiant light—before shattering into nothingness.

A blinding green aura engulfed the cave, forcing Gerald to shield his eyes.

When the light faded, a towering figure stood before him.

A man—no, something beyond a man—stood nearly seven feet tall, his muscles sculpted to perfection, his chest broad and his arms thick with raw strength. His presence alone was enough to command the earth itself.

The only clothing he wore was an old leather trouser, adorned with ancient runes that exuded an overwhelming aura.

Gerald swallowed hard.

There was no doubt.

This being was powerful.

But for some reason… Gerald wasn't afraid.

"But… you still haven't told me who you are," Gerald said, his voice steadier than before.

The towering man knelt before him.

"I am a True Spirit. You may call me Terra," he declared, his voice filled with unwavering loyalty. "From this day forward, your wish is my command. If you so desire, I will even split the earth at your command."

Gerald's eyes widened.

He didn't quite understand everything yet, but one thing was certain—

With Terra at his side, no one would ever bully him again.

But before he could speak…

Terra's sharp gaze flickered toward the entrance.

"We have guests," he said darkly. "Master, give me your order… and it shall be done."