ETHICS CLEANSING
ETHNIC CLEANSING
Long ago, before cities were formed, the Asian Coast was home to five great kingdoms: Kings, Whoops, Ville, Arcades, and Thruans.
Each kingdom was structured by a strict hierarchy of warriors, with ranks from A to F. The highest, A-Rank warriors, were either rulers or highly respected masters. But A-Ranks were few—only two per kingdom.
B-Rank warriors were mostly masters. C-Rank warriors were elite, often serving as personal guards to rulers. D-Ranks protected their kingdoms. E and F-Rank warriors were apprentices—F-Ranks being the weakest, forbidden from engaging in combat.
Yet, all warriors—regardless of rank—answered to one being: the Overlord.
The Overlord was a singular entity, always an A-Rank warrior, the most powerful among all. Upon their death, their soul would be reborn in an A-Rank warrior from the next kingdom in the traditional cycle: Kings, Whoops, Ville, Thruans, Arcades.
Thus, the Overlord remained eternal, living through rebirth while maintaining peace and balance among the five kingdoms.
The first Overlord was LORD RICHIMARO of the Kings kingdom. After him followed LORD JIZUTU from Whoops, LORD HELMA from Ville, EMPRESS FIKI from Arcades, LORD NIJATU from Thruans, LORD SHELDU from Kings, EMPRESS VIOLET from Whoops, and LORD LEASH from Ville.
Tradition held that the next Overlord would be from Arcades.
---
It was a bright morning in Arcades when a young boy named Kalamari approached his master.
"I want to become a ruler," he said earnestly.
Master Olark laughed, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Look at young Kalamari, dreaming so big," he chuckled. "Boy, you can be whatever you want—if you believe, and push past your limits. Some say work is enough, but I say go beyond. Your only limitation is yourself."
Kalamari was just ten years old—an F-Rank apprentice with incredible potential. Despite his age, Master Olark made him his best student. Kalamari trained relentlessly, often alone at night
---
Then, Kalamari was a ten-year-old apprentice.
With so much talent, Master Olark made him his best student, even though he was the youngest.
Kalamari was an F-rank warrior. His training was limited due to his age, but young Kalamari was always pushing beyond those limits. Often, he trained alone during late hours, honing and perfecting his gifts in secret. Master Olark had older apprentices of different ranks, all stronger and more experienced.
His strongest apprentice was Whuji, a C-rank warrior. At twenty-two years of age, Whuji was a strong, handsome fighter—widely regarded as the pride of Master Olark's class.
Master Olark himself was an A-rank warrior, one of only two in all of Arcades.
The second A-rank warrior was Master Nina—Kalamari's mother.
Although she was an A-rank warrior and a master in her own right, Kalamari was not a student in her class. He trained under Master Olark instead. Still, Nina often watched her son from afar as he trained. She admired his dedication, but her heart was heavy with worry. He was still only an F-rank warrior, and the world was dangerous.
She had already lost her husband during an A-rank battle. Now, she feared she might one day lose Kalamari too.
---
Elsewhere, in the Kingdom of Kings...
"Sire, your ambition will soon be accomplished," the servant said, bowing deeply before the Ruler of Kings. "Our assassins have made their way into the Gathering of Rulers. Your presence will be needed there."
Once every year, the Overlord summoned the rulers of all five kingdoms to a gathering. There, he judged every complaint, listened to their counsel, and proposed solutions to any current crisis. His role was to ensure that the five kingdoms remained united under a common purpose.
This annual gathering had arrived once more—and this time, every ruler had a grievance to present.
The ruler of Arcades: Arcade Olark.
The ruler of Whoops: Whoops Adolphus.
The ruler of Kings: King Veth.
The ruler of Ville: Ville Jinu.
The ruler of Thruans: Thruans Yentuski.
And above them all, the supreme judge: The Overlord Leash.
---
This year, something was different.
The ruler of Kings, Veth, stood out more than ever. He was the last surviving member of his bloodline and the youngest among all the rulers. At just twenty-two years of age, he had already reached the rank of A-rank warrior—an extraordinary feat. Yet despite his power, his experience was limited, and many doubted his ability to lead such a powerful kingdom.
Still, Veth was the ruler of Kings.
He had lost his father not long ago, and ever since, something inside him had changed. Veth had grown into a force no one could control. He was feared by the council, by the masters, the warriors, and even the citizens of Kings. They all respected him… and obeyed his every command.
Veth had always vowed to avenge his father's death. Now, he was laying the groundwork for something dangerous—something deadly.
---
"All hail Lord Leash!" the host of the Gathering of Rulers announced.
The arena echoed with voices as everyone rose and hailed the Overlord. The moment was ceremonial, filled with grandeur and reverence. Not only the rulers and the Overlord were present—council members, guards, and elite guests also attended. The air was rich with incense, music, and anticipation.
As always, the Gathering followed tradition: complaints were raised, arguments made, and judgments handed down. The Overlord listened with a calm but commanding presence, settling disputes with finality. When all was done, peace was declared.
And so, the event came to a joyous close—with a feast.
Tables were lined with food and drink. The sound of harps filled the hall. Laughter echoed as cups clinked and meat was shared among powerful hands.
As the Overlord was served his meal by a royal guard, Veth raised a cup of wine to his lips. But his eyes—sharp, calculating—remained fixed on the Overlord.
He watched him eat.
---
The next morning, in the kingdom of Arcades…
"You have to let the Chi—the mana within you—flow through your body," said Master Olark, his voice steady and instructive.
Young Kalamari stood barefoot in the training yard, drenched in sweat but focused. With closed eyes, he inhaled deeply, attempting again to master the flow of mana through his limbs.
Slowly but surely, he was learning.
It was only a matter of time before Kalamari mastered the art of mana flow.
While the other apprentices rested, the peaceful hum of the Arcades was suddenly shattered.
A news caster from the neighboring kingdom burst into the training grounds, breathless and wild-eyed, shouting:
"The Overlord is dead! The Overlord is dead! The Overlord is dead!"
The entire kingdom of Arcades froze—shock and fear rippling through every street, home, and hall. Across the other kingdoms, similar waves of panic spread. Rulers and councils scrambled to calm their citizens and reduce the growing unrest.
But in the Kingdom of Kings, preparations had already begun.
Troops were arming. Swords were being sharpened. Banners were raised high above blackened armor.
War was coming.
"Sire, your purpose is about to be achieved," said Veth's personal adviser with a twisted smile. "The Overlord is dead. Now, the only thing standing in your way… is the Arcades."
---
Back in Arcades, the ruler summoned all masters and council members to an emergency gathering.
According to ancient tradition, the Overlord's soul is reborn the moment he dies—reincarnated into a warrior from the neighboring kingdom. By the sacred order of the cycle, Overlord Leash had been born in Ville. The next kingdom in line was Thruans. Then came Arcades.
The reincarnation, therefore, should occur in Arcades.
The ruler addressed the room filled with A-rank and B-rank warriors—masters and council members of the highest order.
"There are signs," he began, his voice grave. "When the Overlord is reborn, his vessel—a warrior—manifests glowing eyes and an immense surge of Chi. Today, we will perform the ancient incantations to identify the new Overlord."
The ritual began.
Incantations filled the chamber, resonating with ancient power. Yet, one by one, each master and council member was tested—and found to be ordinary.
The room fell into disbelief.
"This is a mistake," one council member whispered.
"This is impossible," another muttered.
"One of us must wield the soul of the Overlord," said a master, his voice trembling.
Master Olark lowered his head in deep thought, frowning as confusion and tension spread through the hall.
Then, it happened.
A distant boom.
Followed by another.
And another.
The sound of heavy marching. Explosions echoing through the kingdom streets.
The ground trembled.
The Arcadian protectors rushed to their stations. Citizens locked themselves in their homes. Children clung to their mothers.
The Kingdom of Kings had arrived.
Veth's army came to a halt at the borders of Arcades, and at the front of the battalion stood the young King himself—Veth—his sword drawn, an angry smile playing across his face.
From the council hall, the masters and rulers of Arcades stepped forward, standing in defiance.
Veth spoke first.
"As we all know, the Overlord has left this world," he called out. "And one of you now holds his soul."
He raised his voice, louder now.
"Let us come to an agreement. Give me the new Overlord—and I may spare the Arcades."
Master Olark stepped forward.
"You're in no position to demand the Overlord," he said, voice steady. "We'll give you one last chance to take your army and leave this instant—or else."
Veth tilted his head.
"Or else what?" he asked mockingly. "I've already taken down Overlord Leash. What makes you think anyone in the Arcades can stop me?"
Olark smiled coldly.
"Who said anything about stopping you?"
He raised his blade.
"We're going to end you."
Veth's eyes widened.
"Kill them all!" he shouted.
And just like that, the army of Kings surged forward. War exploded in the land of Arcades. Swords clashed. Spells lit the sky. The ground was painted with fire and fury.
Inside their homes, the children of Arcades clung to one another, as their kingdom burned under the roar of the great war.
---
Every master, council member, warrior, and apprentice of Arcades fought together, side by side.
The Kingdom of Kings had brought war to their land—but Arcades did not yield.
---
Young Kalamari was at home, alone.
He sat quietly, unaware that chaos was already tearing through the streets—until a King's soldier came crashing through the wall of his house. The man rose slowly from the rubble, looming over the boy with menace in his eyes.
Kalamari stepped back, trembling at first… but then he looked closer.
Just a regular soldier.
His fear melted into a grin—an angry, righteous smile.
A moment later, a crack of lightning flashed inside the room, and Kalamari struck the soldier with a punch so powerful it sent him hurtling back through the wall, leaving behind a smoking trail of destruction.
Outside, the battle raged on.
The masters of Arcades were holding their own. The warriors of Kings continued their assault, but resistance was fierce.
Master Nina, a storm in human form, felled three B-rank warriors from Kings without so much as a scratch. Her movements were graceful, deadly, and precise. In the midst of battle, a sudden thought stole her attention.
"My Kalamari," she whispered to herself, eyes wide with worry.
Meanwhile, Master Olark fought with unrelenting fury, mowing down both high-rank and low-rank enemies alike. His presence on the battlefield was a beacon for the defenders of Arcades.
Not far from him, Whuji—the powerful C-rank apprentice—charged into the heart of the chaos. Alongside other masters, he launched a furious attack on Veth himself, landing solid blows and pushing the young king back.
Amidst the fight, Olark called to him.
"Whuji! Check on Kalamari!"
Whuji didn't hesitate. He turned and sprinted toward the young apprentice's home.
---
Back at the house, Kalamari was no longer alone.
A pile of unconscious—or worse—soldiers surrounded him. He stood in the middle, panting, blood on his knuckles, and a grin still dancing across his face.
But then a shadow fell over him.
A C-rank warrior from Kings landed with a thud.
"Well, well…" the man smirked. "You're surprisingly strong. Took out eight of our soldiers all by yourself." He looked down at Kalamari, who was bruised but still smiling. "I'll make your death quick—so you won't miss Mommy for too long."
As he raised his fist to deliver the fatal blow, a hand suddenly caught his wrist.
It was Whuji.
"Leave the kid alone," he said coldly. "Pick on someone your own size."
Before the C-rank soldier could react, Whuji blasted him back with a surge of flaming mana. He advanced with controlled fury, weaving through attacks, landing punches and strikes, each one stronger than the last.
With one final blow, Whuji drove his opponent into the ground, raised a hand to the sky, and summoned a beam of light. The heavens opened, and the light consumed the C-rank warrior's head in a burst of raw energy.
Ash fell like snow.
Whuji turned to Kalamari. "Are you okay?"
Kalamari stood and brushed himself off. "Yes, I'm fine. And… I took out the other soldiers myself."
Whuji blinked, surprised. He looked around at the bodies scattered through the ruined home.
I didn't think an F-rank kid could even defeat one soldier, he thought. How did he drop all these bodies?
---
Elsewhere, Master Nina arrived at the remnants of Kalamari's home. Her heart dropped at the sight of shattered walls and scorched debris.
"No… no, no, no. Where's my baby boy?" she whispered.
A sudden, sharp pain pierced her chest.
She looked down.
A sword had been driven through her back, the blade protruding from her heart.
Behind her stood an A-rank master from the Kingdom of Kings, grinning with satisfaction.
"Nina," he said with a smile, "you've been my number one target since the day you became an A-rank warrior."
Master Nina chuckled softly, blood at her lips.
"You should have gone for the head if I was really your target."
In the blink of an eye, her body faded—an illusion.
She appeared behind him.
With one smooth motion, she drove her blade into his spine, severing it from his body. The King's master collapsed, lifeless.
Nina stood over him, silent and composed.
And then, she turned back toward the ruins—still searching for her son.
Master Nina staggered.
She fell to the ground, blood soaking her robes as her hand gripped the deep wound in her chest. Her breath was shallow, her vision fading fast.
"I'm sorry, Kalamari..." she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. "I hope you are safe... wherever you are. I love you... and my soul... will always be with you."
With one final breath, Master Nina died.
---
Meanwhile, Kalamari and Whuji fought side by side, cutting through the soldiers of Kings like a storm. They moved in perfect sync, a fierce tag team of raw power and determination. But then, through the chaos, they saw him—Master Olark—engaged in a brutal one-on-one battle against the ruler of Kings himself, Veth.
The world of Arcades was collapsing.
Citizen by citizen, warrior by warrior, apprentice by apprentice—they were falling. Their once-proud kingdom was being reduced to ash.
Veth and Master Olark, both A-rank warriors, clashed with cataclysmic force. Buildings crumbled around them. The air split with the sound of colliding mana. Their duel was the fury of gods.
Kalamari and Whuji rushed in to support their master. Together, the three of them launched a coordinated assault against Veth. Blow after blow, spell after spell—they gave everything they had.
But it wasn't enough.
Veth's strength was monstrous. He endured their combined attacks with ease. With a savage flurry, he crippled Master Olark, leaving him paralyzed on the battlefield.
Then, he grabbed Whuji by the throat.
"No!" Kalamari screamed as Veth ripped out Whuji's heart with a single motion.
Kalamari dropped to his knees, frozen in shock.
And then—it happened.
His eyes began to glow. A radiant, golden light poured from within him. He rose slowly, ascending into the air as divine energy surrounded him like a halo of gods.
Veth and Master Olark both stared in utter disbelief.
Kalamari extended his hand—and released a colossal wave of mana.
The explosion lit the sky.
Veth was hurled from the palace, crashing through walls and stone, his body seared by the force of the blast.
Kalamari descended, breathing heavily. Master Olark crawled to him and pulled the boy into his arms.
"Kalamari..." he said weakly. "We've lost. You can't be here anymore. The council couldn't find the new Overlord—but I did. You always wanted to be a ruler… Now, the soul of the Overlord lives in you."
Tears filled the master's eyes.
"You must survive... and rebuild Arcades. I've always known you were special. May the souls of the late masters guide you, Kalamari."
Veth groaned, rising again in the distance.
Master Olark's voice sharpened. "Go. Go now. I'll hold them off. Run as far as you can. You are the chosen one, Kalamari."
Kalamari hesitated, fear in his eyes.
Then he turned—and ran into the forest.
---
The King's masters arrived moments later. They pinned Olark to the ground as Veth stepped forward, his face twisted in fury.
"Find the boy," Veth growled. "Bring him to me."
He looked down at Olark. "You made a big mistake."
---
Kalamari ran through the forest, his breath ragged, heart pounding.
He didn't stop—not even when the sounds of pursuit closed in behind him. The masters of Kings were relentless.
He didn't stop—until the ground gave way beneath his feet.
He fell—off a cliff, into a rushing waterfall below.
The pursuing soldiers peered down from above, but there was no sign of him.
No body.
No blood.
Nothing.
They returned to Veth and reported his death. But Veth wasn't convinced.
Only he had seen it—Kalamari's glowing eyes. That divine aura.
Could it really be him? he wondered. No... He's just an F-rank. It can't be.
But doubt lingered.
---
In the days that followed, the Kingdom of Kings razed Arcades to the ground. Every warrior who remained was slain. The survivors were enslaved. Nature itself—trees, rivers, and beasts—was burned or hunted.
A brutal wipe.
Veth had achieved his conquest—but still, he was not the Overlord.
He had poisoned the previous Overlord during the annual Gathering of Rulers and Councils, using a meal laced with Black Rose Potion, a rare and deadly toxin.
But the soul of the Overlord had not passed to him.
And so, in his fury and desperation, he ordered the complete extermination of Arcades.
His plan was simple: if he killed the current vessel of the Overlord's soul, it would have no choice but to be reborn again—and he would be ready to receive it.
But he had made a miscalculation.
The soul of the Overlord had already found its new host.
It was not in a seasoned A-rank master.
It was not in a ruler.
It was in a ten-year-old boy—named Kalamari.
---