THE FIRST SNOWFALL

It was exactly 2:00 PM when the first snowflakes began to drift silently from the pale gray sky. The streets below were calm, unaware of the storm approaching. From the window of Arin's apartment, Ayric stood with his arms folded, watching the snowfall begin.

Suddenly, he turned to Arin with wide eyes.

"Arin… your eyes… they turned red."

Startled, Arin stepped toward the mirror hanging near the hallway. The reflection staring back at him wasn't the same. His irises burned a glowing crimson, vivid and unnatural. Memories surged up from deep inside him—visions of the Emperor of Darkness, the same red eyes blazing with ancient power.

Without a word, Arin moved quickly to the cabinet near his bed. He opened a small black case, took out a pair of brown lenses, and slipped them over his eyes with practiced ease.

"It's fine," Arin said, his voice steady. "Just part of my power."

Ayric watched him, clearly uneasy. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah. Don't worry," Arin replied, giving a faint smile.

But deep inside, his thoughts were far from calm. I can't tell anyone about the Emperor of Darkness… Not yet.

Just then, his phone vibrated. "Lysia" flashed across the screen. He stared at it for a second before picking up.

"Arin," Lysia's voice snapped through the speaker, "what's with all this food storage? You knew about the snow, didn't you?"

"That's none of your business," Arin said coldly and ended the call.

Meanwhile, in another part of the building, Lysia sat sprawled on her plush sofa, her eyes fixed in frustration on her silent phone. From the bathroom, Kaelin emerged, wrapped in a short bathrobe, drying her hair lazily.

"How dare he ignore me like that?!" Lysia hissed, throwing her phone onto the couch.

Kaelin glanced at her with an amused smirk. "Why are you still thinking about that loser?"

Back in Arin's apartment, his phone rang again. This time, it was the receptionist from the Royal Hotel.

"You said you'd pay the rest today," the woman said, her tone slightly impatient.

Arin didn't flinch. "I don't have the money. I'm not paying." He ended the call with the same indifference.

With a sigh, Arin opened the society's group chat on his phone. Messages were pouring in—residents chattering excitedly about the snowfall.

"It's so beautiful!"

"It's the first snowfall of my life!"

People stood by their windows, some with smiles, others with wonder in their eyes, watching the white flakes cover the world.

Arin stood quietly beside Ayric at the window, staring out at the falling snow. The city looked almost peaceful. His voice was calm, but there was something solemn beneath the surface.

"Some people… this is their first snow."

The snowfall began to grow heavier. The world was changing—again.