Chapter 0: Prologue
Chapter 0: Prologue
I have plenty to say, but I’ll cut to the chase. I was an author. I wasn't world-famous, but I wrote fantasy novels that boasted a dedicated cult following.
Of course, that’s not the case anymore now that I’ve been reincarnated.
I still have no idea why I was suddenly reborn, but the memory of my death remains vivid.
I was in the middle of writing a novel, just like any other day, when a sudden, sharp pain stabbed at my heart. It quickly escalated until I couldn't even breathe.
It was likely a heart attack. Since I lived alone, there was no one there to help me.
Well, it’s not like I felt particularly regretful about it.
My entire family had passed away in a car accident right after I started university, leaving me all alone. In a way, you could call it a "solitary death."
If I had one lingering regret, it was that I couldn't finish the story I was working on. My death would eventually be discovered, but I felt nothing but guilt toward my readers.
So, as soon as I realized I’d been reincarnated, I planned to write a new work based on my past life's memories—partly to kill time and partly to soothe my boredom.
That was, until I realized this place was what people commonly refer to as a "fantasy world."
"...Well, what can you do?"
I decided to just give up on that and live my life.
Fortunately, in this world modeled after the Middle Ages, I was born as a noble.
Though our fief is nothing but a quiet countryside, it has everything I need, and it’s hundreds of times better than being born a commoner.
"Commoner" is just a polite word for the lower class who wouldn't dare stand up to a noble.
Furthermore, I wasn't the eldest son destined to inherit the house; I was the youngest. This meant I wouldn't get dragged into pointless power struggles, allowing me to enjoy a relaxed current life.
"Hmm..."
And now, fast forward to the present. I am sixteen years old.
I was lying on a plush bed, reading a thick book.
Reading was one of my hobbies in my past life, so I naturally took it up here as well.
The problem was...
"Damn it. What is this even saying?"
Every single book is a "literary work." Or rather, they’re more like poetry collections where poets just crammed verses together.
Even the supposedly popular romance novels are so convoluted in their expression and readability that the content is incomprehensible.
To put it in perspective, it’s like a CSAT English question filled with uselessly complex vocabulary—the legendary kind that even native English speakers can’t solve.
"To hell with this. No wonder only nobles read these."
I tossed the book aside in a fit of pique. My head throbbed because I had to treat every single sentence like a logic puzzle.
How hard would it be to just write so the images pop into your head? What’s even funnier is that reading is considered a basic refinement among the nobility.
It goes something like this...
—Have you read this work? What are your thoughts on this passage?
—I believe it means this and that. What about you, Count?
—I disagree. I think...
They read a book and then hold a "100-Minute Debate."
When I asked my parents, they said it’s a way to test the depth of one's cultivation. It’s honestly absurd.
To make matters worse, nobles are so opinionated that arguments frequently break out when views clash.
Hearing that, I mocked them inwardly, thinking they were just putting on a ridiculous show.
‘To these people, my past life would be the fantasy, wouldn't it?’
I muttered to myself while staring at the ceiling.
This world has monsters, Elves, Dwarves, Beastkin, and even Demons. Various races exist here.
Their racial characteristics were slightly different from what I knew, but there were similarities.
Elves are nature-friendly, Dwarves are skilled with their hands, and Beastkin resemble animals.
However, the "Demons" were a bit unique. They are ostracized and despised by the people of this world, labeled as "The Cursed Ones."
Demons are the descendants of the "Devils" who nearly drove the world to ruin in the distant past.
On its own, that might sound like a cliché story, but the problem lies in the Demons' unique racial trait.
Perhaps because they carry the blood of Devils, if they cannot overcome their own "desires," they turn into full-fledged "Devils."
Once they become Devils, they are nothing more than monsters that destroy everything in sight.
Because of this trait, anyone closely associated with Demons has met a tragic end, and the Demons themselves curse their fate, wishing only to live as "humans."
On the bright side—if you can call it that—even without turning into Devils, their inherent strength is so immense that they’ve established their own nation, exerting significant influence on their neighbors.
"Hmm..."
I think I’ve got an idea for something interesting.
Gods exist in this world, as do Priests who borrow their power. So, what if I created a connection between the contrasting figures of a Demon and a Priest?
It sounds like it could be fun.
‘Tragedy is what truly sticks in people’s minds, after all.’
A forbidden love, so to speak. A love story between a Priest and a Demon would certainly draw a lot of attention.
And then, I’ll deliver a spectacular betrayal. For example, the protagonist willingly becomes a Devil to protect their lover, or destroys their own body to stop the other person.
For the record, in my past life, my readers called me a "Professor of Satanic Arts." Some even called me an angst-enthusiast.
"Oh, this is good."
Since I’m stuck reading books that feel like CSAT English problems, I need something simple to read.
But rather than wishing for such a book to appear in this era, I might as well write it myself.
Having nothing better to do, I hopped out of bed and headed to my desk.
‘Ugh. If I mess up once, I have to rewrite the whole thing.’
Given the era, pencils haven't been invented, let alone proper ballpoint pens.
I had no choice but to use ink and a nib, but fortunately, paper is quite well-developed.
After finishing my preparations, I agonized over how to write the introduction.
Language wasn't an issue. When I think in Korean, it’s automatically translated into the language of this world, and the grammar is identical to Korean.
"First, the setting should be simple..."
Writing a fantasy novel inside a fantasy world felt strange.
I was writing it purely as a hobby because I was bored. If it did well, great; if not, whatever.
My family is wealthy enough that I don't need to earn a living as a writer.
"Alright. This should work."
I began to move the nib with a light heart.
Even though this was a fantasy world, to me, the reincarnated author, it felt like writing an ordinary fantasy novel.
‘Surely no one will get upset over this.’
If worst came to worst, I could just show it to my family and let them decide whether it was worth publishing. I wasn't worried.
"Ah. Just in case, I should add a disclaimer that while the setting is what it is, the entire story is a work of fiction."
Because this is, after all, just a fantasy. Yes, indeed.
*
"Demons" are the descendants of Devils. This is an immutable truth and a curse laid upon them.
From the horns that symbolize the Devil, to the blood-red eyes and the ominous black mana.
Every single trait resembles a Devil, and since they turn into actual Devils if they lose their reason, they are objects of dread.
Consequently, even though they established a nation, other countries refused to recognize them, gnashing their teeth and claiming they would have dealt with them long ago if not for their absurd strength.
The Demons accepted this wretched discrimination in silence, but they were working hard to live as humans.
However, despite their efforts, their dream remained distant as Demon-turned-Devils caused damage whenever they had the chance.
That was, until a certain book appeared in the world.
—The author who achieved a new paradigm in the novel. Who exactly are they?
—An epic of a hero that will be talked about forever. Yet, it contains tragedy and sorrow.
—Expressiveness and readability that allow one to imagine the scenes instantly. A book that can be easily read regardless of status.
The Xenon Biography.
It was a novel published one day without warning.
At first, people thought it was just another literary work, but it began to spread by word of mouth after rumors surfaced that a certain noble had stayed up all night reading it.
The overall story follows a Great Devil who once drove the world to the brink of destruction, a group trying to resurrect that Devil, and the hero who stands in their way.
On the surface, it looked like a typical heroic epic, but the fact that it was deeply connected to "Demons" caught everyone's eye.
—A book that speaks for the sad destiny and loneliness of the Demons.
—It expresses the desires of Demons who live lonely lives as half-humans and half-devils, accepted by neither side.
—The end of 'Sacran,' which tugged at the heartstrings of countless readers. He sacrificed himself not as a Devil, but as a human.
Particularly after the chapter featuring the sacrifice of a certain Demon, the newspapers were filled with nothing but talk of that story. It was so moving that even people who usually showed no emotion were said to have sobbed while reading that part.
Most surprisingly, even those who usually loathed Demons couldn't hide their sadness and pity.
—The unjust and discriminatory treatment toward Demons. Is it truly right?
—They are those who wish to live as humans, not Devils. We are the ones who turned them into Devils.
Even more shocking was that the perception of Demons changed drastically.
Originally, most people treated Demons as Devils, but after the publication of The Xenon Biography, that view flipped 180 degrees.
They went from being time bombs that could explode at any moment to a tragic race longing to be human.
From being Devils to beings burdened with a wretched fate from birth.
In response to this unbelievable change, even "Helium," the nation of Demons, released a review of The Xenon Biography.
—I do not know who you are, but I wish to convey my sincere gratitude. This person understands the sad destiny of Demons better than anyone.
—The line stating that the heart that cares for someone while overcoming desire is 'sincerity.' That single line taught restraint to all Demons.
Even the King of Helium, who was feared by the world as a "Demon King," sent his gratitude to the author.
As the story progressed and continued to keep countless people on the edge of their seats, the author was currently...
"What... what in the hell is this?"
He was in a state of total shock while reading the newspaper.
"I still have quite a bit left before the ending...?"
What was he supposed to do now?