Chapter 1
CHAPTER 1
The morning sun struggled to pierce the heavy curtains, but Yuto barely noticed. Sprawled on his bed, the remnants of a half-eaten bowl of ramen clung stubbornly to his desk. He felt the familiar weight of anxiety, a constant companion intensified by the ever-present threat of precognitive visions. These glimpses into impending death, especially the potential loss of friends, often drove him into self-imposed isolation. The last premonition had cost him his father, making him acutely aware of the need to interpret his visions wisely. After each premonition, the usual symptoms followed: a throbbing headache, nosebleeds, and an overwhelming fatigue.
Yuto shot up, a sudden urgency gripping him. He had to find the book—the key to understanding the origin of Death Lock, the spirit bound to him. The idea of how to find it was a blank slate, but he had to try.
He walked to the door, his hand hovering over the knob. The familiar, peaceful garden was gone, replaced by an oppressive twilight. The air hung heavy, thick with the scent of damp earth and something else… something ancient and unsettling. He pulled out his phone, the cool glass a stark contrast to the clammy sweat on his palms
Yuto, seized by a sudden idea, decided to visit a library. He texted Hana, proposing to go together that evening. "Little busy," Hana replied, "Time permitting, maybe we can meet up later." Yuto, however, felt he couldn't wait. He needed to find the book.
He went to the library, his mind racing. He asked the librarian for help, explaining his search. The librarian, a kindly older woman with spectacles perched on her nose, listened patiently. "What is it you're looking for?" she asked.
"I'm looking for a book… concerning the origins of Death Lock," Yuto replied, his voice barely a whisper.
Yuto, his heart hammering a frantic rhythm against his ribs, explained his desperate search to the librarian. "I'm looking for information on the origins of Death Lock," he said, his voice barely a whisper. The librarian, a woman whose face was etched with the wisdom of years spent amongst countless stories, listened intently. She peered at him over her spectacles, her gaze sharp and assessing.
"Death Lock," she repeated slowly, a thoughtful frown creasing her brow. "That's… unusual. Are you sure that's the name?".
The librarian, her gaze sharp and assessing, led Yuto to a dusty, forgotten corner of the library. It was a section cordoned off, marked only by a faded, almost invisible sign: "Restricted Archives." She unlocked the heavy oak door with a key that seemed as old as the library itself. The air inside was thick with the scent of aged paper and forgotten secrets.
Inside, shelves upon shelves of ancient books lined the walls, their spines cracked and brittle with age. The librarian pointed to a single, unassuming volume, its cover worn and its title barely legible. "This," she whispered, her voice low and grave, "is the 'Secret Book of Revelation.' It holds the key, but be warned... its knowledge has a deadly price." She handed him the book, her eyes filled with a mixture of caution and concern. "Only those with the strength to overcome their deepest fears may possess its secrets. Many have tried, and few have succeeded."
Yuto took the book with apprehension. The librarian, her face etched with worry, said, "My husband was afflicted by the same curse. I know the kind of problem he went through. This book has a deadly price, but it can also give you some abilities and power. It contains details on the history of Death Lock. It's important information, so please keep it secure from others, and be wise."
