Chapter 1
A faint, trembling breath.
Then silence.
I don’t know whose it was.But it doesn’t matter now—No one’s left in here.
Just a cheap rented room.
The off-white tiles lay too clean, too empty—as if life never happened here.
Moonlight seeped through pale curtains,slashing across the floor like a dull blade.
Outside structures cast long, angular shadows,cutting in like knives.
A smear of dried blood—dark, flaking brown.
Beside a plastic chair,an arm.
Cleanly torn from theshoulder.
Thefingersrest as if the owner had merely dozed off moments ago.
A little farther,the rightleg—twisted at impossible angles.
The ankle bent backwards,no longer human.
Organs scattered like shrapnel.
As if something had burst from within.
Yet...The cuts seemed intentional.The arrangement, deliberate.
Lungs.Intestines.Liver.Heart.Eyes.Brain.
Each laid out neatly—like butchered goods in a market stall.
But no one here was trying to learn anatomy.Not in this place.
No buzzing flies.No hum of an air conditioner.Not even the breath of fear.
Only the silence—of a room no longer owned by the living.
In the center,a massive summoning circle.
Roughly three meters across,drawn in almost-dried blood.
Ancient glyphs overlapped in layers—so precise it felt like a crime to misdraw even one line.
No glow.No shimmer.
Just presence—deliberate, unmistakable.
On the ceiling.Under the table.Behind the shelves.
The same markings repeatedover and over again.
Some looked like handprints.Others—as if blood had been spat from someone’s mouth and pressed into form.
It was as though the entire room...
was sealing something in.
In the far corner—a man.
Headless.
Sitting against the wall in eerie calm.
No signs of struggle.No blood trails.No attempt to flee.
Just stillness.
As if he had been placed there.
Or worse—as if he chose to sit there himself.
“I don’t know how it happened…”
“There’s no explanation. No evidence. No one else was in this room…”
“Just me… and a blood circle no human should be capable of drawing…”
The pillar’s shadow shifted, ever so slightly, with the moonlight.
As if someone…was moving outside.
But no one came.
“Maybe it’s magic.”
“Maybe it’s a curse.”
“Or maybe... I just wanted to know—what lies beyond death.”
“And this…is the answer.”
“An answer I’ll never get the chance to tell anyone else.”
No creaking door.
No footsteps.
Not even a breeze.
No one saw what happened.
And life—is no longer mine to claim.
September 12thTime:11:45 PMLocation:A small, one-story house tucked deep inside a quiet alley on the outskirts of Bangkok.
The concrete house wasn’t large. It sat far from the main road, buried in silence.
Neighbors had all gone to bed. Only the flickering neon light above the door remained—blinking faintly, near death.
The front yard was damp from rain that had just stopped.
The air carried a mix of wet soil, rusted tin, and extinguished incense.
Inside the house.
A warm ceiling light spilled across a laminate wood floor.
In the center of the living room sat a girl—about fifteen—her wrists bound with a white sai sin thread.
Her hands trembled. She giggled like someone drunk. Her voice drifted between Thai and something… unearthly.
Across from her stoodShinn Akinnara. A university student in a white button-up shirt, sleeves rolled up halfway. The top button undone. A loose black tie hanging down his chest. Black slacks. Old sneakers. In one hand, a strand of sai sin.
In the other, a crescent-shaped ritual knife, partially wrapped in white cloth. Dark circles lingered under his eyes like quiet reminders of sleepless nights. But his gaze—steady. Controlled.
He glanced toward the corner of the room, where the girl’s father stood, shivering.
“When did it start?”Shinn asked quietly.
“A week ago...”the father replied, his voice thin.“At first, she just started cursing. Then... started saying strange things to her mother...”
Shinn nodded slightly.
The girl giggled again. Loud this time—like she recognized him.
“Did she go anywhere she shouldn’t have?”he asked.
Her mother hesitated.
“Her friends took her to an abandoned house near the next alley… they didn’t do anything, just... played around…”
He didn’t answer. Just stood there. Then slowly closed his eyes.
A low chant slipped from his lips—Calm. Steady. Each syllable fell with weight.
No candles.No offerings.No ceremonial cloth.
He simply stood there— and spoke like he was addressing someone unseen.
“Open the gates of ten thousand graves.Unveil the paths no eyes can see.
Let lost souls hear the road to stillness.Let karmic light guide the fractured mind.
From the shadows above, show me what lies beneath.
Wandering spirit, torn from path—leave this body behind.
Return to the cycle. Return to where you came.”
The girl began to thrash. Her hands clenched. The sai sin pulled tight against her skin—red and straining. Her giggles deepened, warped—the voice that followed…wasn’t human.
Blood trickled from her nose. Still, Shinn didn’t move. His eyes were fixed on her feet.
A glowing circle—two feet wide—slowly emerged beneath her. As if etched from light itself. Glyphs spiraled outward. Layer upon layer of ancient script. A metallic tang drifted into his nose.
But there was no wound. No blood.
Only something…slipping free.
“That’s enough. Let her go.”
His voice was low—but carried weight.
A shadow dense, gray—leaked from her chest like thick smoke.
“Go pay your debt. Maybe—if you have merit, we’ll meet again in the next life.”
A flicker.
The room dimmed—but no explosion, no spectacle. The spirit sank quietly. Drawn into the circle like sludge down an invisible drain.
The girl collapsed. Gasping. Eyes unfocused. Tears poured down her cheeks.
“I didn’t mean to… I just went there with my friends… I didn’t disrespect anything…”
Shinn watched her for a moment. Then spoke softly:
“Some things... aren’t meant to be understood. And some...just want to be left alone.”
Her mother rushed forward, hugging her tightly.
The father stepped toward Shinn, bowing frantically.
“Thank you… I—I don’t know what to say…”
Shinn nodded once. No smile. No empty reassurances.
“Watch her for a few days. She might run a slight fever. Feel weak. If it gets worse, take her to a doctor.Don’t worry about the ritual. I’ve done what needs to be done.”
He looked down at the sai sin in his hand. Slipped the blade back into his old backpack. Then added—casually, like talking about a delivery:
“You can transfer the remaining balance to the same account as before.”
Outside, the night was still. Not even a dog barked. Shinn stepped out slowly. A white cloth dragged across the damp ground. The hem of his pants caught a splash. Above the roof, the crescent moon watched on.
Tonight…was quiet.
September 13Time:01:12 AMLocation:A small apartment in the city
A soft white light filled the room. A single-size mattress sagged slightly in the middle, worn from years of sleeping in the same spot. The old air conditioner rumbled in an uneven rhythm, buzzing on and off like it couldn’t make up its mind. The window didn’t quite shut, and the curtain hadn’t been pulled all the way. A faint night breeze slipped in, carrying the smell of lingering rain.The bathroom door creaked open. Shinn stepped out, towel-drying his hair. His college shirt was draped over the back of a chair. Now, he wore only a plain t-shirt and a pair of worn-out sweatpants. He sat down on the edge of the bed, exhaled slowly, and then let his body fall back onto the thin pillow. A faint water stain marked the ceiling. Shinn stared at it in silence, like it might have something to say.
“Never thought the stuff I learned as a kid would actually end up paying the bills…”
He murmured to no one. His voice carried no joy, no exhaustion—just a strange, quiet acceptance.
“But that’s how it goes, right? We always mess with things we shouldn’t.It’s not just curiosity…Sometimes, we just want to feel like we know something.”
He rested his forearm across his forehead. The light outside the bathroom flickered for a second.
“At least those bastards make for decent income…”
A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. Not the kind born from amusement—just one of those weary, crooked smiles that came from learning how absurd the world really was.He picked up his phone. The screen lit up.
01:17 AM — Quiz at 09:00
“Ah… Shit Haven’t even touched the book yet.”
He scratched his head, then set the phone back down on the nightstand.
“Whatever… Tomorrow can deal with itself. Tonight… I just want some proper sleep.”
He got up and turned off the light. A warm orange glow from the building across the street replaced it, slipping in through the gap in the curtain. The air conditioner groaned in the background. Less than six hours until morning.And yet—Shinn didn’t fall asleep right away. He only closed his eyes, letting himself drift into the thoughts of someone he had just saved earlier that night.
September 13Time:08:40 AMLocation:Engineering Building, Central City University
A group of four students were huddled together on a wooden bench just outside their classroom. The air was muggy, the kind that lingers after a night of rain. A ceiling fan whirred with a creaky groan, barely drowning out the chatter of students passing through the hallway.All four wore their university uniforms, as per regulation—but the contrast in how they wore them said everything about who they were.
Waris WachirapongThin, wiry frame. About 168 cm tall.His long-sleeved white shirt was so perfectly pressed it looked like it had been ironed with a laser. The black necktie was cinched to textbook precision, top button fastened. Slacks with zero wrinkles. Shoes polished to a mirror shine. He crossed one leg over the other, calmly reading through a set of handwritten lecture notes.Waris:
“This quiz isn’t that bad. If you understand the fundamentals, it’s doable. If not... then may the odds be in your favor.”
Khet DutsadeechaiBig guy. Easily 187 cm tall.His short-sleeved shirt was completely unironed, top button undone. The necktie hung so loose it looked ready to fall off. Wrinkled uniform pants. Old, beat-up sneakers. He scratched his head, squinting at Waris’s notes like they were hieroglyphs.
Khet:
“What even are fundamentals? Like... the concrete foundation for a house? You know, like tiles on a slab?”
Waris let out a sigh and calmly raised his notes to shield himself from the idiocy.
Thanwa ParameeLean build, about 182 cm tall.His uniform was decent—shirt sleeves rolled up, slightly creased but nothing offensive. The black tie hung loose but tidy. Pants clean. Wore functional sneakers. Arms crossed, he leaned back against the wall, speaking in his usual unhurried tone.
Thanwa:
“I mean... I did attend class and listen. But honestly... I’m still lost.”
Nicha WarintraTall and poised. About 170 cm.She wore her female student uniform by the book: Three-quarter sleeve shirt, neatly tucked A-line skirt, leather belt. Long curled hair with soft bangs and framing strands. A touch of red lipstick. Minimalist wristwatch. She crossed her arms, looking at the boys like a mom who’s given up on her kids.
Nicha:
“Would any of you start caring about your future today, maybe? We’re in our third year, remember? Hello? Internships are just months away.”
Shinn arrived just then.His uniform matched the others’, but the sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. Top button undone. Tie barely hanging on, as if he forgot it was there. Pants unwrinkled, but clearly not ironed. Dried water stains near the edge of his shoes—probably from the rain. Dark circles under his eyes. But his gaze? Still sharp.
Shinn:“Just got back from work last night. Didn’t study at all.”
Thanwa looked up.
Thanwa:“By ‘work’… you mean one of those risky gigs again?”
Shinn (chuckling softly):“Something like that. Some girl almost didn’t make it to her exam today.”
Khet tossed a coin in the air and let it fall to the ground.
Khet:“Dude, that’s wild! In that case, I guess it’s fair—I didn’t study either. Let’s just leave this exam to fate, yeah?”
Shinn (smirking):“Sure. Not like anyone here’s in the mood to actually use their brain.”
Thanwa: (nodding slowly)“Count me in on the doomed squad. If we’re gonna fail, at least let’s fail together.”
Khet:“Whoa, man. Don’t go jinxing us like that. But hey—just so you know, when it comes to luck? I’m unbeatable. Never lost a single game of rock-paper-scissors!”
Waris (without looking up):“Explains why you’ve failed more classes than anyone else.”
Nicha (sighing heavily):“Seriously, you guys can’t keep winging it like this. You’re gonna have to grow up someday, you know.”
Thanwa: (smiles quietly)Khet: (nods, as if understanding... then pops a candy in his mouth)Shinn: (looks away, slightly avoiding eye contact)
Time:08:59 a.m.
Someone’s phone alarm went off. The group stood up together—adjusting their ties, fixing their collars, cracking their backs, grabbing pens. And then they walked into the exam room in silence. Each with different thoughts… but the same fate ahead.
Time:11:04 AM
The screeching of chairs filled the exam room, followed by a chorus of exhausted sighs. Students shuffled out, some checking their phones, others mumbling to their friends.Shinn’s group — Warit, Thanwa, Nicha — exited together, faces looking slightly relieved. At least it was over.But as they scanned the crowd... there was no sign of Khet.
Nicha: “Where’s Khet?”
Thanwa:“Huh… I didn’t see him leave either.”
Warit:“Don’t tell me… he’s still writing?”
All three turned to Warit, waved him off in unison with deadpan expressions:
“Nope. No way. That guy? Not a chance.”
They exchanged confused glances, then looked toward the front of the building.There — under the midday sun — stood Khet. Facing the hedge by the walkway, arms at his sides, unmoving. His shadow stretched out behind him. Frozen. Still.
Warit:“Yo, Khet… you good?”
Khet slowly turned to face them. His eyes were blank — no expression, no life. His voice carried the weight of a man who had returned from war.
Khet:“…Heh… luck bailed on me. The whole exam was written. All essay questions. I just wrote whatever popped into my head… Felt like drafting my own will.”
Silence.
A one-second pause before Thanwa patted him on the shoulder.
Thanwa:“C’mon. Let’s grab something to eat. At least good food feels like bonus points.”
Time:11:40 AMLocation:The rice shop just outside campus.
One of those old-school curry-and-rice joints tucked under a row of commercial buildings. The smell of holy basil filled the air. The clatter of woks and the rhythmic chop of crispy pork echoed between sizzling sounds. Wooden tables — old, worn, too few for the crowd of students pouring in.But luckily, Shinn’s group had just snagged a free one.
Shinn:“One crispy pork basil with a fried egg, please.”
Warit:“Make that two.”
Thanwa:“Three.”
Khet:“Four, Auntie! Load it up — give me the legendary one!”
Nicha shook her head, looking at the guys like a mom trying to stop her kids from watching YouTube at the dinner table.
Nicha:“Seriously… can’t even order your own food without following each other. I’m gonna go find Lin real quick. Think she just finished her exam too.”
Not even five minutes later,Nicha returned with Lin in tow.
Linnaree Kantanon— petite, long ponytail, dressed in her student uniform with a kind of effortless neatness. She carried a small shoulder bag, and her gentle smile instantly oftened the atmosphere around the table.
Lin:“Hi, everyone.”(She turned to Shinn.)“You stayed up working again last night, didn’t you? I can see it under your eyes…”
Shinn gave a small nod, saying nothing. But Lin held his gaze for a moment.
Lin:“Take care of yourself, okay? You’ve been pushing too hard… If you keep skipping sleep, you’re gonna get sick.”
She didn’t say it like a lecture. It was just the truth — one she had probably kept quietly to herself for a long time. Shinn offered a faint smile… then went back to his meal.
Time:1:20 PM – Early Afternoon
The sun was getting hotter, but not as hot as Nicha, who kicked the conversation back into gear.
Nicha:“So… anyone got plans this afternoon? I don’t feel like going back to my room. It’s kinda depressing in there.”
Khet: (snapping like a reflex)“Nope! I’m hitting the gym! My muscles are literally crying for help!”
Warit:“I’m heading back to check my exam answers. Wanna see how many I definitely got right so I know what to prep for next round.”
Thanwa turned to Nicha.“Wanna go for a walk or something?”
Shinn: (nodding slowly)“I’m free.”
Lin:“Can I join? I don’t feel like heading back yet either.”
Time:2:00 PMLocation: A shopping mall near campusClothing stores, cafés, a supermarket, arcade games — The noise of chatter, background music, the occasional burst of laughter. The four of them wandered aimlessly, not buying anything in particular — just talking, snapping photos, sharing snacks, strolling with nowhere to be.Lin’s laughter rang out the loudest.And for once, Shinn smiled more than usual… even if it was just a quiet smile.
Later that evening – Time to part waysNicha and Lin split off toward the girls’ dorm — they lived in the same building. Thanwa took another path home. Shinn stood alone at the bus stop, looking up at the sky now painted in fading orange. A faint smile still lingered on his lips — the echo of their laughter just moments ago.He didn’t know yet… that this would be the last time he’d laugh as a human being.
September 14Time:09:27 AM – Shinn’s Room
Sunlight filtered through the curtains. The soft scrape of a broom echoed faintly across the floor, blending with the citrus scent of lemon floor cleaner drifting through the air.Shinn sat at his desk — faded T-shirt, plain sweatpants, a textbook lying open to the very first page — the only page he’d ever read in that class.
The middle-aged cleaning lady wiped down the mirror in silence. She came every week, did her work without fuss. They weren’t close, but Shinn trusted her enough to leave her a spare key.
He turned a page, eyes skimming over a single line of text.
“...Nicha was right…”
he murmured.
Pen still in hand, but his gaze drifted out the window.
“I can’t live like this forever.”
No family. No home to return to. Just this small apartment… and odd jobs no one else dared to take.The money from exorcisms and spirit work paid the bills — but there was no future in it. No benefits. No credit history. People asked what he did with a sideways glance, if they dared ask at all.
“…Would be nice to have a job people are proud of, just once…”
He turned another page, underlining a definition — but the words began to blur.
Time:4:53 PM
Sunlight bled orange through the window. The air turned stuffy, thick with heat.
Shinn leaned back in his chair, pressed a hand to his forehead.
“…Why do I feel… so drained?”
It wasn’t quite a fever. But it wasn’t normal either.He took a long sip of water, inhaled slowly, then stood up. His legs weren’t heavy. But they didn’t feel as light as they did this morning.
Time:6:20 PM – Bathroom
The shower ran steadily. Steam rose in delicate wisps.
Shinn stood beneath the water, eyes closed, unmoving. Not thinking. Just… letting it wash over him. As if it could rinse away something unseen.
“…Maybe I should turn in early tonight.”
Time:8:30 PM – On the Bed
The lights were off. Only the faint green glow of the clock lit the room. The old air conditioner hummed in sputtering waves.
His bed sagged in the middle, same as always.He pulled the blanket over his shoulder, turned to face the window. The curtain swayed gently with the breeze, tapping against the wall in soft intervals.
Nothing was out of place. No strange noises from next door. Everything seemed… normal.His eyes closed. His breath evened out.
And just like that…he would never wake up again.
September 15Afternoon
Shinn woke up at a bus stop not far from his apartment. His head was foggy, weighed down by the question: How did I even end up here? He was sure he hadn’t come out to sleep in public. But the memory of last night refused to line up.
“I was exhausted… went to bed earlier than usual, right?…Or did I just sleepwalk out here?”
He looked down at himself. He was in full uniform — crisp white shirt, black tie, slacks — even though yesterday had been a holiday. He remembered clearly: he’d gone to bed in casual clothes.The more he thought about it, the more wrong it all felt.No wallet.No phone.Gone.Had he been robbed? No… somehow, that didn’t fit.
“I’ll just head back first,”he muttered, turning toward the apartment.
Halfway there, he spotted the crowd.People had gathered in front of his building. Police cars. An ambulance. A coroner’s van lined up along the curb. Red and blue lights pulsed in endless rhythm, flashing across the worried faces of neighbors.Snippets of chatter. Murmurs that tangled with sirens. The air felt tight, heavy.
“What the hell happened…?”
He tried to brush it off. After all, dorms were crowded places. Things happened. Accidents. Arguments. Emergencies. Nothing impossible.But the knot in his stomach refused to ease. He climbed the stairs, each step dragging. Tried asking the people around him what was going on.No response.No one turned.Not a single person even looked at him.Not once.
“What the hell is wrong with them…?”
September 15– Around 3rd floor, his apartment
By the time Shinn reached his floor, the hallway was crowded.His door stood wide open. Yellow police tape stretched across the frame. Officers and forensic staff clustered around, faces tight and grim.
Shinn rushed closer— a mix of unease and disbelief tightening in his chest. He opened his mouth to say something—anything—But then he heard it.
“Preliminary report:Deceased — Mr. Shinn Akinnara, male, age twenty-one.Engineering student.Time of death: approximately 21:00 hours.”
The voice of a female officer, dictating into her recorder. Her words cut through him like glass.And all around— no one heard him.No one looked at him.No one acknowledged his presence at all.He froze. Whipped his head toward the open door.Inside— the wreckage of a human body, organs scattered across the floor.And what struck him most— the uniform still clinging to pieces of it. The same as the one he wore.Every word in the report matched him. Matched perfectly.Shinn stood rooted, like his veins had been packed with ice. Silence thundered in his skull. Nothing left— but emptiness, and questions with no answers.
“…No. This… this isn’t real…”
He spun on his heel and bolted, running until his legs carried him back to the bus stop.He stopped there, gasping, chest heaving. But his mind remained blank. No thoughts lined up. Not even sure—Was this a dream? Or was he already awake?…Or had he really died?
Footsteps approached, crunching softly on the rough pavement. Afternoon sunlight slanted in from the left, painting the bus stop in harsh gold. A breeze carried the stink of exhaust, the grit of dust. Shinn stood still, locked in place.He didn’t know what to do.Didn’t know what he was feeling.Didn’t even know if he…still existed.
“If I really died… why am I still standing here?”“Why can’t anyone see me?”“And that… thing, that corpse—”“What the hell was it?”“No… no, that wasn’t me. Just someone who looks like me.”
He stopped the thought. But his mind refused to stop with it.
“If this is some kind of prank… it’s gone way too far.”
Suddenly—a clear, childlike voice called out from behind.
“Your name is Shinn Akinnara, isn’t it?”
For half a second, the world stopped turning. It was the first time all day… that someone had actually spoken to him.He spun around at once, relief washing over him before he realized it.
A boy stood there. About the size of an elementary schooler—ten, maybe eleven. Dressed in a neat Japanese-style primary school uniform: white shirt, blazer, shorts. A small leather satchel slung over his shoulder, tablet tucked to his chest. Crimson hair. Golden eyes that seemed to glimmer unnaturally.
Shinn: “Wait… you can see me?”
Boy:“Of course I can. You’re dead, after all.”
Shinn froze.
Shinn: “…What?”
Boy:“My name isRozenhart Eisenberg. I’m a Reaper. Here to guide your soul to the Office of the Afterlife.”
Shinn let out a dry laugh, quieter than usual.
Shinn:“A reaper? Seriously? A red-haired fifth grader, wearing contact lenses, with a foreign name, dressed like a chibi detective from some anime, holding a tablet?”
Rozenhart:“Chibi detective? What’s that?”
Shinn:“…Forget it. Not the point.”
He turned on his heel, heading back toward the apartment, thoughts racing.
“This must be a mistake. Someone was killed in my room, body unidentifiable. Police assumed it was the tenant. All I need to do is walk into a station, prove I’m alive, and they’ll investigate properly.”
But the boy’s voice came again.Rozenhart: “Don’t bother. You can’t run.”And then—A thin red thread snapped into existence around Shinn’s throat. Delicate as silk, yet so tight it bit like rawhide, choking the air from him.
Shinn:“The hell—what the fuck is this?!”
The boy didn’t move. His eyes stayed steady. His voice deepened, resonant, as he began to chant—
“Open the gates of ten thousand graves.Unveil the paths no eyes can see.
Let lost souls hear the road to stillness.Let karmic light guide the fractured mind.
From the shadows above, show me what lies beneath.
Wandering spirit, torn from path—leave this body behind.
Return to the cycle. Return to where you came.”
The voice—clear, deliberate, impossibly deep— sounded less like he was speaking to Shinn, and more like he was speaking to the universe itself.At Shinn’s feet, a summoning circle bloomed into existence. Ancient glyphs carved themselves into reality, glowing with a silver-black light.His eyes widened. This was the same incantation he used in his own exorcisms. A spell requiring razor-sharp focus, perfect control.
Yet this child recited it… as casually as a bedtime prayer.
The circle expanded, enveloping them both. Shinn’s breath grew heavy. The world around him blurred, spun, as though trying to tear him away from reality itself—And then—everything cut to black.
