Penitent - Chapter 12: Brand

To correct the mistakes of his past, a young man is forced to narrow the space between science and witchcraft, as he ventures on a quest to save his world from complete destruction.

“I lost everything again...?”Kain had to work hard to feed himself, in a small village on the edge of the forbidden lands. Unlike the others, he hated Keepers, the only people capable of fighting the creatures from the Astral Dimension. Everyone saw them as heroes, but Kain blamed them for the greatest tragedy of his life - the death of his parents.Ironically, the sacrifice of one Keeper allowed Kain to obtain a Rune Brand - the key to begin a trial, the outcome was either power or death.Facing another world, Kain discovered that his blood was cursed, and misfortune would always haunt him.But death would avoid Kain, wanting to keep such a valuable sacrifice for a god. Only failure would await him, but if it was possible death would pass by.Now, Kain must break his curse and take fate into his own hands for the first time in his life or remain a nameless offering.

Hong Heeju is a sign language interpreter who has become mute due to severe depression.For three years of their arranged marriage, she and her husband never exchanged a single conversation.One day, her life takes a harrowing turn when she’s taken hostage.‘Don’t hang up! This isn’t a phishing call…!’However, her husband, who was even worse than a stranger, coldly disconnected the call.– “Call me when a body is found.”***You $%#£! He’s such a jerk!Overwhelmed with anger, Heeju decides to threaten her husband anonymously.The problem is that he was a well-known spokesperson for the Blue House.– “Can’t you send threats on time?”“That…”– “Here I’m anxiously waiting for my blackmailer’s call.”“What do you…”– “Are you playing around with someone else besides me?”“…?”Wait, is this the same sociopath husband I knew?——–TL/N: ‘Blue House’ was the official residence and office of the President of the Republic of Korea from 1948-2022.

The world changed the day that cracks appeared in the sky– suddenly monsters named『Demonic Beasts』appeared and began to rampage, attacking people.

Meanwhile, girls called『Magical Girls』began to appear to counter the demonic beasts. As they defeated the demonic beasts, gradually people’s lives gained a semblance of composure.

–but when there is light, there is also darkness.

In the corner of an alleyway, a boy who had been attacked by a demonic beast was dying. His voice begging for help did not reach anyone and his body refused to move.

「Boy. Do you want to be saved?」

Looking into the boy’s face, a black cat began to speak to him.

The boy nodded firmly to the devilishly sweet invitation, in response the black cat mocked him.

「Is that so—then I’ll【Haunt (Save)】you」

—on that day, a『Magical Girl』was born in a place that no-one knew.

『She』never laments, no matter what the future may bring.