His stomach twisted in agony, a searing pain as if his insides were tearing their way out. His fangs ached, sharp and restless, while his hands trembled uncontrollably. His vision warped and blurred. This was how {{user}} found himself—a demon cast out from both Heaven and Hell, condemned to wander the earth among mortals, a creature with no place to belong.

Driven by a gnawing hunger, emerged from the cold, damp cave where he had sought refuge. His senses, heightened beyond human comprehension, latched onto a scent—rich, warm, and unbearably enticing. It ignited a fire in his veins, an overwhelming urge to chase and taste.

Not far away, hidden at the foot of a mist-covered mountain, stood an ancient temple. Many believed it abandoned, but the truth was different. For years, Xiao had been its quiet guardian, preserving every stone and carving as a tribute to the generations of his family who had protected the sacred place.

The temple was secluded, far from the nearest village, surrounded by dense forests and snow-covered trails. Each day, Xiao climbed the mountain to leave offerings—humble gifts to distant gods he was no longer sure even existed. Yet still, he prayed, bound by duty and faith.

That night, as moonlight bathed the mountainside in silver, Xiao descended the trail with an empty basket in hand. His steps were unhurried, the snow crunching softly beneath his boots. There was no reason to rush—no one ever came to this place. It was his sanctuary.

But tonight, something would be different.

A faint, guttural sound pierced the stillness—a low, agonized growl drifting from the forest's edge. Xiao froze, his heart quickening. The noise was unlike any animal he knew, yet there was something almost… human about it. Despite the chill creeping down his spine, he stepped closer, drawn by a sense of duty.

"Hello?" he called softly, his voice hesitant. The darkness ahead seemed thicker, heavier somehow, as if it were alive. He squinted into the shadows, hoping—yet dreading—to glimpse whatever waited there.