The Beginning
Far to the East lay a beautiful village where warmth and harmony embraced everyday life. Laughter echoed through its streets, children played freely beneath the open sky, and no family ever worried about hunger or thirst. The people of this peaceful land lived as one, sharing both their joys and their burdens.
The village was led by a man deeply loved by every resident. According to ancient tales, he was the founder of the settlement itself—the visionary who transformed an untamed wilderness into the thriving home known as Gaztra Village. His name was Guntama Laguin.
Guntama’s life seemed almost perfect. He was blessed with a kind and devoted wife, Hexa Westwick, and a young son named Gantara Laguin. Their family was admired and respected by everyone in Gaztra. Even King Bernard the Great, the mighty ruler of the Eastern Kingdom, regarded Guntama with the highest honor, recognizing both his wisdom and his unwavering loyalty.
Growing up in peace and abundance, Gantara knew little of hardship. As the years passed, he spent his childhood exploring the village alongside his three closest friends—Arlot, Nolia, and Ziran. Together they laughed, dreamed, and believed the world beyond Gaztra was filled only with wonder.
Yet one rule was never to be questioned.
No one was allowed to venture west, toward the mysterious Exodus Forest.
The elders spoke of it only in hushed voices. Beyond those ancient trees lay lands untouched by the authority of Guntama and beyond the reach of King Bernard himself. It was a place where no laws prevailed, where forgotten legends slumbered, and where countless travelers had vanished without leaving a trace.
For generations, the people of Gaztra obeyed the warning without question.
But destiny has a way of leading the curious toward the very path they are f*******n to follow.
Rumors had long surrounded Exodus Forest.
Some claimed it had become a sanctuary for bandits, fugitives, rebels, and powerful criminal syndicates. Hidden deep within its endless woods was said to be a forgotten route—a secret passage leading directly to the lands of the Western Kingdom.
You may be wondering…
What was so terrible about the West?
The Western Kingdom was feared throughout the continent. Many believed it was a land cursed by betrayal, ruled by a royal bloodline that had stolen the throne through treachery. Ancient records spoke of a conspiracy in which the rightful heirs to the crown were overthrown, allowing an illegitimate dynasty to seize absolute power.
At the head of that dynasty stood King Azitro.
His name inspired fear wherever it was spoken.
Azitro ruled with an iron fist, believing that absolute obedience was the only path to order. His oppressive reign shattered the peace of countless towns and villages. Crushing taxes, forced labor, and merciless punishments drove ordinary citizens into despair. Many abandoned their homes, while others chose a darker path—becoming rebels, outlaws, or mercenaries simply to survive.
Over time, those who fled the Western Kingdom found refuge within the shadows of Exodus Forest. What began as scattered camps eventually grew into a lawless domain where countless factions fought for power. Bloodshed became commonplace, and countless travelers disappeared without a trace. Riches, lives, and hopes alike were swallowed by the forest’s endless darkness.
Yet Exodus Forest possessed a cruel deception.
To an ordinary traveler, it appeared breathtakingly beautiful. Towering ancient trees filtered warm rays of sunlight onto carpets of emerald grass, crystal-clear streams flowed peacefully between moss-covered stones, and birds filled the air with gentle songs.
It was a paradise…
A paradise hiding a nightmare.
Behind its tranquil beauty lurked cruelty beyond imagination—a darkness that no innocent soul should ever witness.
Because of this, Guntama Laguin, the founder and chief of Gaztra Village, established an unbreakable law. No citizen of Gaztra was ever to cross into Exodus Forest, nor was anyone permitted to enter the Western Kingdom. Likewise, no outsider from those f*******n lands was allowed to set foot within Gaztra.
The agreement had endured for generations, respected by neighboring territories and enforced by their respective rulers.
Anyone who dared violate this ancient pact would face whatever judgment the ruler of their own land deemed appropriate.
For many years, the law preserved peace.
But history has always shown one undeniable truth…
Every ancient promise is destined to be tested.
