The stench of garbage was the first thing that assaulted Touya as he dashed through the dark Tokyo alleyway. His heart pumped wildly in his ears as he dodged puddles and stumbled at every turn.

To top it off, he was carrying a huge black book under his arm, a mysterious gift from his deceased mother.

"Ugh!"

The prick of pain shot through his back with every step, as if he had been stabbed with an invisible knife. Blood gushed from the bullet wound, the crimson trail almost invisibly dark against his black shirt.

He remembered the violence that had altered his life moments before and shuddered. The men in black who had appeared at his door looking for the book had no mercy. But if it was the last thing his mother wished for... well, Touya would do whatever it took to fulfill it.

'So far I've led such a miserable and boring life. If there is a hereafter, I hope to have an exciting adventure.'

He knew he would die, but that didn't cause his mind to shudder with terror, let alone fear. He had nothing left to lose.

He went into an abandoned building, dead tired, and leaned against a pillar. The silence lasted the length of several heartbeats until a creaking sound behind made him turn around.

Another one of those men was standing there, pointing a gun at him. Blood rushed to his cheeks.

"Tsk. Seriously. Don't you guys feel ashamed to chase a measly otaku for several hours?"

A vein popped at the boy's sarcastic words in the man's head. He glanced at Touya, whose body was anything but athletic, and in a way, he was closer to someone with a stuffed belly who never left his bed other than locking himself in his room to watch anime.

"It's over, boy." Hissed the man. "Now, be a good little puppy and pass me the book. Maybe then we'll make your death quick."

Although he was envious of Touya's carefree life, the man had an important mission.

Touya merely hugged the book tighter until his fingernails turned white. Though he couldn't fulfill his mother's final wish —Keep the book away from strange hands— at least he tried.

"Did you really think I'd hand it over so easily? Fuck you, man. I've been running over 50 kilometers, can you believe it?! I won't throw away my effort without dying!" If his time had come, he didn't plan to go quietly.

For someone who had always lived a quiet life, running 50 kilometers was an accomplishment he would never try again!

"How strange you are. Well, you just make my job easier."

Bang!

A gunshot boomed, shattering the silence. A searing pain erupted in Touya's chest as he collapsed to the ground. Death's claws quickly dragged him into the darkness, but his fingers never loosened around the book.

He was as stubborn as ever; he had no intention of letting go of something that belonged to him, even if he died.

Laurence wrinkled his nose at the sight of the dead boy. A crimson puddle stretched across the dusty floor, a stark contrast to the muted tones of the room.

He kicked at the body, flipping it on its back. His mouth curved up at the sight of the bullet hole in the middle of his chest.

"Your filthy blood stained something sacred." He said in disgust. "That sin will never be forgiven."

Beside him, David looked uncomfortable. New to the temple, he was still getting used to such violence.

"Do you think it was the right thing to do?" He asked tentatively. "As much as they say there's a myth behind the book, it looks just like the one I'd buy for my kids."

"Too many questions." Laurence growled. His patience with the novice in his charge was wearing thin, but he supposed an explanation might strengthen it.

"There are prophecies about God's Grimoire that are passed down from generation to generation. It is said that when someone discovers its power, they can overwrite the world's laws and become God's successor."

David's eyes grew wide.

"God's successor? Seems a bit of a stretch."

"Your faith has weakened, David. You must..."

A strange tremor interrupted his words. The book, the God's Grimoire they had been searching for years, trembled violently. Before reacting, it sucked the dead man's blood from the floor in a flash.

Laurence threw it down, cursing, but another jolt awaited them. It did not fall. It floated, opening its cover as if propelled by an invisible hand.

And there, on its first page in black ink, were words that shook Laurence's beliefs.

[Owner of God's Grimoire: Touya Kobu]

The name of the dead boy! Laurence's eyes grew large, but an invisible force dissolved his body before he could take in the madness he saw. A fierce wind carried him off into the darkness of the night, scattering him.

Only David remained. He stared at the levitating book in mute horror and bewilderment. The grimoire did not seem to notice him. It simply floated as David disintegrated into motes of dust.

The God's Grimoire hung serenely after its trial. Its pages fluttered in a ghostly breeze, revealing strange symbols and unknown languages. The secrets behind its leather cover were beyond human minds.

But a mortal had discovered its magic and paid the price. Its allegiance shifted, its purpose shaped to the destiny of its new unknown master.

Where it would take it was a mystery only its master would solve. For now, it would bide its time, a dormant power tied to the name on its leaves.

The story of Touya Kobu will unfold as these frayed pages advance. The book that ended one life now promised an eternal one by his blessing.

Suddenly, a mysterious force hurled the black tome into the void.

As it crossed the veil between worlds, a terrific convulsion shook reality.