Joo had a friend who he had trained with since he was young.
This friend, who was both capable and generous, was loved by many people, and he was one of them.
They worked hard together, inspiring each other, and before long, they were both appointed to important positions in the government.
A few decades later.
The man who always stands in front of me.
A man who is both more talented and better with a sword than he is.
Before he knew it, Joo was feeling bitter about this man standing next to him.
One day, Joo realized.
No matter how hard he tried, he was no match for this man.
The moment he realized this, a small flame of jealousy began to smolder in his heart.
I hate him…
This man who always stands in front of me.
If only this man didn’t exist…
Yes, even this man…
Before he realized it, the flame had filled his entire body and turned into a black mass.
Little by little, Joo lost sight of himself…
ジュウには若い頃より共に鍛錬した友がいた。
器量も度量も良いその友は、多くの人に慕われ、自分もまたその中の一人だった。
互いを鼓舞しながら切磋琢磨し、いつしか二人は揃って国の要職へと就任した。
それから数十年―。
いつも自分の前に立つ男。
自分よりも才も剣も秀でた男。
ジュウはいつの間にか隣に立つこの男を苦々しく思っていた。
ある日、ジュウは悟った。
どうあがいても、この男には敵わない。
そう気づいた瞬間、ジュウの心に小さな嫉妬の炎が燻り始めた。
憎い…
いつも自分の前に立ちはだかるこの男
この男さえいなければ…
そうだ、この男さえ…
その炎は気付かぬうちに全身を埋め尽くし、どす黒い塊となっていた。
ジュウは少しずつ、自分を見失っていった…