Van, once a military commander leading the Lone Antlers rebellion, was captured in the clash between the agrarian Aquafa and the expansionist Zol Empire. Imprisoned in a salt mine for years, he escaped during a massacre by plague-ridden wolves that claimed hundreds, rescuing Yuna, an orphaned girl. The wolf bite left him immune to Black Wolf Fever and bestowed supernatural strength and a link to the wolves’ arcane energy.

Tormented by memories of his wife and son, killed in the war’s chaos, Van wrestled with guilt and emotional isolation. His bond with Yuna, whom he embraced as a daughter, anchored his purpose, compelling him to shield her fiercely. Her presence softened his grief, offering redemption through paternal devotion. Seeking peace, he retreated to a secluded village, teaching deer husbandry and joining a community rooted in nature’s harmony.

His immunity drew dangerous attention: Zolian physician Hohsalle hunted him to extract a cure, while Aquafan operatives schemed to eliminate him as a threat to their bioweapon ambitions. Thrust into renewed imperial strife, Van rejected becoming a political tool, focusing solely on Yuna’s protection. Visions of the mythical Deer King—a spiritual guardian tied to the wolves and the land’s balance—guided him to confront his people’s legacy.

In a final act, Van absorbed the plague’s corrupted essence from Yuna, manipulated as its host, halting the disease and sparing countless lives. His sacrifice transformed him into a spectral guardian, merging with the wilderness to nurture an era of peace. In the aftermath, his spirit lingered, silently overseeing Yuna’s community as an ethereal bridge between realms.

Once a fractured soldier, Van’s journey wove redemption from loss. His ties to deer—symbols of heritage and steeds of rebellion—underscored his role as a mediator between clashing civilizations and the natural order, echoing themes of cyclical conflict and renewal.