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Translator note: This story contains themes of violence, trauma, and dark fantasy elements. Reader discretion is advised.
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In the wilderness, inside an abandoned factory.
"Mom... why?"
Lying in a pool of blood, Kaito weakly lifted his head to look at the woman standing over him.
"Mom, I've killed everyone who ordered you to assassinate me."
"Mother, is there something I didn't do right?"
"No," she said softly. "You did well."
The woman knelt beside him, reaching out to touch his blood-streaked face with a gentle smile.
"It's just..."
That smile turned twisted and cold.
"You did too well."
Kaito had climbed to the top of the underground world and the assassination guild in just a few short years. If not for his unstable mind, he would have surpassed her entirely. She never had a chance to make her move until now.
"Yeah..."
Kaito smiled faintly, his vision blurring. Despite her betrayal, he felt a trace of warmth. She was still there with him.
"Mom, I'm so cold..."
His blood was draining away, and his body shivered uncontrollably.
"Don't worry," she whispered. "Mom will always be by your side."
Her voice lingered in his mind.
"When you open your eyes again, you'll see only me."
The cold deepened. Was this death?
But no—she said he'd open his eyes again. He must be alive... just asleep... that's all.
Darkness swallowed him.
"Help..."
In a foul goblin lair, inside the birthing room.
"Ahhh!"
A beautiful elf screamed in agony. Moments later, a grotesque green-skinned creature slipped from her body. The pain faded slightly, replaced by overwhelming weakness.
The elf turned her head, forcing her blurred vision to focus on the monstrous child. Her crimson eyes filled with resentment and hate. If she hadn't felt the painful bond still tethering them, she would have refused to believe this creature was hers.
Her trembling hand reached toward its neck, fingers tightening... then falling limp. Her strength was gone. She could barely move.
As she lay there, another goblin cub crawled closer, licking its lips with predatory hunger. Its gaze locked on her like prey.
Fear gripped her. She tried to move, but her body refused.
Tears streaked down her face.
"Help... someone... help..."
"When you open your eyes again, you'll see only me."
That voice echoed in Kaito's mind.
His eyes opened to the sight of a pale-haired elf with red eyes. Her beauty was undeniable, yet her face was twisted in despair.
Then he saw the goblin cub scuttling toward her, claws bared.
"Are they looking for death?"
The thought ignited something inside him. His frail body moved instinctively, lunging forward.
Bang!
He pinned the goblin cub down as it screeched and writhed beneath him. Weak as he felt, his instincts as a killer drove him to act.
The goblin squirmed, snarling as it clawed at him. Kaito grabbed a nearby stone and drove it down hard.
The cub twitched. Kaito struck again. The body stilled. He wiped the blood from his face and stood up. No hesitation. No regret.
Threats were threats. Nothing more.
Then a voice rang out in his mind.
[Congratulations. You used thunderous force to kill one of your kind at birth.]
[You have committed the crime of kin-slaying.]
[Your sins will be marked in the starry sky.]
[Positive identification: Your soul strength is confirmed.]
[Verification passed.]
[You have gained the skill: "Devour".]