Killed Me? Now I Have Your Power Chapter 4: Awakening

"HAHAHAHA—WORTHLESS!"

Gasp—!

Kaden snapped awake.

A frantic beat thundered in his chest. Perspiration coated his body. Breaths came in sharp, uneven surges.

Huff. Huff. Huff.

"Damn it," he snarled, clutching the bedcovers. "One more."

Yet another bad dream.

Another remnant from his previous existence.

The shame. The torment. The gradual erosion of his spirit and will.

"How long until these stop?"

He dragged a hand over his dense, raven locks, shoving the terror aside.

[It ceases once you release the history and embrace the path ahead.]

"I've released it," he grumbled, gaze sharpening. "I'm no longer Boris. I'm Kaden now. Heir of Blood. I've progressed."

...Haven't I?

[...]

Silence came from the system.

Kaden appreciated the quiet. He had no interest in a mental argument right at dawn.

Knock knock—

The door swung open slowly.

In came a servant, elegant and serene. Her auburn locks tied in a neat coil. Eyes kind yet cautious.

She dipped into a flawless bow.

"Happy birthday, young master Kaden. The family is waiting for you in the Awakening Chamber."

A single nod from him. "I'll join shortly."

Without a backward glance, he headed to the washroom.

The servant behind him creased her brow.

He seems disturbed once more, she mused. Yet she dismissed it fast.

None of my concern.

...

In the washroom, Kaden examined his image.

A striking visage gazed back—defined chin, fair complexion, balanced traits. His dark strands accented his scarlet gaze ideally. No doubt about it, he possessed allure.

He snorted.

"Well, at least my looks hold up."

Yet what use is attractiveness in a realm that bows only to strength?

He drew nearer to the glass, stare icy and keen.

"Here we go," he breathed. "The start."

"System. Prepared?"

[Host, readiness is my essence.]

"Nonsense. You're coded for it."

A grin crossed his face.

"Fine then. Time to move."

⸻

The Awakening Chamber.

The Warborns positioned themselves rigidly. Majestic. Lethal.

At the middle stood Sarena and Garros, limbs folded. Daela and Dain on their sides—beasts cloaked in flesh.

Dain snorted. "Where's the boy? I've got more pressing tasks."

"Such as hunting feeble creatures?" Daela remarked flatly, undisturbed.

"Why bother showing up? Head back to Fokay and begin your advancement trial."

"I'd prefer that, but my core isn't primed yet. More monster essences required. Unlike certain folks," he eyed his folks, "I earn everything myself."

Sarena arched an eyebrow. "You're managing fine, though, right?"

Dain's mouth quirked. "If Kaden sought aid, you'd gift him the throne. Favoritism kicking in?"

"Undoubtedly," Daela chimed in, straight-faced.

Garros laughed softly. "Ease up on him. The lad's unique."

"True enough," Dain grumbled. "But seriously, where—"

Click.

The entrance swung wide.

Kaden entered, dressed in plain dark attire. His stride steady. Concentrated. Unruffled.

He halted several steps before the group.

"Greetings."

His words came gentle.

Dain advanced smiling, thumping his shoulder forcefully. "About time, sibling. Let's wrap this up—I've got foes to fell."

Pa pa—!

Cough—!

"Of course, Brother Dain," he whispered, struggling to stay balanced from Dain's powerful blows.

Dain mirrored Garros perfectly. Truly, a junior edition of the man.

Towering build, massive frame with ebony hair and ruby eyes.

Then—

"Kaden!"

Silence blanketed the space.

Garros moved ahead, a red sphere hovering in his grasp.

"This," he declared, "is the Awakening Crystal. It directs mana through your form and reveals your Origin."

His tone firm. Unyielding metal laced with honor.

"Warborns typically manifest Weapon-type Origins. It's our heritage. Should yours differ—no matter."

His voice deepened.

"Provided it's potent. Potent enough to shield you."

Tension thickened the atmosphere.

"From now forward—you stand exposed. Even from your mother's care."

Kaden locked eyes with his sire, unflinching.

"Born frail, but frailty won't save you now. Not here. Not anywhere."

"Demonstrate you deserve this lineage."

Deserve.

The term resounded in Kaden's thoughts.

He inclined his head, gaze aflame.

In the background, Sarena's look hardened. Words escaped her, yet her pulse quickened faintly. Daela's did too. Dain's bold sneer faltered briefly.

Outwardly hidden. But the trio guarded him with ferocity.

Garros claims no more safeguards, they pondered. However—

'Let any fool attempt it.'

'Lay a hand on him and witness the fallout.'

'Only I hold the right to discipline him.'

Alignment with Garros eluded them this instance.

Garros extended the gem.

"Origin tiers span Common, Rare, Unique, Legendary, to Mythic. To us, less than Unique is trash. Unique suffices. Legendary earns esteem. Mythic... commands awe."

He gestured.

"Now you."

Kaden advanced and grasped the crystal.

Fingers wrapped tight.

He drew breath—

And permitted the mana entry.

It began gently. A drip. A murmur of force.

Abruptly—

WHOOSH—

Power surged in a maelstrom encircling him. Scarlet mana spun wildly like a tempest, buzzing with intensity.

Sarena's eyes slitted. "He's... taking it swiftly. Excessively swift."

The rest stiffened.

This defied the ordinary.

This signaled elite caliber.

At that realization, grins of ease spread across their faces.

Ease that Kaden's Origin would rank highly.

Yet not even they realized—

Kaden wasn't merely unveiling his Origin.

He was also activating his system.

[Host has unveiled his Origin.]

[Origin: Bloodsoaked Sword King — Legendary.]

[System capabilities now active.]

[Enter the Cycle of Rebirth System.]

[Core: Perish to ascend.]

—End of Chapter 4—