Killed Me? Now I Have Your Power Chapter 426: Overstepping Boundaries

Chapter 426 – Overstepping boundaries

"What price are you prepared to offer?" Kaden inquired of Rudolph, his locks and gaze now a vivid green to suit his fresh identity, perched on a seat as the disabled fellow rested against the chamber wall beside his bedding.

Rudolph's golden stare roamed over his limb, sensing the persistent ache that had shadowed him like a steadfast companion from birth. At this point, he claimed to be accustomed to it — at least, that's what he convinced himself.

The chamber stood barren, lacking any items that might hinder a disabled person's movement.

Rea had vanished from sight, dismissed by Kaden. The God-Touched showed no concern; she wasn't one to relish observing such heartfelt exchanges.

Instead, she lingered just beyond the entrance, anticipating the arrival of the figure known to The Will as The Alchemist.

Oddly, a feeling of dread crept over her.

"Prepared to offer, is it?" Rudolph repeated Kaden's query, shaking his head with a hint of mirth. "Truth be told, I haven't a clue, Alchemist Asclepius."

He replied, his eyes fixed on his leg still.

"I truly desire to walk," he went on. "I yearn to feel the sensation of striding unaided, dashing outdoors without restraint, and savoring the rush of air against my skin. From all I've gathered — and trust me, I've absorbed plenty — it's an incredible sensation."

A subtle, quiet grin crossed Kaden's lips. "It surely is."

Rudolph chuckled. "Ah! Is that so? I take your word for it completely, Alchemist Asclepius!"

His laughter rang out warm and unbound, an odd contrast to his plight, Kaden innocently mused.

"And there are additional motives, as you might guess. But you can sense how deeply I crave the ability to walk."

Rudolph halted, drawing in a profound breath that made his chest tighten with discomfort, then exhaled it gradually in a faint, misty puff.

"I genuinely wish to walk. Every night in my dreams, I sprint and perform feats requiring sturdy legs. That's why my initial response to your query is: everything, Alchemist. I'd give anything to gain the power to walk."

"The initial one?" Kaden murmured, his tone gentle and soothing like a soft gust, cocking his head. "Implying there's another?"

"Indeed."

"Why's that? I figured your first reply would be it."

"That's what surprised me too!" Rudolph let out another hearty laugh, then cut it short with a grimace as fresh agony shot through his leg.

Kaden observed in silence, allowing the man the moments he required.

Moments passed,

"I'd go to any lengths without forfeiting who I am," Rudolph declared at last, locking eyes with Kaden using his golden orbs. "That's my follow-up idea, and hopefully my final one."

"So if your method of curing me demands I surrender my essence," he attempted a nonchalant shrug that fell flat, "I'd have to turn it down."

"Now you've piqued my interest," Kaden noted. "I've encountered and witnessed plenty who'd sacrifice their core for their aspirations."

Beyond the door, Rea's form jerked at Kaden's statement.

"That's heartbreaking to learn. Yet I yearn, dream, and pray to walk one day as the true me, nothing more or less," Rudolph responded. "So what's the value in achieving that stride if the 'me' who walks isn't me anymore?"

"Then why pursue walking so fiercely? You appear content with life as it stands. Perhaps that's ideal for you? Have you considered it?" Kaden pressed. "What you deem harmful might benefit you, and what seems beneficial could harm you."

"No one can say for sure."

"Precisely why I must walk," Rudolph cut in. "It could prove detrimental, as you've suggested. But I'll never discover that without taking those steps alone."

"Regret might strike too late by then."

"I'd regret not pushing my limits just as much. Either path leads to remorse. How paradoxical, right?"

"Quite so," Kaden agreed, then held for a beat. "Yet the world seldom grants our deepest desires."

"I've learned that lesson intimately," Rudolph gestured toward his legs. "Just glance at me — do I seem blessed? Hardly. Still, I've come to understand the world favors those who endure. Or so the tales go. I merely hope to join the ranks of the rewarded patient."

Kaden grew quiet briefly, recalling the emotionless Soulless he'd encountered — stripped of all feeling.

Thus, either Rudolph deceived him, or he'd reached — or been compelled to embrace — that fate.

Deception seemed improbable. Though no Truth Holder, Kaden's instincts were keen enough to detect falsehoods, particularly from an ordinary human.

This left two options: The Alchemist had lured Rudolph with empty vows, or eroded his moral compass.

In both scenarios, Rudolph's true self would vanish by journey's end.

Kaden wavered briefly, weighing the fallout of his choices, before sighing to himself.

"It appears your endurance pays off at last," Kaden stated, shifting his focus to Rudolph's legs. "Because I'm set to mend them."

Rudolph's pupils widened, a surge of delight and ease illuminating his golden eyes.

Overcome with fervor, he attempted to rise swiftly to express proper gratitude to Kaden, only to cry out as intense throbs coursed through him.

He collapsed back onto the bed, yet grinned despite the hurt, gazing at Kaden with eyes brimming with tears.

"I-I..." his voice rasped with feeling, the phrases trailing what his soul yearned to express.

At length, after dipping his head in respect to Kaden,

"Anything..." he gasped, weeping. "No words could capture my gratitude. But thank you, Alchemist Asclepius! I possess little, merely a commoner. Still, I can vow on—!"

"No need to invoke The Will for this," Kaden replied, his bearing unlike his authentic self.

In that moment, he shed Kaden Warborn's skin. He embodied Asclepius, the famed Alchemist, and must perform accordingly to fit his altered guise.

"As an Alchemist, my core principle is aiding those within my power." He offered a smile, prompting Rudolph to raise his gaze. "So spare your thanks for what duty compels me to do."

Rudolph stood mute. Rea, eavesdropping from outside, was even more stunned. She'd never imagined Kaden slipping into another persona with such seamless grace.

But right then, both Kaden and Rea tensed sharply, chills prickling their napes as an illicit energy started to taint the surrounding atmosphere.

Kaden struggled to hold his smile, then extended his hand to rest it upon Rudolph's brow.

The disabled man puzzled over the abrupt contact, but shortly his lids twitched unevenly before sealing shut entirely.

The final sound to reach Rudolph before his awareness suspended was Kaden's kind, soothing tone:

"You were mistaken, Rudolph. Preserving your identity remains impossible regardless of my healing method. When you awaken, walking will come naturally. So cherish this, as it'll mark the final instance of you remaining as you recognize yourself."

Kaden rose then, coinciding with Rea bursting through the door. Her features dripped with alarm, Einar emerged from the earring, his face grave in an unprecedented manner.

"He's arrived," Rea stuttered.

"I'm aware."

Kaden responded, then exited the space, Rea securing the door after them and trailing along.

Upon emerging, the engaged pair confronted a figure.

His skin gleamed deep and flawless ebony, encircled by gray dreadlocks.

He donned an opulent black garment accented in purple, reminiscent of esteemed alchemists from bygone eras.

Kaden and Rea's pulses raced as the Forbidden Alchemist's timeless, weathered eyes fixed on them.

Dread escalated to outright horror when he grinned, his gaze arching with malice,

"Who do you think you're deceiving, young fool, with that mask? Reveal those arrogant Warborn features. Ah, it's been ages since I beheld one of your kin. The previous encounter was that vile female. Heh, are you all mad?"

The Alchemist chortled, then turned to Rea. His glee intensified, his eyes swirling with spinning runes.

"The Hero scarred you deeply? Can't even dominate this young woman? Pity, Woeful One. You're causing me to question our pact in this era."

Rea endured the fierce, furious roar of the goddess echoing in her thoughts. Clutching her skull, she faltered, dark blood trickling from her eyes and nostrils.

Her complexion drained pale instantly.

The Forbidden Alchemist sneered, as if attuned to the goddess's outburst. Then, he tilted his head, eyeing Kaden once more.

"You pulled it off once," he stated. "Now you aim to alter this incident? This affair? Oh, Prometheus, Prometheus, Prometheus..."

His tone chilled to a lethal frost.

"You're crossing lines you shouldn't."

—End of Chapter 426—