Killed Me? Now I Have Your Power Chapter 438: Dungeon Completed

Using the Seed of Prometheus, Kaden succeeded in mending the majority of the troubles within Rudolph's frame.

Without even realizing it himself, the youth's form had been gradually withering away, forfeiting his abilities in a quiet yet terrifying manner.

If Rudolph believed that the absence of his legs was his sole problem, he was hilariously mistaken.

For an instant, Kaden felt stunned, struggling to grasp how one body could harbor such widespread corruption from illnesses.

It resembled the evils from Pandora's box all rushing toward him, selecting him as an ideal vessel. At that notion, oddly, alarmingly, on pure instinct, Kaden turned his gaze toward Rea positioned next to him.

She remained there akin to a sovereign of the cursed — gorgeous, breathtaking, yet undeniably brimming with shadows and insanity too burdensome for the average soul to endure.

Her earrings, her rings, her ruby gaze flecked with darkness, and her entire presence... all of it, though an odd spectacle, drew Kaden in unexpectedly.

Through that, he uneasily acknowledged he could no longer deceive himself — his madness matched Rea's.

'Perhaps that's the reason we're paired.' He mused, noticing Rea turn her head his way, detecting his lingering gaze.

Her mouth curved into a grin, "I don't mind if you stare a little more intensely." She remarked, "If you desire, by Sorrow's grace, you could even peer within me. I'd be thrilled."

With Blanche continuing to mend Rudolph, Kaden tilted his head, "How would that function?"

"I could spread my legs—!"

"You're turning wild, Rea."

"May Sorrow consume me, but is it now a sin for a betrothed to simply satisfy her partner?" She teasingly rolled her eyes, "That said, if you'd rather another approach, inform me. You could slice open my abdomen to inspect inside, or gaze through my mouth, or even my torso. Provided you restore me afterward, the technique doesn't bother me."

Her grin expanded further,

"Simply behold every part of me, and sense every bit of me."

"Remind me to steer clear of the Church of Sorrow forever." Kaden stated evenly, as though Rea's words weren't nightmare fuel.

Rea chuckled at his response, oddly growing more at ease in exposing her entirety.

In the meantime, Kaden signaled toward the Alchemist's remains. Despite lacking a heart and brain, the corpse stayed remarkably preserved and held potential value.

Particularly at this juncture.

Through his motion, the Alchemist's legs separated from the torso — with resounding cracks and spurting blood — then flew straight into Kaden's grasp.

He grasped them, severed Rudolph's rod-thin legs using his will, and first connected Rudolph's blood to the Alchemist's pair before applying Synthesis.

Thus, employing blood manipulation, the Seed of Prometheus, and Synthesis, Kaden — or rather, Asclepius — set about restoring Rudolph's legs.

Beside him lingered his fiancée, observing the procedure with a mix of apathy and wonder. Such a blend seemed contradictory, yet within the God-Touched's thoughts, impossibilities dissolved.

"Still mulling over my suggestion?" She abruptly asked, toying with her ring-adorned fingers.

Kaden shook his head, "Let me reach your degree of madness first."

"I'm afraid that might require ages."

"I truly hope you're right."

"Sorrow claim you." Rea swore.

"Appreciate the well-wish."

...

As Asclepius, Kaden observed Rudolph rousing at last, his lids twitching frantically — resembling confined butterfly wings desperate for freedom — before flying open fully.

Pure white irises surrounding golden pupils encountered the light without origin.

The initial sight for the youth was Kaden's visage — his emerald locks, emerald gaze, and the dark spot beneath his left eye — prompting Rudolph's smile.

He attempted to rise right away, sensing two feet pressing into the floor. At first, this sensation baffled him immensely, his thoughts sluggish in interpreting the fresh signals reaching his mind.

Yet when it all connected; when he deliberately lowered his gaze in a rigid, automated fashion and spotted a duo of legs alien to him — their skin dark against his pale complexion — his pupils widened as he collapsed onto the shriveled sofa in utter shock.

His expression twisted in horror, his complexion ghostly white.

"No... is this a dream?" He whispered, his tone quivering. He blinked repeatedly, then struck his cheek hard, as if dreading it might be yet another of his many visions.

But no. Reality held firm.

He possessed legs, and he could sense them. Therefore...

"I can walk?"

That query came with him rising once more, placing his feet down clumsily before tentatively stepping forward; bypassing both Kaden and Rea, his focus utterly captured by this novel sensation.

It felt odd, much like an infant attempting its initial steps.

But abruptly, Rudolph stopped, his features contorting, writhing in agony. Only then did clarity return to him, recalling Kaden and Rea. Especially Kaden.

He offered a sorry smile, though traces of discomfort etched his face.

"You achieved it, Alchemist Asclepius." He declared, his words overflowing with profound thanks, "You truly managed it."

"I gave you my word." Kaden's voice carried a soft, calming quality, "Thus, I fulfilled it."

Then his expression turned grave, peering intently at Rudolph, "You perceive it, don't you?"

Rudolph gave a bitter smile, "Yes." He affirmed with a nod, "I sense the ache — like pins piercing these, no, these legs — every time I move."

"Precisely." Kaden agreed with a nod, "I'm an Alchemist, yet even I cannot alter the core essence of existence."

"You've yearned to walk your entire life, but now, Rudolph, to do so, you'll endure this torment without cease, right up to your final days. Does it remain worthwhile?"

Rudolph chuckled, pacing about, his countenance spasming occasionally, "Yes, absolutely, it's worth every bit. But in time, I hope, Alchemist, to adapt to this discomfort. Still, no matter what, relative to my former condition..."

He beamed with appreciation,

"...this is immensely superior." Then his look shadowed with embarrassment, "That said, I must press the point, Alchemist Asclepius, I yearn to compensate you. No, even my existence falls short. Yet I must contribute something in return."

He approached Kaden and bent at a full ninety degrees.

"Grant me that chance, please. Anything at all. Name it, and I'll make it happen."

Hearing this, Kaden glanced at Rea and caught the charming woman gesturing to her bosom while silently forming: 'Heart'.

Kaden dismissed it with an eye roll, disregarding Rea's absurd idea.

After a moment's reflection, he spoke, placing a hand on the inclined youth,

"Simply keep this in mind for me, if repayment is your goal, and it'll suffice more than amply."

"Yes, tell me!"

Kaden hesitated briefly, then,

"You've endured a existence of deprivation and torment. You understand, perhaps better than many, the agony of craving something desperately but being denied it for mysterious causes." He paused momentarily, then pressed on,

"Thus, I anticipate you'll carry this insight, and assist those facing your former plight. Share what you can offer with them."

Rudolph lifted his head, eyes gleaming with emotion as he regarded him.

"That's everything from me." Kaden concluded with a smile, "And as an Alchemist devoted solely to cures, that's my sole counsel."

Rea discreetly rolled her eyes in frustration.

Before Rudolph could respond further,

"Do you embrace your destiny then?" Kaden inquired at last.

Your destiny of ambulatory suffering, your destiny of extending aid to others from your own resources.

In essence, Kaden was shaping Rudolph's outlook, guiding him along a specific route. He was influencing him.

Yet he believed no alternative existed, lest he rescue someone who might evolve into a Soul Devourer or something more dire.

And thus,

"Y-Yes." Rudolph replied, his gaze alight with resolve, "I embrace my destiny, Alchemist—!"

Rudolph's words cut off as the surrounding world froze instantly. Solely Rea and Kaden retained mobility, signaling without doubt that...

[You have completed the dungeon.]

At The Will's declaration, Kaden witnessed Rudolph's form shatter into countless souls — all soaring directly to him.

His Trait, Soulbrand, rang out in delight.

—End of Chapter 438—