Chapter 3: Revival 3

* * *

To be precise, it wasn't that I had leaped forward, but rather that I had tried to create a more plausible future, only to find that the results did not follow, which was truly disheartening.

Upon reflection, it was bound to fail.

My father was a jobless thug, and my mother was a woman who sold laughter and her body in the red-light district. Born between them, I had no choice.

That was why I held the hand of the butler who introduced himself as a "valet." The touch that I thought was my destiny turned out to be a rotten rope, which was the biggest mistake of my life.

It was a bad habit. Perhaps because I was reborn, I was filled with arrogance, believing that everything would go my way.

I knew my past life, so I believed I could bloom even more splendidly. Starting from such a special position, I thought great fortune would follow.

Such vague expectations and hopes.

'But they were all futile thoughts.'

Shaking his head, Cain tried to refocus by uttering meaningless words.

"What kind of work does Grandpa Batement do?"

"I can't pinpoint it, but it's a fulfilling job. I educate and watch over the members so they can do their part. If you do well, you might even succeed me. You'll like it."

Ha. He sneered inwardly. The conditions Batement offered were essentially a slave contract. It was a demand to become a martial arts instructor and train the next generation.

The reason I wasn't discarded as scrap, even after being the perennial bottom feeder, was because of this.

I was given a reprieve because I was designated to succeed Batement as a martial arts instructor.

But that was both an advantage and a disadvantage.

Since I caught Batement's eye, there was no way to escape on my own.

Running away wasn't the answer either. Not only was it impossible to escape, but there was a deadly trap hidden within.

"But why are we walking instead of taking a carriage? Isn't it too time-consuming to walk to the next city?"

"Hehe, it's a short distance, so it will be quite charming. And camping is an important experience. The weather isn't too harsh, so it's not impossible."

A misaligned schedule. An overly kind target. And an unnatural excuse. A quick-witted child would realize Batement's actions were suspicious and attempt to escape.

That was exactly what the organization wanted.

The organization liked smart children. Cautious and quick-witted children. Therefore, they always selected children who tried to escape.

Children who didn't run and had low vigilance were of no interest. Even if a child followed without a single question, they wouldn't be accepted, no matter how talented.

'Of course, not being of interest doesn't mean they survive.'

Children who caught the eye but failed the test disappeared without a trace. The organization made no mistakes in their handling.

If you ran, you became a tool. If you didn't run, you couldn't become a tool and would die.

A true dilemma. If I had gone back a little further in time, I wouldn't have had such worries. Sighing, Cain turned his head to gather information.

Surviving for over forty years in this world wasn't due to luck.

Despite being the perennial bottom feeder—scrap—I became a 2nd-class revenant because I never gave up.

The stubbornness of not wanting to admit a lack of talent, though minor, was crucial and made it possible.

Batement, noticing Cain's wandering gaze, asked casually.

"If you really want to take the carriage, you can say so now."

"No, I'll walk as you suggested. It seems better that way."

Old memories should be shed in a place where no one knows. There's no point in showing them to others.

"I'm glad you understand my true intentions. It's like the first button is properly fastened. My heart is already racing, thinking about what you will show me."

"Is that so?"

It was a kind smile, but the emotions behind it were not light. His eyes were chillingly restrained, as if eagerly awaiting an escape.

"Let's get up first. We need to prepare thoroughly for camping."

"If you say so, Grandpa."

Their eyes met, and Cain smiled brightly.

I also want to fasten the first button properly.

* * *

The woman's body swayed with the creaking carriage. Though her face was veiled, the atmosphere she exuded could not be hidden. Her white priestess robes were ascetic, but the curves visible above them were extremely alluring.

Cain, ignoring the jolting carriage, spoke.

"Shouldn't you stop now?"

She was always worried, day and night. She was already a caring person.

In the end, she even used the hidden power. It was because of that power that she could be saved, but it was not pleasant.

Not everyone was grateful and bowed their heads. There were also shameless people. Some questioned the essence of power, while others disbelieved and insulted it.

This pilgrimage was no different.

The sick were gone, but the pain was now hers to bear.

But despite Cain's concerns, the woman smiled brightly.

"This is the path I must take. My abilities must have been given to me for such tasks."

"That doesn't mean you have to bear the cross, Lady Saint."

"I don't see it as a cross. Cain, isn't your presence beside me also a form of support?"

"Isn't that different from me and Lady Saint?"

"In terms of doing what we want, we are not different."

She, or rather, the Saint, no longer hid her power. She stretched out to see more people and more things.

"I don't know what will happen later."

"Still, I believe you will come to save me, Cain."

How can I resist such affection? Cain, embarrassed by the sudden confession, let out a dry cough and sighed.

But the peaceful days seemed to change from that conversation. What greeted them after the pilgrimage was an unexpected message.

"Saint Aria Terris, you are designated as a heretic. We will escort you back to the homeland according to the procedure."

"Everyone knows I went on a pilgrimage. How could I become a heretic in that time? There's no reason for it."

"The matter is already decided. No objections are allowed, Aria Terris."

The situation changed rapidly. From the moment the Inquisitor appeared, it was over. Cain, holding Aria's trembling shoulders, whispered.

"Lady Saint."

"C, Cain..."

Not knowing what happened, but now it's time to run. Cain, holding Aria's hand, fled without looking back. He was confident he could move around without being caught. After all, he had learned such skills from the organization.

Holding the agitated Saint in his arms, he began a long journey.

Thus, a thirteen-month escape began.

"Was it a dream?"

Cain, waking up, clutched his aching head.

What was reality yesterday is now a distant future. The mischievous night visitor brought a smile to his face.

One day, Saint Aria suddenly became a heretic.

Everything happened in an instant. What was the problem? No matter how much he pondered, nothing came to mind.

But he didn't rush. It was absurd to waste energy on something that wouldn't happen.

Now was the time to solve the problem at hand.

It was a happy thing to see her face even in a dream, but he didn't want to dream it again. Such a future must be erased.

"Hmm."

Batement's mumbling in his sleep echoed in Cain's ears. The old man, who seemed to know nothing, was sleeping soundly, as if urging Cain to run.

'If he wants it, I should give it to him.'

It was a transparent act, but there was no reason not to follow. Quietly slipping out of the sleeping bag, Cain stood by the campfire. The weather, as Batement had said, was not harsh.

Pretending to rub his cold feet, he took off his socks and retrieved the item inside. A small, long blade. It was a butter knife from the restaurant, not sharpened but better than nothing.

Hiding the butter knife in his sleeve, Cain walked leisurely away from the campfire. He had no destination. It would be exposed soon anyway.

Sure enough, he was caught before he reached a hundred meters.

A familiar face emerged from the dark shadows. The same person who had been mumbling in his sleep moments ago.

"Where are you going at this hour?"

Seeing Batement, Cain shrugged. It was a surprising situation, but his heart didn't race.

It was only a matter of time.

"Caught sooner than I thought."

Batement's brow furrowed at Cain's calm response.

"What are you doing here? Surely you're not trying to run away? After all I've done for you?"

A bone-chilling voice. The kind and gentle old man was gone. Perhaps he no longer needed to act since they were out of the city. The mask was easily revealed, and Cain couldn't help but sneer.

Why is this old man still the same, then and now? Cain, looking at Batement with a calm gaze, grinned and spoke.

"Then what?"

"Cheeky brat. Planning to run away and break our agreement so soon? You need to be taught a lesson."

"Isn't that different from the kind old man you showed at the restaurant?"

"Ha, what a joke. This is all your doing. You must be punished for your mistakes."

"Looks like I'm not going to a good place."

"You must show the same level of sincerity to receive the same level of treatment. How can you not understand such a simple thing?"

"Even you, who are talking, lack sincerity. You won't get good treatment."

"Truly ungrateful. I treated you with the intention of saving a lifelong beggar, and this is how you repay me? That's why black-haired beasts shouldn't be tamed."

As Batement ranted, Cain snorted and gestured.

"Be quiet and come here."

At this point, even Batement was speechless.

"Fine, if that's your choice, I'll respect it."

Adjusting his posture as if to teach a lesson, he opened his eyes wide. Cain, without any preparation, lunged forward, closing the distance in an instant.

A sudden move. It wasn't the kind of strength a slum child would have.

"What?!"

"I've been waiting longer than you."

The decision was made at the restaurant. He only refrained from acting in the city to avoid drawing attention.

Now, in a quiet forest, there was nothing to hold him back.

Cain, bending forward as he approached Batement's chin, cast a long shadow. The afterimage from the sudden acceleration was enough to gain the upper hand.

Batement, realizing what was happening, gasped.

He couldn't see it from his current position.

'Retreat Step?'

A technique combining footwork and movement. It was one of the skills taught by the organization.

How could a 2nd-class revenant have such a skill? Before he could react, the butter knife grazed his neck, and Batement instinctively tilted his head back.

Reaching for Cain's nape, his hand was a beat too late. He missed. It was like having your nose cut while your eyes were open.

Being outmaneuvered by a child. What a disgrace.

Trying to draw his sword, his hand was cut by the butter knife before he could.

"Damn brat!"

Though not cut, the pain didn't disappear. Enraged, Batement drew his sword and aimed at Cain.

The sword strike was launched without hesitation.

Though he had become a martial arts instructor for lacking the ability to raise ghosts, his skills were not lost.

In fact, his fundamentals were more solid than anyone else's, having taught and guided many.

His reflexive movements were clean and efficient.

Cain, twisting his foot to lean back, bit his lip. He could see it, but his body couldn't keep up. Raising the butter knife vertically to block the incoming strike, it was not enough.