"When questions hunt you more than enemies… the answer becomes the only thing worth fighting for."
—from the reflections of Kain
The night was thick, the forest whispering in hushed tones, while Kain's breaths came ragged between the trees.
Three nights had passed—three days of relentless hunting. No rest, no real sleep.
He moved like a programmed hunting machine, unbroken by instinct, unshaken by exhaustion.
And suddenly—
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host]
[Mission Complete: ✦ Hunting Marathon]
[Reward: 500 XP]
[Level Up ×6]
Only moments passed before pain tore through him — the agony of leveling up.
He screamed in silence, dropping to his knees, panting as though his body were being reshaped from within.
But his high vitality dulled the edge, and after minutes of torment, he rose again. Shaking, panting… but standing.
[Status Menu Opened]
✦ Host Basic Status
Name: Kain Swan
Race: Human
Level: 13
[Strength]: 42
[Agility]: 52
[Intelligence]: 62
[Vitality]: 48
[Defense]: 40
[Stamina]: 54 / 50
Available FP: 0
Available SP: 35,000
Current XP: 40 / 130
Kain froze, staring at the number.
Thirty-five thousand?!
Not surprising, once he thought about it.
He had hunted like a madman—no, like a beast.
The bodies had stopped being counted past a hundred, and the system cleaned them away neatly, leaving not a trace.
He hadn't hunted to eat… but to flee from what gnawed inside him.
The memories. The emptiness in his chest. The endless questions.
And now at Level 13… he remembered.
The Shop.
He opened it quickly, and a new skill description unfolded before him:
✦ Inner Thunder
Type: Self-Enhancement (Strength & Speed)
Rank: B
Description: "You channel electrical energy into your muscles, temporarily increasing speed and strength, but leaving you exhausted afterward."
Temporarily boosts Strength and Speed by 30%.
Price: 6000 SP
He smiled, confirming the purchase without hesitation.
The energy of the skill carved itself into him—not mere learning, but as if the ability had been born with him.
He knew it. Understood it. Trusted it.
Kain sat on a rock, staring into the void between trees.
Why am I here?
Why was I reborn?
Who am I?
Why don't I remember my death… or even my parents' faces?
He closed his eyes, whispering:
"I'll find out… no matter the cost."
Then, lifting his gaze to the sky:
"And I'll protect them…"
He thought of Bella. His sister. His family in this world.
He never had a sister in his past life, but now… he would let no one touch her.
James, Victoria, the Volturi…
Let them all come.
He would crush them.
Resolve burned in his eyes—then a jolt of realization.
Three days had passed.
His breath quickened.
Today… was that day.
The day Bella was attacked.
He surged to his feet, fury blazing, activating "Lightning Breath – 50%."
In a crackle of light and sparks, he shot from the forest like living thunder—
watched silently, unseen, by the one who had tracked him all along.
From a high branch, Alice Cullen observed him.
And just seconds before, she had seen the vision of what awaited in the alley.
"He'll kill them…", she whispered, before leaping after him.
–––
Meanwhile, at home…
Bella tried to act calm.
She had told Charlie that morning Kain was fine… but she didn't believe her own words.
Charlie hadn't hidden his worry either.
His son—who had never once spent a night away from home—had vanished for three days.
Nothing about that was normal.
Questions stormed Bella's heart:
What is Kain hiding? Who is he really?
And why does Edward's gaze change whenever his name is spoken?
That night, as Bella walked alone through a narrow alley after leaving the library, a group of men stepped into her path.
One moved first, slow and smirking:
"Lost this late at night?"
Another followed, eyes betraying his intent:
"You look lonely… let us keep you company."
They advanced, the air around her thick with menace.
Her heart stumbled. She wanted to run, to scream, to flee—
but her legs froze.
And then—
A low rumble.
A flash of lightning.
Kain had arrived.
One glance, and the alley filled with his killing intent.
He raised his hand, ready to unleash his fury—
But before he could, Alice appeared in front of him, palm pressed to his chest.
"No, Kain… not like this."
Through clenched teeth, he growled:
"They'll hurt her!"
Her eyes locked on his.
"She will be saved. But don't let anger decide who you are."
He panted, torn between rage and restraint—
when suddenly, screeching tires cut the night.
A car halted sharply. Edward stepped out, each step slow, deliberate, seething.
Without a word, he seized one of the men by the shirt and slammed him to the ground so hard the others staggered back.
His crimson eyes glared like bloodlit fire, his voice a barely-contained growl:
"Touch her again… and you won't live to regret it."
He needed no more. His gaze alone broke them.
One vomited on the spot, another fled like a rat under storm rain.
Bella rushed toward him, desperate—searching behind him for her brother.
But Kain… was gone.
Far above, Alice stood beside him on a rooftop, watching in silence.
Her voice was soft, almost to herself:
"Your power… doesn't belong to this world."
He didn't answer at first. His eyes were fixed on Bella, trembling, barely breathing.
Then at last, he whispered, fractured inside:
"I'll protect her… even from herself."
Alice turned toward him, questions burning in her gaze.
"What are you? You're not human… but not like us either."
He paused, weighing every word.
❝ I'm not a vampire… but I'm not fully human anymore. My body has been changing… slowly… ever since a certain incident. I think I've become something new. ❞
A silence, then softer, closer, so only she could hear:
❝ Even I don't fully know how… or why. But I feel I'm no longer the man I once was. ❞
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied him.
"Your presence disrupts my visions, Kain… like you don't belong in this world at all."
He smiled, half-wry, half-truth.
❝ You're not entirely wrong. ❞
Silence stretched between them, not empty, but taut—heavy with unasked questions.
Then Alice, with a faint playful edge, said suddenly:
"You know… I don't usually trust strangers. But you're different. There's something about you I can't help but feel drawn to."
He raised a brow:
"Is that an indirect confession, Alice?"
She chuckled softly:
"Let's just say… a fatal curiosity."
His tone turned more serious, though his eyes glimmered with something deeper:
"Your curiosity may lead you to answers… or to a fate you won't see in your visions."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Wait… did you say fate? Not possibilities?"
And realization dawned.
"You… you can see the future, can't you?"
He didn't answer. But his faint smile said enough.
"You don't see shifting possibilities like I do," she breathed, stunned.
"You see only one path… fixed."
He nodded quietly.
"The fixed path… sometimes more curse than gift."
Another silence. Then he turned away.
"Where are you going?" Alice asked.
"Don't worry—I won't kill anyone. I'm going to Charlie… after Waylon's death, he must be broken. And I… disappeared on him for three whole days."
–––
At the police station, silence lay heavy like a shroud.
Charlie sat at his desk, head bowed, clutching an old photo of himself and Waylon.
Kain entered quietly, approaching slowly.
"Dad…"
Charlie lifted his head, eyes damp.
"I'm sorry," Kain whispered, regret raw in his voice.
"I vanished without explanation… and I know this was the worst time to leave."
Charlie shook his head faintly.
"I was worried… but you're back. That's enough for me."
"I'm here now… and I'll stay."
Kain placed a hand firmly on his father's shoulder.
"I'm sorry about Waylon. I know how much he meant to you."
Charlie's voice cracked:
"He was like a brother, Kain… I still can't believe he's gone."
Kain nodded in silence.
No words could mend it, but his presence was solace enough.
–––
That evening, once home, Kain went straight to his room.
Exhausted, clothes filthy, his scent of forest, blood, and sweat clinging to him.
He shrugged off his jacket, fingers moving to his shirt when—
"Kain!"
Bella stood in the doorway, eyes blazing with suspicion, anger, fear.
"How… how did you appear out of nowhere? In that alley?!"
He froze a second, then turned with a mask of calm.
"What alley? What are you talking about? I came straight from the station—straight here after hearing what happened."
Her brow furrowed, distrust sharp.
"Kain… I'm not stupid."
But he showed nothing, only stepped closer, hand gently opening the door.
"Go to bed, Bella. Tomorrow's a new day… we both need rest."
Before she could reply, he closed the door softly.
Exhaling, Kain stripped off the rest of his clothes and stepped into the bathroom.
After three nights of hunting, blood, and lightning—
finally, rest.
🌀 End of Chapter Nine
✦ Next Chapter: "Blood contract and Judgments of the Eyes"