Chapter 7: Preparation and Memory
The sun filtered through the apartment windows as Kai adjusted the cuff of his coat. Today wasn't about training or experiments. Today was about preparation.
He looked down at his desk where the Crimson Fang rested. A powerful sacred-blood sword—deadly, silent, obedient. But this wasn't for him.
Han Sen would be entering the First God's Sanctuary soon. He needed to be prepared, not just emotionally, but with gear capable of giving him a fighting chance.
---
"We're going where again?" Han Sen asked as they boarded the mag-lev train.
"Gear depot near Military District 5. Private vendors. Reliable sources," Kai said calmly.
"Geez, you make everything sound like a mission briefing," Han Sen muttered. "But I'm not complaining. You know your stuff."
Kai's expression didn't change, but a faint nod told Han Sen everything.
They reached a narrow alley behind the glitzy storefronts. Hidden in plain sight, a reinforced steel door led them into a bunker-like shop. Inside were rows of advanced Sanctuary gear: armor, weapons, and support tech.
Kai walked straight to the counter. "Gear optimized for survival in First God's Sanctuary. One set. Light-weight, flexible, mid-tier defense priority."
The vendor, recognizing Kai from a previous purchase, nodded. "Got just the thing. Reinforced Shadow-Weave suit. Breathable, strong, and comes with a low-energy shielding pulse emitter."
Kai inspected it thoroughly, testing seams and tension. He handed it to Han Sen. "Try it."
"Looks sleek," Han Sen admitted, slipping it on in the changing unit. It fit perfectly. Sleek black with silver underlay. "How do I look?"
"Like someone who might not die in the first week," Kai replied dryly.
Han Sen rolled his eyes, grinning. "High praise."
Kai moved toward the weapons section. "You need a backup. Not just fists."
He pointed at a box labeled Z-Metal Throwing Knives. Each knife was slim, sharp, and deadly—made from a rare alloy that could pierce mutated creature hides.
"Precision, speed, and silent kills," Kai explained. "They're not for brute force. They're for survival."
"You really want me to live, huh?" Han Sen teased.
Kai simply handed over the knives.
---
As they stepped out of the shop, the late afternoon sun glinted off Kai's left ear. A silver-black earring, shaped like a broken crescent moon, shimmered faintly.
Han Sen looked at it. "You still wear that?"
Kai touched it briefly. "Mom gave it to me when I was twelve. Said it belonged to her grandmother. Family tradition."
"Huh. Never saw her as sentimental."
Kai didn't respond, but his fingers lingered on the earring. It wasn't just a keepsake. It was a tether—to family, to identity, to a past he remembered in two lives.
---
Back at the apartment, Little Yan ran up to them as they entered. "Gege! Did you get me something?"
Kai handed her a small holographic storybook he'd picked up on the way. It projected fairytale animations in 3D.
"Wowww! It's flying!" she squealed.
"Thanks, bro," Han Sen said, patting Kai on the back. "With this gear and your gene art, I might actually have a shot."
Kai gave a rare small smile. "Don't waste it."
As the day ended, Kai stood by the window, city lights stretching endlessly before him.
He touched the earring again. A quiet reminder that even assassins, doctors, and cold warriors needed something to protect.
And for him, that was family.
---
That evening, the three siblings sat around the dinner table. The aroma of homemade food filled the room, but it was more than just a meal — it was a moment of rare calm.
Han Yufei sat at the head, quietly observing his sons and daughter. The family had been through so much, and soon Han Sen would embark on a dangerous path.
Han Sen looked up, chewing thoughtfully. "So... I'm going into the Sanctuary next year, right?"
"Yeah," Kai said softly. "You have a year to prepare, but don't take it lightly."
Han Yufei added, "It's not just strength that'll keep you alive. Your mind, your choices, your instincts—they'll matter."
Little Yan hugged her knees, looking up at both brothers with big eyes. "I want to come too when I'm bigger."
Kai smiled faintly, the coldness in his face thawing a little. "We'll protect you, little one."
Han Sen smirked. "And you better believe I'm coming back with stories."
Kai raised his glass. "To family, and surviving what's coming."
The others followed, clinking their glasses softly.
---
As the night deepened, Kai stared out the window, the earring catching the streetlights.
Family. Legacy. Survival.
No matter how many lives he'd lived, some things were worth protecting.