The Author's POV

Bang—!

A figure crashed against a series of buildings, sending them crumbling to the ground.

With another muffled blast, the figure crashed against the ground, and a crater formed around the area around him.

Following the dispersal of the debris and subsequent clearing of the area, Kevin's haggard figure appeared to be seen standing in the midst of the debris.

His clothing was ripped, and he appeared to have a gaping wound in his chest.

His red eyes gleamed under the red, apocalyptic sun that hung in the sky, matching its intensity.

"How pitifully weak..."

A figure with white hair descended from the sky above him in a slow and collected manner. His presence loomed over the world, and his towering figure oppressed anything within its sights.

He looked no different than a god that had descended upon the mortal world, as his every movement caused the world to shake.

"I'm rather disappointed."

Jezebeth spoke while maintaining eye contact with Kevin, who was standing below him.

His icy stare was filled with what could only be described as disappointment, and he raised his hand.

Palm facing Kevin, he mumbled.

"…If you're really all the records have planned in order to stop me, then I really am disappointed."

Booom—!

The world tore apart, and Kevin's vision grew black.

***

"Come, eat your soup, Kevin."

Kevin's ears rang with the sound of a familiar voice as he looked down and took a quick glance at the meal that was in front of him.

It was a straightforward yellow clear soup mixed with a few different vegetables ranging from carrots, broccoli, and the like.

'It's bland, and the nutritional value is low…'

Kevin thought as he brought the soup to his mouth.

The taste of the soup was extremely bland, and it never seemed to fill him, even though he was once again five years old.

The only reason he never grumbled was because he understood that this was the best his caretakers had to offer.

A simple vegetable soup.

Kevin, in all candor, did not comprehend why the records would assign him to such inept caretakers; however, he was not programmed to question the system's decision-making.

The only thing he needed to do was follow orders.

But…

"Why do you take care of me?"

There was still a lingering sense of curiosity in his heart, and he just couldn't help but bring himself to ask his caretaker the one question that had been in his mind ever since his first life.

Why would such a creature risk so much in taking care of him when they couldn't even take care of themselves?

Wouldn't it be more appropriate for them if they just abandoned him and lived for themselves?

were the case, then they wouldn't be experiencing nearly as much

the contrary, their quality of life for them would significantly

think anything of it if they got rid of him. He knew that he was nothing but

it was the

do I take care

caught a fleeting glimpse of his mother looking at him with a friendly grin on her face as she

was, she kneeled down slightly and

your mother; why wouldn't I take

not a

his face

expression changed to one of surprise as she listened to his words, and then she smiled broadly and pulled him closer

has never been more fulfilled now that

soft and warm embrace of his mother, Kevin didn't

more

was what broke him out of his

You spoke! It's such a rare occasion that I didn't even notice

sudden burst of excitement

she showing such a reaction

Humans…

far more confusing than he

***

Ding—!

System configured

100%

from the first life repeated themselves. The demons

crouched down and stared at the lifeless body of his mother while he prodded her flesh

"Why?"

events that had taken place in the subsequent minutes and seconds, he became

"Kevin, move!"

in an effort to protect him from a demon, but she ended up being the one

the dismemberment of his mother, followed by his father dragging him away and hiding him in the same place

take care

poking at the

where he stood, was completely mangled, and he was

sat on the ground and stared at his mother and father for an undetermined amount

heart felt

but for some strange

'Why is that?'

arrived, he was whisked away from the area and placed in an orphanage before he even had a chance to realize a

how it had been before, and Kevin's progress in strength

*

Twenty five years later.

Kevin found himself standing

same as it had been in the

to his previous life, Kevin was much more powerful

bit; it

able to become even more powerful than he had been in his previous life

instruction from the most skilled instructors, which

swat his former self in just a

look eerily familiar, don't

eyes glossing over his body. With a raised

"…You couldn't possibl—"

Kevin's hand was already raised, and a white hue began to emerge from

attack not long after that, and a powerful wave of energy headed in Jezebeth's

"Akashic laws…"

last for very long. Instead, he appeared to have realized

piece that I need in