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?

experiencing nearly as much suffering as they were right

their quality of life for them

really think anything of it if they got rid of him. He knew

it was the most

take care

looking at him with a friendly grin on her face as she

she kneeled down slightly and caressed his

why wouldn't I take care

not

asked, his

to one of surprise as she listened to his words, and then she smiled broadly and pulled

would you ever be a burden. My life has never been more fulfilled now that you're with me. I'm sure your father

the soft and warm embrace of

was more

his mother's voice was what broke him out of his reverie as she

such a rare occasion that

sudden burst of excitement

showing such a reaction for such a trivial

Humans…

were creatures far more confusing than he

***

Ding—!

System configured

100%

first life repeated themselves. The demons

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

"Why?"

place in the subsequent minutes and

"Kevin, move!"

to protect

of his mother, followed by his father dragging him

you didn't have to take care of me.

the

father, who was not too far away from where he stood, was completely mangled, and he was

mother and father for an undetermined amount of time

his heart felt emptier than

like this, but for some strange

'Why is that?'

he was whisked away from the area and placed in

and Kevin's progress in strength continued at a

*

Twenty five years later.

Kevin found himself standing in front of

same as it had

his previous life, Kevin was much more

little bit; it was

powerful than he had been in his previous life by combining the knowledge he gained from his previous life

the most skilled instructors, which contributed to his increased

put, he could swat his former self in just a couple of moves. He

look eerily familiar,

throughout the world, his eyes glossing over his body.

"…You couldn't possibl—"

finish his sentence, Kevin's hand was already raised, and a white hue began to emerge from it. It covered the entire world around

long after that, and a powerful wave of energy headed in Jezebeth's

"Akashic laws…"

didn't last for very long. Instead, he appeared to have realized something, as evidenced by the appearance of a faint smile

see...so you're the missing piece that I need