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?

they wouldn't be experiencing nearly as much suffering as they were right

quality of life for

they got rid of him. He

all, it was the

take care of

fleeting glimpse of his mother looking at him with a friendly grin on her face as she turned her head and lightly winked her

kneeled down slightly

mother; why wouldn't I take

not a

asked, his

she listened to his words, and then she smiled broadly and

has never been more fulfilled now that you're with me. I'm sure your father

the soft and warm embrace of his mother,

was more confused than

voice was what broke him out of

right! You spoke! It's such a rare occasion

burst of excitement once again made

is she showing such a reaction for such

Humans…

creatures far more confusing

***

Ding—!

System configured

100%

from the first life repeated themselves. The demons came, and his parents died trying

at the lifeless body of his mother while he

"Why?"

Kevin's mind replayed the events that had taken place in the subsequent minutes and seconds, he

"Kevin, move!"

remember his mother pushing him to the side in an effort to protect him from

of his mother, followed by his father

take care of me. Why did you do

at the dead carcass of

he stood, was completely mangled, and

stared at his mother and father for an

felt

felt like this, but for some

'Why is that?'

from the area and placed in an orphanage before he even had a chance

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

*

Twenty five years later.

himself

same as it

life, Kevin

wasn't just by a little bit; it was by quite

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

the most skilled instructors, which contributed to his

in just a couple

eerily

glossing over his body. With

"…You couldn't possibl—"

hand was already raised, and a white hue began to emerge from it.

launched his attack not long after that, and a powerful wave

"Akashic laws…"

on Jezebeth's face didn't last for very long. Instead, he appeared to

you're the missing piece that I need in order to