Killed Me? Now I Have Your Power

"What will these children be used for?" Anthropologist asked, his rocky brown skin gleaming faintly under the artificial sun of the dungeon.

He wore a black-and-white tunic draped over his entire body, looking like one of those ancient sages who renounced desire and lived a life of temperance.

Something he certainly wasn't doing.

He sat cross-legged on a chair carved from smooth stone, sipping a cup of tea that exuded a soft herbal fragrance, something between honeyleaf and fresh greens.

He asked his question while glancing toward Vaela, who stood in her usual attire: a crimson robe and a bloodied mask concealing her face.

At her sides stood Abomination and Ruined. A short distance away, Spider crouched on the grassy field, surrounded by the children.

They were climbing on its back, laughing and screaming as if the creature were nothing more than a toy. It looked mildly irritated but, against all odds, tolerated the farce and eventually deciding to just close its eyes and sleep.

Vaela fell silent at Anthropologist's question. She slowly turned her head, watching the children play.

It had been a chore teleporting all of them to Fokay. She had to make several trips between there and Darklore, and the process had been exhausting, especially since the children were not yet awakened.

She would have loved to let them live normal lives as children… but that was impossible. Beyond the issue of secrecy, it was obvious to anyone that these children were already broken.

They smiled and laughed as they played with Spider, but there was no light in their eyes…no emotion behind those smiles.

They were empty. Broken.

Vaela shook her head softly, pity flickering behind her mask.

At first glance, the children were divided into four groups.

One was led by a pale-skinned boy with a faint, almost imperceptible smile…one that gave the eerie impression of a psychopath whispering I love you as he killed you.

Another group followed a girl with crimson hair and matching eyes, her wide grin plastered across her face as she played wildly with the others.

A third child — a tall girl with grey hair and calm, demure eyes — stood apart from the rest, one of the only two not engaging in play.

And finally, there was a black-skinned boy with a bald head and deep black eyes, his small, muscular frame tense as he watched the members of the Crimson Veil instead of joining the others.

Each of the children looked around eight or nine years old, not yet of age to awaken. That could only happen at ten.

Vaela sighed softly. "I've already received my instructions on what to do with them," she said, her voice gentle. "But I'd rather wait for my dear to act upon them."

Ruined frowned beneath his mask. He had never liked the way the Seer referred to his Lordship. It was far too familiar for his taste.

Abomination, reclining lazily atop her undead horse whose eyes burned with purple flame, let out a low chuckle. "Your dear?" she echoed, amusement dripping from every word.

"Yes," Vaela replied evenly, turning her gaze first to Abomination, then to Ruined. "Do you have a problem with that?"

Abomination raised both hands in mock surrender. "Not at all. But you must be very close to him to dare call the Harvester your dear." She laughed. "I wouldn't dare, personally. Master's power is far too dreadful for me to speak so casually."

Behind her mask, Vaela's lips curved with pride. She nodded repeatedly, pleased that Abomination understood how close she was to Kaden.

Ruined didn't bother to interject. If his Lordship hadn't rebuked the Seer for her familiarity, he had no right to complain. He could only swallow his dissatisfaction.

Anthropologist watched the exchange and shook his head slowly. "What are you all?" he asked dryly. "A group of worshipers of the Harvester?"

The three of them looked at him with dead stares.

"Wasn't it obvious? I'm Master's greatest worshiper," Abomination said, tilting her head.

"It's my Lordship," Ruined grunted. "I'm his first worshiper."

Vaela shrugged. "And I'm the leader of the worshiper club, you see."

Anthropologist blinked, one eye twitching. He was tempted to argue but decided it wasn't worth debating with a group of fanatics. Instead, he redirected, "The children?" he asked, glancing toward them.

The kids, who had been sitting on Spider's back, were watching attentively now.

Vaela mirrored their gaze.

There was no runic sound barrier between them, they had nothing to hide. All of the children could hear every word.

She had wanted to wait for Kaden so they could handle this together, but she might as well begin his orders.

And so…

"Now that you've breathed some real air," Abomination said, smiling, "and felt a bit of freedom flood your veins…" Her grin sharpened. "…let's talk about business, cuties."

Vaela took over.

"Our Master, the Harvester, has given you two choices," she said, lifting two fingers. Her voice lost its usual softness, becoming cold, commanding.

The children fell silent. Their fake smiles vanished. They wanted to know…

Had they escaped one steel cage only to walk into another gilded one?

They didn't wait long for the answer.

"The first choice," Vaela said evenly. "You can have your freedom."

Their eyes widened. Shock rippled across their small faces.

"But…" she continued, "you'll first make a blood oath before the Harvester himself, to swear you won't speak a single word that could endanger us. And if you do…"

Her tone dropped, freezing the air.

"…we'll find you. And when we do, believe me, the Cerveau will look like saints compared to us."

Even Spider stirred beneath them, its many eyes glinting with silent threat.

Vaela's gaze hardened. "Do you understand me?"

All of them nodded in unison.

"Now, the second option," she said, her tone softening again. "You stay with us. We'll feed you, shelter you, train you. And when you reach ten years of age, you'll each receive an awakening stone to begin your paths."

The children listened, curiosity and anticipation rising in their still hearts.

"You'll then be tested," Vaela continued, "and depending on your strengths, you'll be assigned to different missions across the world."

A smile curved her lips.

"In simple terms, you'll become agents of the Crimson Veil. You'll spread the glory and mercy of the Harvester to all who can hear, all who can see, all who can think."

The children smiled, eyes shining, not with innocence, but with a chilling zeal. They had already been saved once by the Harvester. Gratitude had long since become a part of them.

And though freedom tempted them, deep down they knew, they could no longer go back. They were no longer normal children who could pretend ignorance of the world's cruelty.

They had been changed. Twisted. But also… saved.

And so…

"We want to spread the Harvester's greatness to the world," said the pale boy first. The other three nodded, firm and certain.

Vaela and the others smiled wide, satisfaction glowing in their eyes.

"Perfect!" Abomination said brightly.

"From now on," Vaela began, her smile widening as theirs mirrored her own,

"…you are trainees of the Crimson Veil. Prove yourselves, and you'll become full agents. And…"

Her voice dropped, low and soft as silk, yet heavy enough to send shivers of excitement through the children.

"…be unique, be exceptional, and you'll be official members of the Crimson Veil, ones the Harvester himself will acknowledge."

Vaela's smile deepened. "Are you ready for this?"

For a moment, silence.

Then…

"HAIL THE HARVESTER!"

"HAIL THE HARVESTER!"

The children screamed, their voices trembling with joy, excitement, and raw devotion.

Vaela, Abomination, and Ruined smiled, pleased.

Anthropologist watched them, a strange smile crossing his rocky brown face.

'Indeed,' he thought, eyes flashing with a sharp, knowing light. 'I was not wrong.'

…

Fokay — Celestial Empire.

In a restaurant nestled deep in the heart of Asterion, one dripping with luster where gold and red blended together to paint the whole establishment into a stunning sight.

This was the Fish'O'Gold, the most popular restaurant specializing in seafood. Rumor had it the owners were once sailors who had crossed the great sea in the east, circled the Elven Kingdom, and learned the secrets of the depths themselves.

And inside that very restaurant, at a table made of polished wood and red gold, sat Kenan and Lisa, face to face.

Kenan wore a red suit and black tie, looking effortlessly handsome, while Lisa's golden robe shimmered elegantly, its hem brushing her ankles. She was radiant.

Before them lay an assortment of steaming dishes — salmon, dancing shrimp, spider crab, and octopus — beautifully arranged, their presentation alone enough to make Lisa's stomach growl.

She wanted to dig in immediately, but…

She lifted her gaze from the tempting plate and looked at Kenan.

He sat there, spoon in hand, staring blankly at the food, mumbling the same word again and again.

"Ashes."

It wasn't their first time dating, though Lisa didn't like to call it that, but by now she knew him. She knew his moods, his habits, and exactly how he looked when something was weighing on his mind.

And right now, something clearly was.

She exhaled softly. "What's wrong?" she asked, her brown eyes locking on his dark ones.

Kenan smiled awkwardly. "What do you mean? Nothing's… ashed wrong." He stumbled slightly, forcing a smile to break the tension.

"You didn't start eating yet? That's weird. You always attack your food the second it hits the table," Kenan remarked, trying to lighten the mood with a grin.

Lisa frowned. That was true. She always ate first without care, but today, somehow, she couldn't bring herself to do so, not after seeing Kenan in this gloomy state. After all…

"You're quiet today. You always love to talk about anything and everything when we're together," she pressed. "But today, you've barely said a word since we met."

Kenan scratched his head awkwardly. "Ashes… I still have a long way to go, haven't I? I'm not even able to hide my worries." He sighed deeply.

"So something is worrying you?" Lisa asked softly. "Is it something you can tell to a simple commoner girl from a distant village?" she added.

Kenan scrambled, flustered. "W-what? No! You know I don't see you like that!" he stuttered, his voice edged with indignation.

Lisa laughed, subtle warmth flickering in her brown eyes. "I know you don't. But it's objectively true, and I don't mind. I've made peace with my situation."

'Since the incident with Lady Meris… I know my place now,' she thought quietly.

Kenan exhaled, shoulders easing slightly. "Yes… I can't tell you."

He wanted to confess, to talk to someone, but not her. This was about his family, about the Asterion. He didn't want to involve Lisa in such things.

In truth, he had begun to think he should avoid her altogether. She was just a weak commoner girl.

No one would hesitate to kill her if they knew it could make him falter.

That thought weighed heavily on him, and Lisa could see it.

"You want to tell me something?" she asked again, her voice surprisingly soft.

Kenan didn't respond right away. Then, slowly, he nodded. "Yes."

Lisa stared at him, waiting, her eyes urging him to speak.

After a few seconds, he gathered his courage. Deep down, he knew Lisa wouldn't take offense. But it was himself who hesitated, himself who had come to appreciate her company more than he had intended.

'Ashes… I'm so pitiful,' he lamented inwardly.

He shook his head lightly and focused back on her.

"Well," he began, his tone soft, "I know I've been pestering you to go on dates these past months. But now…" he smiled faintly, his handsome face catching the golden light of the restaurant, "now I'll stop doing that, Lisa."

Lisa's body froze, shock flashing through her entire being.

Kenan noticed but misunderstood, so he added quickly, his voice still warm despite the turmoil in his chest,

"Don't worry, I'll give you enough gold so you won't have to work for years," he said with a bright smile, giving her a thumbs-up and a playful wink.

He expected Lisa to beam with joy, to laugh like she always did when gold was mentioned.

But no.

Instead…

She just stood there, staring at him with those brown eyes that seemed to hold the mercy of the earth itself, flooded by a feeling he never imagined Lisa could carry.

And before he could react…

Lisa abruptly rose from her chair, knocking it to the ground with a sharp bang, and ran out of the restaurant.

—End of Chapter 280—