Killed Me? Now I Have Your Power-Chapter 71: Why me…?

Chapter 71 — Why me...?

Kaden sighed softly as he sat at a table inside the reception hall of the Tycoon’s Merchants.

All around him, people were glancing his way from time to time, but Kaden didn’t even mind them. At this point, he was getting used to the stares, and truthfully, as long as they didn’t bother him, they could stare all they wanted.

’Blacksmith and runesmith, huh...’ Kaden thought inwardly. He had jumped at the chance to become Old Smith’s disciple because of how important those two professions were—but he knew it wouldn’t be easy.

If he wanted to grow stronger and also excel in these crafts without wasting too much time grinding endlessly...

Then his only option was the same as the one his entire system was built upon.

Death.

To get stronger, he could just go court death with some deep-zone monsters out in the wilderness. But for the professions?

He needed someone skilled enough in them to kill him.

’But where can I find them? I doubt these reclusive freaks would just kill me because I asked,’ Kaden mused, trying to find a path forward.

But Kaden didn’t even realize something terrifying.

He was talking about dying the way someone might talk about eating lunch.

He was becoming so accustomed to death that even the pain of dying no longer scared him. It was just... a routine.

And that’s exactly how humans are.

Or really, how all living beings are.

They get used to whatever they’re forced to endure, whatever they repeat.

Eventually, it becomes instinct—habit—just another part of life.

An interesting thing, because it proves that there’s nothing that can truly stop us from changing.

A coward can become brave if he keeps throwing himself into situations where he has no choice.

A lazy man can become disciplined if he gets up to train every single day.

Even a pessimist can start seeing light if he forces himself to focus on the good, again and again.

And sure—it’s hard.

But it was never supposed to be easy.

Change means evolution. And every evolution comes with pain, with struggle, with resistance.

And that’s exactly what makes it worth it.

And Kaden...

Kaden was becoming so familiar with pain and death that—

’I guess I’ll just have to provoke them until they kill me, right?’ Kaden finally concluded, deciding exactly that.

But he had to make sure it was death, not imprisonment.

Because if he was killed, he could rewind time. Everything would go back to normal.

But if he was imprisoned...

Kaden visibly shuddered.

’I have to improve my death-courting skills. Can’t risk getting locked up. Only death is my goal.’

He thought this with unshakable resolve.

Determined to only be killed—not captured.

What a glorious goal.

DING!

Death chimed.

[You have completed the quest: First Mission.]

[It was magnificent. You have taken your first steps into being worthy of your Title and your Status. Do not cower. Walk forward. Glory awaits you, O Child of Blood.]

[Rewards: 1400 Death Coins | 140 Stat Points]

Kaden looked at the notifications with a small smile.

’Glory, huh...’

’I wonder what kind of glory it’ll be.’

’Death, show me my balances.’

[Death Coins: 2000 | Stat Points: 165]

’Oh, I just need—!’

"Here you are."

Kaden’s thoughts were cut short by a cold voice.

A voice he remembered very well.

He turned his head and saw an orange-haired, black-eyed young man standing there, his expression hard as steel.

Kenan Fireborn.

His appearance didn’t go unnoticed.

Everyone in the reception hall turned their heads toward the two of them, their ears sharpened—waiting for drama.

At the counter, now back behind her desk, Lisa watched the scene unfold with a deadpan look... already taking out her runic communicator to alert her dear master.

’Argh... why me...?’ she grumbled inwardly. But she still did her job.

She didn’t want to incur the wrath of that smiling, obsessive monster.

"I brought what you wanted. So... are you gonna fight me?" Kenan asked, voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Or are you gonna cower?"

Whispers immediately spread.

People leaned closer, craning their necks, gossip already flooding the air.

Kaden’s face stayed neutral—completely calm.

But inside?

He was smiling.

This guy just made his day.

He had way too many things on his plate, and he needed every death coin he could get. So without hesitation, he nodded.

"As you wish," he said simply.

Kenan grinned, turning dramatically toward the crowd watching.

"Everyone! I, Kenan Fireborn, challenge Kaden Warborn to a duel!"

"The wager: if I lose, he gets 1000 gold coins."

"And if he loses..."

Kenan smirked as he turned back to Kaden.

"He kneels in front of me, head on the ground, for an entire day."

"Sounds fair for a thousand coins, right?"

Silence.

People were still processing the absurdity of this.

And then—

Chaos.

"Damn, he’s a Warborn?! I knew those features looked familiar!"

"A Warborn versus a Fireborn? Hahaha—this is gonna be epic!"

"Yo, wanna bet who wins? I’m putting everything on young master Kenan. I’ll be rich!"

"I swear this is because of that purple-haired goddess."

"Ah... I wish I were as beautiful as her. Then maybe two noble guys would fight over me too..." a girl said, her voice dreamy.

Immediately, all the guys around her glared.

"Another one for the streets," one muttered, eyes full of disdain.

"I swear, where are the good ones?" another groaned.

The whole hall was now pulsing with energy.

Two noble sons about to clash.

It was gold.

Kaden stood there, expression unreadable.

He didn’t remember agreeing to kneel if he lost, but whatever. He wasn’t about to make a fuss.

He stood up.

"Now?"

"Now," Kenan answered, grinning.

Without another word, Kaden turned and walked toward the dueling grounds.

Behind him, near Lisa, stood Meris—watching it all unfold with eerie calm.

"M-Master... are you not going to stop this? What if he loses?" Lisa asked nervously.

Meris didn’t even blink.

"My Kaden won’t lose. You don’t know it yet, but back in our world, he’s called the Child of Blood. Born during war... and blood."

She said this with a soft, adoring smile as she looked at Kaden’s retreating back.

But suddenly, that loving smile vanished.

And something empty took its place.

She looked at Kenan, her eyes void.

"But if he loses..."

"...then I suppose it’ll be time for a few people to disappear."

Her voice was so emotionless that Lisa at her side shuddered uncontrollably.

’Argh... why me...?’ Lisa couldn’t help but wonder again.

And truly...

Why Lisa?

—End of Chapter 71—

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