My Cheat Skill Lets Me Copy Powers....But only if i kill-Chapter 19: The Awakening

Chapter 18: The Awakening

The dagger descended, its gleaming edge aimed at Renji's heart—

CLANG!

Kiera's blade intercepted the strike just in time, sparks flying as steel met steel. Her face was twisted in rage, her eyes burning gold.

The jealous adventurer stumbled back, startled.

Kiera didn't speak—she exploded forward, slamming her fist into his face. His nose shattered under the blow, blood gushing as he crashed to the floor.

"You tried to kill him," she growled, voice low, shaking with fury. "You almost did."

He coughed, scrambling back. "Y-You don't understand—he's dangerous!"

"I don't care."

Her foot came down, hard—crunching into his ribs, silencing his words in a howl of pain.

Elara staggered to her feet, wincing as she held her bruised ribs. "Lena, are you okay?"

Lena groaned, gripping her side. "I-I think so..."

They rushed to Renji's side—then stopped, eyes wide.

His body glowed, brilliant silver light pouring from his skin. Mana erupted in waves, knocking over chairs, rattling the walls.

Elara gasped. "What is this...?"

Lena shielded her eyes. "It's Renji—he's glowing!"

Then a deep chime echoed—

[System Notification]

[Evolution Progress: 99.9%]

[Warning: Mana Stabilization Overload.]

[Physical Enhancement Incoming.]

[User unconscious. Body adapting.]

The glow intensified, energy surging like a storm, until it suddenly—stopped.

Silence.

All eyes turned to Renji's still form.

The jealous adventurer stared, eyes wide with terror. "No... no! He's not human. He's a demon! He needs to be put down like a dog!"

Kiera froze.

Her hands clenched.

"You—what did you say?"

He stammered. "He's a monster! I was trying to protect us all!"

Kiera's dagger shot out, piercing the wall beside his head.

She grabbed him by the throat. "You're done talking."

She dragged him out, slamming the door behind them.

Elara's legs gave out. She sat heavily on the floor, clutching her chest.

"Who was that...? Why did he want to kill Renji?"

Lena shook her head, pale. "I don't know. He was mad. But he meant it. He really wanted Renji dead."

They looked back at Renji, the afterglow of mana still shimmering faintly.

Elara whispered, "What's happening to you...?"

Outside, Kiera threw the man against the wall, fury in every strike.

"WHY DID YOU ATTACK HIM?" she shouted, landing punch after punch, breaking ribs, splitting skin.

He gasped, bloody. "He—he's dangerous—"

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"You tried to kill him because you're weak."

Her dagger hovered over his throat.

He sobbed. "Please..."

Kiera leaned in. "Come near him again, and I finish this."

She kicked him down the stairs, watching him crawl away before turning back.

Twenty Minutes Later

Kiera re-entered the room, blood coating her arms, eyes dark.

She dropped a pouch of supplies. "Here. Food, medicine. Keep taking care of him."

Lena and Elara didn't ask.

"I need a shower... and rest," Kiera said, her voice cold. "I'm going."

Steam curled around Kiera as she stepped into the small washroom, stripped of her armor and weapons, now standing bare beneath the water's searing cascade.

The blood on her hands—his blood—ran in crimson rivulets down her arms, mixing with the water before vanishing into the drain. She watched it for a moment, eyes distant, chest rising and falling with shallow, uneven breaths.

I should've been faster.

Her knuckles whitened as she pressed her palms to the tiled wall, head bowed, water soaking her hair, cascading over her shoulders.

The image of that dagger descending toward Renji's heart burned into her mind.

If she had been even a second later...

Her body trembled—not from the water, but from the rush of fear and fury coiling in her chest.

"He almost died..."

She clenched her fists, the motion making her arms ache from strain. Her breath caught in her throat, heart thudding painfully against her ribs.

The thought of losing him, of seeing him still and lifeless, broke something inside her.

"No point thinking about it now..." she whispered, voice cracking.

But the fear remained, crawling under her skin.

She stayed under the water until her legs felt weak, until the blood was gone, but the weight in her chest remained.

The throne room of Veydris Castle gleamed with opulence. Grand silver pillars rose to a vaulted ceiling adorned with murals of kings past, and long scarlet banners hung solemnly. Torches lined the walls, casting a warm glow, though the atmosphere was cold, tense.

King Aldric sat on his marble throne, dressed in a deep crimson cloak, a golden circlet on his brow, his gaze sharp and calculating.

Around him, nobles and advisors stood in silence, awaiting his word.

Aldric's voice broke the stillness. "Where is the boy now? The one who left my city—Renji."

His advisor, Lord Varnes, stepped forward, a man of slim build and silvered hair. "He remains within the city, Your Majesty. Recuperating after a... transformation of sorts."

The King's fingers tapped the armrest. "I want details. How is he progressing?"

Varnes bowed. "My spy returns momentarily. He brings the doctor who treated the boy."

The great doors creaked open. A hooded figure entered, flanked by the doctor, an old man with a long, green robe and a staff glowing faintly.

"My King," the spy said, kneeling. "I've returned with news... and a witness."

Aldric leaned forward. "Speak."

The spy gestured to the doctor. "Tell him what you saw."

The doctor bowed. "Sire, I examined the boy. His mana core is... no longer human. It's adapting rapidly, absorbing ambient mana even while he sleeps. I believe he has undergone evolution—possibly beyond even the realm of legends."

A murmur passed through the court.

Aldric raised his hand, silencing them. His eyes narrowed. "And what does this mean for us?"

The doctor hesitated. "It means... if left unchecked, he could rival the might of kings—or surpass it."

Aldric's lips curled into a thin smile. "Fascinating. Keep tabs on him. For now." but keep this quiet we don't know who is listening...

In the heart of the Black Spire Mountains, the Demon Castle loomed—a fortress of obsidian spires, lava rivers flowing through its depths, lighting the stone halls in hues of red and gold.

Within the grand hall, thorned pillars rose high, and gargoyle statues watched silently. At the throne sat the Demon Lord, cloaked in black armor, horns curling from his head, eyes like molten gold.

He was power incarnate.

A female demon spy knelt before him, panting from her return.

"My Lord, the humans have a weapon—a boy named Renji. The King monitors him closely. He is... evolving."

The Demon Lord's interest sharpened. "Evolving?"

She nodded. "He's no longer human. His power is rising rapidly."

The Demon Lord stood, towering. "Keep watching. If he walks the line... bring him. If he does not..."

His gaze darkened.

"Kill him. The humans cannot hold that power."

Back at the inn, the room was silent. Elara and Lena lay asleep beside the bed, exhaustion etched into their faces.

Renji stirred.

His fingers twitched, breath caught in his throat. Slowly, he opened his eyes—silver-white, glowing softly in the dark.

He sat up, blinking, heart racing. "What... happened?"

Everything was a blur. He didn't know how long he'd slept... or why his body felt charged with energy.

A chime echoed in his mind.

[System Notification]

[Evolution Complete. You are now a Soul Reaper.]

[Skill Rank Up: Death Claim – Level 5]

[Effect: When you kill, you absorb the soul and skills of the slain. Souls can convert into mana, increasing reserves.]

[You have gained a new class: Soul Reaper]

Renji's breath caught. "Soul Reaper...? Absorb souls?"

His hands glowed faintly. His heart pounded.

Shock. Fear. Confusion. Power.

"What am I now...?"