It was 7:25 a.m. when Kael returned to the lab. The hums of machines filled the air, blending with murmurs of the early workers. The once-quiet lab was now alive with activity, the soundscape as vibrant as a busy marketplace.
---
System Notification
Quest Completed x2
Quest: "Recovery and Reflection"
Objective: Spend 24 hours in the hospital to fully recover from your injuries.
Reward: 100 EXP, +10 Endurance
Quest: "First Steps"
Objective: Take 10 steps outside the hospital room without assistance.
Reward: 200 EXP, +10 Strength
---
"Good morning, Kael."
The voice broke his thoughts. Kael turned to see Dr. Kim entering the lab. She was radiant as always, her lab coat accentuating her slender frame. For a moment, Kael froze. Damn, she's fine.
Dr. Kim caught his gaze and immediately reddened. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her blush spreading like wildfire.
"How are you feeling today?" she asked, her voice soft but tinged with nervousness.
Kael smirked. "Mesmerized."
Kim's blush deepened, and she looked away, trying to regain composure.
"You'll be discharged today," a booming voice interrupted. Dr. Grey entered the room, his expression stern.
Kael shifted his gaze to the older man. Their eyes locked, and for a few seconds, tension crackled in the air. Dr. Grey's sharp eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Kael like a puzzle he couldn't solve.
"I'll examine him myself, Dr. Kim," Grey declared, his tone brooking no argument.
"But—"
"I'll examine him myself, Kim!" he barked, making her flinch.
Kael's smile vanished. He stepped forward, his movements fluid yet deliberate, and his voice dropped to an icy calm. "She will examine me."
The room stilled. An oppressive aura filled the space, pressing down on everyone present. Kael was an assassin although he had learnt to suppress his killing intent, it was still there waiting to be released. Dr. Grey stiffened, sweat beading on his forehead as Kael's killing intent brushed against him like a blade.
Kim's hands trembled slightly as she stepped back. The air was so thick with tension she felt she could almost touch it.
Dr. Grey bent closer to Kael, lowering his voice to a whisper. "You're not as ordinary as you seem, are you? I'm watching you, boy"
Dr. Grey chuckled softly, patting Kael's shoulder before walking away, leaving the room with an ominous silence.
"What did he say?" Kim asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Nothing." Kael's tone was curt, his mood darker now.
Kim hesitated before stepping closer. "Well, I'll be checking on you every three days and providing blood supplies to prevent you know…accidents."
Kael's mischievous grin returned. "About that—my father insists visitors see me in my room. So…"
Kim poked his forehead, her smile breaking the lingering tension. "We'll see. Take care of yourself, Kael."
"Thank you, Kim."
Kael gave her a mock salute before slipping out of the window. Kim watched his disappearing figure, her chest tightening. Three days and I'm already… She shook her head, pushing the thought away.
*************
As Kael emerged from the bushes surrounding his home, nostalgia washed over him, but beneath it, resentment and anger simmered. Memories of his brother Kaidën's betrayal still seared his mind. Kael's grip on his fists tightened as he steeled himself for what was to come. The guards welcomed him beaming with smiles. With a deep breath, Kael pushed open the gates, his eyes scanning the familiar surroundings.
"Fourth Young master!"
Ecstatic cries echoed around the castle as Kael waltzed into the castle. He walked into his room and looked around him. The room was gleaming with a bit of luxury but it was mostly stoic and manly. Red and grey bed covers and curtains, and a sword stand at one corner of the room. He opened the wardrobe. It was full of robes befitting of a martial artist. At one corner of the wardrobe, Kael's armor stood shining, showing off with pride the dent that had caused the death of its owner.
Kael was happy. He had read a lot of transmigration novels and most times the people are always transmigrated into the body of trashy people or debauchees but he was different. Although the owner of this body wasn't all powerful, he had a strict and arrogant mindset, very befitting of Azrael.
A rasp knock sounded at the door.
"Kael!" The feminine voice made Kael stop.
The woman ran up to him with tears in her eyes, touching his face, pinching his cheeks, sizing him up and then hugged him tight. His mom. Kael held her, his mind racing. This was the first time he had hugged a mom. He never knew his mom in his past life. She was murdered when he was far in the Wudang mountains under the tutelage of his master, Kieran, as a means of revenge on his dad.
'So this is what a mother's warmth felt like…' Again, women were the most sensitive beings on the planet. He definitely has to try his best to make sure he's not caught. Kael observed her. She felt lighter than the last time he saw her. Her teary face looked like she hadn't slept in days.
"They told me you died, wu wu" Kael calmly wiped the tears from her face.
"I'm here now,....mom"
'Mom, it definitely felt nice to say'
His mother, Niamh looked at him with furrowed brows. This was her son, alright but he was off. He felt different. She tapped his shoulder.
"Where's Kaidën?"
"Kaidën? Not senior brother. Hmm." Kaidën walked into the room with his eyes squinted. An old shrivelled man accompanied him. His eyes scanning Kael inquisitively. Kael's heart simmered with anger. He could hear Kaidën's heart beat, he could hear his blood rush. His mind was echoing with just one thought: rip his heart out.
"How are you? I heard you died on the fields and your body was carried away by the White Serpent Clan. What's the real story?"
"I guess fate didn't want me to die at the hands of the serpents" His mom had thought the serpents he referred to was the White Serpent Clan but he was actually referring to his brother and the assassins.
"I didn't die. I was just on the verge of passing out As I was being carried away, a man dressed in black came. He had two battle axes. He wore a black hood so I couldn't see his face. This guy killed all those assassins ruthlessly. I was genuinely scared for my life. I thought he was going to kill me too. He just looked at me and said: "All lives are mine to reap but today… I choose others instead if yours." That was the only thing he said throughout and he disappeared. But he left this behind."
Kael brought out a dark glowing piece of rock and gave it to Kaidën. Kaidën collected it with trembling hands. This killer had obviously showed hostility to the most dreaded assassin clan on the continent just to save Kael. He stared at Kael for a moment and walked out, the old man following closely behind.