Chapter 30:
Chapter 30 — Cain
My New Home
◽The Next Day at Uni◽ (Thursday, 12 May 2050)
「Well, everyone’s gossiping about you guys—especially Jerry,」 Sakura said, lowering her voice.Hana sighed, rubbing her temple. 「Don’t tell me you believe those outlandish rumors too.」「Um… but Hana, everyone saw it! A device that looked like a heart, and Jerry being alive long after finding out it wasn’t in his chest—」「That doesn’t matter.」 Her tone hardened. 「The rumors will die down soon. And his name is Nikolai.」Riyuka tilted her head. 「Who, Jerry?」「Yes. His Russian adoptive father gave him that name.」「So… is there anything you want to tell us, Hana?」Hana hesitated, eyes flicking away. 「There is, but I’m not comfortable sharing things about Nikolai that he doesn’t want to.」【So there are more secrets she’s hiding…】Riyuka thought too herself.Just then, Nikolai walked up, hands in his pockets. 「Hey guys. Sorry for causing y’all trouble. I’m sure the press and busybodies were hounding you.」Mikado blinked. 「How do you know?」Nikolai gave a dry half-smile. 「You’re the friends of the guy who did things science can’t explain. Of course the press were bothering you.」Riyuka clicked her tongue. 「Good to see you noticed.」「Could you not be a bitch for one day, Riyuka?」
The table went silent. Everyone stared.
Hana chuckled softly. 「Oh—ever since Blanco locked the others up, Nikolai doesn’t sugarcoat conversations with adults anymore.」Riyuka scowled. 「But Hana, he can’t talk to me like that!」「Maybe you should stop treating him like he’s the enemy,」 Hana countered calmly.「But Hana, he came from a lawless country—who knows what he’s really like!」Nikolai’s tone stayed flat. 「Correct. It’s also the richest country on the planet now. And with that attitude, I wouldn’t be surprised if Mikado himself decided not to fuck you.」Riyuka’s face turned crimson. 「W-What do you mean by that?!」Mikado flinched. 「Y-Yeah! Why include me in this?!」Nikolai sighed. 「…Forget I said that. Just me talking too much.」「Y-Yeah, make sure it doesn’t happen again!」「Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.」
◽Two Hours Later — The Park◽
The wind was calm, carrying the faint scent of cherry blossoms.
「So this is where you were,」 Mei said softly.Nikolai lay stretched across the grass. 「Yeah. Grandmother said it doesn’t matter if I finish university or not. Says I’ve ‘accomplished enough.’」 He glanced at her. 「I thought you couldn’t make it.」Mei giggled, sitting beside him. 「Well, I couldn’t give up this chance.」
He tilted his head, resting it on her lap.
Her breath caught. 「Is this… your favorite position or something?」「You know,」 he murmured, staring at the sky, 「when an animal lies on its back around you, it means it feels safe. It trusts you.」Mei’s cheeks reddened. 「Oh? Then what animal are you?」「Garm and Fenrir are literally right here. Shouldn’t be hard to guess.」「So… a wolf. That’s what you’re saying.」「Yeah because a dog is a bit offensive too them.」Mei laughed softly. 「I would feel the same if I was them to be honest.」
At that moment, Garm and Fenrir’s ears pricked up. Their throats rumbled with low growls.
Nikolai sat upright. His voice grew cold. 「I know you’re there. Come out already.」
A shadow moved from behind the trees.
General Liu stepped out, clapping slowly. 「And here I thought you were too weakened for that nose of yours to still work. Good morning, Nikolai—that’s what Dimitri calls you, right?」Nikolai’s eyes narrowed. 「If I remember correctly, I hunted you like a pig once. And don't mention my father’s name.」
Mei’s fingers trembled on his arm. He patted her hand once—calm, grounding.
General Liu smirked. 「Oh, if it isn’t my grandson’s girlfriend, Zhang Mei.」Mei straightened. 「I’m not his . I’m Michael's girlfriend.」
Nikolai’s eyes softened briefly as he gave her knee a light tap.
General Liu chuckled darkly. 「Michael, huh? So it’s true you monsters have started using names instead of your code titles.」「It’s called growing up. Something your grandson failed to do,」 Nikolai replied evenly.The older man’s grin faltered. 「That’s rich, coming from the son of a plaything like you.」
Something whistled through the air—A stone struck General Liu’s knee, forcing him down.He looked up—and froze.Garm and Fenrir stood at his flanks, eyes glowing with divine cyan.
【No… impossible. He was sealed by that plaything. I saw it happen myself…】
The air thickened.
Nikolai's pupils shifted from black to a different color shade. The presence behind this incomplete switch was suffocating, regal—terrifying.Cain emerged. His cyan eyes like frozen stars. Looking down on everything with divine disdain.
「Hmm… only my pupils reflect the divine hue, for mine time here is but brief.」 His voice was calm, yet it carried the weight of judgment itself. 「’Tis pleasing to see thou knowest thy place, mortal.」General Liu ground his teeth, lowering his head. 「L-Lord Cain…」Cain’s tone sharpened. 「Who hath permitted thee to address me with such disdain, worm?」「A-Apologies, Lord Cain!」 His voice cracked.
The crowd nearby began to whisper—some raised their phones to record, though most trembled under the invisible pressure.
「Now speak, mortal. What draweth one so base unto the divine’s presence?」Liu swallowed his pride. 「My grandson… I only wished to know if you—would grant him thy mercy.」Cain tilted his head. 「Thy offspring’s offspring plucketh fruit from my garden, and thou hast the insolence to ask, and not to beg for mercy? Truly, mankind hath fallen further than its forefather in Eden.」Liu bowed lower, shaking. 「Please, Lord Cain! I beg you! I will give you anything—if only you show the boy mercy!」Cain chuckled faintly. 「Mortal, if my mercy required thy grandson’s life, wouldst thou still offer it?」Liu’s head snapped up. 「What?! Y-You can’t—」
A twin impact silenced him. Garm and Fenrir slammed their paws onto his skull, forcing him down again.
Cain’s voice was dangerously composed. 「How darest thou raise thy voice before a god. Thy sins are plain: thou lifted thine head to look upon me; thou spake against the divine with a soiled tongue; and worst of all—thou dared rebuke one under my blessing.」「That… doesn’t make sense…」「Of course not. The ways of heaven are not thine to comprehend, worm.」【Once I find Yong… I’ll kill this brat myself.】 Liu thought, boiling with rage.Cain’s gaze flickered with cold amusement. 「Raise thy head.」
He pricked his thumb; a drop of shimmering blood floated in the air.
Liu’s eyes widened. 「I-Is that—」「Aye. The nectar of the divine, which thou fools so crave.」 Cain extended his hand.
Desperation overtook reason. Liu lunged forward, lips fastening to Cain’s thumb, drinking greedily.
Cain looked down upon him, smiling faintly. 「Good, mortal. Quench thy thirst.」Moments later, Liu staggered back, laughing wildly. His veins glowed cyan. 「Ha… ha ha ha! This power—it’s the same as that plaything’s! You’ll regret this, bastard!」Mei rose to her feet, trembling but defiant. 「Tsk. You’re just another cheap copy.」「Silence, wench! Speak until your voice holds worth!」Cain’s tone was calm, regal. 「And yet her words bear more worth than thine entire bloodline.」Liu snarled. 「We’ll see if you’re still cocky after this!」Cain sighed softly, almost disappointed. 「Mortal, dost thou not yet perceive? I am unmoved by the speck of power thou hast stolen. And I, a god, never promised thou wouldst live long enough to wield it.」「What are you—GUAAAH!!」
His scream tore through the park. His body convulsed violently; cyan light split from beneath his skin.
「As I hath spoken,」 Cain murmured, voice calm amid the horror, 「thou shalt never live to use that power.」
Bones snapped. His flesh hardened. The light from his veins crystallized, bursting outward in jagged cyan shards.By the time it ended, nothing remained of General Liu but a tree-like crystal structure—towering twice his height, shimmering faintly under the fading sun.Silence fell.And from Cain’s eyes came only cold indifference—divine judgment fulfilled.
「Well, everyone’s gossiping about you guys—especially Jerry,」 Sakura said, lowering her voice.Hana sighed, rubbing her temple. 「Don’t tell me you believe those outlandish rumors too.」「Um… but Hana, everyone saw it! A device that looked like a heart, and Jerry being alive long after finding out it wasn’t in his chest—」「That doesn’t matter.」 Her tone hardened. 「The rumors will die down soon. And his name is Nikolai.」Riyuka tilted her head. 「Who, Jerry?」「Yes. His Russian adoptive father gave him that name.」「So… is there anything you want to tell us, Hana?」Hana hesitated, eyes flicking away. 「There is, but I’m not comfortable sharing things about Nikolai that he doesn’t want to.」【So there are more secrets she’s hiding…】Riyuka thought too herself.Just then, Nikolai walked up, hands in his pockets. 「Hey guys. Sorry for causing y’all trouble. I’m sure the press and busybodies were hounding you.」Mikado blinked. 「How do you know?」Nikolai gave a dry half-smile. 「You’re the friends of the guy who did things science can’t explain. Of course the press were bothering you.」Riyuka clicked her tongue. 「Good to see you noticed.」「Could you not be a bitch for one day, Riyuka?」
The table went silent. Everyone stared.
Hana chuckled softly. 「Oh—ever since Blanco locked the others up, Nikolai doesn’t sugarcoat conversations with adults anymore.」Riyuka scowled. 「But Hana, he can’t talk to me like that!」「Maybe you should stop treating him like he’s the enemy,」 Hana countered calmly.「But Hana, he came from a lawless country—who knows what he’s really like!」Nikolai’s tone stayed flat. 「Correct. It’s also the richest country on the planet now. And with that attitude, I wouldn’t be surprised if Mikado himself decided not to fuck you.」Riyuka’s face turned crimson. 「W-What do you mean by that?!」Mikado flinched. 「Y-Yeah! Why include me in this?!」Nikolai sighed. 「…Forget I said that. Just me talking too much.」「Y-Yeah, make sure it doesn’t happen again!」「Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.」
◽Two Hours Later — The Park◽
The wind was calm, carrying the faint scent of cherry blossoms.
「So this is where you were,」 Mei said softly.Nikolai lay stretched across the grass. 「Yeah. Grandmother said it doesn’t matter if I finish university or not. Says I’ve ‘accomplished enough.’」 He glanced at her. 「I thought you couldn’t make it.」Mei giggled, sitting beside him. 「Well, I couldn’t give up this chance.」
He tilted his head, resting it on her lap.
Her breath caught. 「Is this… your favorite position or something?」「You know,」 he murmured, staring at the sky, 「when an animal lies on its back around you, it means it feels safe. It trusts you.」Mei’s cheeks reddened. 「Oh? Then what animal are you?」「Garm and Fenrir are literally right here. Shouldn’t be hard to guess.」「So… a wolf. That’s what you’re saying.」「Yeah because a dog is a bit offensive too them.」Mei laughed softly. 「I would feel the same if I was them to be honest.」
At that moment, Garm and Fenrir’s ears pricked up. Their throats rumbled with low growls.
Nikolai sat upright. His voice grew cold. 「I know you’re there. Come out already.」
A shadow moved from behind the trees.
General Liu stepped out, clapping slowly. 「And here I thought you were too weakened for that nose of yours to still work. Good morning, Nikolai—that’s what Dimitri calls you, right?」Nikolai’s eyes narrowed. 「If I remember correctly, I hunted you like a pig once. And don't mention my father’s name.」
Mei’s fingers trembled on his arm. He patted her hand once—calm, grounding.
General Liu smirked. 「Oh, if it isn’t my grandson’s girlfriend, Zhang Mei.」Mei straightened. 「I’m not his . I’m Michael's girlfriend.」
Nikolai’s eyes softened briefly as he gave her knee a light tap.
General Liu chuckled darkly. 「Michael, huh? So it’s true you monsters have started using names instead of your code titles.」「It’s called growing up. Something your grandson failed to do,」 Nikolai replied evenly.The older man’s grin faltered. 「That’s rich, coming from the son of a plaything like you.」
Something whistled through the air—A stone struck General Liu’s knee, forcing him down.He looked up—and froze.Garm and Fenrir stood at his flanks, eyes glowing with divine cyan.
【No… impossible. He was sealed by that plaything. I saw it happen myself…】
The air thickened.
Nikolai's pupils shifted from black to a different color shade. The presence behind this incomplete switch was suffocating, regal—terrifying.Cain emerged. His cyan eyes like frozen stars. Looking down on everything with divine disdain.
「Hmm… only my pupils reflect the divine hue, for mine time here is but brief.」 His voice was calm, yet it carried the weight of judgment itself. 「’Tis pleasing to see thou knowest thy place, mortal.」General Liu ground his teeth, lowering his head. 「L-Lord Cain…」Cain’s tone sharpened. 「Who hath permitted thee to address me with such disdain, worm?」「A-Apologies, Lord Cain!」 His voice cracked.
The crowd nearby began to whisper—some raised their phones to record, though most trembled under the invisible pressure.
「Now speak, mortal. What draweth one so base unto the divine’s presence?」Liu swallowed his pride. 「My grandson… I only wished to know if you—would grant him thy mercy.」Cain tilted his head. 「Thy offspring’s offspring plucketh fruit from my garden, and thou hast the insolence to ask, and not to beg for mercy? Truly, mankind hath fallen further than its forefather in Eden.」Liu bowed lower, shaking. 「Please, Lord Cain! I beg you! I will give you anything—if only you show the boy mercy!」Cain chuckled faintly. 「Mortal, if my mercy required thy grandson’s life, wouldst thou still offer it?」Liu’s head snapped up. 「What?! Y-You can’t—」
A twin impact silenced him. Garm and Fenrir slammed their paws onto his skull, forcing him down again.
Cain’s voice was dangerously composed. 「How darest thou raise thy voice before a god. Thy sins are plain: thou lifted thine head to look upon me; thou spake against the divine with a soiled tongue; and worst of all—thou dared rebuke one under my blessing.」「That… doesn’t make sense…」「Of course not. The ways of heaven are not thine to comprehend, worm.」【Once I find Yong… I’ll kill this brat myself.】 Liu thought, boiling with rage.Cain’s gaze flickered with cold amusement. 「Raise thy head.」
He pricked his thumb; a drop of shimmering blood floated in the air.
Liu’s eyes widened. 「I-Is that—」「Aye. The nectar of the divine, which thou fools so crave.」 Cain extended his hand.
Desperation overtook reason. Liu lunged forward, lips fastening to Cain’s thumb, drinking greedily.
Cain looked down upon him, smiling faintly. 「Good, mortal. Quench thy thirst.」Moments later, Liu staggered back, laughing wildly. His veins glowed cyan. 「Ha… ha ha ha! This power—it’s the same as that plaything’s! You’ll regret this, bastard!」Mei rose to her feet, trembling but defiant. 「Tsk. You’re just another cheap copy.」「Silence, wench! Speak until your voice holds worth!」Cain’s tone was calm, regal. 「And yet her words bear more worth than thine entire bloodline.」Liu snarled. 「We’ll see if you’re still cocky after this!」Cain sighed softly, almost disappointed. 「Mortal, dost thou not yet perceive? I am unmoved by the speck of power thou hast stolen. And I, a god, never promised thou wouldst live long enough to wield it.」「What are you—GUAAAH!!」
His scream tore through the park. His body convulsed violently; cyan light split from beneath his skin.
「As I hath spoken,」 Cain murmured, voice calm amid the horror, 「thou shalt never live to use that power.」
Bones snapped. His flesh hardened. The light from his veins crystallized, bursting outward in jagged cyan shards.By the time it ended, nothing remained of General Liu but a tree-like crystal structure—towering twice his height, shimmering faintly under the fading sun.Silence fell.And from Cain’s eyes came only cold indifference—divine judgment fulfilled.
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