novelraw Chapter 158: "Bearer"
Chapter 158: "Bearer"
Many thoughts ran through Adam’s mind as he considered Leila’s betrayal and her true goals.
What kind of deal had she made with the S-rankers?
Why turn on them so suddenly?
To say Adam was not disappointed would be a lie.
Thanks to his hidden sponsor, the Knight of Roses, a small part of his existence was more sympathetic than most.
That meant he felt things more deeply than he let on.
The sponsor only affected one percent of who he was.
But one percent might not sound like much.
Yet for someone who could live for many years, that small percentage added up.
And as a stream hunter who kept getting stronger, Adam’s lifespan was very long.
So even a little bit of disappointment could stretch out over time.
Still, even though he was upset, he did not show it on his face.
’Besides..’
He told himself.
’I have not known her for very long.’
’It is my fault for expecting too much.’
Then he frowned at his own thought.
’No. Loyalty is something you should expect when you help someone. I do not think I am wrong for hoping for that.’
Cael watched him in silence.
He usually liked causing trouble, but even he knew this was not the time for jokes.
"I am going to revive Kristoff now," Cael said.
"Help me make a hidden space. Oh, and turn off your stream. I do not like having people watch when I do this."
Adam did not answer with words.
Instead, he silently let blood seep from his hands.
The blood rose into the air and formed a dome around them.
The dome was thick enough to block outside views, but thin enough to let light pass through.
It acted like a one-way mirror made of red liquid.
From the outside, no one could see in.
From the inside, they could still see the dark sky above.
Then Adam used the streaming system to turn off his broadcast.
Most viewers were upset.
They had wanted to see the revival process for themselves...
But there were a few exceptions.
[A portion of the stream cannot be turned off.]
[Gray_1 is grinning, delighted that they can continue watching.]
[Gray_1 has donated 4 Soul Cores.]
[SadKumquat is looking around curiously as they continue to watch.]
[SadKumquat has donated 1 Soul Core.]
The streaming system kept changing as messages poured in.
It seemed that the "auto ranking" system in these strange viewers’ world was filtering which messages could be sent based on their rank.
[UpTJay_OG has donated 33 Soul Cores.]
[UpTJay_OG]: What a unique world... I will ride out your story until its completion. I have been waiting for a while for my gift to send. I wonder when it will arrive...
Adam had already expected this.
He knew the system would not be able to block these strange viewers completely.
It seemed that the uniqueness of their existence let them bypass the restrictions he had set.
Once again, Adam found himself thinking deeply about who they really were.
What kind of beings could ignore the system’s own rules?
[The Chosen Conduit thanks the strange viewers for their generosity.]
Adam looked at Cael.
The blood dome was ready.
The stream was off, at least for most, hence there was nothing left to do but wait.
"Go ahead," Adam said quietly.
"You can revive him."
Cael nodded and stepped forward.
Within the crimson dome, the resurrection ritual finally began.
Adam shifted his attention back to Cael and watched silently as the man reached into his storage item and pulled out what appeared to be an old piece of clothing.
Noticing Adam’s gaze, Cael snorted.
"You don’t actually think I was doing nothing while all of you were fighting, right?"
A smug expression appeared on his face.
Adam felt an immediate urge to punch him several times.
Unfortunately, Cael was currently the only person capable of reviving Kristoff, so Adam restrained himself.
Cael continued speaking while unfolding the cloth.
"In order to revive someone, I need a piece of their identity."
He held up the shirt with visible disgust.
"It just so happens that this idiot wore this thing so many times that it’s basically become part of who he is."
His face twisted as if he were holding a toxic substance.
"Honestly, I don’t even want to know how long it’s been since he washed this."
Even Adam found himself wondering the same thing.
Did Kristoff ever change clothes?
Did he even take baths?
The thought was disturbing enough that Adam chose not to dwell on it.
Cael carefully placed the piece of cloth onto the ground.
Afterward, he began taking out several Great Mana Potions and arranging them around the shirt in a rough circle.
The preparations were clearly consuming a significant amount of mana.
Without hesitation, Adam pulled out several of his own potions and placed them beside Cael.
Cael glanced at him briefly before giving a small nod of appreciation.
Once everything was prepared, the atmosphere inside the dome became noticeably heavier.
The joking attitude disappeared from Cael’s face.
His expression turned serious.
Slowly, he reached forward and placed his hand onto the worn piece of cloth.
Mana surged from his body.
Then, without another word, he activated [Life of Atrocity].
...
I was named Kristoff after my father, Christopher.
When I was younger, I searched for the meaning behind my name. It turned out to mean "bearer of Christ."
My family was very religious, so I wasn’t surprised.
Still, I liked the meaning.
More specifically, I liked the idea of being a "bearer".
My father had been a Staff Sergeant in the military. From the stories I heard growing up, he was dependable, disciplined, and always willing to put himself in danger to protect others.
Naturally, I looked up to him.
I wanted to become someone like him.
Although I never got the chance to truly know him, there was always a small hope in my heart that one day I would meet him.
To be a bearer meant carrying the burdens of others.
At least, that’s what it meant to me.
After my father’s death, things became difficult.
Money was always tight.
My younger sister still had school to attend, so I gave up on pursuing higher education and started taking whatever jobs I could find.
I worked part-time during the day and sometimes at night as well.
As long as my sister could continue studying, I didn’t mind.
My mother...
No.
I stopped calling her that a long time ago.
After my father’s death, she drowned herself in alcohol.
I understand grief.
Everyone suffers differently after losing someone they love.
But she had chosen to become a parent.
How could she forget that she still had children?
Home slowly became a miserable place.
Most nights, I couldn’t even get proper sleep.
She usually started drinking after sunset.
Then came the shouting, then the crying.
Along with the sound of bottles breaking against walls.
Sometimes she would stumble through the house in the middle of the night, slamming doors and waking everyone up.
Every night felt like waiting for a storm.
I learned to sleep lightly...
I learned to always expect trouble.
Since she never held a job, all responsibilities eventually fell onto me.
Paying bills, buying food, taking care of my sister, handling problems at home.
I endured everything.
Yet strangely enough, I rarely complained.
After all, my name was Kristoff.
I was the "bearer" of this family’s burdens.
Perhaps that was why my ability became what it was.
’Abilities are reflections of our existence. They represent who we are.’
When I awakened as a Stream Hunter, my first skill was an E-Rank ability called [Holy Fire Defense].
A defensive skill especially effective against the undead.
At first, I didn’t understand it.
Was it because my name carried religious meaning?
Was it because my father’s death had left such a deep scar on our family?
Or was it because I had spent my entire life shielding others from suffering?
Maybe it was all of those things combined.
There was one part I questioned, though.
The fire.
Why fire?
Yet deep down, I already knew the answer.
Because I was angry.
Angry that I had to carry everything.
Angry that I had to become the pillar holding my family together.
Angry that nobody ever asked whether I wanted that responsibility.
The fire came from that anger.
At least, that’s what I believe.
"..."
I wonder how my sister is doing.
Should I say I’m worried?
No... That would be hypocritical.
Because when I first awakened as a Stream Hunter...
The very first thought that entered my mind wasn’t excitement.
It wasn’t fear, nor was it dread...
It was—
"Ah... I’m free."
How selfish...
My little sister depended on me.
She never treated me badly, and she never caused me major trouble.
Our relationship was never anything but good.
So how could I think something like that?
How could freedom be the first thing I desired?
"..."
Ah.
What happened to me again?
Right.
I died.
I remember now.
The pain along with the crushing force.
The sound of my bones breaking...
I remember all of it.
I wonder if Cousin Leila is alright.
She always seemed to know what she was doing.
She’ll probably be fine.
"..."
This endless hallway in front of me...
Is this what death looks like?
It’s quieter than I expected...
Lonelier too.
I keep walking, but the path never seems to end.
Still...
I don’t really mind.
For the first time in a very long while, there are no burdens on my shoulders.
No responsibilities were here for me
...I slow let down my shoulders, as I began to walk.
"..."
I wonder.
If I keep walking forward...
Will I finally get to meet my father?
Amidst the dark hallway, a hand reached out to me.