Chapter 280
Chapter 280
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 280
Chapter Title: Savior (6)
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“Don’t look down on me. I can do it too!”
“Don’t make me laugh, Cain. As if you could catch a whale.”
The man snorted and ruffled Cain’s hair. With his bushy beard and thick forearms, he was Cain’s father and the village’s best hunter.
His twelve-year-old son, like any boy his age, was trying to prove his worth through heroic feats.
“Ugh, what’ll you do if I catch one?”
“Grr... Fine, I’ll give you the golden dragon egg in the storage shed. Shame, but no helping it.”
“There’s only dried fish and firewood in the storage shed! Who do you think I am, an idiot?!”
“Who knows. It’s about as believable as a ten-year-old kid catching a whale. Oh, and I’ll throw in that fairy I caught from the sea the other day. Uhahaha!”
The man clutched his belly and burst into laughter. His booming voice, as large as his frame, made the whole house shake. Cain, red-faced and fuming, finally spoke up.
“Just watch. I’ll definitely catch a whale bigger than our village.”
“Cain, if something like that got hooked on a fishing line, we’d all be dead. Honey, talk some sense into this kid.”
The man stopped laughing and glanced at the corner of the room. A heavily pregnant woman sat by the warm stove. She stroked her swollen belly each time the rocking chair creaked.
“You don’t have to push yourself so hard. You’ll be a great big brother no matter what.”
“Ugh...!”
The woman smiled gently. Her scarlet eyes, just like Cain’s, sparkled from the corners curved like a crescent moon. Cain frowned at her words, which had hit him right in the heart.
“Th-that’s not it. What does an unborn baby have to do with me...”
“Everything has its time. In just a few years, you’ll be a fine hunter like your father. You’re already the best at your age when it comes to butchering game.”
“...Hmph, not just my age—bring everyone in the village, and none of them could beat me.”
Cain stuck out his tongue. Indeed, his knife skills were exceptional for his age. He’d even finished skinning a seal faster than his father the first time he tried.
“True, I’ll give you that. I peeked last time, and you looked like a little demon. Even better with a knife than your late grandfather.”
Even the father, who’d been teasing him relentlessly, nodded in agreement. Cain, with one cheek puffed out, glared at him.
“What’s with calling your son a demon?”
“Hee hee, when your sibling’s born, teach them well. Speaking of, have you picked a name?”
“Ah...”
The mother asked. She’d promised to let Cain, soon to be the big brother, name the baby. After a moment of silence, Cain spoke.
“...Abel.”
“Abel. What a pretty name... Oh.”
The woman paused mid-sentence. Something was tapping inside her belly. Seeing her reaction, the father’s eyes widened.
“Kicking already?”
“Yes. Seems they like it. Cain, what does it mean?”
“Dunno. Just came up with it.”
Cain turned away sharply. Truth be told, it wasn’t random—he’d racked his brains day and night since the suggestion. Embarrassed for no reason, he grabbed the harpoon by the door.
“Anyway, glad they like it. I’m off fishing!”
“It’s this late—where do you think you’re going?”
Bam! Cain bolted out the door as if he hadn’t heard. The mother sighed, staring at the closed door.
“That child...”
“Let him be. Probably doesn’t want to look weak in front of his sibling. Not even born yet, and he’s already like this—who does he take after?”
“Well, I don’t know about the rest, but he definitely got your dishonesty.”
“Ahem... You think so?”
The man awkwardly stroked his beard. Bending down, he rubbed his wife’s belly.
“Don’t let it fool you—he’s a great guy, your big brother. He might really catch a whale bigger than the village someday. He’s my son, after all.”
“See?”
The woman laughed. The howling north wind echoed beyond the wooden walls. Trudging through the snowfield, Cain looked up.
“...My little sibling.”
The cloudless night sky rippled like a sea of stars. Within the Milky Way crossing his view, colorful nebulae scattered mystical hues.
Shooting stars occasionally drew thin streaks. No aurora tonight, but Cain, who loved stargazing, preferred nights like this. Glancing back, he saw the village far away.
This far should be out of earshot. Closing his eyes and clasping his hands, he murmured toward the sky.
“Stars, please. Let my sibling be born healthy. Let Mom give birth without pain, and Dad... he’s a bit grumpy, but he’s a good guy, so bless his hunts.”
It was his daily prayer since learning of the pregnancy. Though prickly, Cain loved his family more than anyone. His kind mother, strong father, and soon-to-be sibling were all included.
I’ll teach them knife skills first. Fishing too, and how to navigate by the stars—all from me.
Imagining the near future, Cain grinned. He didn’t show it, but he was ready to be a respected big brother. His secret stash already held small tools made for the baby.
“...Time to head back.”
After praying for a while, Cain stood. While brushing snow from his knees, the world suddenly brightened. Puzzled, he looked up.
“What’s that...?”
Cain’s eyes widened. A gleaming mass was falling at an angle. Burning through the atmosphere, it resembled a star from the night sky.
“N-no!!”
The problem was it was heading straight for the village. Cain’s face drained of color. He dropped the harpoon and ran, but the star was already too close to the village.
The shadows of the long row of houses stretched to his feet. The village, engulfed in light, began disintegrating. As Cain opened his mouth to shout—
Kwaaaaaang—!!!
A deafening roar flipped the world, and Cain’s consciousness faded.
“...Everyone died?”
Ronan couldn’t hold back the question while listening to the Savior’s past. Even with the giant’s corpse before them, time flew by unnoticed. The Savior’s storytelling skill was impressive, befitting his long life.
“Yes. No one survived—except me, farthest from the site.”
The Savior nodded. Though an ancient tale, closing his eyes still brought the scene vividly to mind. His eyes, trembling between lashes, brimmed with sorrow.
“Damn it.”
Ronan twisted his lips. It was long past, but the mood soured anyway. A sudden thought flashed through his mind.
“Wait. Then what’s the deal with this Abel guy? He claimed you and his dad were twin brothers?”
“Yes and no. But... hearing it now feels strange.”
“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You just called me ‘father’ for the first time.”
“Ugh.”
The Savior smiled. Ronan frowned. It wasn’t intentional—just slipped out. Feeling awkward, he spat it out.
“Tch, so what happened next?”
“That’s what I’m about to tell you...”
“Hah...!”
Cain opened his eyes. His body felt as cold as if he’d just swum out. He remembered the star crashing into the village, but nothing after.
“The village... Ahh.”
Trying to rise, Cain gritted his teeth. Agonizing pain flared from his whole body, especially his legs, like fire. Lifting his head slightly, he gasped.
“M-my legs...!”
Both legs were twisted grotesquely. White bone—likely his shin—protruded through his pants. Even though it was his body, it made him nauseous. The full pain hit late, and Cain screamed.
“Kaaaaah!!”
The agony was so intense he could barely breathe. Twisting only brought worse torment. Urine leaked from his slack bladder, staining his pants.
“H-huh...”
Cain fainted and woke repeatedly before regaining some composure. His body, at its limit, dulled the pain signals. His parents’ faces flashed before him.
“M-Mom... Dad...”
Regaining his senses, Cain called out desperately. No reply. Looking around, despair washed over him.
“N-no. No way...!”
He was in a vast, deep crater. It didn’t take long to realize—this was where the village had stood. Starlight from a tiny hole above showed its depth.
Surviving the fall from that height was miraculous. But even barely alive, joy didn’t come.
Scattered around were fragments of the village and its people: broken beams, charred bone shards, his father’s harpoon, a familiar box.
“This is...”
Eyes on the box, Cain clenched his fist. Half-open, it held small fishing rods and pocketknives he’d made for his sibling.
“Ah... Aaaah...”
His vision blurred like fogged glass. Head to the ground, a strangled voice escaped.
“Abel...!”
His heart felt shattered. His sibling hadn’t even been granted the right to be born. No more fishing together, no showing off butchering skills.
Stars. Damn stars.
Crack. Something snapped inside his mouth. Rage bloomed from grief’s end, consuming him. Days praying to the stars felt bitterly regretful.
“Uh.”
While clawing the ground until his nails peeled, his vision spun, strength fled. He’d lost too much blood.
I see. Took my family, now coming for me last.
Tears gave way to hollow laughter. Giggling, Cain closed his eyes. Useless legs anyway. As consciousness faded—
“How unjust.”
“What?”
A sudden voice made Cain open his eyes. Deep and thick like the ocean depths where whales dwelled. Presence emanated from the crater’s depths, beyond starlight.
“...Who’s there?”
No answer. After hesitation, Cain rolled over. Legs useless, but arms worked.
“Hah... Hah...”
Using his arms, Cain crawled toward the voice. Dragging legs ground bone, but deadened nerves allowed movement. Why? He didn’t know. He knew better than anyone there was no hope of survival.
“This is...!”
Arriving, Cain’s eyes bulged. He doubted if it was hallucination. A mountain-like giant was dead, embedded in the ice wall.
Its snow-white body bore four pairs of wings on its back. Burns scarred wings and skin. Instinct told Cain this was the fallen star.
Blood flowed from wounds—blue and viscous, unlike any he knew. It pooled into a sizeable pond at its feet.
He’d never seen anything like it. Suppressing ragged breaths, Cain barely spoke.
“...Hey?”
No reply. It had been alive moments ago, now gone. Cain settled right by the pool. Steam rose from the blue liquid.
“What... the hell...”
Uncooling in the bitter cold, like a hot spring. As Cain stared, propped up—vision darkened, body pitched forward.
“Huh?”
No time to react. Splash! His small body plunged into the pool. Hotter than oil on fire. Inhaling blue blood by accident, he screamed silently.
“......!”
No sound escaped. He sank deeper into the blue world. One thought crossed his mind.
I want to go back.
Flickering vision went black.
.
.
.
“Big brother. Wake up.”
“Mm...”
A voice roused Cain. Mind foggy like after long sleep. Sea-scented breeze brushed his cheek. Sitting up, he raised a brow.
“...Huh?”
No more pain. Looking down, limbs perfect. All injuries gone.
Before him gaped the pit he’d lain in. Bottomless, unfathomable depth.
It all felt like a dream. Suddenly, a childish voice from beside him.
“Big brother. I’m cold.”
“What?”
Same voice as before. Cain whipped around. A boy, no older than ten, squatted staring at him.
“Y-you’re...”
“What do we do now? Huh?”
Cain froze. The boy looked exactly like him. White hair, scarlet eyes—impossible without blood ties.
Heart pounding, Cain breathed steady and blurted.
“...Abel?”