002. Forest of Death
A few days later.
In Danel's residence at the Bascon family's Plentel Castle.
Bin unfurled a small sheet of parchment in his room. It contained a list of events that would unfold in the future—one of the first things he'd rushed to do after his regression.
His eyes scanned the string of incidents before he fell deep into thought.
"How is this even possible...?"
He could hardly believe the situation. Knowing what lay ahead was an unparalleled advantage. He could prepare in advance, make the optimal choices, and achieve maximum growth in minimal time.
For a fleeting moment, Bin wondered if it was all a dream, but he quickly accepted the unbelievable reality.
'Well, doubting it won't change anything. Besides, I've even grown a new arm...'
Bowing his head, he gazed at his right arm, wrapped in white bandages—the black arm he'd gained after regressing. He had no idea why a missing limb had regenerated. But one thing was certain: this arm would let him live a life utterly different from before. The disadvantage that had plagued him in battle was gone.
Yet there was one drawback. Whenever he moved his right arm, it trembled. Others mocked it, calling it a cursed limb. Bin didn't care.
'Have they ever imagined life without an arm? It's a hundred times better than nothing.'
Recalling the sneering faces, he let out a hollow chuckle.
The door creaked open, and someone entered. Click-clack, click-clack. It was none other than his mother, Danel.
She called to him in her gentle voice. "Bin, dear, take a look at this."
Joy flooded him at the familiar tone, tears welling up unbidden in his eyes. It wasn't the first time seeing her since his return, but the sheer fact that his mother lived overwhelmed him.
He quickly wiped near his eyes with his sleeve and turned to her with bright, sparkling eyes. "Yes, Mother!"
Danel held out two daggers, one in each hand. "What makes these two friends different?"
"Heh."
Bin couldn't help but chuckle despite himself. In his previous life, he'd been hailed as the continent's greatest blacksmith. He could instantly tell a single-edged knife from a double-edged dagger. It was like asking an adult to add or subtract.
"...?"
Danel blinked in confusion at his knowing smile—it didn't suit a child his age. Caught off guard, Bin hastily faked a sneeze to cover. "Heh... Ah... Achoo!"
It was the best way to defuse the moment from his perspective.
'Was he about to sneeze?'
Danel's expression brightened as she chalked up the odd smile to that. Meanwhile, Bin pretended to ponder the daggers.
"Hmm..."
He tilted his head thoughtfully, then pointed to the knife on the left. "This one... has one dangerous spot."
He tapped the dagger on the right. "This one... has two dangerous spots."
Danel's face lit up even more at her son's adorable response. "Well done, Bin!"
Seeing his mother's radiant smile, Bin grinned back. Her happiness lifted his spirits too. Even in his past life, when he'd been a one-armed freak, she'd given her all for him. This time, he wanted to make her happy no matter what—to live without the regrets that had scarred his heart before.
'Mother, this life, I'll protect you for sure.'
As he clenched his small fist with fierce resolve, Danel spoke up. Her tone had shifted from gentle to grave.
"Bin, weapons can protect your life, but they can also take another's. You know how people always stress their danger, right?"
"...Yes, Mother."
Bin's voice softened as he gauged her suddenly stern expression.
"But I think differently. Kill whoever you must... just please, please stay alive. In this Bascon family..."
"...!"
As Danel's eyes reddened, a fierce heat bloomed in Bin's chest.
'Just... stay alive...? She begged for that...?!'
A sharp pain stabbed his gut—the final moment of his previous life flashing back. The masterpiece he'd forged piercing his own belly. The revolting grin of Helden Grander, Grander family head and Gana Imperial Guard Captain. He'd offered up Luminare, his greatest creation, practically his soul itself. In return? The blade of that very sword through his stomach.
Bin's eyes blazed with fury. Helden was one of the continent's top ten powerhouses. The old him stood no chance. But this life, with both arms intact, was different. He had one way to repay that debt: Luminare itself.
The legendary sword that absorbed the abilities of enemy weapons. Absurd, impossible power.
'If I craft Luminare as fast as possible, defeat the continent's strongest, and absorb their weapons' powers...'
It was feasible. But first, he needed materials—and one key ingredient was the fang of the Cerberian dwelling in the central continent's Royal Tomb.
A three-headed dragon beast, no pushover. To face it, he'd need maximum strength. Unlike before, he couldn't rely on the Imperial Guard. Clutching the dagger, Bin glared at memories of Helden and the Guard.
'I'll repay that debt, no matter what.'
Three years later. Bin was now seven.
The dagger was still visible in his left hand—a far cry from when, at four, he could barely lift it. Now he could swing it properly. Sweat drenched him as he practiced relentlessly.
Swish—swish—
His arm trembled, muscles screaming like they might tear. Finally, his body gave out, and he collapsed.
The more exhausted he grew, the more he pictured his mother soaked in blood. Gritting his teeth, he rose again, willpower reignited.
'I won't live pathetically this life either.'
The watching maids whispered among themselves as Bin steeled himself.
"Young Master Bin is different from the others... How to put it? He doesn't seem like a kid. That scary look in his eyes..."
"I know, right? A few days ago, his glare made me nearly drop a plate."
"Maybe because the other young masters shun him?"
"Probably. He's the only child born to Lady Danel, after all..."
Irritated by their chatter, Bin whipped his head toward them. His piercing gaze silenced them instantly, like they'd swallowed honey.
"...?"
Three years later.
The Bascon family had one cherished tradition: every three years, on the anniversary of the family's founding, family members hunted a monster as tribute. Any pure-blooded Bascon over ten had to undergo it. Reputation hinged on the monster's type and size.
Any method was allowed, but you went alone, and only one per person counted.
On the Gana continent's east side, to the right of the Bascon family's Plentel Castle, lay a forest named for death itself: the Forest of Death.
Thick woods teemed with bones and relics. The monotonous trees disoriented hunters, leading many to wander in circles for days until death claimed them. And those corpses drew countless monster species.
In the heart of the Forest of Death, Bin emerged. Now ten years old, his sharp features and jet-black hair stood out, more mature than years prior.
He panted heavily. "Huff... huff..."
Blood trickled down his forehead. Dirt smeared his uniform. All thanks to the massive boar before him.
"You bastard..."
Bin knew it well. Monster knowledge was essential for crafting weapons in his past life. The Erymanthian Boar—emblem of the forest's tenacious life force. Brown fur, elephant-tusk horns on its snout.
"Snort, snort."
Hot steam billowed from its nostrils as it inhaled. It could charge any second.
Then it bellowed a threat. "GRRRRAAAAHHH!!"
Viscous drool stretched between its razor fangs. Clearly, it saw Bin as prey.
Bin gripped his sword, holding his breath, not even blinking. One lapse, and those tusks would gut him.
'Stay focused.'
His swordsmanship matched an 8th Class knight—leaps ahead of his past life's 9th Class at thirteen. But the Erymanthian Boar was 6th Class monster level.
Bin wasn't charging blindly. He'd pre-dug pitfalls, covered with brush. When the boar rushed in rage and broke a leg, that was his shot.
He deliberately waved his sword at it, baiting the beast.
'Come on...'
"...?"
The boar eyed the blade, expression souring—the provocation worked.
As they sized each other up, the Erymanthian Boar finally snapped, charging with mouth agape.
"KRRRAAAARGH!"
'Here it comes!'
Splat.
As predicted, its hoof hit the trap. Off-balance, it stumbled—and Bin swung.
But the boar twisted its head mid-strike.
Whoosh.
Its thick tusks clashed with his blade.
Crack!
The boar's grip hurled Bin to the ground, shattering his sword.
"...!"
Stronger than expected. But no time to dwell—the boar recovered and charged the fallen boy, jaws wide, fangs gleaming. Life or death hung in the balance.
Yet Bin clenched his teeth, refusing defeat. "Like hell I'll die to you..."
With a murderous glare, he snatched a relic sword from the dirt and focused on the boar.
In that instant, an alien black mist rose from his right arm.
Hiss...
