Hey, Beric.

………

Yo? Earth to Beric…..Well, in this case, Zarvendia to Beric.

……….

Yeah, you’re out cold……….Hmm, what to do……Oh, I got it. *plays alarm clock*

“I’m up.”

Damn, what the fu-.....You got up real fast. It’s almost concerning. Did you go through military-esque conditioning to achieve this ability?

I let out a small yawn as I got up from bed. From the light outside and the faint voice outside the bedroom, I guessed that I had not slept for long. “Military-esque?”

What? Is it not a word?

“Buddy, I’m too tired to be thinking about shit like this. Don’t use a word if you don’t even know if it exists.”

True that. Let me go ask my personal A.I assistant for clarification.

“......An A.I. assistant?”

What about it?

“YOU’RE my A.I. assistant. Why do you have one?”

……..For a second opinion?

During moments like these, it felt as though Sys wasn’t truly my personal system. Instead, he seemed more like the irritating voice at the back of my mind, the one responsible for my foolish thoughts.

I heard that.

“Shut up. Anyway, what? What’d you need to wake me up for?” I muttered as I rubbed my eyes.

I had to wake you up.

“Yeah, well, no shit. But why? I was actually having a very nice dream, so this better be worth it.”

Really? What was it?

“Huh? Oh, uh……damn, how did I already forget-....Never-mind that, explain what’s so important.”

Your father, Lucan, has just left the house. He intends to retrieve medicine from the village hall and to return to cure Arthur.

“.......That’s it? You woke me up for that? What do you want me to do, pray for him to have a safe journey?

I see that due to your recent awakening from a quick but deep slumber, your mind is not fully there yet.

“Man, what the fuck is yo dumbass talking about-........oh……he’s gone.” Though the persistent urge for sleep still lingered in my mind, I was able to piece things together and understand what Sys was hinting at. Dad had gone to get medicine, which meant he’d be gone for a while. This left Mom alone to watch over Arthur and Elaine. She would likely focus most of her attention on them, given their precarious condition and the belief that I was still asleep. If I played my cards right... Perhaps it wouldn’t all be in vain.

You got it now?

“Good shit, Sys. This could actually be a game-changer.”

You’re welcome.

For the moment, I decided to keep up the act and pretend to still be asleep. I activated my soul sense, confirming the presence of a small critter sleeping where I had placed the drugged fruits. After deactivating it, I turned my mind to finding another way to get through the window and back into the room. The vine was clearly no longer an option, so I had to think fast for a new solution. The blanket I was under was too thin and too short to help. I needed something thick, long, and sturdy, something that could withstand significant pressure.

Pause.

“......You felt the need to just blurt that out, and you decided to heed to it. And for what? A pity laugh? Is it still funny to you?”

Yes.

I let out a quiet exhale of disappointment as my eyes scanned the room, finding nothing that met my needs. There was nothing that fit the bill... but perhaps that was the problem itself. Maybe I needed to stop searching for a single, perfect object and instead look for several smaller things that could be combined. Things that could be fashioned into a sturdy rope... like my parents' clothes. The closet held a fair amount, and I knew that with the right knots, I could turn them into something strong enough to work. I quietly slipped out of bed and crept toward the closet, picking out what I could reach. With careful hands, I gathered the clothes and placed them next to the bed. That way, if I heard Mom coming, I could quickly kick them under the bed and jump back into bed. Once I had felt comfortable with this plan, I set to work. I twisted the clothes to give them more structure, making them firmer and rope-like. When I had enough, I began tying them together, knotting and adjusting until I had something that seemed long enough. Satisfied with my work, I shoved the makeshift rope under the bed and climbed back in. As I lay there, a thought crossed my mind—what if just pretending to be asleep wasn’t enough? Was there a better way to stall her, something more effective? I remembered how quickly I had called out to Mom when I realized Arthur’s allergy, and how swiftly she had responded. Was it possible that she hadn’t fixed the rat trap yet? To avoid making a mistake or looking foolish, I needed to find out. So, I did what any master planner would do in this situation: I started crying uncontrollably and called for Mom.

Eye see what you’re trying to do here, by crying your eyes out.

“.....Holy shit.”

You get the joke? I played off-

“Nope.”

I said eye to-

“No.”

……I said eye to-

“No, no. You can stop now.”

…….Ok.

My focus shifted as Mom burst through the door, her face painted with concern. Her hair seemed to flow through the air as she rushed in, kneeling beside me to check on my condition.

“What’s wrong?” she asked urgently, scanning me for any signs of distress. Her nerves were likely heightened by the situation with Arthur and Elaine.

I weakly pointed to the ground, at the traces I had left behind, and barely managed to squeak out the word, “Rat.”

Her eyes darkened slightly. “The rat…” she murmured, rubbing her temple in frustration. “If only I was faster.”

Faster? I glanced at her, confusion written all over my face. “Trap?”

She seemed taken aback by my ability to pronounce the word “trap,” and let out a nervous laugh. “I’m sorry, my child, but I couldn’t get the rat trap fixed. When I went to ask your father for help, that’s when we heard…” She paused, a strange look crossing her face. “It was your voice.”

I stared back at her with a blank expression, casually picking my nose as if nothing was amiss.

She shook her head in self-reprimand. “Your father and I must have misheard… Maybe it was a sign from the gods, a warning. Anyway, I rushed back home as quickly as I could, your father not far behind. That’s when we found your brother and sister. The odd thing was how they were treated, and how Arthur had honey to soothe his welts.” She chuckled softly. “At first, your father thought it was you, from the sound of your voice. But when we saw the yarrow in Elaine’s hand, it was clear to both of us that she must’ve gotten them herself. She likely used the last of her strength to do that, then promptly returned to bed, exhausted from the effort.” She sighed and laid her head on her hand, absentmindedly playing with my hair with her other hand. “It may sound illogical, but it’s the only explanation that makes sense. It just doesn’t add up that you’d know what yarrow is… You can’t even walk currently for that matter.”

I simply gazed up at her with wide, puppy-dog eyes, offering no response but silently conveying all the innocence I could muster.

She smiled warmly and kissed my forehead. “Rest up for me, okay? Mommy has to help your brother and sister get strong again, alright?”

I nodded silently, shifting back into a sleeping position.

Mom stood up and turned to leave, but then a faint squeak filled the room. She paused and looked back, her eyes narrowing in concern as she saw me trembling under the blanket. She walked back over, pulling the blanket aside to reveal my shivering form. Her breath caught in her throat as she scooped me into a gentle hug. “It’s okay, Beric. I’m still here.” She turned her head, scanning the room for the source of the sound, but found nothing.

It was a stroke of luck that I was so young, so it was easier to mimic the high pitch squeak of a rat.

I clung to her hand, whispering, “Rat.”

Mom held my hand tightly, her voice soothing. “It’s alright. The rat won’t reach you, and it won’t hurt you. You have nothing to worry about.”

But when she reached for my right hand, the one with the “rat bite,” I let out a small cry and quickly pulled it away. I started sucking on my finger like a pacifier, looking up at her with tearful eyes.

Concern filled her face as she gently apologized. “I’m so sorry, Beric…”

Before she could continue, I whispered, “Please… trap.”

Mom paused, her expression softening as she studied me—my tear-streaked face, the fear in my eyes, the helplessness in my posture. She closed her eyes, rubbing them as a deep sigh escaped her. “Beric, I’m not as skilled as your father, but I do know the basics of making a small trap like this. If it’ll help you feel safe and get you back to sleep, then I suppose I’ll have to repair it.”

I didn’t answer. I simply stared at her, hoping she would keep her promise.

“But that means you’ll have a job to do while I’m gone.” Mom gently lifted me up and carried me to my siblings’ room.

Elaine and Arthur were both lying in their beds. Elaine’s tunic was removed and was resting in a plain gray wool undershirt, which exposed a few small welts on her arms and neck. The marks weren’t severe, and she seemed to be sleeping peacefully, likely on her way to a full recovery in a few days of rest. Unfortunately, Arthur’s situation was much worse. He, too, was dressed only in a wool undershirt, which revealed numerous welts and sores covering his body. His arms, chest, neck, and face were dotted with painful stings, and despite it only being a few hours since it had happened, his condition seemed to be worsening. This was probably why Dad had gone to fetch medicine from the town hall, even if it was getting late. Despite the possible dangers of the forest nearing night-time, Father couldn’t risk the possible death of Arthur.

Mom gently placed me on a small chair next to Arthur’s bed. Then, she crouched down, grasping my hands. “While I’m gone, I need you to keep an eye on both Arthur and Elaine. It’ll be your responsibility to watch over them. If they start coughing, adjust their heads to help them sleep better. If their welts start growing, apply honey and yarrow. You’ll also need to check their temperatures regularly and change the wet towel on their foreheads when needed. You can use the bucket at the foot of the bed to get the water for that.”

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

No way in hell she really thinks a 1 year old can do all of that. A 1 year old would probably be picking their nose.

“She has good reason for putting her faith in me.”

Self-glaze is crazy work.

Mom’s gaze lingered on Arthur as she spoke softly, her voice wavering. “Your brother, Arthur… he—” She paused, letting out a sharp exhale. She looked down at the floor, her grip on my hands tightening, her nails pressing into my skin. It hurt. I could feel the pressure building, and the beginnings of tears forming in my eyes. I was close to crying out in pain. But, I didn’t. I knew that I wasn’t the only one hurting, and that her pain was on a much, deeper level. I had no place in being so baseless to voice out my displeasure at this pain.

The tightness in her grip loosened, and she lifted her gaze to meet mine. There was a faint trace of moisture in her eyes, their jade-green color dull with worry. Her voice quivered slightly as she spoke. “Your father and I are a bit worried about whether—” She cleared her throat, attempting to steady herself. “Whether he’ll make it or not.” Her hand gently brushed through Arthur’s hair as she continued, her tone softening. “Your father went to get medicine for Arthur. He promised he’d hurry, that he’d be back in no time.” She smiled faintly, though the worry in her eyes remained. “Of course, I believe him. He used to outrun horses when he was younger. That’s where Arthur gets his speed from. Always running—around the trees, the creek, the shrubs. He’s always running, even away from things.”

Mom silently chuckled as she remembered something. “There was one time when Elaine found a bee that had gotten into their room. The speed at which Arthur ran out of the house is fable-worthy. Never before had I ever seen him run that fast.” Her smile faded as she grew serious again, her eyes darkening. “He’s always been fast, always the first to run at the sight of a bug…” Her voice cracked, and she took a shaky breath before continuing, “And yet, when the beehive fell, when the bees started flying towards them, when they started stinging… He didn’t run. Instead, he used his body to shield Elaine.” Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke. “That boy, despite his fear of bugs and his incredible speed, chose to protect Elaine.” Her voice faltered completely, and a few tears escaped her eyes. “He’s such a good boy... and a good brother.”

He was a good brother. Something I clearly wasn’t meant to be.

I gently freed one of my hands and patted her head. Even though I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t just do nothing. I couldn’t console her with words or reassure her that everything would be okay, but I could offer her this small gesture of comfort, however simple it was.

To my surprise, Mom smiled as she wiped away her tears. She kissed me on the cheek, then whispered softly, “You’re also a good brother.”

My heart sank deep into the abyss of my soul. My smile faltered, its fragile, artificial nature crumbling under the weight of her innocence. Those simple words, spoken with such sincerity, pierced me more deeply than I expected. I struggled to maintain my composure while her bright eyes shone with love and belief in me, almost blinding me with their warmth. A good brother... If only she knew……….But maybe that was the point. If she knew, those eyes wouldn’t shine so brightly. If she knew, her words wouldn’t sting so much. If she knew, I wouldn’t have to keep pretending……….But I did. I kept smiling. I was too used to the act, too accustomed to pretending everything was fine when it wasn’t. It had become second nature, and it stuck with me even now. It’s similar to how people have this desire to keep up an act. They hide behind these personas to protect their true selves. Even if they’re hiding things, as long as this persona of theirs makes others happy, then it’s all good. As long as others are happy, so are the persona users. If everybody’s okay, then it’s all okay, right? Even if her eyes were too bright, even if her words cut too deeply, even if I no longer understood the meaning of a genuine smile—it didn’t matter. As long as I kept up the act, pretending to be the good brother and son she believed me to be, everything would be okay. If she’s happy, then my family’s happy. If my family’s happy, then so am I.

It was during moments like these that the voice would return. It would flood my mind with thoughts—thoughts like, “Why are you letting her happiness dictate yours?” “Don’t let their feelings control your own.” “You wouldn’t feel this self-hatred if they weren’t around. As long as they’re gone, you’ll have no one to remind you of what you’ve done.” It would use my own voice, distorting my thoughts, manipulating me into believing they were my own. Sometimes, I could tell the difference... sometimes, I couldn’t. There was nothing I could do but endure it. No one could help me—no professional, no friend, and especially not my family. All I could do was pray that it wouldn’t show up... but of course, it always comes back. And now, it has followed me into this new world.

Mom stood up and headed toward the bedroom door. Before leaving, she paused and turned back to me, her voice soft as she said, "I love you." Then, she stepped out, leaving the room silent. It was just the three of us now—my two siblings, lying still in their beds, innocent victims of a terrible brother.

Don’t forget me!

“.....Hey, Sys. Got a question for you.”

Yeah?

"I know you can hear my thoughts, so why didn't you speak up during all of that? Why didn't you keep condemning me for what I've done? You were so vocal about it before."

….Well, I felt that there was no need to.

“What makes you say that?”

You clearly feel regret for what you’ve done, and in your own strange way, you're trying to atone for it. So, really, there's no benefit in me continuing to condemn you. I don't want to guilt-trip you or force you into anything. I simply wanted to reprimand you for what you did, and for you to do better on your own after realizing the full scope of your actions.

“You’d be one hell of a parent.”

Actually, I am the proud parent of several subsystems that help me aid you in your endeavors.

“Child labor? It even spread to A.I.” I got down from bed as I started walking to my room. “Sys, do you think you can calculate how much time I have before Dad or Mom comes back?”

You have at most 10 minutes before your Father returns from the village hall. Your mother should take around the same amount of time gathering all the necessities for the trap.

“I'll be quick then.” I quickly ran to my parents' bedroom. With swift hands, I pocketed a rock from my slingshot and grabbed the makeshift rope. Tying it securely to the bed leg, I scaled the bed, dragging the rope behind me. Once at the top, I threw the rope over the side and carefully descended, the fabric of the rope scraping against my hands. Touching the ground, I ran to the location. After examining the ground and noticing all the eaten fruits, I found the sleeping critter. It was a slightly large rat, with a few missing whiskers and a dark gray hue coat. I then removed the rock from my pocket as I got ready.

Alright, I’ll be gone for this part. I don’t wanna look at what’s to come.

“Go ahead.” I swung the rock down, the first strike jolting the rat awake. Before it could react, I brought the rock down again and again, each blow landing with a sickening crunch. Blood splattered across the tall grass, staining the earth beneath me. The rat’s squeaks grew weaker, then finally stopped, leaving only the eerie silence of my heavy breathing. My hands were coated in blood, the rock slick and heavy in my grip. I felt the warm sensation of blood on my face, a result of some blood splashing on me.

Is it done?

“Yep.” I wiped my face while I examined the rat. Its head was completely gone, leaving behind a body and bits of eyes and brains splattered around.

You really didn’t have to describe it.

I raised my hand, feeling the familiar surge of energy as I began the process of soul absorption. But this time, the difference was immediately obvious. Unlike the souls of the ants, this one felt alive—solid, tangible, with a presence that couldn’t be ignored. There was a strange, almost primal essence to it, as if it carried the smells of dirt, grass, and the wild. It was alive in a way that the ants' souls hadn’t been. Slowly, I channeled my mana, guiding it to pull the soul toward mine. It was sluggish, resistant, as expected from a creature of this nature. The process was far slower than before, but I couldn’t afford to waste time. I needed to find a quicker method. An idea sparked, and I envisioned a chain-like object—something more than just a simple connection. This wasn’t a link to pull the soul in; it was a tube, flexible and powerful. The moment it connected with the soul, I began siphoning through it, my mana flowing with purpose. The soul moved, inch by inch, through the tube, shrinking as it made its way toward me. Each pulse of energy drained it further, forcing it to contract and come closer. The more it dwindled, the faster it sped toward my core, feeding me with its energy. The slow tug-of-war between us now seemed to favor me.

Minutes passed as I finished the absorption process, the soul of the rat now almost entirely siphoned into me. But then, something unusual caught my attention. Within the soul, there was something... else. I paused the siphon and focused my attention fully on it. There was a book, nestled within the rat’s essence, like a hidden relic. With a mental click, I resumed the siphon, pushing the soul towards my core, waiting until it neared. When it did, my body instinctively absorbed the rat’s essence, leaving the book behind, undisturbed. I couldn’t ask Sys due to the dangers of outside interference, so I reached out, hands trembling, and grasped the book. The moment my fingers touched it, everything went dark.

It wasn’t just darkness; it was the absence of sight altogether. I couldn’t see, but I could hear things. The frantic squeaks of rats, the hurried steps of something much larger weaving through the noise. I could feel the soft, slick skin of hairless baby rats brushing against my own form, their tiny bodies moving under me. There was a strong, acrid scent of earth, and then, something cold and slimy pressed against my mouth. Instinct took over as I opened my mouth, sucking on this mysterious object. It was nourishing, its sweetness filling the ache in my body.

My hunger was sated.

As my sight returned, the world around me was unrecognizable. I was in a burrow, huddled among a mother rat and her litter. We were all covered in soft fur, our tiny, beady eyes glistening as we interacted. I smelled the familiar scent of dirt and the lingering traces of old milk as I nuzzled one of my littermates. We did the same to each other, bonding without words. The mother rat then fed us insects, the sharp, crunchy taste filling us with satisfaction.

We were all very happy.

We were outside now, the cool air crisp as the mother rat showed us how to forage. She led us through the dense underbrush, teaching us how to flip leaves, search under logs, and avoid the predators that stalked the woods. My littermates quickly formed groups based on who was best at foraging, and soon enough, I was assigned to one of these groups. We foraged for hours, moving quickly and efficiently.

We were good at it.

I suddenly felt the sharp sting of teeth sinking into my fur. A male rat was biting me, its grip strong. With a quick motion, I rolled over, trying to break free. Letting go, the other rat tried to get back on top, but I wouldn’t let it. The rat scrambled to regain its position, biting at anything it could reach, tearing off a few of my whiskers in the process. I waited for an opening, and when it came, I struck. I clamped down hard on its neck, feeling the resistance as I drew blood. The rat squealed, thrashing violently, before finally pushing me off. It bolted into the distance, leaving me panting and bewildered. I still didn’t understand why we were fighting. But when I saw the female rat emerge from the shadows, the reason became clear.

I secured a mate.

Time passed in this new rhythm, and before I knew it, I was looking back at the blind eyes of a baby rat. I looked around to see the sight of a new burrow, presumably mine. It was then I remembered my mate was out, scavenging for food for the babies. So, I waited with them. I took care of the babies, cleaning them and keeping them warm. Was it love that kept me there? Or was it simply instinct, the primal drive to protect what was mine? I wasn’t sure. It didn’t matter. The only thing that did was the hunger gnawing in my belly, waiting for my mate to return.

But she never did.

My babies began to squeak, desperate, hungry. I knew I had to do something, anything. I set out, searching for food, my mind clouded with panic and hunger. There was nothing—no bugs, no fruits, no berries to be found. My paws dug through the earth, futilely scraping for anything to bring back to them. But nothing. I should have just returned home. Hell, I should have just left them. I had no food to eat on my own, so how could I possibly feed my babies?.......Was it instinct or my own consciousness that caused me to continue searching? It was neither. It was just out of pure hunger.

I kept going.

I narrowly dodged a bird that swooped down, its sharp beak only inches from my body. My heart pounded as I scurried through the grass, desperate. And then, luck—finally. Fallen fruit, sweet and ripe, lay scattered across the ground. I devoured it quickly, to regain enough strength to carry some back. But as I ate, something felt wrong. My vision blurred, my limbs heavy. I couldn’t stay awake. Sleep tugged at me, pulling me under.

I fell asleep.

A sharp pain burst through my head, forcing me awake. I squeaked out in pain, but it was no use. I looked above to see the leering grin of a giant as they lowered a rock back on my face-

I vomited onto the ground. I kneeled over the rat’s remains while the vomit spewed out.

What the hell-

I breathed deeply as my stomach started rumbling. I clenched my hands while I tried to forcefully make my stomach calm down. I tried to erase what I had just seen, to forget about what I had just gone through. Was that the Original Insight?

Deep breaths. Think about soothing things. Also, get away from the rat and the vomit. Try to breathe fresh air.

I did as he said while I continued to attempt relaxing. Around half a minute had passed, before I could finally feel my stomach being at peace. My breaths weren’t as shallow, and my head felt more clear.

Was it the Original Insight?

“Yeah.”

If it’s this bad already, then how much worse is it gonna get?

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll get used to it.

You can’t just get used-

“I can, and I will. It’s just because of my body. It’ll get easier once I get older.”

…….Alright.

When my body became more stabilized, I rushed back to the window. I climbed up on the rope, removing the rope and turning them back to normal clothes. I then went back to my siblings’ bedroom and sat atop the chair.

“What are my stats looking like?”

Level: 20

* Strength: 33

* Speed: 29

* Stamina: 37

* Endurance: 35

* Durability: 30

* Mana: 48

* Soul Rank: Tarnished

* Soul Color: Purple

“Sweet.”

You know what else is sweeter?

“Hit me.”

You’ve unlocked {Soul Summoning}.

I silently pumped my fist as I reclined in the chair, basking in the moment…….But that feeling of exhilaration wasn’t alone. There was something else—a shadowy presence, a rat that had sneaked its way into my mind. I thought back to the Original Insight…….where I was smiling. But why? What other reason could there be for me to smile, if not to make others happy? Did the rat’s death... amuse me?