"Healing people? Saving lives? What the hell are you talking about?"
It was too absurd to be reality, yet too vivid to dismiss as a dream.
"No need to worry just because you've been given a grand mission," a voice said with a teasing chuckle. "I'm not so heartless that I'd just throw you in blind and say, 'figure it out yourself.'"
"First perk of your reincarnation package—I'll let you keep all your memories and experience. Of course, you'll have to rebuild your physical strength from scratch, but since you're already a battle-hardened warrior, you shouldn't have much trouble holding your own, even with just your memories."
The voice belonged to a being of light. And the more they spoke, the more the amusement in their tone deepened.
"Second perk—I'll set you up in the best possible environment to learn healing magic. No need for me to explain—just open your eyes when you get there, and you'll understand. You've probably heard of the family you'll be born into."
A low, resonating hum grew clearer and closer. It felt as if a door was opening beneath me, ready to drop me into another world.
"But keep this in mind—nothing comes for free. I'm giving you a second chance, but you have to prove you're worthy of it."
Healing? Salvation? Prove myself? What the hell does any of that mean?
"You don't get it now, do you?" The voice laughed. "Fine, just remember this—calamity is coming. I'll be watching to see how you prove yourself in the midst of it. Do your best."
What? What the hell are you even talking about?
"If you meet my expectations, I've set things up so you'll have plenty of 'help' along the way. That's all for now."
I squeezed my eyes shut, then forced them open again, but my vision remained completely dark.
"That's as much as I can do for you. From here on, you're on your own."
A blinding white light surged through me, sharper than the vibrating force that wrapped around my body.
What… what's happening?
Then, everything went silent.
I was being swept away by an overwhelming current, dragged toward something unknown.
"Tsk. You never heard me say this, but… I am grateful."
Through the rushing flow, the being's voice murmured one last time.
"I appreciate that you dirtied your hands with blood to protect those who had no one else."
But the words didn't truly reach me. They were just vibrations in the void.
"This time around, be happy, will you? If anyone deserves it, it's you."
Before I could process those words, I was falling.
"Waaaah! Waaaah!"
"He's here!"
The tense silence in the birthing chamber was broken by a baby's cries.
A man, who had been anxiously waiting outside, jumped up at the sound.
"Congratulations, my lord! You have a healthy baby boy!"
"Oh… Ohhh!"
Tears of joy streamed down the man's face as he saw the newborn in the midwife's arms.
"My son… My son!"
Despite his large, intimidating frame, the man trembled as he nuzzled the baby against his cheek.
"What about Melissa? Is she alright?"
"You don't need to worry. My lady is in good health. The maids are tending to her now, and she'll be ready to see you soon."
"Thank you. You've all done well."
With his newborn in his arms, the man hurried to see his wife.
"You did amazing, my love. I can't thank you enough."
"Don't forget what you just said," the woman smiled weakly. "You have to love me and be grateful to me for the rest of your life. Promise?"
"Haha, of course. When have I ever not?"
She pulled at his scruffy beard playfully, making him chuckle.
"Enough standing there. Let me see our precious baby. You're not going to make him look at only your scary face, are you?"
"Oh! Right! My mistake."
He quickly lowered the baby to her eye level.
"So cute! Look at these dark eyes and hair—just like you!"
"And this tiny mouth and sharp nose are exactly like yours!"
"Liar! No newborn has a sharp nose!"
"Haha, maybe. But that's how I see it."
As the couple happily admired their child, the woman suddenly gasped.
"Oh! Look at him! His eyes are wide open, taking everything in. Isn't it too soon for that?"
"Yeah! Haha! With how sharp he looks already, he'll grow up to be as smart as you!"
"What? With how strong he looks, he'll take after you and be a brave warrior instead!"
They laughed, overflowing with love for their child. But what they didn't realize was…
Wait a second. What the hell? Why am I in this tiny body?
Their "sharp and observant" baby wasn't just any ordinary newborn.
Did I… really reincarnate? A hundred years into the future?
His gaze landed on the ceiling of the birthing chamber, where a golden shield wrapped in eight wings was engraved.
He knew exactly what that symbol meant.
The Claudius family?!
[Second perk—I'll set you up in the best possible environment to learn healing magic.]
The voice's promise echoed in his mind.
And now, seeing his situation, he had no choice but to accept it.
He had reincarnated into the most prestigious medical family on the continent—Claudius.
This can't be real.
He wanted to scream. But his tiny mouth refused to cooperate.
---
"Waaaaah!"
All that came out was another loud wail.
His parents, oblivious to his inner turmoil, only laughed in delight.
"Haha! Listen to that strong cry! He's got the lungs of a general!"
And then, another voice—deep and calm—whispered over his father's shoulder.
"Hmm… For a bandit-looking brute like Tiberius, your son turned out quite cute."
The baby's eyes darted toward the source.
Sitting atop his father's shoulder was a flickering blue flame.
"Well, little Claudius… No matter what happens, try to live a happy life. Not that life is ever that easy."
Without thinking, the baby locked eyes with the flame.
"What? You're looking at me? No way. There's no way you can actually see me… right?"
Before he could respond, the flame vanished.
"His name will be Fagan," his father declared. "After the guiding stars that light the night sky."
"Fagan… I love it." His mother kissed his cheek. "My little star, grow up to be someone who helps others in the dark."
She pressed a loving kiss to his forehead.
And once again, the reincarnated assassin—now Fagan Claudius—let out a wail.
"Waaaaaah!"
This time, it was his way of announcing to the world:
The God of Assassination had returned.