KFBRV Pt 2 Ch 62

Since Karl was a Transcendent, he had to crave Purification. It was his nature.

If he rewinds time, this Purification disappears. He might stop the regression just to keep this feeling.

Odette hid her trembling hands and gently stroked his back. She poured every ounce of her focus into the Purification.

[Karl] "……Hmm."

Karl had only been a Transcendent for two years. No Calamities had appeared since his awakening, so he had no reason to use his powers. Because of this, Odette sensed no pollution within him. He didn't show the same intense satisfaction Zion did when receiving her power.

Just as she began to fear her power was useless, a chime echoed.

[Karl stops the 5th 'Time Regression'.]

He had decided to stay in the present. The dark red rings surrounding her shattered and vanished into the air. She exhaled a quiet breath of relief.

But…… something is wrong.

A sharp sense of mismatch hit her. This felt fundamentally different from purifying Zion. No matter how much power she pushed into him, it felt like falling into a bottomless hole. Then, the truth struck her.

It's not there. There is no Beast inside him.

The laws of this world were absolute. To possess an ability, one must house a Beast of God.

How can he use his powers without a Beast?

It was impossible in the world of The Only Savior. Only humans with a Beast of God could awaken as Transcendents. Karl, the root and origin of the Fenrir clan, should possess the strongest Beast of all.

Her arms began to pull away in shock. Before she could move, his arms locked around her waist. He held her tight.

[Karl] "Do you think your apology ends with this?"

He was an existence that shattered the very foundation of this world. Cold sweat soaked her spine.

[Karl] "I am no longer the child from two years ago."

[Congratulations. 'Master of the Status Window' has successfully blocked the Infinite Loop!]

The notification rang out. At the same moment, Karl shifted his gaze. He looked exactly where the status window floated.

Horrifying.

He couldn't see the window, yet he sensed something there. It was just like the moment their eyes met in the Fenrir Kingdom's castle.

His gaze returned to her, stopping on her lips.

[Odette] "What?"

He wasn't asking for permission; he was testing her.

Odette felt as if a hand had tightened around her throat. She felt like a sacrifice offered to a higher being. Those red eyes held her like a leash.

She clenched her fists. She grew up in the Albrecht estate. She knew better than anyone that one act of submission only led to greater slavery.

I let him lead.

She put strength into her arms to push his chest away.

---

Early dawn arrived on the day Paula promised to return to the Albrecht estate. Before starting her job as a lady-in-waiting, she visited Sasha's neighborhood to say goodbye.

The alleys of the poor district were already busy. The slaughterhouse emitted a foul, metallic smell. A newsboy ran past, clutching a stack of papers. A group of workers headed for the factory whistled and shouted insults at Paula as she walked by in her fine clothes.

Disgusting peasants.

She gripped her trunk tighter and entered one of the crowded apartment buildings. Sasha lived on the fourth floor. Paula climbed the narrow, stinking stone stairs and knocked.

[Paula] "Mother?"

The wooden door creaked open. Sasha's brown eyes appeared through the gap. Her face was dark and lifeless, looking worse than the day Shylock kicked her out.

Sasha had spent the entire divorce trial blaming Ferdinand, claiming he was just like his father, yet his death seemed to have left her bitter.

[Sasha] "……Come in."

After hearing of Ferdinand's death, Sasha bought expensive satin mourning clothes.

She must have black clothes everywhere, yet she insisted on buying it?

Paula's eyes narrowed. The dress was far too expensive for Sasha's current situation.

She should have used that money for rent.

Perhaps her son's death was merely an excuse to buy the dress. Sasha was a woman who loved herself far more than her children.

Paula swallowed a sigh and forced a smile. Her mother immediately snapped at her.

[Sasha] "Did you come here empty-handed?"

[Paula] "Of course not. I brought some snacks, Mother."

[Sasha] "Not that. Do you have any jewelry? Onyx or pearls? Something that matches this black dress."

Paula was currently wearing jewelry with those exact stones. Every time she visited, Sasha lusted after the accessories on her daughter's body.

[Sasha] "Is my life not tragic enough? It is a tragedy to lose my only child, yet I don't even have a single piece of jewelry to mourn him properly."

She used guilt like a weapon.

Only child.

The words made Paula's brow twitch. If she didn't give her something, Sasha would whine forever. She wanted to leave this place quickly, so she handed over her bracelet and ring.

[Paula] "Here."

Sasha took them with an expression of a master receiving what was already hers. She treated Paula no differently than she had two years ago. There was no affection; she still looked at her daughter as if she were a mere servant.

Two years ago, there were witnesses, but now I'm the only person she has left. Yet she still treats me like trash?

Paula suppressed her anger and beamed.

[Paula] "Mother. I have good news. I am now Lady Charlotte's lady-in-waiting!"

Sasha's face brightened instantly.

[Sasha] "Is that true?!"

Before Paula could explain, Sasha's voice turned excited.

[Sasha] "Then you are going back to the Albrecht estate! You'll be in a position to destroy that mistress and her cursed bastard child!"

[Paula] "Mother!"

Her voice was sharp. This was the biggest opportunity of her life, yet Sasha only cared about her own petty revenge.

[Paula] "Are you asking me to hurt them? What happens to my life if I get caught?"

[Sasha] "You must do it! Do you expect me to sit here and watch that mistress become the Dowager Countess?!"

[Paula] "Mother……!"

[Sasha] "That mistress ruined my life! Why should those two live in luxury while I die in this gutter?"

Sasha's voice hit a high, screeching pitch. A loud thud came from the wall as a neighbor banged against it in warning.

I should have gone straight to the estate. Why did I come here……!

Paula turned away, disgusted.

[Paula] "Fine. I'm leaving."

Sasha blocked the door.

[Paula] "Move, Mother!"

[Sasha] "I won't let you go until you promise. Promise you will take my revenge! Promise you will destroy that mistress!"

Madness shone in Sasha's eyes.

[Sasha] "Look at your poor mother. Think of your poor, dead brother. How can that mistress be happy while I suffer like this?"

Sasha began to sob, trying to trigger Paula's sympathy. Paula let out a hollow laugh.

Moments ago, she called Ferdinand her "only child," and now she claimed to be Paula's "mother."

And brother? What brother?!

Paula had called him "Young Master" her entire life. If she had ever accidentally called him "brother" at the estate, Sasha would have beaten her!

Paula's hands shook with rage.

Gisella was right. My mother is a parasite.

The fortune teller always said Sasha wasn't the person who would help her. She was a person who devoured Paula's life.

I couldn't cut her off because of our bond…… but I'm done.

Paula pulled a ring from her pocket. It was a blue diamond, the most precious jewel she owned. She had hidden it carefully, planning to take it to the estate.

[Paula] "Take it, Mother."

She threw the ring onto the floor. She intended to sever their ties forever.

[Paula] "Sell it at a pawn shop. You'll live very happily with that, even without me."

Paula knew exactly how much that ring was worth. It was a high price to pay, but it was worth it to buy her freedom from her mother's guilt.

Sasha's eyes sparked at the sight of the gem. She scrambled to pick it up, clearing the path.

To Paula, her mother looked like an insect crawling for food.

The link was broken. She looked down at her mother with pity, then walked out the door.

She felt a wave of satisfaction knowing she would never have to return to this cheap apartment again.

---

[Odette] "Move. Now, Karl."

No matter how hard she pushed, his shoulders didn't budge. His face remained inches from hers. Their breath mingled.

[Odette] "I said move."

She struck him with her fist, but he didn't move an inch.

[Karl] "You shouldn't push me away. You haven't earned my forgiveness yet, Master."

Her hand paused.

[Odette] "You want an apology through this?"

[Karl] "Why not? You are beautiful."

[Odette] "You won't get any more Purification without my will."

He chuckled. In the darkness, it sounded like the laugh of a demon.

[Karl] "I never wanted the Purification, Master."

She kept her voice steady, refusing to let him see her fear.

[Odette] "You looked like you enjoyed it a moment ago."

[Karl] "I didn't enjoy the power. I enjoyed watching you struggle to please me."

He moved his gaze to her neck. His cold, haunting stare made her heart hammer against her ribs.

---

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