Chapter 8
‘Ryan didn’t start his revenge right after he got out of prison.’
I touched my messy hair—messed up by Ryan—and fell deep into thought.
‘The reason he didn’t act right away was probably…’
Even though Ryan had a scary special power, just like all other ability users, his power wouldn’t be complete yet.
Special abilities don’t come fully developed. Even after awakening, they need to be used over and over to grow stronger.
‘And in prison, he wouldn’t have been able to train it properly.’
That’s why, now that he’s free, Ryan must be planning to train until he’s strong enough to kill someone with just a flick of a finger.
His revenge actually happened when I was 20 years old.
‘So it means it’ll take him 8 more years to fully master his power—enough to wipe out our family.’
8 years until Ryan becomes an unstoppable force.
That’s more than enough time for me to stop him.
Unlike Ryan, who doesn’t know anything, I’ve come back with my memories.
Right.
If I stop Ryan now and go back to my family…
I could live a safe and luxurious life, just like before.
My lover knew that too—and that’s why, before I returned to the past, he told me:
**
“When you go back, stop that man’s revenge, Bania.”
**
My lover had one big wish.
Ironically, it was the same as Ryan’s goal.
To destroy the corrupt Bassenberg family that was rotting this country from the inside.
But even though Ryan accomplished that goal for him, my lover turned back time and erased everything.
Just to save me.
**
“Let’s never meet again.”
**
Why?
Because we had a forbidden love.
He was royalty—he had a duty to protect this Empire from corruption.
And I… was part of the family that was corrupting it.
**
“Don’t come looking for me. I’ll only ruin you again.”
**
Even so, turning back time for me meant he gave up his country for love.
If I stop Ryan’s revenge now, then the Bassenbergs will stay powerful and corrupt, ruining the Empire all over again.
But my lover hoped I’d forget everything…
…Close my eyes, plug my ears…
…and go back to living comfortably in that dirty family.
Idiot.
Just for love?
Fool.
He gave up everything he believed in and betrayed his duty to the nation.
**
“Let’s never fall in love again.”
**
I looked up.
Then said to Ryan,
“I’ll help you.”
**
- Find out Ryan’s true goal → Complete!
4. If he has a worthy cause: form an alliance
**
Sorry, my dear.
But even before I came back in time, I never planned to just sit quietly and live as a Bassenberg.
“What?”
Ryan blinked like he couldn’t believe what he just heard.
“I said I’ll help you.”
I was going to help Ryan get his revenge.
“Let’s do it together.”
Because his revenge was for justice—and it had been my lover’s wish too.
“Are you stupid? Don’t you know who our father is?”
“I do.”
“If we fail, we’ll die.”
But this time, I won’t let it become meaningless murder like last time.
If what happened before repeats itself, Ryan will just be remembered as a bloodthirsty killer.
“If we fail, then… that’s that.”
I stepped closer and grabbed Ryan’s hand.
“We’ll die together.”
Ryan’s eyes widened in shock.
“You…”
He couldn’t finish his sentence—his lips were shaking.
“You, you…”
“Yes.”
I held his gaze so he could feel my sincerity.
Then Ryan finally said,
“…You’re scary.”
“……”
Sigh…
I guess serious moments never last with this guy.
“How can a tiny kid talk about dying so casually? Are you really twelve? Or are you on your second life or something?”
Gulp.
“You sure you’re not a spy sent by our father? To keep an eye on me?”
“What? You think too highly of yourself.”
I told Ryan the truth.
“All you’ve got are muscles. What’s there to be scared of? Why would he send a spy for that?”
“You little—!”
Honestly, if someone had really watched Ryan in the past, that tragedy wouldn’t have happened…
“…It’s sad, but you’re right.”
He seemed annoyed but agreed.
“Even if I shouted in his face that I’d get revenge, our father wouldn’t even blink.”
“Right.”
“It’s like an ant saying it’ll come back stronger—humans don’t fear ants.”
“Ugh, okay! Stop rubbing it in!”
“Since we’re talking about it… You have no money, no power, no title—how are you planning to get revenge?”
“……”
As I bluntly pointed out the reality, Ryan went quiet.
Then suddenly, he started punching the air with both fists and made whoosh sounds.
“See these muscles? See this fancy punching? A real man uses fists. I’ll punch my way to revenge.”
I was relieved.
Good. He’s not telling me what kind of power he really has.
That’s smart.
Rule #1 of revenge: Let the family believe Ryan is powerless until the very end.
“Oh, and I have land, too!”
Ryan pulled something from his bag—it was the ownership papers of a small estate, given to him after his release.
“I’m a lord now! So don’t mess with me!”
“Wow, amazing!”
I clapped my hands while thinking,
Do you know how hard I worked just to get that tiny plot of land in the past…?
Ryan had no idea.
That this second life of his was going to be so much easier because of all the preparations I made over two years.
“But seriously, kid. You’ve got nothing. How are you gonna help me? Other than eating my food?”
“…I won’t eat your food. I’ll take care of myself.”
“Ha.”
“For now, could you just be my guardian? Since you’ve got more muscles than me?”
“You’re unbelievable.”
“I’m actually pretty useful! Better than nothing!”
“Yeah? Then exchange this for money.”
Suddenly, Ryan handed me three gold bars he had set aside as child support.
“Didn’t you say earlier we’d get a better deal if we exchanged them here?”
“Well, yeah… But alone?”
“Should I come with you? I still feel sick from the boat. Go quickly.”
“This is a border town. Lots of foreigners, and a lot of pickpockets. It’s dangerous for a kid to walk around with gold.”
“It’s fine. You won’t die. There are guards and stuff.”
“You’re trying to run away while I’m gone, right? I know it.”
“……”
Ryan blinked a few times, then rubbed his forehead and chuckled.
“Wow, you’re sharp.”
After laughing a bit, he looked serious again.
“Kid. I know you don’t believe me, but I meant it when I said I want revenge.”
“I believe you.”
“I’m sorry if I seem cold. But I want to push you away before we get too close. If I get attached… then you’ll become a burden to me.”
“……”
“You won’t be helpful in revenge. Even if you could be, I wouldn’t use you. It’s more dangerous for you to stay by my side than to go live your life alone. So it’s better we part ways now.”
“…Okay. I understand.”
“Good.”
Ryan turned his back and started packing his things.
“If you understand, then leave.”
“I have something to confess.”
“I’m not listening.”
“I’m not actually powerless.”
Ryan froze mid-movement.
