Kaito was never given a choice.

An orphan with no family, no warmth, and no future — the cold hands of an assassination organization shaped his life. Stripped of emotions and molded into a weapon, he lived only to kill, following the twisted orders of the one he called "Mom." She was never his mother — just a manipulative figure who saw him as nothing more than a tool.

He became their most feared assassin — sharp, precise, and merciless. Yet in the end, his greatest strength became his curse. Out of fear of his talent, "Mom" betrayed him. Alone and bleeding out, Kaito’s world faded to black.

But death wasn’t the end.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a new world — a body too small, too frail — and yet, he remembered everything. Memories of bloodshed and betrayal haunted him. Before he could make sense of it, he saw her — his mother.

She wasn’t a commanding voice or a cruel manipulator — she was warm yet fragile, gentle yet strong. An elf mother, trembling as goblin cubs swarmed her, powerless to stop them.

Something inside Kaito snapped.

He didn’t think. He didn’t hesitate. He slaughtered the creatures without mercy — blood splattering the earth beneath his tiny feet. When it was over, he turned to her — battered, bruised, yet still trying to smile for her child.

“Are you my mother?” he asked, his voice almost breaking.

In her exhausted, teary gaze, he saw something he'd never known before — unconditional love.

For the first time in two lives, Kaito knew what it meant to have someone worth protecting — not out of duty, not because of orders — but because she was his mother. And no one would ever hurt her again.

No one.

Damn it, this kid is after my life, not yours!


Why don't you switch places with me and see how you like it?!


It could almost feel something stirring deep within its bloodline—a pressure that shouldn't exist.


It was a high-level goblin! Only generals and superior species had such strength. 


But this kid crawled out of the same low-level goblin pit as the rest. There was no way he was superior.


"Oh! If nothing's wrong, I'll be going," Kaito muttered, barely sparing Changdong a glance before heading toward the lair, his bag slung tightly over his back.


Changdong's voice was softer this time, less sure of itself. 


"What now?" Kaito turned, irritation creeping into his tone.


"You... you need to hand over part of your loot."


Changdong jabbed a finger at the oversized bag on Kaito's back.


Rules were rules. The terrifying goblin in front of him didn't change that. If Kaito got away with breaking them, Changdong would pay the price later.


"This is mine," Kaito said, fingers tightening around the bag strap.


A low-level goblin among the crowd sneered.


"The loot belongs to the lair and the team!"


"That idiot's trying to steal from the nest!"


"Hand it over, or the team will hear about this!"


Changdong's patience snapped. He squared his shoulders, emboldened by the crowd behind him. 


"You know the rules! Everyone hands over half their loot—no exceptions!"


His confidence grew as he glared at Kaito. 


He wasn't alone. He had the entire lair at his back. If this kid tried anything, a horde of goblins would tear him apart.


"And where's the rest of your group?" Changdong demanded. "I want them here now! Let's see how brave they are, stealing from the lair!"


Changdong froze. The smug look fell from his face.


The crowd went quiet. Dozens of eyes locked onto Kaito. 


All of them dead? And yet this one goblin came back alone... with all the loot?


Even the dimmest goblin could tell something didn't add up.


"How did they die?" Changdong asked, trying to mask his unease.


"Oh? Then maybe you should try and find out... if I'm better than you too."


Chapter 32 - Chapter 32 The Survivor’s Gamble