I Was Reborn, But God's Wants Me Dead

Kelvin's tiny frame trembled, and his heart thumped as he stood motionless. In front of him, the lifeless prisoner lay with blood splattering on the chilly stone floor and a pungent odour permeating the air. Kelvin's face and hands were marked with red, which contrasted with his pale, five-year-old complexion. His breath caught as he stared at the body—moments ago, the man was alive, full of fight. Now, he was gone. Panic swirled in Kelvin's mind. What did I do? He was a child in body, but the weight of what happened felt heavy, like a giant rock crushing him.

A cold, robotic voice cut through his thoughts. System Notice: Do you want to use Predator? Yes or no.

The word Predator sparked a memory. It was the secret skill he'd found weeks ago, part of the strange system that came with his soul in this noble boy's body. Could it fix this mess? His voice barely a whisper, he said, "Yes."

"Predator!" he shouted, desperate. Magic surged through him, draining his energy fast, like water spilling from a broken bucket. The air around the body glowed, and it vanished into tiny lights, leaving no blood, no clothes, nothing. Kelvin's knees gave out, and he breathed hard. It worked.

System Notice: Do you want to analyse the skills acquired?

Kelvin's head spun, the system's voice pulling him from relief. "Analyze… skills?" he mumbled, confused. "Yeah, okay."

A hum buzzed in his mind, like old gears turning. New Skill Obtained: Stealth. Pictures filled his head—ways to move quietly, hide in shadows, and slip away. He gasped, understanding. The prisoner had this skill. That's how he nearly escaped. Now it was Kelvin's. A quick smile crossed his face. "Not bad," he whispered, despite the mess.

But then, shouts echoed through the jail's stone halls. "Search every cell! The beast is loose!" The main prisoner—a real monster—had escaped, leaving hurt guards and dead inmates behind. Groans and clanging armor mixed in the air. Kelvin wanted to check out the beast's path, but the guards' voices got closer. If they saw him here, bloody and standing where a body should be, his father would be furious. His life as a noble's son would end fast.

Instinct kicked in. "Stealth", Kelvin whispered, using his new skill. His body blurred, blending into the shadows like he was part of the stone. His steps, though quick, made no sound as he ran through the jail's twisty halls. The skill felt natural, guiding him to a bathroom. He slipped inside, shut the door, and let the skill go, appearing again. His chest heaved as he leaned against the wall, heart racing.

Kelvin stumbled to the sink, splashing cold water on his face. The chill helped him focus as he scrubbed the blood off, his small hands shaking. He took off his bloody shirt and dunked it in the water, trying to wash away the proof. Focus, Kelvin. You're not caught yet. But then—thud. A basket of clothes fell, water spilling on the floor. Kelvin froze, holding the wet shirt to his face. "I'm not here; I'm not here," he whispered, hoping to disappear.

"My lord?" a soft voice said.

Kelvin peeked over the shirt, heart jumping. Elriya, his half-elf maid, stood there, her silver hair wet and sticking to her shoulders, a towel wrapped around her. Her green eyes shone with worry, her beauty glowing in the dim light. Kelvin's face turned red, his grown-up soul awkward in his kid's body. He looked away, stuttering, "E-Elriya? Why are you here?"

Elriya tilted her head, calm despite her towel. "I could ask you the same, young lord. Why are you in the jail's washroom, covered in blood? Are you hurt?" Her voice was kind but sharp, checking him for injuries.

Kelvin's mind raced. The truth—I killed someone and used a forbidden skill—was too dangerous. He needed a lie that fit his age and her trust. "It's… it's not mine," he said, his voice steadier than he felt. Her eyes widened, and he shook inside. Too cold, Kelvin. He softened his tone, acting like a scared kid. "I mean, I was helping a guard. He got hurt in the jailbreak. I saw the chaos from my window and… I had to do something. That's why I'm like this."

Elriya frowned, her gaze sharp. "Helping a guard? In a jailbreak? My lord, you're supposed to be safe in the manor. How did you even get here?"

Kelvin swallowed, twisting the wet shirt. He made his eyes big, letting them look teary—a trick he knew worked on her. "I-I couldn't stay there, Elriya. I saw the fighting and ran to help. I know I shouldn't have, but… please don't tell Father. He'll lock me in my room forever." His voice shook, and he bit his lip for effect.

Elriya's stern look softened, a small smile appearing. "Oh, you brave, foolish boy. Always running into trouble." She sighed, stepping closer. "Fine, I won't tell. But you can't keep doing this, my lord. It's dangerous."

Kelvin relaxed, shoulders dropping. "Thank you, Elriya. I owe you."

She raised an eyebrow, fixing her towel. "You certainly do. But how will you get back to your room without the guards seeing you? You're a mess."

A spark of mischief lit Kelvin's eyes. "I've got a trick for that." He raised a hand, calling a soft breeze of air magic. It lifted him slightly, his small body floating an inch off the ground. Elriya's jaw dropped, her eyes huge.

"You… you can use magic?" she gasped, amazed.

Kelvin grinned, floating toward the open window. "Just a little. I'm still practising. Oh, and Elriya?" He paused, meeting her shocked gaze. "Don't tell anyone about this either. Pretty please?"

She nodded, too stunned to speak, as Kelvin floated out the window, the night hiding him. The jailbreak chaos, the beast's escape, and the blood on his hands faded into the dark. For now, he was safe. But the system's hum stayed in his mind, a reminder of his power—and the secrets he had to keep.