From Trash to Lord of Thunder: The Rise of the Cursed Extra-Chapter 65: Go All the Way

Charles’s heart lurched at Lira’s question.

Asking whether he was still her stepbrother or not hit like a thunderbolt.

It wasn’t something to take lightly—answering wrong here was as good as signing his own execution, given her position in the clan.

This wasn’t a physical fight anymore; it was a verbal duel.

For a moment, the aroma of rice and meat and the warmth of the room faded, replaced by a chill running down Rian’s spine.

’Oh, shit,’ Charles thought, eyes wide. ’How did I not see this coming?’

In all his time in this world, Charles had focused on surviving the endless fights every lunatic in this place forced on him.

And while he’d won most of them... he’d overlooked a critical detail.

He hadn’t made any effort to mimic the original Rian.

The fragmented memories Charles had of Rian Cole painted a quiet, reserved young man who trained alone, obeyed orders silently, and never rose to provocations.

That Rian wouldn’t have jumped into duels, challenged Masters, or demanded a high rank at a trial.

’I’m an idiot!’ Charles thought, a knot forming in his stomach. ’Everything I’ve done screams I’m not him. Of course someone would get suspicious!’

Lira kept staring at Rian, her intensity making him feel like he was being grilled by a cop. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

But her attention was split: one eye on Rian, the other on the plate of rice she continued eating with a calm that clashed with the weight of her question.

Charles swallowed hard, noting the doubt in her expression.

’She’s not sure,’ he thought, trying to steady his breathing. ’She still has doubts. I can get out of this if I play my cards right.’

If Lira were absolutely certain he wasn’t Rian, she wouldn’t have helped him this far.

Her doubts were obvious.

Even Charles considered how she’d interacted with him—it was hard to believe she’d kill him outright.

He decided to play dumb, forcing a smile he hoped looked natural.

"Of course I’m your stepbrother, dear stepsister," he said, his tone light, as if the question were a joke.

Lira’s face changed instantly. Her blue eyes widened, and before Charles could react, she lunged at him.

Crash!

The plates of rice hit the floor, scattering grains and chunks of meat across the table and ground.

Lira shoved him with such force that Charles’s chair tipped over, and they both crashed to the floor.

"Aagh!" Charles yelped.

He tried to cushion the fall, but Lira ended up on top, her knees digging into his chest, her face a mask of pure fury.

"Who are you?!" she screamed, her voice trembling with rage. Her hands clamped around Charles’s throat, squeezing with a strength that cut off his air.

Charles gasped, struggling to speak.

"I’m... I’m Rian!" he choked out, voice strangled. His hands shot up, trying to pry hers off, but she was shockingly strong.

So strong it made Charles realize she’d held back the last time they’d fought in this room.

"Liar!" Lira shouted, tightening her grip. "In all these years, since Klaus adopted me, Rian never called me stepsister! Never! Who are you, and what did you do to him?"

Charles felt a spike of panic.

’Damn it!’ he thought, his vision starting to blur. ’I screwed up! I screwed up big time!’

Then, as if his mind wanted to save him, a flood of the original Rian’s memories surged into his head.

◇◆◇

Images of a younger Lira, maybe thirteen or fourteen, with shorter black hair and a somber expression, flashed before him.

’Oh, how cute,’ Charles thought.

In those memories, a younger Rian watched her with respect, always calling her "Miss Lira," as if she were untouchable.

’Is it just me... or does Rian seem like a servant here?’ Charles thought, confused.

Each encounter was brief, with Rian keeping his distance, speaking only when necessary.

But there were other memories too.

Kain, Rian’s other stepbrother, entered the scene, mocking him with cruel insults.

’This jerk... doesn’t he have anything better to do?’ Charles thought, annoyed.

"Useless!" Kain sneered in one memory, shoving Rian aside. "Stay away from Lira! She’s not for someone like you!"

In another, Kain grabbed Lira’s arm, dragging her away while Rian stayed behind, head bowed, silent.

The humiliation in those moments was palpable, and Charles felt a surge of anger for what the original Rian Cole had endured.

◇◆◇

’This guy never caught a break,’ Charles thought, struggling to breathe under Lira’s grip. ’And the few chances he had... he didn’t take them.’

Though Charles knew what he was about to do went against the values his parents had taught him...

In this world, where everyone seemed crazier than the last, he had no choice but to lie.

Lying and deceiving were the only ways he’d get out of this alive.

"Lira... stop..." Charles gasped, his hands weakly pushing at her arms. "You’re... killing me!"

Lira didn’t let go right away, but seeing Rian’s pained expression made her hesitate.

What if she was wrong?

What if there was a reason Rian was changing...?

The fury in Lira’s eyes slowly faded, replaced by fear.

Charles felt his strength slipping, black spots dancing in his vision.

Was he really going to die like this?

But then, just as he thought he’d pass out, Lira released his throat, easing back slightly.

She stayed on top, knees still pinning his chest, but her trembling hands hovered as she stared at him.

Charles coughed, sucking in air painfully.

If there was a chance to widen the crack of doubt in Lira’s mind, this was it, and he wasn’t going to waste it.

"Lira, what... the hell... is wrong with you?" he rasped, rubbing his throat. "Have you lost it?"

Lira stared at Charles with an intensity that made him shiver.

"Where’s Rian?" she asked, her voice low and dangerous. "I know you’re not him. If you don’t tell me the truth about what you did to him, I’ll kill you right here."

Despite the threatening words, there was doubt in them!

Charles blinked, still catching his breath.

"Have you actually lost it, Lira?" he repeated, trying to sound outraged. "It’s me, damn it! What makes you think I’m not?"

Lira clenched her fists, leaning closer as her nerves spiked.

The truth was, Lira had no solid proof that Rian wasn’t Rian.

Yes, his attitude had changed, but she’d heard of similar cases in the clan—members transforming to climb ranks.

But seeing Rian like this...

"Please, don’t lie to me," Lira said, staring into Charles’s eyes.