My Cheat Skill Lets Me Copy Powers....But only if i kill-Chapter 26: Chosen Bloodline

Chapter 25 – Chosen Bloodline

The throne room remained frozen, the weight of Reina Hurozawa's revelation sinking into the marble floors like stone.

"Renji is my brother," she said calmly, silver eyes gleaming beneath the high torches.

The nobles whispered furiously, scandal and shock thick in the air.

"The Chosen One... related to him?"

"This could shift the balance..."

"Should she be trusted?"

King Alden stood in stunned silence at the base of his throne, his sharp gaze locked onto Reina. The tension in his posture faded, replaced by something else — calculation.

"This is the first I've heard of another Hurozawa," he said, voice low, measured. "You hide yourself well."

"I've had no reason to step forward," Reina replied. "Until now."

His eyes narrowed. "Why reveal it? You could've stayed silent."

Reina stepped forward, confidence in every movement. "Because it matters. You summoned me for power — my bloodline ensures I have it."

She paused, voice like ice. "And because if I'm to find Renji, I don't intend to deceive him."

A ripple went through the nobles.

King Alden's voice dropped. "You intend to confront him."

Her expression didn't change. "You ordered me to assess him — ally or threat. I will decide."

Days before, in a hidden chamber beneath the palace, magic pulsed through runes carved into ancient stone. Blue flames licked the air, the hum of energy deafening.

In the center, a portal tore through space, light pouring from it as voices chanted in unison.

From the heart of the magic, Reina emerged, kneeling, untouched by the chaos. She opened her eyes calmly as the magic died around her.

[System Notification]

[Summoned: Chosen One. Rank: S.]

[Purpose: Balance Disruption Detected.]

[Target: Unknown Variable – Renji Hurozawa.]

She stood, absorbing the message. No shock. No fear.

Her first words: "Where is he?"

Lysoria at night was a city of muted chaos — the clatter of wagons, hushed voices in taverns, and the occasional laughter of drunken adventurers filling the air. Lanterns flickered along narrow cobbled streets, casting long shadows that danced along the worn stone walls.

Renji walked alone, his black cloak drawn tight, hood pulled low. His steps were slow, deliberate, blending into the ebb and flow of foot traffic. The chill air bit at his skin, but his mind was elsewhere — tangled in thoughts he couldn't shake.

That kiss...

Seraphina's lips on his cheek, the heat of the moment, the shocked silence from the crowd — all of it replayed in fragments, taunting him.

"Why?" he muttered under his breath, eyes fixed ahead. "Why did she do that?"

He wasn't naïve. The princess didn't act without purpose.

"Was it gratitude? A show of power? A mark?"

His fists clenched slightly beneath his cloak. Attention was something he avoided. Now, he was in the center of it — nobility, guild rumors, whispers.

Uncomfortable. Unwanted. Dangerous.

He exhaled, trying to shrug it off, but something inside still twisted, an unease far beyond the kiss.

As he turned down a quieter alleyway, his instincts pricked — a chill not from the wind, but from awareness.

He slowed.

Then stopped.

From the corner of his eye, a figure stood across the square — half-hidden in shadow, watching him.

Cloaked. Still. Silent.

Renji's gaze didn't shift. He kept walking, posture relaxed, but his senses focused like a blade.

"Someone's tailing me. And they're good."

He turned down another narrow path — abandoned, dimly lit.

Then, with practiced ease, he broke into a sprint, silent, fast, darting between stalls and side alleys. His boots barely touched the ground as he slid behind a stack of crates, pulling into shadow.

His breathing slowed to nothing. He waited.

Seconds later — footsteps.

The figure ran past, their cloak billowing as they rushed by — not even glancing his way.

Renji didn't move, watching with sharp eyes. The figure vanished into the night.

Still no face. No clue.

Just a presence. A shadow.

He waited, tension coiled in his muscles.

Then he exhaled and stood.

"They didn't sense me. But they were following me."

His eyes narrowed, silver flashing under the moonlight.

"Who are you...?"

Without another thought, he turned and made his way back — fast, cautious — the city's shadows suddenly feeling much closer.

The inn's interior was a welcome contrast to the cold tension outside. Warm candlelight flickered across wooden beams, and the scent of stew and bread filled the air. The small fireplace crackled, casting soft shadows that danced across the cozy walls.

At a corner table, Elara and Lena sat together, a half-eaten meal between them.

Lena laughed softly, stirring her drink. "I still can't believe it — a kiss from a princess."

Elara smirked. "And in front of everyone too. Renji's probably still in shock."

Lena nodded. "He acted like it didn't faze him, but I saw his face—"

The door burst open, wind rushing in.

Renji stepped through, cloak billowing, his silver eyes sharp, scanning the room before locking onto them.

Elara straightened. "Renji?"

He walked quickly to their table and sat heavily, eyes flicking toward the door as if expecting someone else to follow.

Lena leaned forward. "What's wrong?"

Renji's voice was low, urgent. "I was being followed."

Their expressions changed instantly — playful curiosity gone, replaced by concern.

Elara frowned. "Who?"

"I don't know," Renji replied. "Cloaked figure. Watching me for blocks. When I ran, they followed — fast. Skilled."

Lena gripped her cup tighter. "That's... not good."

Before they could respond, the door opened again, this time with a loud thud.

Kiera stumbled in, sweat glistening on her brow, breath ragged, cloak half-slipped from her shoulders.

"Water..." she gasped, moving to the table and slumping into the seat beside Renji.

Elara blinked. "Kiera? What happened?"

Kiera waved a hand weakly. "Training... took a detour... don't ask."

Renji glanced sideways at her, watching the beads of sweat trail down her temple, the rise and fall of her chest as she caught her breath.

Renjo Thought to himself

"She's out of breath... like she'd been running. Same time I was followed."

"Coincidence? Or..."

He said nothing, keeping his thoughts to himself.

Kiera grabbed a glass of water, downing it in one gulp.

"You alright?" Lena asked.

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Kiera gave a half-smile. "Just... pushed myself too hard."

Renji leaned back in his seat, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Too many shadows. Too many questions."

But he stayed silent, waiting.

The Valkris Adventurer's Guild was alive with sound and motion — the clatter of weapons, shouts of laughter, and heated arguments over coin splits echoing off stone walls. The scent of sweat, ale, and leather hung in the air, familiar and heavy.

At the center, a group of adventurers crowded the quest board, arguing over the best paying contracts. In the far corner, others celebrated a successful hunt, raising mugs, spilling drink, their voices echoing.

The large double doors opened, but unlike usual boisterous arrivals, this entrance was silent — measured steps on stone floors.

A cloaked figure walked in, hood drawn low, posture straight, movements precise.

Reina Hurozawa.

Her presence was quiet, but the air shifted subtly around her. Those near the entrance turned to glance — drawn to her aura, though none could explain why.

Whispers began almost instantly.

"New girl?"

"Don't recognize her..."

"She's got that look... like she's here for business."

Ignoring them, Reina approached the front counter, where a bored-looking receptionist was scribbling notes.

He glanced up, blinking at her sudden appearance.

"Can I help you?"

Reina's voice was smooth, controlled. "I'd like to register as an adventurer."

He nodded, pulling out a blank form. "Name?"

"Rina Vale," she replied without hesitation.

Giving a false name

He jotted it down. "Age?"

"Nineteen."

"Any experience?"

Reina smiled faintly. "No formal experience. But I'm capable."

The receptionist gave her a quick once-over — the way she stood, the stillness, the confidence — he didn't doubt it.

"Alright. Standard registration. You'll start at F-rank like the rest."

As he handed her a guild tag, Reina accepted it with grace.

Then, as he began filing the record, she asked, casual yet deliberate, "Do you happen to know someone named Renji Hurozawa? I've heard the name mentioned in passing."

The receptionist looked up. "Renji? Yeah, he's a member here. D-rank, though people talk about him like he's higher. Word is he just finished a high-level escort job. Escorting royalty, no less."

Reina nodded. "Interesting."

Her eyes flicked toward the bustling crowd, scanning faces — none were his.

"Thank you for the information."

She turned and walked out, the chatter resuming behind her.

"He's here. Close. The question now... is he worth my time?"

The capital city of Lysoria bustled beneath the morning sun, its white stone streets glistening from a recent rain. Nobles in silk robes passed by in sleek carriages, while royal guards patrolled in pairs, their silver armor catching the light. From the distance, the Valenhardt Palace towered above, its banners fluttering with the royal phoenix crest.

Renji stood at the city's southern gate, tightening the last strap on the modest carriage they had hired. Kiera, Elara, and Lena stood beside him, bags slung over their shoulders.

Lena looked back toward the towering city walls. "Part of me's gonna miss this place."

Elara smirked. "The palace food or the palace drama?"

Kiera chuckled, throwing her bag into the carriage. "You mean the princess throwing herself at Renji?"

Renji adjusted his cloak without comment.

Elara grinned. "Come on, admit it. She flustered you."

"No," Renji replied flatly, climbing into the carriage.

Lena giggled. "That's a yes."

The carriage driver clicked his reins, and the horses began moving, pulling them along the winding stone road that led out of Lysoria's grand gates.

As the city faded behind them, lush countryside rolled ahead — open fields, clusters of trees, and the occasional traveler's cottage dotting the land.

Inside the carriage, the four settled into silence.

''I need to head to the guild when we get into town for my promotion'' Renji muttered

Kiera leaned her head back, eyes closed. "Valkris is only two days out... I want a bath. And sleep."

Elara nodded. "No nobles. No maids. No princesses."

Lena smiled softly. "Just us."

Renji stared out the window, his reflection faint in the glass.

"Distance from Lysoria won't change it. That presence... it's still there."

"Whoever was watching me... they're not finished."

His hand rested on the hilt of his blade, thumb tapping the pommel in rhythm with the carriage wheels.