I Refused To Be Reincarnated
Chapter 569: A Hero’s Birth

Chapter 569: A Hero’s Birth

As his voice echoed, the forest brightened and dissolved into light particles. Fading to let the boundless white room replace it, he caught the bear mother and son from the corner of his eye.

With a smile, he waved at them before they vanished, too.

"Don’t look at me sadly. I’m sure you’ll find a nice bear husband soon."

He sighed, shoving them off his mind to focus on the appearing notifications.

[Challenger Adam completed the first trial.]

[Reviewing process and rating it.]

[Rerun quest accomplished, boss killed.]

He scratched his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

"What did you expect? I wonder what rating I’ll get since I didn’t kill many beasts..." He shook his head. "Seems I’ve become soft."

[Or more mature.]

A pensive frown creased his brows as he tucked his fingers around his chin.

"Maybe."

[For overcoming your fears and sparing beasts when you could have obliterated the forest, I’ll rate your performance: EX]

He chuckled at her shenanigans. "Just say that’s what you want."

[A problem with that?]

"Nop, ma’am. Thank you for your patronage."

[Granting enigmatic rank item to the challenger: Grimoire Botanica for his rating.]

His eyes widened as he licked his lips. Though he had learned a fair share of plants under the serpent’s tutelage, he would never spit on a mystical grimoire!

[Attributing additional reward for accomplishing the rerun quest: tier four epic Qi-Infusion Furnace.]

He grinned, his eyes sparkling at the notification.

"Thanks, I needed one. And what quality!"

Without wasting a second, he summoned his new items and checked their stats.

Name: Grimoire Botanica

Rarity: Enigmatic

Description:

A mystical tome bound in supple bark-like leather from an ancient world tree. Its pages exude a faint herbal aroma and emit a soft green glow when touched.

Abilities:

Adaptive Herbiary: The grimoire absorbs the essence of plants the user encounters, cataloging their properties and becoming an evolving botanical compendium.

Knowledge Sharing: The Grimoire Botanica shares the collected knowledge with its owner, granting him unparalleled insight into botany.

As he nodded and turned to the furnace, another notification drew his attention.

[Don’t waste time with the grimoires. I’ll give you the last one after you complete the third floor. Throw them in the fusion pool to get what I envisioned twenty-two years ago.]

With a nod, he dismissed the book and focused on the silver furnace.

Name: Qi-Infusion Furnace

Rank: T4 Epic alchemical crafting tool

Description:

Designed for advanced alchemy, it maximises energy efficiency and output.

A gift from Luna to help you take your first steps in the Jin Long sect.

Abilities:

Qi Amplification: Enhances the potency of Qi-based materials by half.

Memory Inscription: Automates the reproduction of the last pill created. It needs spiritual stones as fuel.

"Not bad. I’m more interested in the engravings, but thanks Luna."

[Don’t get too used to my kindness. I’m not giving you anything worth on the next floors except the grimoire.]

"Noted. Send me to the second floor."

As his words echoed, the boundless room shifted. Its blind radiance dimmed as a starry sky expanded above.

The ground rumbled next, the slabs rising into rundown houses, shops, and villas. A castle followed. Reaching for the sky at the city’s center, he noticed the ditches and high walls surrounding it.

Soldiers patrolled through cannons, flickering torches illuminating their stern faces and polished armors. He noticed their nervousness and the tense atmosphere despite the distance.

Still, he sighed, disappointed not to see a mountain with spiders as large as cows.

[Slay the boss to obtain the highest reward.]

[Remaining time: Forty-eight hours.]

[Rerun quest: A beast stampede threatens this city’s good citizens... just kill them all and be done with this farce.]

After reading, he slapped his legs in amusement, exploding into boisterous laughter.

"Sure, I’ll get you the materials."

Meanwhile, a middle-aged man’s hurried steps echoed behind him.

A firm hand gripped his shoulder next as a panicked voice echoed.

"Where are your parents, boy? The night is dangerous. Even more these days. With the beasts threatening us, rogues and thieves litter the streets like predators. Quick, tell me where you live! I’ll bring you back safely."

He turned, a frown creasing his brows as he saw his reflection on the soldier’s shining breastplate.

Then, a mischievous smirk split his face as he pointed at the old walls surrounding the city outskirts.

"Follow me, mister. I’ll show you something you’ll never forget."

Without waiting for an answer, he raced to the walls—fast enough not to let the man catch him.

After five minutes, he gazed back, noticing the soldier still following him.

’He must really worry about kids.’ He smiled, yet his eyes narrowed into slits. ’Or...’ He inhaled as he reached the gate. ’I shouldn’t doubt people without proof.’

The man caught up with him a minute later.

His face flushed red, and his breath labored, he clicked his tongue upon seeing the bulk of the city soldiers lining and cleaning cannons, their armor tainted with soot and grease.

With a disgruntled groan, his fingers dug into Adam’s shoulder, aiming to inflict subtle pain.

"Are your parents soldiers, or do you think you’re smart?"

However, his eyes widened the next second as he felt the rock-hard skin beneath his fingers.

An icy shiver ran down his spine when he gazed into Adam’s sky-blue eyes, and terror engulfed him when he heard his cold voice.

"How about I send you to join yours? Free of charge, of course."

Before the man could answer, the air grew thicker than water. He clawed at his neck, trying to breathe and scream. Yet no sounds escaped his throat.

His eyes reddened, and his legs buckled. He wanted to plead for mercy, to apologise, to beg. But Adam’s eyes... he knew their sheen—the sheen of someone used to take lives... someone like him.

"Ask forgiveness to your victim wherever you go."

With a snap of his fingers, Adam crushed the man’s head between two plates of solid air before he leapt over the wall as if nothing had happened.

Still, a bitter taste filled his mouth. How many kids did this man abuse because of his rank? And did he take him for a fool with his shining armor when the city was under siege?

He sighed and slipped past the guards to sit by the wall’s edge, finding comfort in the night’s chilly breeze.

However, the quiet didn’t last.

Booming claws rocked the ground, a dust cloud rising behind a dense mass of charging beasts.

The captain saw them, too.

His voice thundered into a determined roar as he raised his fist commandingly.

"Load the cannons and draw your bows! Those beasts want to taste human flesh? We’ll make them taste steel!"

The other soldiers trembled but heeded his commands and shoved cannonballs into their old artillery.

Meanwhile, Adam sighed and rose to his feet, drawing their attention.

"What’s a kid doing on the wall?!" the captain roared, shoving a finger at him. "Get him down and fire!"

"It’s too late for the boy, sir. The beasts are already at range."

Conflicted, the captain watched Adam shrug before he heard his voice.

"Blazing Dawn."

A sun rose from Adam’s palm, its rays piercing the night and warming the soldiers’ terrified hearts.

They’d never forget what happened next.

Without effort, Adam hurled the sun into the horrible stampede.

BOOM

The ground exploded, molten earth and ash flying around a towering dust cloud.

The scent of burning flesh and the agonising wails of the beasts chilled their blood as they watched the devastation unfolding gobsmacked.

The boy then turned to them and smiled.

"Your city is safe. Protect your citizens and watch for bad apples abusing their powers. See you!"

Just like that, the boy disappeared, leaving them shocked, relieved, and delighted.

The captain recovered first and thundered.

"Draw his portrait! I want a statue of him where he stood! He’s our protector, savior, a kid... no, a hero we must honor!"

Meanwhile, Adam saw the city disappear into a sea of glistening sparks as he returned to the boundless white room, waiting for Luna’s rewards.

Yet, an icy shiver uncontrollably ran down his spine as he clicked his tongue.

"Are they bad-mouthing me?"