Re-Awakening: Cannon Fodder With Strongest Talent-Chapter 51: Still Alive

The window swung open, and Ethan climbed gracefully into the room, looking at the chaos he’d caused.

"Sorry about that," he said, surveying the destruction. "I didn’t think you’d—"

He never finished the sentence as Tiana threw herself at him, wrapping him in a fierce hug that nearly knocked him back out the window.

"You IDIOT!" she cried, pounding his chest with her fist. "I thought you were DEAD!"

Ethan stood frozen, unsure how to respond to this emotional outburst.

"I’m... sorry?" he tried.

Tiana pulled back, suddenly aware of her appearance and the state of her apartment. She ran a self-conscious hand through her tangled hair.

"Don’t you ’sorry’ me! The orphanage burned down! Twenty-six people died! I thought you were hiding there! I thought—" Her voice caught as she finally saw that some blood was spattered on his clothes. "Is that... blood?"

Ethan glanced down at himself as if noticing the evidence of multiple kills. "Ah. Yes. It’s been a busy day."

Tiana’s eyes widened. "Busy? BUSY?! You disappear for days, the orphanage burns down, monsters attack the city, and you show up at my window covered in blood saying you’ve had a BUSY DAY?!"

Ethan blinked. "When you put it like that, it does sound inadequate."

His fists tightened.

"I just took revenge for the orphanage."

Tiana’s eyes immediately welled with tears. Her lips trembled as she fought to maintain control.

"I—" She couldn’t finish, the word catching in her throat.

"It’s okay," Ethan said, his voice gentler than she’d ever heard it. "But first, we need to leave this place. I don’t know what General Han will do once he finds out what I caused at his mansion. He’ll investigate and find out about me and you."

Tiana stood frozen for a second, processing his words.

Before she could ask, he responded.

"I killed Han Wei," he replied matter-of-factly. "And his guards. And burned down his summer pavilion."

Tiana’s hand flew to her mouth. "You did what?!"

"He ordered the orphanage fire. I found proof. He confessed before I killed him."

The detachment in his voice sent a shiver down Tiana’s spine. This wasn’t the Ethan she knew at all.

"How did you even..." She gestured helplessly at him. "Han Wei had guards, protection—"

Ethan held out his hand, and to Tiana’s astonishment, a small flame danced across his palm. "I’m not the same person I was before."

"I’ll explain everything later, but right now, we need to move. Pack whatever you need."

Tiana hesitated only briefly before nodding. This was Ethan—different, yes, but still the boy she’d watched grow up in the orphanage. If he said they were in danger, they were in danger.

"Give me five minutes," she said, already moving.

Ethan nodded, moving to the window to keep watch. "The monsters that attacked today were just the first wave," he said, eyes scanning the streets below. "The main horde is gathering. Three Silver-ranks leading them."

Tiana nearly dropped the stack of research she was collecting. "Three Silvers? That’s impossible. The city will fall!"

"Not if we stop them first."

She stared at his back, at the confident set of his shoulders. "We? Ethan, even if you’ve somehow gotten stronger, the city can’t fight Silver-ranks!"

He turned, and something in his eyes made her breath momentarily stop.

"Not yet," he agreed. "But I’m growing stronger by the hour. And you understand these creatures better than anyone. Together, we might be the city’s only chance."

Tiana swallowed hard, then resumed packing with urgency.

"Where will we go?"

"First to Lin’s restaurant in District Three. I need to check on Hong Wei. Then somewhere we can prepare without interference."

She nodded, shoving the last of her notes into a travel bag. "Ready."

Ethan opened the window wider. "Can you climb on my back?"

Tiana blinked. "You want to go out the window? This high up?"

"Trust me," he said simply.

Tiana secured her bag.

"Are you done packing? You can have more, it’s fine."

"Yes. I don’t have much stuff anyway. I saved most of my salary," She said, as she took out a large bag full of crystals.

Alright, he said, taking the bag before it vanished into thin air.

"You have a storage ring?"

Ethan nodded.

"Not one. I have two," He smiled, flashing both rings.

"Alright, let’s go."

Tiana nodded.

She approached Ethan hesitantly, suddenly aware of their proximity in a way she hadn’t been before.

"So I just..." she gestured vaguely.

"Climb on," he confirmed, crouching slightly to make it easier.

Tiana stepped forward, placing her hands tentatively on his shoulders. The muscles beneath her fingers felt defined. As she leaned against his back, a subtle warmth radiated through his clothing.

"Like this?" she asked, her voice unexpectedly soft.

"Arms around my neck," he instructed, his own voice dropping to match hers.

She complied, sliding her arms around his neck as he straightened, lifting her effortlessly. Her chest pressed against his back, and she could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat—unnervingly calm despite everything that had happened.

"Hold tight," he murmured.

The simple command sent an involuntary shiver through her that had nothing to do with fear. She tightened her grip, her face close enough to his neck that she could smell his unique scent that made her feel safe.

"I won’t drop you," he promised, misinterpreting her tightening grip.

"I know," she whispered, the words brushing against his ear.

For a brief moment, neither moved.

Then Ethan stepped onto the window ledge, breaking the spell. "Ready?"

Tiana pressed her face against his shoulder, nodding against the fabric of his shirt. "Ready."

Ethan stepped onto the narrow windowsill, the drop nothing but empty air beneath them. For a normal human, this would be suicide. For him, it was barely an inconvenience.

His Enhanced Speed talent activated, slowing the world around him. Iron Enhancement hardened his fingers for a better grip. With precise and fluid movements, he began descending the building’s exterior.