Bound by Love and Sacrifice: A Light Novelle Adventure

Chapter 1: The Awakening

My name is Kaito. I’ve never amounted to much in life—average grades, no girlfriends, no friends, and always laying low. Everything changed when I was reincarnated in another world. But let me start first by the beginning.

I was born into a wealthy family, loved and adored by both my parents. Every day felt like paradise. But that perfect life crumbled in an instant.

I was only five. I remember admiring the dark sky, it was full of stars that night. I was suddenly interrupted by the blinding headlights of a truck. Before I could react, the unavoidable crash hit us, leaving me stunned and disoriented. I managed to focus my sight just enough to see notice both my parents were covered in blood. I passed out, but came to my senses just in time to see the truck driver place his passenger in the driver’s seat before fleeing in a black car. I saw just enough before I completely blacked out.

The next thing I knew, I was waking up in a hospital bed. A news report was playing on the TV in front of me, describing the crash involving the Kashin family. The report said I was the only survivor, while everyone else, including the so-called ‘drunk’ truck driver, had supposedly died in the accident. I broke down in tears; I thought that just as I had survived, there was a chance my family could have, too. It was one of the most devastating moments of my life.

But through all that sadness, one thought kept surfacing: the supposed drunk driver. I knew it was a lie, and I needed to tell the police what I had seen.

A nurse noticed I’d woken up and approached my bedside, asking gently how I felt, if I could speak, and if I remembered anything from that night. She mentioned that some police officers were waiting to ask me a few questions when I was ready, and that they’d explain what had happened. I don’t think she realized that the news was already playing the incident on the TV right in front of me.

When the officers came in, I told them everything. I explained, with all the detail my young mind could recall, how the truck driver had placed someone else in the driver’s seat before escaping in a black car. I described the headlights, the crash, the blood—every haunting memory I had of that night.

But they didn’t believe me. Their expressions shifted from sympathy to skepticism, their polite nods turning into faint, condescending smiles. One officer exchanged a glance with another, as if I’d simply imagined it all. I insisted, desperation rising in my voice, repeating over and over what I had seen. But they dismissed my story, attributing it to shock, or trauma, or perhaps just the imagination of a child.

I felt trapped. I was the only one who had seen the truth, but no one would listen. I was left alone with the knowledge of what I’d seen, as the officers kindly patted my shoulder, reassuring me it was just the trauma talking, that everything would be okay. But I knew the truth—and I knew that the person responsible was still out there.

At just five years old, I lost both of my parents in a tragic collision with a truck. Only I and the truck driver survived. The last thing I remember before passing out was him being picked up by another car and fleeing the accident scene. I woke up in the hospital, confused and alone. Soon after, I learned I’d been taken in by my dad’s sister.

My name is Kaito. I’ve never amounted to much in life—average grades, no girlfriends, no friends, and always laying low. Everything changed when I was reincarnated in another world. But let me start first by the beggining At just five years old, I lost both of my parents in a tragic collision with a truck At just five years old, I lost both of my parents in a tragic collision with a truck. Only I and the truck driver survived. The last thing I remember before passing out was him being picked up by another car and fleeing the accident scene. I woke up in the hospital, confused and alone. Soon after, I learned I’d been taken in by my dad’s sister.

Growing up with my aunt and her family, I was more of a shadow than a person. They never treated me poorly, but they didn’t exactly acknowledge my existence either. It was like I was invisible in their world. They fed me, clothed me, but beyond that, I was a stranger in their lives. I learned early on to navigate life on my own.

Years later, at age fifteen, everything changed. I discovered something about my dad’s past that I could never have imagined—I was the sole successor to his fortune. The lawyers arrived at my aunt’s house, bringing a whirlwind of tension with them. I remember watching her face contort with rage, her husband trying to calm her as she glared at me with a fury I didn’t understand.

The lawyers explained everything about my father’s legacy, and for the first time in a long time, I felt a glimmer of happiness. This inheritance felt like a link to my father, something that tied me back to him beyond the faded memories of my childhood. More than the money or the business, it was the collection of personal notes my father had left that intrigued me most—the lawyers said these were more significant than the fortune itself. It felt like, in some strange way, I’d get to know him again through these notes.

But my happiness was short-lived.

My aunt sent me off in a taxi to retrieve these notes, which were locked in a bunker beneath my old family home. The only way to access them was with a key the lawyers had given me. As I sat in the taxi, my thoughts drifted, and out of nowhere, a flash of memory struck me—an image of the truck driver from the accident, the man who had taken my parents from me.

I snapped out of it, my pulse racing, only to realize another truck was bearing down on us, swerving right into our lane. My heart froze as I caught sight of the driver. It was him—the same man from that night so many years ago. We collided hard, metal crunching, glass shattering. My body was immobilized, my mind hazy with pain. In the chaos, I saw my uncle step out of the truck, and my aunt was right there in a black car, watching.

They rifled through my belongings, and I felt a sick jolt of realization as they took the key, the very key that was meant to lead me back to my father’s legacy. They fled, leaving me to die, just like my parents.

To my surprise, I woke up again. I really thought that was it for me—that I’d finally crossed over. But this wasn’t a hospital room or anything familiar. Instead, all I saw was an endless expanse of green, a dense forest stretching out in every direction. As I tried to make sense of it, I noticed a young woman standing nearby. She was beautiful, with flowing blonde hair and pointed ears—a sight that felt both enchanting and surreal.

She spoke, her words unfamiliar and strange, like a language from another world. Before I could process anything, a sharp pain shot through my head, intense and all-consuming. I could barely hold onto consciousness as everything faded to white. This time, it felt final. This time, I thought I might truly be dead.

Unknown: “Wake up, unfortunate soul!”

Kaito thinks to himself, hesitant to respond.

I don’t want to open my eyes and find out I’m really dead. Maybe Mom and Dad are here, but I haven’t had my revenge yet. I don’t even know what those notes from Dad said. I have to avenge them!

Unknown: “Easy there, little fella. You’re certainly not dead. In fact, you’ve refused to die so many times and didn’t even notice the danger you were in. Do you remember all those times you got sick, and your aunt refused to take you to the hospital? You were being poisoned, kid, and you didn’t even realize it. You might play it low, but deep down, you’re a fighter. Anyone else would have been long gone by now, or they’d have given up.”

Kaito: “So…it’s true? I’m not dead? That means I can go back and get my dad’s key?”

Unknown: “Kid, you’re an odd one. Alright, let me make you an offer. This world needs a hero, a Legendary Sorcerer, to save it from the forces of the Dark One. If you take up the mantle of this prophecy and save this world, I’ll send you back to your old life. Not only that—I’ll place you back right after you were adopted, at age five. You’ll have time to prepare your grand plan for revenge…or whatever you want to do. So, do we have a deal?”

Kaito: “In every game, anime, manga, and isekai, there’s always a place to level up or acquire skills. Take me there and leave me with a map and some knowledge about this world. I’ll figure out the rest.”

Unknown: “Are you sure you don’t want a secret weapon or a powerful artifact?”

Kaito: “Just give me the ability to talk to all beings in this world, a dagger, and some food.”

Unknown: “You’re a strange kid, alright. Since you didn’t ask for any legendary items or skills, I’ll give you something extra. You’ll get the Resilient passive skill, the Speech skill, and a magic bag to hold your items. That should keep you alive.”

Kaito: “Thank you for this chance, God. I won’t disappoint you.”

Unknown: “Go get ’em, kid. Oh, and remember, you asked to be teleported to a dangerous place to level up fast. That area’s called the Lost Souls’ Skill Takers. All the monsters there can steal the abilities of their victims and are extremely dangerous. Some might even be immortal unless you figure out their weak points. But if you manage to kill any, there’s a low chance you’ll acquire one of their skills. The tougher the monster, the better the skill drop. Good luck.”

I open my eyes once again and find myself dangling in mid-air, cocooned in sticky threads. My arms and legs are tightly bound, leaving me nearly immobilized, hanging like prey in the giant spider’s web. The silk is strong and unyielding, holding me as if I’m trapped in chains of steel.

Kaito: “I have to hurry! Those are baby spiders, but they’re about half my size—and they look hungry. I need to cut these threads and get out of here.”

I grip the dagger in my hand, my only tool, and attempt to saw through the threads binding me. But the web is thick, almost metallic in its resistance, and each cut barely makes a dent. The silk clings to the blade, refusing to tear easily, and frustration bubbles up in my chest.

Kaito: “I gotta find another way. There’s gotta be another way to free myself.”

I look around frantically, my mind racing for options. The baby spiders got closer, their glowing eyes fixed on me with an unsettling hunger. They creep up the threads, moving in a rhythm that sends chills down my spine. The sound of their legs tapping against the web amplifies the urgency, echoing through the dark chamber like a ticking clock.

I steady my breath, forcing myself to focus. Maybe if I focus… If I picture energy, like mana, flowing around the blade… maybe I can cut through.

I close my eyes briefly, centering my thoughts on the tip of the blade. I imagine a faint glow forming around it, visualizing a layer of energy sharpening the edge beyond what the physical metal can achieve. I’ve seen it in games, read about it in manga, and it feels ridiculous to try here, but with the spiders drawing closer by the second, I have no other choice.

Kaito- Ok lets try this thing!

A faint, warm sensation pulses in my hand, a strange tingling that spreads through my fingers and flows into the blade. I open my eyes just a crack, and to my surprise, a soft, blue, dim glow surrounds the dagger. It’s faint, barely visible, but it’s there.

For a second, I almost lose focus, but I waste no time and cut through just enough layers of the web to escape. I look left and right, and all I see is a dead giant frog monster with its belly split open. Strangely, none of the spiders are getting close to it. Only one seems to have tried to eat it—and it lies dead nearby, probably from poison.

I don’t waste a second and dive into the monster’s belly before the baby spiders can reach me. As soon as I’m inside the dead frog’s body, all the spiders lose interest in me, and soon I realize why—its blood is poisonous. I notice this because my skin starts to burn wherever the blood touches it.

Then, suddenly, the frog starts to move. I think maybe it wasn’t fully dead and could feel me inside. Panic floods through me, and I start stabbing the insides of the monster over and over, ignoring the burning pain as the poisonous blood sears my skin. I’m in a frenzy, just stabbing and stabbing in pure fear.

Finally, a message flashes in front of my eyes:

[LEVEL UP]

[Blood Poison] acquired.

Kaito: “Whoa… just like a video game. All my burns and injuries are fading away. And now, one of the side effects of acquiring Blood Poison is that I’m more resistant to all kinds of poisons. My first acquired skill!”

I just might have an idea of how I might acquire my next skill. And no, the baby spiders won’t do. They might drop some basic skills, but if I want the web ability, I’ll have to go for the big mama spider.

Okay, let’s start with the small ones first. For now, I’ll watch them in the shadows, see how they behave, and learn more about their capabilities and skills, and so I did, for a whole week. After all, I only have one life—this isn’t a real game.

My observations were precise. By day three, the baby spiders started jumping higher and running faster. I believe this is a natural basic skill they possess. They’re capable of using webs, but the webs aren’t strong, so I can cut them without mana infusion. My blood also erodes their webs, and they seem to notice me but keep ignoring me. I believe they think I’m not a threat, and they can probably smell that I’m poisonous.

My supplies will only last for three more days, so if I want to survive, I’d better start hunting and eating these baby spiders. There are about thirty of them and one big one, which leaves every day for around six hours to bring food to Its babies. That window of time is my opportunity to get rid of them. I’ve also learned how to access my status window: I’m level 2, and my XP bar is at 93%, so I’ll likely level up after hunting my first baby spider.

One day left until my supplies are over.

I wait for the big mama spider to leave and then start my master plan. I coat my knife with poisonous blood from the dead frog and make various spikes from its bones, which are also poisoned. I wait for the spiders to fall asleep as they wait for food, then climb the webs on the ceiling and stick all the spikes downward, aimed straight at the baby spiders. Once all of them are in place, I cut two of my fingers and spray down the spiders, making them confused and hurting them, then immediately cut the threads holding the spikes, crushing them and stabbing them, which in seconds takes out most of them, only two spiders remained alive but hurt.

A big sign appeared in front of me:

[LEVEL UP – LEVEL UP]

[NEW BASIC SKILL OBTAINED]

[NEW BASIC SKILL OBTAINED]

[YOU CAN NOW USE: LEAP]

[YOU CAN NOW USE: ACCELERATION]

Kaito- This may still be helpful, but I have to act quickly, the remaining spiders are coming for me!

They began scaling the web toward me, so I leaped down onto one of the dead corpses below, using it to cushion my fall. I scrambled to my feet and dashed for one of the bone spikes nearby—just in time, as two more spiders lunged toward me.

I activated ACCELERATION, and suddenly everything around me slowed. Moving quickly, I reached into my back pocket, flinging both of my severed fingers into one spider’s open mouth. Without hesitation, I gripped the bone spike and held it upright, bracing it as the second spider dropped straight onto the point.

In an instant, it was over. I exhaled, my heart pounding, and checked my status. No level up, but my progress bar had moved up to 89%.

Kaito- It took me forever to set up all those spikes, but it sure did pay off. Now let’s prepare for mama!

I took a deep breath and gathered anything and everything that might help me turn the tides in the upcoming battle. I knew that mama spider was faster, stronger, smarter, and far harder to kill. Two poisonous fingers weren’t going to cut it this time.

I collected all the dead spiders, pulling out the spikes I’d stabbed them with earlier. Carefully, I set them up to hide their wounds and make them look like they were simply asleep. Then, I hid myself among the bodies, gripping the largest spike I’d found, and waited for the perfect moment. When she came to greet her “sleeping” children, I’d be there, ready to be her welcoming party!

I could feel the hairs on my arms starting to spike—big mama was coming. She dragged a kangaroo-like monster behind her, half-dead and fully wrapped in web, leaving it near the nest as a meal for her babies. The poor creature lay immobilized, twitching weakly, its fate sealed.

Then, she turned and began moving toward her “sleeping” babies, getting closer and closer. My heart pounded as her many eyes scanned the area, each step heavier than the last. Suddenly, panic hit me, and before I could think, I lunged forward and managed to stab one of her eyes.

A screech tore through the cavern as the spike pierced her eye, green fluid oozing out and splattering onto my arm. Big mama jerked backward, her remaining eyes narrowing in fury.

She swiped at me with one of her massive legs, and I barely dodged, rolling to the side and grabbing another spike. My mind raced—I knew I couldn’t overpower her directly. She was too strong, too fast.

I activated [ACCELERATION] and began running in circles around big mama, grabbing the spikes I had purposely scattered throughout the cavern. Without hesitation, I threw one after another at her, moving quickly to grab each spike before the skill’s cooldown kicked in. For a while, it seemed to be working—but soon, she caught onto my plan. With a furious screech, she swung one of her massive legs at me, and the impact sent me flying, leaving me half-conscious right next to the kangaroo-like creature she’d left behind.

Before I could react, big mama leaped on top of me, her green blood dripping from the many wounds I’d inflicted. She still had enough energy left for one last attempt. As her mouth opened, revealing rows of jagged teeth aimed right at my head, I instinctively raised my arm to shield myself. Her jaws snapped down, sparing my head but tearing my hand away in a flash of pain.

A moment later, the spider began to cough and thrash. My blood was poisonous, and she was feeling the effects, but I was fading fast, too. In a desperate attempt, I reached out with my remaining strength and stabbed the half-dead kangaroo monster beside me. A message flashed before my eyes:

[LEVEL UP]

[NEW SKILL ACQUIRED]: [IRON FIST]

With the level-up, my wounds healed, and my arm regenerated. I didn’t waste a second. Using my newly acquired Leap skill, I sprang out from beneath the spider, landing on her back. While she was still writhing from the effects of my poisonous blood, activated IRON FIST and stabbed the spike into her back again and again until she collapsed, defeated at last.

A new message appeared in front of me:

[LEVEL UP]

[NEW SKILL ACQUIRED]: [SILKEN CHAINS]

Relief washed over me, but exhaustion hit just as hard. I dropped to my knees, barely able to keep my eyes open, every ounce of strength drained from my body. The weight of the battle pressed down on me, and I could feel the adrenaline fading, replaced by an overwhelming fatigue.

Just before darkness took me, I glimpsed something—barely visible in the shadows beyond the nest—a faint, pulsing glow deeper within the cavern. But I had no strength left to wonder what it was.

And with that, I finally let go, slipping into unconsciousness.

Chapter 2: Strange Shiny Object

Kaito (unconscious): What is this tingling sensation on my legs? It feels cold… and it hurts.

Kaito wakes up, startled.

“Ouch! Freaking slimes! They tore up all my pants and burned my legs! Thank God I have some poison resistance—otherwise, who knows what would’ve happened.”

Kaito pulls out his dagger and springs into action.

“[ACCELERATION], [LEAP], [IRON FIST]!”

In an instant, all the slimes were eliminated, but he noticed with disappointment that his XP barely went up.

Kaito: “It makes sense. I didn’t struggle to kill them, so I didn’t earn much XP. The only good thing here is the drop—slime cores.”

He examines one closely. When I analyze it, it says it can be used for medical potions, he thought, but I lack the synthesis skill. I’ll save them for now—they might be useful later on.

Kaito tucked the slime cores into his magic bag, feeling their slight warmth even through the fabric. He took a deep breath, glancing around the dark cavern. The acidic burn from the slimes was still tingling on his skin, a constant reminder of how dangerous even the smallest creatures in this world could be.

Kaito: “Alright… if I want to make real progress, I need stronger opponents. These little slimes aren’t going to cut it.”

Just as he started moving forward, a low rumble echoed through the cavern. The ground shook slightly, and he froze, his hand instinctively tightening around his dagger.

Kaito: “Please don’t tell me that was…”

From the shadows ahead, a massive shape began to emerge, sliding along the ground with a thick, slimy trail. It was a Greater Slime, easily ten times the size of the smaller ones he’d just defeated, its entire body pulsing with a dark, eerie glow.

Kaito: “Well, looks like I got what I asked for…”

He readied himself, feeling a mixture of fear and excitement as the creature oozed closer, its massive form blocking his path forward.

Kaito: “Alright, big guy. Let’s see if you’ll actually give me a challenge.”

With a quick breath, he activated [ACCELERATION] and leaped toward the Greater Slime, his dagger poised for the first strike.

Kaito’s heart raced as he closed in on the Greater Slime, its dark, gelatinous body shifting and pulsing as if aware of his approach. He plunged his dagger into its surface, but instead of the satisfying resistance of a solid hit, the blade sank in with a sickening squelch. The slime rippled around the wound, hardly fazed.

Kaito: “Damn, it’s tougher than it looks!”

The Greater Slime retaliated, lashing out with a thick tendril of goo that barely missed his head. Kaito jumped back, activating LEAP to gain some distance. As he landed, he felt a sharp sting on his leg where some of the acidic goo had splattered.

Kaito: “Alright, so close combat isn’t working too well… Think, Kaito, think!”

He scanned his surroundings, eyes landing on a jagged stalactite hanging from the cavern ceiling, directly above the Greater Slime. A risky idea sparked in his mind.

Kaito: “Time to get creative.”

With [ACCELERATION] still active, he sprinted around the creature, using his speed to stay just out of reach of its tendrils. He positioned himself directly beneath the stalactite and shouted, baiting the slime into attacking.

As the creature lunged, Kaito activated [LEAP] again, launching himself high into the air. The Greater Slime slammed into the ground where he’d just been, the force of its own attack sending a tremor through the cavern. Mid-air, Kaito adjusted his trajectory, kicking off the cavern wall to propel himself higher, reaching the stalactite. With one powerful punch, boosted by [IRON FIST], he struck the base of the rock formation.

The stalactite broke loose, plummeting straight down and piercing the Greater Slime’s body, pinning it to the ground. The creature writhed and convulsed, its dark glow dimming as its life force began to fade.

Kaito: “Gotcha!”

He landed beside the dying creature, watching as it dissolved, leaving behind a large, shimmering Slime Core twice the size of the ones from before.

[LEVEL UP]

[NEW SKILL ACQUIRED]: [Acid Resistance]

Kaito grinned, picking up the core. His legs still tingled from the acid burns, but the new skill was already dulling the pain.

Kaito: “This will come in handy… and the core is definitely worth it. Guess you were more useful than I thought.”

Pocketing the new core, he looked ahead, the path deeper into the cavern beckoning him onward. His eyes gleamed with determination.

Kaito: “Alright, world… let’s see what other challenges you have for me.”

Over the next few days, Kaito pressed deeper into the labyrinthine caverns, facing off against a variety of monsters. Each encounter brought him closer to his goal, honing his skills with every battle. Slimes, venomous bats, stone golems—he took them all on, adapting to their attacks and growing stronger with each victory.

[LEVEL UP]

[NEW SKILL ACQUIRED]: [Stone Skin]

[NEW SKILL ACQUIRED]: [Mana Regeneration]

[NEW SKILL ACQUIRED]: [Enhanced Reflexes]

Kaito barely had time to celebrate each new skill before diving into the next fight, driven by an insatiable hunger to survive and conquer this world.

Finally, he found himself approaching the end of the dungeon. A massive stone door loomed ahead, engraved with intricate symbols and surrounded by faint, fiery light seeping through the cracks. Kaito’s pulse quickened as he stepped closer, feeling the intense heat radiating from beyond.

Kaito: “This has to be the exit… but something tells me it won’t be that easy.”