Chapter 1

I am the only Soul-Blade Broker left in this world. As long as I reclaim a soul within seven hours of death, I can bring anyone back to life.

In my past life, I lent my blade to Alistair Blackwood, the heir to the most powerful family in the city. I warned him not to take his young son on a trip to the mountains.

He ignored me, and an avalanche buried the boy alive. His grandfather, Silas Blackwood, came to me with millions in cash. He begged me to climb the Mountain of Blades to save his grandson.

A month later, Alistair began to pursue me relentlessly. I thought he was grateful for the miracle I performed. I thought he loved me.

But on the day he proposed, he pushed me into a pit filled with jagged knives. I lay there, drenched in blood, gasping for air. I begged him to help me.

Instead, he watched as his men chopped off my hands. His eyes were cold and filled with a terrifying hatred.

"You and your soul-stealing stories are just a scam for money and status," he spat. "That avalanche was a play I staged for Misty to save my son and earn my father's favor."

"But you interfered. You made her feel useless, and she left in despair. Her plane crashed, and there wasn't even a body to bury."

"I want your life as payment for hers! You claim you can cheat death? Then climb out of there and save yourself!"

I died in agony amidst those rusting blades. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Silas Blackwood stood before me with ten million dollars.

I looked at the briefcase of cash and shook my head. My voice was as cold as the grave I just escaped.

"Bring someone back to life? I'm afraid I have no such power."

1

The light in Silas Blackwood's eyes died instantly. His hands trembled as he clutched his cane.

"But Finley is the only heir to the Blackwood legacy. Is there really nothing you can do?" he whispered.

In my previous life, Alistair's first wife had passed away years ago. He remained single until he met Misty Vesper, who looked exactly like his late wife.

He wanted to marry her, but Silas refused to let a woman of her background into the family. Alistair came up with a plan to have Misty save Finley during a staged accident to win the old man's heart.

I didn't know it was a play back then. I had warned Alistair that his son would die if he went to the mountains. When the boy actually died, I sacrificed my own life-force to bring him back.

The memory of the knives piercing my skin made me shiver. The phantom pain was still there, throbbing in my chest.

Before Silas could speak again, a cold sneer echoed from the doorway. Alistair Blackwood strode in, his eyes sharp and mocking.

"A miracle? Don't make me laugh. Elara Vance is nothing but a fraud," he said, stepping into the room.

He pulled a woman forward. It was Misty Vesper. "Misty is a master of ancient healing. Her family has practiced for generations. She is the one who can save Finley."

Silas looked at Misty with deep suspicion. "You? You can save my grandson when the best doctors have failed?"

Misty stood tall, radiating a fake confidence. "Of course. I have already used my family's secret techniques on him. He's already awake. If you don't believe me, look."

She pulled out her phone and played a video. In the footage, Finley sat on a hospital bed wearing a gown. He looked a bit pale, but he was moving.

"Grandpa! I'm okay now. Misty saved me!" the boy said on the screen.

Silas let out a sob of relief. He didn't wait another second. He ordered his driver to take him to the hospital immediately.

"Wait!" I shouted, my voice cutting through the room. Silas stopped in his tracks and looked back at me, confused.

I stared directly at Alistair, my eyes narrowing. "Are you absolutely certain your son is out of danger?"

A flash of guilt crossed Alistair's face before it was replaced by pure rage. "You saw the video! My son is alive because of Misty, not your fairy tales."

Misty stepped forward, her voice shrill. "You're just upset because your little scam failed. Do you really think you're the only one who can work wonders?"

I looked down and bit back a cold laugh. My family's blade predictions have never been wrong. When I lent the blade to the Blackwoods, it was a debt of death.

If Finley was supposedly fine, there was only one explanation. The video was a fake.

In my last life, Alistair admitted the whole thing was a staged rescue. This video was likely filmed before they even went to the mountains.

I checked the time. It had been six hours since the accident. Alistair, if you think your son is safe, you're in for a rude awakening.

Get ready to bury him for real this time.