Reincarnated as an Elf Prince-Chapter 45: Brutal Reality

"Quit whining. You’re acting like a damn whore."

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Erebus’ voice echoed through the empty space as Magnus furrowed his brows.

’P-Pfft… as if it’s that e-easy…’

Lindarion’s eyes were bloodshot as he looked up at the approaching Erebus, who forced another potion down his throat without a word before turning to Magnus.

"Leave."

Magnus disappeared instantly without hesitation.

’…Why…’

Lindarion’s thoughts swirled as his dislocated shoulder began mending itself back into place, sending another wave of searing pain through his body.

"AGHH!"

"Stop whining."

A sharp kick to the gut sent him flying several meters before he crashed onto the ground, gasping for breath.

"You think life is all smiles and rainbows?"

Erebus’ voice was cold as he approached the struggling Lindarion, who clutched his shoulder in pain. Grabbing him by the collar, he yanked him up effortlessly.

"Answer me. Life is a battle, a fight against time itself. One day, we all die. Everyone struggles, giving everything they have just to rise above the rest. But you geniuses—" Erebus spat the word like a curse. "You just bask in the power you were born with, never needing to lift a damn finger, isn’t that right?"

His gaze flicked toward Lindarion’s long, pointed ears.

"Or maybe, you’re just one of the lucky ones. To you, time doesn’t even matter."

He threw Lindarion like a discarded doll, sending him skidding across the floor.

’Lucky…? Me…?’ I guess…I am lucky…a system..my blessings..all my skills and affinities. It’s all luck..’

Lindarion’s mind was clouded, the pain in his shoulder slowly fading—but it left behind something far worse. A bitter aftertaste, a memory that refused to leave.

"Tell me, boy, have you ever killed someone before?"

Erebus’ voice cut through the silence, his slow, deliberate footsteps echoing in the space between them.

"…"

Lindarion didn’t answer.

"Have you ever taken a life to protect someone?" Erebus pressed. "Have you watched innocent people die? Have you seen the horrors humans are capable of?"

"…"

Lindarion stared at the stone floor beneath him, silent.

Because Erebus was right.

Everything—his system, his reincarnation, Selene, his family, Seraphine—it was all luck. He had been given everything.

Seeing his silence, Erebus grabbed him by the hair and lifted him like a lifeless puppet.

"How does it feel, knowing you’ve never had to struggle for a damn thing in your life?"

His voice was ice-cold as he stared into Lindarion’s eyes—once shining with arrogance, now hollow and lost.

"Even though I’m lucky I trained just like anyone else…I—"

Lindarion’s voice cracked as he tried to voice his thoughts, veins bulging in his neck, his eyes devoid of any emotion.

Before he could finish, Erebus’ fist drove into his face, sending him crashing back again.

"Don’t make me laugh. You earned it just because you trained? Who the hell are you to decide what you deserve?"

His tone grew sharper, colder.

"I’m not here to coddle you. I’m here to show you how cruel this world really is. To make you understand that life isn’t filled with kind smiles and warm embraces."

His gaze dropped to Lindarion’s unmoving body sprawled across the ground.

"A great genius? That is what Magnus said when he told me about you."

His voice was as cold as ever.

"Do you know what you really are?"

Erebus spat on the ground beside Lindarion.

"You’re a pathetic creature."

’Pathetic…’

Lindarion’s mind drifted back to his past life—endless hours spent honing his skills, all for a god to decide he wasn’t worthy. That all his efforts would go to waste just because of one accident.

’I did everything… everything I could.’

His arms trembled, his heart pounding.

"You’re right.."

His voice was soft, almost fragile. Erebus’ eyes narrowed.

"I’m lucky."

Erebus’ lip curled as Lindarion finally admitted, and without hesitation, he kicked Lindarion again, sending him tumbling across the ground.

"Get up."

His voice was cold, but there was an edge to it—something seething beneath the surface.

Lindarion pushed himself up, unsteady but rising.

"If you want to be a warrior, not just some privileged genius who has everything handed to him—" Erebus tossed a black robe at his face. "Then wear it."

Lindarion stared at the fabric in his hands for a long moment. Then, without a word, he slipped it on and pulled the hood over his head.

"…"

Erebus moved. One moment he was standing, the next he was right in front of Lindarion, a phantom in the dark. His palm pressed against Lindarion’s forehead.

The space around them cracked. Shattered.

And in the blink of an eye—

They were somewhere else.

A village.

Or what was left of one.

Half-collapsed houses surrounded them, streets packed with people scurrying like ants. Dust filled the air. Some villagers hesitated, stepping aside as the two cloaked figures appeared, their faces hidden beneath deep hoods.

"Look at them."

Erebus pointed at a cluster of children, huddled against walls in ragged clothing, some lying on the dirt, others just… sitting. Empty. Silent.

Then his hand was on Lindarion’s head again.

The world shattered once more.

A prison.

The air was thick with filth and rot. Shackled prisoners cowered in their cells, staring at the hooded men with wide, fearful eyes.

Chains rattled. Whispers ceased.

Lindarion stood still.

’What is he trying to show me…?’

Erebus stepped forward. He reached into a cell and dragged a man out, throwing him to the ground at Lindarion’s feet.

"P-Please, no—!"

The man whimpered, scrambling backward, but Erebus planted a boot on his skull, grinding his face into the stone. The man’s screams were muffled.

Lindarion swallowed.

Erebus stared at him from beneath his hood.

"Kill him."

The words were cold. Absolute.

The prisoner’s entire body trembled as he tried his best to resist.

"P-Please please I’ll do anything, no!"

Before he could continue, Erebus pressed harder, forcing him deeper into the dirt. Blood pooled beneath his cheek.

Then, without looking away from Lindarion—

"Murderers. They slaughtered women and children without hesitation."

His voice was almost quiet now.

"If you want to be a warrior, you have to get used to killing."

’…he’s serious.’

Lindarion’s hands trembled as he looked at the helpless man before him. He knew he was a murderer, a guilty man, yet he couldn’t. He couldn’t do it.

"You’re truly pathethic."

Erebus exhaled loudly then stabbed a chain right through the man’s head. Blood splattering all over Lindarion as the rest of the prisoners broke out into screams at the sound.