The Cry of a Newborn
"Ahhh… ahhh!!"
Inside a small farmhouse, a beautiful woman with long black hair, now drenched in sweat, screamed in agony as she gave birth. Before her stood a middle-aged woman, urging her with a firm voice:
"Push! Push harder, Elizabeth! I can see the child's head—we're almost there!"
Outside the birthing room, in the modest living room, sat a young man in his early twenties. His jet-black hair contrasted with his crimson eyes, as he sat at the dining table, arms crossed, staring into the void.
"Twenty years have passed since I came to this world… and now, my wife is giving birth to my child. Hah…"
This man was not from this world. In his previous life, he had lived on Earth. After a bloody brawl that ended with a man's death, he was sentenced to execution. The moment he was put to death, he awoke in this world—reborn as a newborn child.
Back inside the room, Elizabeth struggled as the old woman encouraged her. Moments later, the cry of a newborn filled the air. The midwife cut the cord, cleaned the child, and handed him to his exhausted yet joyful mother.
"Congratulations, Elizabeth. A strong boy."
Elizabeth smiled weakly, holding her child close.
"Thank you, Aunt Samantha… without you, I couldn't have done it."
Samantha left the room and approached the young man outside. He sat frozen, his gaze distant. Assuming he had heard the baby's cry, she smiled warmly.
"Geoffrey, congratulations. Your wife is safe, and you now have a son. Come, she's waiting for you."
Geoffrey blinked, as if waking from a trance. His voice was calm, yet filled with suspicion:
"Aunt Samantha… do you see it? A blue screen, floating around me?"
Confused, Samantha frowned.
"Blue… screen? No, Geoffrey, I don't see anything."
Geoffrey let out a dry, lifeless laugh.
"I see… then let's go meet my son."
He entered the room with her. On the bed lay his wife, exhausted but smiling, cradling the baby wrapped in cloth. Sitting beside her, Geoffrey gently stroked her cheek.
"Are you alright, my love?"
Her tired eyes gleamed with affection.
"Yes… I'm fine. And our child is healthy. Look at him."
She passed the child into his arms. Standing, Geoffrey gazed at his son.
"Welcome to the family, little one…"
Elizabeth's soft voice asked:
"Have you chosen a name?"
Geoffrey's lips curled into a faint smile. Raising the baby up, his crimson eyes glimmered with obsession.
"I've thought of many names… but now I know. His name will be Benny. My little Benny."
After a brief family moment, he handed the baby back to Elizabeth to feed him. He then left the room with Samantha, allowing his wife to rest.
Standing at the gate, Geoffrey thanked her.
"Thank you, Aunt Samantha. You've done so much for us. Should I at least feed your horse as a token of gratitude?"
Samantha frowned, shaking her head.
"Nonsense, boy. Elizabeth is like a daughter to me. Take care of her. That's all I ask."
She rode off in her cart. Geoffrey's smile faded. Alone, he muttered softly:
"System… are you there?"
At once, a faint blue screen appeared before his eyes. Only he could see it. It had awakened the moment his child cried..