Chapter 9: I Was Not Born a Monster

The rain was pouring heavily—I still remember that—twenty years ago.

Twenty years ago:

On the day I ran away from my father, all I cared about was finding my mother. I ended up lost in the city… hunger, thirst, exhaustion.

That went on for two days, until that rainy day came. I couldn't take it anymore, so I stole a piece of bread from a baker. I was so weak that catching me was easy.

But then came Adolf, holding some money. He bought me food—lots of it. With him was a boy named Alexander. He asked me about my family and where I lived, but I stayed silent. Then he held my hand and smiled widely:

"What do you say… wanna be brothers?"

I was surprised at first, but he explained that he was adopted by Adolf and felt lonely.

I asked him, "Why me? Why choose me to be your brother?"

His smile at that moment was warmer than the sun, and his answer was like a dream:

"I don't know, really… but I feel like you're a good person, and we could get along."

Maybe those were simple words to him—but to me, they were a kind of love I had never known. That was the first time I ever felt like I mattered.

While sitting in the carriage, I thought to myself—was what I did right? Should I go back to my father?

But then I said, no… I didn't suffer two days without food and water just to turn back.

That's when Alexander—or should I say my brother—spoke:

Alexander (excited): "Tell me your name? You haven't even told me that."

Me: "My name? It's Brian… Brian Greif."

Alexander: "Brian, huh? Nice name. Alright Brian, what do you like to play?"

Brian: "I don't know… anything."

When we arrived at the mansion, three other children greeted me happily—two boys and a girl.

Karen Enkel, Thomas Moriarty, and Brown Weiss. That's how they introduced themselves.

Alexander wasn't lying when he said we'd get along—I adapted within three days.

Adolf appointed a head butler to teach me the basics of noble etiquette, since I was now part of that class.

Though my father had once been a world champion, he was neither rich nor influential.

I still remember—we used to sneak out to the farm to help the workers, simply because we loved the work. Adolf disapproved, saying nobles shouldn't mix with lower classes.

But his wife secretly helped us sneak out—she was so kind and gentle that I sometimes thought she was my real mother.

Eventually, Father—yes, I'll call him that—got used to our habits and stopped objecting.

One day, everything changed...

Father hosted a large gathering of celebrities, authors, and artists. We wore our finest clothes, and Karen and Adolf's wife wore the most elegant dresses.

I must admit, I started admiring Karen from that day.

During the party, a waiter accidentally spilled a drink on one of the guests. The guest exploded in rage.

The waiter kept apologizing, but the guest shouted,

"Do you know how much this suit costs?! It's made from rare fabric! I can't believe a lowlife like you ruined it!"

The waiter was fired, and the party continued. But the scene became a recurring one—repeated like a film scene every party.

One day, after something similar happened to a chef, Alexander and Brown left the mansion saying they needed fresh air.

I followed them and found Alexander kicking a wooden stick in rage until it broke. His face—pure fury.

"They think they're gods," he said. "They don't know they're filthier than idols. I want to kill them all. I want to destroy their sources of wealth. I want them to suffer."

He didn't just say that once—he repeated it every day, three or four times.

By the time I was fifteen and Alexander was fourteen, we were watering trees one day when he whispered to me:

"I'm starting now… the extermination of the rich."

I thought it was nonsense until I saw him pouring something into the soil.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

He replied, "I'll start here… then move to everyone else."

"What?! Are you insane? This farm brought us together—have you forgotten everything?"

"No. But to reach my goal, I must make sacrifices."

"Sacrifices?! Have you lost your mind? If you destroy 70% of this country's food supply, won't the poor suffer too?"

"You don't get it," he said. "When this catastrophe hits, the nobles will have to import food. Some will flee, and their influence will die."

"And how will that happen?"

"Simple. I'll burn it all down."

"You're insane."

"If insanity means collapsing their systems—then yes, I am madness itself."

I ran to Father and told him everything. He was shocked. Alexander, however, played innocent and convinced him it was a joke.

But those cunning looks he gave me… I'll never forget them.

That night, Karen and Brown returned from town. I told them everything. Karen was shocked—but Brown… he was thrilled.

He ran off to find Alexander.

I remembered Thomas was traveling with Adolf's wife in France. I don't know why, but I waited for him anxiously.

Three years later, I committed my first crime.

One afternoon, I was sitting under a tree reading with Thomas. He said,

"Maybe Alexander is right."

"What?"

"You heard me. Maybe his plan is effective."

"Stop this nonsense."

"I'm serious. The rich steal from the poor and think they're gods because of their power."

"There must be another way to fix the system… just think it over."

"Like what?"

"I… don't know. But I believe it's possible."

"Sorry—I don't believe in 'possible.'" (He stood.) "I'm going to him. I'm joining him."

"Damn it…"

I chased after him. We fought. I pushed him—he fell, hitting a rock.

He died instantly.

I froze in panic.

Then Alexander arrived and said, "Don't worry. We'll say someone else did it and ran away."

No one was more devastated than my mother—she prayed and cried for him every day.

That week was hell—I couldn't eat or sleep. Nightmares haunted me. I started hallucinating.

One day, I was staggering, sweating, breathing heavily… then I fainted.

Adolf told everyone he'd take me to a famous psychiatrist in England.

I spent an entire year in treatment.

One day, I woke up… feeling different.

Like I wasn't me anymore.

A deep rage stirred inside—ready to explode.

I thought I was healing. But I was breaking.

What pushed me over the edge…

A letter from Alexander:

> "Hello Brian. I hope you're well. Let me get to the point—I'm thrilled. I killed Adolf's wife and Karen. What will you do now?"

I didn't believe it until I heard from our caretaker that Adolf had returned after their deaths.

I tore the letter in sorrow. My heart broke into tears.

That was the spark.

The monster called vengeance consumed me.

I swore to destroy everyone responsible for my sorrow.

I started with my real father. But when I saw James, I remembered Thomas…

So, as I left the crime scene, my hatred grew.

I met Martin for the first time at Abraham's house.

I hated that man—he supported my father.

But when I stood before Martin…

I decided—I'll take everything he has.

I won't hurt my brother… not even if I must.

I ran. Ten years passed.

I spent them gathering information on Alexander's collaborators.

First was Arthur Luther—I poisoned him, and before he died, I told him my name: The Ghoul.

Then Maria—I killed her horribly when I found out she was my mother's friend.

Because of her, my mother became addicted to alcohol and drugs… and died.

I couldn't hold back—I made her an example.

As for Jack, I didn't kill him. Most likely, Alexander sent someone to frame me.

It's obvious he ordered the sniper on the rooftop to protect me.

Present Time:

Now you know everything, Edward.

Edward: "You're seeking revenge… but why are you at the orphanage where Alexander grew up?"

The Ghoul: "Martin asked me to. He said the detectives would come soon, and he has a plan to win the war."

Edward, through his deductions, realize

d part of the Ghoul's story.

He understood that the real reason for going to the orphanage was to see the footprints Stephen had seen.