Chapter 8: The Awakening of True Power

 Scene 1:The Ruins of Angels Valley

The ruins of Angels Valley stretched as far as the eye could see. Once a divine stronghold, a place where celestial warriors walked, it now lay in ashes, its sacred aura replaced by a suffocating emptiness. The winds carried the scent of burnt stone and blood, whispering the stories of those who had fallen.

Cracked statues of legendary warriors lay in pieces, their faces eroded by the destruction. The grand temple gates, which once stood as a beacon of hope, were now broken, the engraved symbols of gods tarnished with black soot. The sky, once clear and bright, was shrouded in a permanent gloom, as if the heavens themselves mourned the loss of this holy land.

And there, at the highest point of the Frinklins of Gods HQ, sat Lukashi. His figure was motionless, his dark cloak billowing slightly in the wind. His hand gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, veins visible from the tension. His purple eyes burned with quiet rage, reflecting the devastation before him.

He had fought many battles. He had faced monsters, warriors, and devils alike. But this… this was different. This wasn't just a battle lost—this was a message. A message that they were not ready.

A heavy silence lingered, stretching endlessly, until…

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Footsteps. Firm. Purposeful.

Lukashi didn't turn. He already knew who it was.

"Lukashi."

A deep, commanding voice.

Adnan.

Lukashi let out a slow breath, steady yet laced with unspoken emotions. "What now?"

Adnan stepped beside him, his golden eyes scanning the ruins below. His face was unreadable, but his aura was suffocating, radiating the pressure of a warrior who had seen far too many battles.

"Now, we make you stronger."

Lukashi finally turned to meet his gaze. The wind howled between them, but neither flinched.

"How?"

Adnan didn't blink. "By making you the Vice Commander of the Frinklins of Gods."

A long silence passed between them.

Lukashi had refused this offer before.

He had wanted to fight alone, to prove himself. But now, after everything—after losing Angels Valley, after seeing Anturo vanish, after realizing that no matter how strong he was, it wasn't enough—he knew he had no choice.

This time, he would accept.

Lukashi exhaled. His fingers tightened around his sword, and his purple eyes flickered with a new resolve.

"…I accept."

A rare smirk formed on Adnan's lips. "Good."

Scene 2: A Training Like No Other

The training ground was unlike anything Lukashi had ever seen.

Surrounded by towering black walls, it stretched endlessly, giving off the feeling of an endless battlefield. The very air hummed with raw energy, the kind that only existed in places where legends were forged.

The ground was scarred from past battles, shattered boulders, deep craters, and even traces of burned earth showing just how brutal this place was.

Every warrior who trained here had their name carved into history.

And now, it was Lukashi's turn.

He stood across from Adnan, sword in hand.

Adnan rolled his shoulders, his golden eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Before we begin, I have a question for you."

Lukashi raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Adnan's gaze sharpened. "After clearing Level 1, where did you go? And how did you clear 28 levels alone?"

Lukashi remained silent for a moment. Then, he exhaled.

"I wasn't alone."

Adnan frowned. "Explain."

Lukashi's mind drifted into the past…

Scene 3: Flashback: Before the Launch of V-ROD

Months before The Game of Death (V-ROD) was officially launched, Lukashi had stumbled upon something strange.

A trial version of the game.

It wasn't meant for the public. It was an experimental release, only available to elite gamers—those who had a reputation for clearing the most difficult virtual worlds.

Out of curiosity, Lukashi had purchased it and entered the game using his VR headset.

But the moment he logged in…

He realized something.

This wasn't just a game.

It felt real.

The enemies weren't AI-controlled NPCs. They moved like living warriors, they adapted, they learned his techniques.

Every level was a battle of survival.

And yet…

Lukashi thrived.

Day after day, night after night, he pushed himself beyond human limits.

He cleared level after level, learning the game's hidden mechanics, discovering secret techniques that even the creators didn't know existed.

And in time…

He reached Level 130.

At that moment, a message appeared before his eyes.

CONGRATULATIONS. YOU ARE NOW THE MOST POWERFUL PLAYER IN THE WORLD.

At first, Lukashi had thought it was just a title.

He was wrong.

Because when the real game launched, he discovered that all the XP and skills he had gained… had carried over.

And that's how, when he entered the real Game of Death, his XP was already Level 1000—making him the strongest player in the world before anyone had even cleared Level 1.

Scene 4: Back to the Present

"…That's how I gained my power," Lukashi finished. "That's how I reached XP Level 1000 before anyone else."

Adnan listened carefully, absorbing every word.

Finally, he spoke.

"This explains a lot," he admitted. "But there's something else I need to ask."

Lukashi tilted his head. "What?"

Adnan's expression darkened.

"I have a friend. His name is Zarotox. He has helped me countless times… but now, I fear he's in danger."

Lukashi frowned. "What are you saying?"

Adnan turned away, his golden eyes staring at the horizon. "If you want to save Anturo… if you want to defeat Mecking… then you need guidance. And I know the only person who can help you."

Lukashi's eyes narrowed. "Who?"

Adnan smirked.

"Master Kyuki. The most knowledgeable man in the entire game."

Lukashi exhaled slowly. He had heard of Master Kyuki—a legend among warriors, a man who held knowledge no one else possessed.

If anyone could push him further, it was him.

Lukashi clenched his fists. "…Alright. Take me to him."

Adnan's smirk widened.

"Good. You're finally ready."

Scene 5: The Demon's Valley

Far away, in the depths of Demon's Valley, a dark ritual was unfolding.

Anturo lay unconscious on the cold ground. His breathing was shallow, his body surrounded by glowing symbols, pulsing in an eerie blue light.

Around him, hooded figures chanted, their voices merging into a haunting melody.

Dark energy crackled in the air. The ritual was reaching its climax.

And then…

His eyes snapped open.

To be continued…