Chapter 5: The Survival
Black Vale Depths – 1st Floor Boss Room
The Minotaur Gladiator, fully berserk, let out a monstrous roar.
Its red eyes burned.
Its jagged twin blades shimmered with dark mana.
The walls trembled under its rage.
Then — it charged.
BOOOOOM!
The beast closed the distance in seconds, dragging one blade behind, raising the other to split Ken in half.
Minotaur: "GRAAAUUUGHH!!"
But to Ken…
It was slow.
Almost laughably slow.
He stepped forward.
Then—
WHOOSH!
In a blur of motion, Ken launched into the air, his body twisting mid-flight with surgical precision.
He flipped cleanly over the Minotaur's wild swing—then struck.
BAM!
His foot crashed down on the blade's tip—
CRACK!
The shockwave rippled through the weapon, jolting the Minotaur's grip.
Its massive swing veered off-course, the colossal blade slamming into the stone floor with a deafening CLANG, embedding deep into the rock.
As dust and sparks exploded upward, Ken landed softly—
perfectly balanced atop the flat of the trapped weapon.
He didn't say a word.
He didn't need to.
The Minotaur let out a furious roar, muscles bulging as it fought to wrench its blade free.
But Ken was already running, sprinting up the stuck blade toward the giant's face.
Ken (gritting his teeth):
"Take THIS—!"
He leapt—spun—
And drove a flying side kick right into the Minotaur's jaw.
CRACK!!
THWOOM!
Two teeth flew. Blood burst.
The Minotaur's head snapped back—
And his massive frame slammed against the far wall, cracking stone and shaking the room.
Debris rained down.
Dust filled the air.
The Minotaur howled, stepping out of the crater in fury.
Then—charged again.
It began slashing wildly — enormous, heavy swings meant to kill.
But Ken… was gone.
Dodging.
Side-step. Back-step. Slide. Pivot.
Each blade missed by inches.
He watched calmly — waiting.
Then—
> OPENING.
Ken charged in.
1…2…3!
His fists flew like thunder.
4, 5, 6, 7—!!
A flurry of ten lightning punches in under three seconds, crushing the Minotaur's chest and gut.
Then—
Ken pivoted, jumped, and shouted:
Ken: "HIIIIYAAAH!!"
A brutal rising kick to the gut launched the beast into the air—
WHAM!!
The Minotaur slammed against the ceiling, blood spraying from its mouth.
But Ken wasn't done.
He jumped.
Mid-air.
Rolled sideways—
"HAH—!"
And delivered a flying heel drop straight to the back of the beast.
BOOOOOM!!
The Minotaur slammed into the stone floor with such force it left a crater.
Stone cracked. Dust exploded.
Ken landed calmly a few feet away.
The Minotaur twitched.
Blood dripping.
Jaw cracked.
Body bruised.
One horn chipped.
It pushed itself up… barely.
Still standing.
Still trying.
Ken stared at him — a small smirk on his face.
Ken (calmly):
"You're one tough steak, I'll give you that."
"But this next hit ends it."
The Minotaur growled and roared—
Charging once more, blade raised high.
Ken dodged again, effortlessly—
Then jumped, grabbed a horn mid-spin—
And with a brutal twist—
CRRRRRK!!!
He SNAPPED IT OFF.
The Minotaur collapsed to the ground behind him with a thud.
The battle was over.
Ken stood still.
Blood on his clothes.
Dust in his hair.
Horn in his hand.
He slowly looked down at his fist.
Tight.
Steady.
Still burning from impact.
"…Father."
"You were right."
Ken (quietly):
"These fists really did save my life."
The Minotaur's body lay still in the cratered floor.
Steam rose from cracked stone.
Dust floated like ash.
And then—
DING!
A soft chime echoed inside Ken's mind.
SYSTEM MESSAGE
> [ LEVEL UP! ]
Ken Hanzashi – Level 1 → Level 10
EXP: 0 / 1500
HP increased. Strength increased.
Ken's Status Screen (Pops Up)
Ken blinked. A familiar glowing blue screen appeared in front of his eyes.
[ STATUS OPEN ]
Name: Ken Hanzashi
Class: —???—
Level: 10
HP: 2100 / 2100
MP: ∞
Stamina: ∞
Strength: 125
Agility: 98
Skills:
- Incubus Core (Hidden)
Title: Unknown
EXP: 0 / 1500
Ken (smirking):
"Huh. So that's what leveling up feels like."
His muscles buzzed.
His senses felt sharper.
His body was lighter.
Everything just… clicked.
Suddenly—
A low rumble echoed.
The wall behind the boss room shifted and cracked open, revealing a hidden stone chamber, bathed in divine light.
Inside—
A lone pedestal.
And upon it—
A glowing obsidian chest, wrapped in gold carvings, with runes glowing across the lock.
Ken approached calmly.
The lid clicked open.
Inside—
A single ring.
[ ITEM ACQUIRED! ]
Name: Ring of Arcanum
Grade: Legendary
Effect:
Grants instant access to a vast magical archive
Allows casting of all Tier I–III elemental spells
Unlocks personal spell creation
Automatically adjusts spells to user's affinity
Permanently increases INT by +30
As Ken slipped the ring on—
A shock of golden light burst around him.
He staggered slightly,
then froze—
Eyes wide.
Mind Upload — Magic Style
Thousands of symbols.
Tomes. Circles. Glyphs.
They rushed into his brain like a memory flood.
He understood it all.
Fireball
Heal
Lightning Lance
Barrier Shield
Teleport Spark
And more…
But more than that—
He saw how they were constructed.
"I can modify this..."
"No—create my own."
Ken's expression didn't change much…
But a small smirk tugged at the edge of his lips.
For the first time in this world…
He knew magic.
SYSTEM TIMER DISPLAY
Another chime appeared above the broken altar:
[ Minotaur Respawn in: 9:58… 9:57… ]
Ken turned toward the two open doors.
One led forward — deeper into the dungeon.
The other — back toward the surface… and the liars waiting above.
Ken (quietly):
"Ten levels in one fight…"
"Magic in one ring…"
He looked down at his hand.
Then chuckled once — low, dangerous.
Ken:
"Let's see what the second floor has for me."
Dungeon – 2nd Floor, Ember Passage
The stairway behind him vanished the moment he stepped down.
Ancient runes lit the cracked stone beneath his feet, and a dry heat hung in the air.
A long corridor stretched ahead, glowing faintly with orange light from the cracks in the walls.
Ken adjusted the big leather bag on his shoulder.
He reached in and casually dropped the severed Minotaur horn inside.
"Would probably sell for a fortune."
He tightened the straps, rolled his shoulders, and kept walking.
Suddenly—
GUTTURAL SHRIEKS echoed from the hallway ahead.
Three beasts rounded the corner — Infernac Hounds, coated in black lava-crusted scales, their fangs dripping magma.
[ Monster Identified ]
Name: Infernac Hound
Level: 11
Trait: Fire-Absorb – Pack Hunter – Burn Touch
Ken narrowed his eyes and raised his right hand.
(thinking)
"Alright… let's test this."
Ken (calmly):
"Let's see what magic is."
He aimed.
Focused.
And spoke:
Ken:
"FIREBALL."
A massive sphere of compressed flame blasted from his palm —
twice the size of his own torso.
It screamed through the air and detonated into the hounds.
KA-KRROOOM!!!
Flames erupted.
Stone cracked.
The monsters were instantly vaporized.
Only scorched bones and cinders remained.
Ken stared at his smoking palm.
His jaw dropped slightly.
Ken:"…I… CAN… USE… MAGIC?!"
Ken (thinking, the mask of stoicism finally cracking):
"I can fucking use magic. Oh my god—thank you, Azarith!"
"That was a FIREBALL. Like, actual fantasy-ass FIREBALL."
"What else can I do?"
"Lightning Strike? Wind Cutter??"
"Oooh! What if I wrap my fists in FIRE—"
"Oh hell yeah I gotta try that."
As he walked forward, the walls rumbled again.
Two large stone figures rose from the ground — Stone Golems, ancient defenders.
[ Monster Identified ]
Name: Twin Golem Guardians
Level: 7
Trait: Hardened Body – Physical Resistance – Guard Stance
Ken cracked his neck.
Ken: "Let's see if I can punch fire into you."
He took a breath—
Focused mana into his fists—
FWHOOM!
Flames burst around both arms, dancing up to his elbows.
He stared.
Not a burn. Not even heat.
Ken: "…It doesn't hurt?"
He grinned.
Then charged.
The first golem raised its arm—
BOOOM!!!
Ken's flaming fist smashed through its defense, shattering stone with a single blow.
He pivoted and drop-kicked the second one straight in the chest.
CRASH!!
Both golems exploded into rubble.
A gleam among the debris—
A rare item drop.
Ken (panting lightly):
"Damn."
"I just… obliterated them."
He bent down, picked up a shimmering Mana Gem, and tucked it into his bag.
Then stood.
"Fists. Fire. Magic."
"What else is hiding inside me?"
He stepped deeper into the dungeon.
His flame-wrapped fists crackled in the dark.
Dungeon – 2nd Floor, Aftermath
The floor boss's remains had barely turned to ash before—
DING!
> [ LEVEL UP! ]
Ken Hanzashi — Level 10 ➝ Level 15
Ken blinked at the update.
Ken:
"Hmph."
Suddenly, part of the far wall shuddered and opened, revealing a hidden chamber lit by pale blue torches.
At the center—
A single sword hung in the air, hovering above a glowing pedestal.
Ken walked in slowly, eyes unimpressed.
Ken: "Tch… a sword?"
The system window appeared above it:
> [ ITEM ACQUIRED: "Everedge Fangblade" ]
Type: One-Handed Sword
Rarity: Epic
Traits: Unbreakable – Perpetual Sharpness – Mana Conductive
Ken sighed.
Ken: "Junk for me…"
He grabbed the sword one-handed and slid it into his oversized leather bag, twice as large as his body—yet he carried it like a feather.
Ken: "Might fetch a price later."
Dungeon – 3rd Floor
He descended again.
Monsters appeared — jagged-armored hounds and crawling elemental wisps.
Ken raised his hand.
Ken: "Let's try lightning."
"Lightning Ball."
ZAAAP—BOOOM!!!
A massive ball of crackling blue electricity launched from his palm and detonated the entire group in a blinding flash.
Ash fell.
Ken walked through it, expression calm.
He cleared the corridor.
He cleared the boss.
DING!
> [ LEVEL UP! ]
Level 15 ➝ Level 16
The ground rumbled again.
Another hidden room.
Inside—
A black and gold chest.
Ken opened it.
Inside: a sleek silver ring.
> [ ITEM ACQUIRED: Ring of the Void Box ]
Unlimited Storage Space
Automatically preserves heat/cold of food
Summon stored items at will
Ken raised an eyebrow.
Ken: "Now that's useful."
He sat down, opened his massive bag, and pulled out all the dropped monster items he'd been hauling.
He raised his hand over the pile.
SHWOOM!
The items vanished in sparkles, absorbed into a glowing void.
Ken grinned slightly.
Ken: "Nice."
He stood, faced the ground, and held out his hand again.
POP!
The Minotaur horn materialized on the floor.
Ken: "Yep. It works."
He sent the horn and his entire bag into the Void Box.
Hands now free.
Ken moved deeper.
Room after room.
Monster after monster.
Boss after boss.
He cleared everything.
Fire beasts
Ice wyverns
Mana ghouls
Shadow lords
All crushed.
> LEVEL 65
Strength: 200
Speed: Unmeasurable
Mana: Infinite
Magic Mastery: Complete
Skills: 27
Custom Spells: 12
He could now kill a level 20 boss with two punches.
Dungeon – 50th Floor
He stood before the final gate.
The floor rumbled with deep mana pressure.
Two massive stone doors, carved with celestial beasts, loomed above him.
Ken sighed and stretched.
Ken: "Finally… Floor 50."
He tapped his ring.
DING!
> [ Inventory: Food remaining — 0 rations ]
Ken: "Tch. I could keep going, but I'm out of supplies."
He approached the door.
Gripped the handle.
And pushed.
GRRRRRRRNNNNHHHH...
The doors creaked open slowly.
A dark, heavy aura leaked out.
Ken stood at the threshold.
Eyes calm.
Fists ready.
Ken (coldly): "Let's finish this floor."
Meanwhile in the Kingdom of Gloria. Castle Valemont
[Ren – Royal Library, Midnight]
The library was silent. Too silent.
Books towered around him like cold sentinels. Magic tomes, scrolls on divine theory, cursed rituals — none of them held his focus.
Ren sat hunched over the desk, fingers twitching beside half-written notes. The candle's flame flickered as if uneasy in his presence.
But it wasn't the silence that gnawed at him.
It was that face.
Ken Hanzashi.
The image burned behind his eyes — again.
His chest tightened. His hand slammed the desk.
SLAM.
Ink splattered. Pages fluttered. His pen rolled off the edge.
Ren (growling):
"Damn it…"
He dragged a hand down his face — sweaty, shaky.
His glasses fogged over.
Ren (quieter, bitter):
"Why do I keep seeing him… in my head?"
He tried to breathe. It didn't help. The pressure wouldn't go away.
Ren (whispers):
"We were forced to do it. That wasn't our choice. It was the king. The damn advisor…"
A pause.
A shaky breath.
His voice cracked.
Ren:
"…We left him behind."
Silence answered. The books didn't care. The kingdom didn't care.
Ren (soft):
"I need a break… Maybe sleep."
He stood, but his legs were heavy.
Like guilt had weight. Like regret had roots.
Ren walked away from the table, his footsteps echoing faintly between the marble shelves.
He didn't notice he was trembling.
Princess Elowen's Chambers – Night Before the Celebration
The room flickered with candlelight, casting gold shadows across velvet sheets and silk-draped walls. The air was thick — with sweat, rose oil, and the quiet sound of two bodies tangled beneath the covers.
Princess Elowen lay back against a mountain of pillows, breath shallow, her fingers grazing Hero Kaito's bare chest.
Princess Elowen (whispering):
"Mm… You really do perform well under pressure, Hero."
Kaito (grinning, but just barely):
"Told you. I never disappoint a royal."
He laughed, but it was hollow. Her nails dragging lazy circles on his chest felt less like affection, more like claws marking territory.
His eyes flickered to the ceiling — just for a second.
Ken's face.
Ken was behind the barrier, his hand pressed against it.
Princess Elowen:
"Especially after removing such an… eyesore."
He blinked, throat tightening.
Kaito: "You mean Ken?"
She hummed like a cat pleased with its prey.
Princess Elowen:
"He was never meant to be here. Just a shadow in our tale… and now, a martyr."
She leaned close, lips brushing his ear.
"A perfect sacrifice for tomorrow's story."
Kaito's jaw clenched. He turned his face away — not fast enough.
Kaito (softly):
"He had no blessings, no powers… but he had heart. That should've meant something."
Elowen pulled back slowly, studying him.
Princess Elowen:
"This isn't about heart, Kaito. It's about legacy."
She trailed her finger down his throat.
"Tell me — when you left him behind, did you hesitate?"
He didn't answer.
He didn't have to.
He had hesitated — just long enough to see Ken, helpless behind the barrier
Just long enough to wish he hadn't.
Kaito (quiet, bitter):
"We were ordered . I didn't—"
His voice cracked.
"I didn't want to."
Elowen (gently, almost mockingly):
"And yet… here you are. Warm. Alive. Touched by a princess."
Her smile sharpened.
"He's cold in the dark now. But your reward… is tomorrow's glory."
Kaito:
"Doesn't feel like a reward."
She turned to face him fully, her eyes narrowing.
Princess Elowen:
"You're not a hero, Kaito. You're a piece on the board. Like me."
She smiled — not sweetly.
"But unlike that foolish boy… we know how the game is played."
He tensed. More than slightly.
But her hand found his jaw, guiding his face back to hers.
Princess Elowen (quietly):
"Rest now. Tomorrow… my father sings your praises. The people cheer. The 'luggage hero' becomes a tragic legend."
Her smile deepened.
"And I get to wear white."
The room dimmed as the candles flickered low. Outside, the bells of Gloria's central tower rang twice.
Inside, two heirs to the kingdom's rot lay wrapped in gold, guilt, and sin.
Hero Quarters – Royal Guest Wing, Late Night
The room was still.
Moonlight spilled through the tall windows, bathing the polished stone floor in pale silver. A faint breeze stirred the curtains. Somewhere in the distance, the capital's tower bells chimed midnight.
Leo sat at the edge of his bed, head in his hands.
Across from him, Daichi leaned against the wall, arms crossed tight, face shadowed with guilt.
Neither had spoken in minutes.
Leo (quietly):
"…I can't stop thinking about his face."
Daichi:
"Ken-senpai?"
Leo nodded slowly, jaw clenched.
Leo: "That moment… when he touched the teleportation barrier and realized he couldn't come with us."
He let out a bitter laugh under his breath.
Leo: "And yet… he still smiled. Like it didn't even bother him."
Daichi (eyes down):
"I—I tried to run to him. I really did…"
His voice cracked.
"…but we couldn't do anything."
A pause.
Leo: "He said something… right before we vanished."
Daichi (softly):
"…'I'll be back.'"
The room fell quiet again.
Then a voice cut through the silence — calm, flat, but sharp as steel.
Takeshi (off-screen):
"…He meant it."
Leo and Daichi turned. Takeshi was lying on his bed in the corner, one arm behind his head, eyes fixed on the ceiling.
Leo:
"…What?"
Takeshi (calmly):
"Back at the camp. Night before the dungeon. You remember what happened."
[Flashback – Campfire Scene]
The fire crackled in the quiet night.
Ken stood near the flames, adjusting the cooking pot.
The others were settling down around the camp, but Ren and Kaito's voices broke the stillness.
Ren (mocking):
"Oi, Ken. Boil water. My tea blend's in the red pouch. And don't screw it up this time."
Kaito (casual, smirking):
"And make me that jerky-rice thing again. Oh — and clean my boots. They're filthy."
Ren (snickering):
"You heard him, Senpai."
They laughed.
Ken stopped mid-step.
The firewood popped.
A faint breeze rolled through the trees.
He turned slowly — his eyes half-lidded, dark, unreadable.
Ken (low, calm):
"…Let's get something straight."
The air shifted. Even the fire seemed to grow quiet.
Ken: "The term was baggage handler… and cook. That's all."
His gaze locked with Ren's. Then Kaito's.
Ken (sharper):
"I'm not your servant. Not your dog. You don't give me orders."
The smiles on their faces faded.
A bead of cold sweat slid down Ren's neck.
Silence.
[Flashback fades.]
Daichi: "….."
Leo: "...Yeah. He scared the hell out of them."
Daichi: "His expression… It was calm. But deadly."
He swallowed.
"I felt it. That pressure. Like something was… hiding inside him."
Leo (nodding): "Same."
Takeshi (sitting up):
"I knew it. He was holding back."
Leo: "…What?"
Daichi: "Ken-senpai… was holding back?"
Takeshi (firm): "He's not weak. Never was. He just didn't show it."
A pause.
Takeshi: "If he's alive… he's not the same Ken we left behind."
Silence fell once more.
Then Leo stood up and walked to the window. The lights of the capital sparkled beyond the castle walls.
He looked out — eyes heavy with regret.
Leo (softly):
"…Ken. If you're still out there… I'll be the first to kneel when you return."
The wind was gentle, carrying the scent of rose blossoms and ancient stone.
Twin moons hung above the capital like pale gods, casting silver light over the towers of Castle Gloria.
Royal Balcony – Midnight
Queen Seraphina stood alone on the balcony.
Her long, silken gown fluttered softly around her ankles.
She clutched her hands gently over her heart.
Her eyes—blue as glacier waters—were fixed on the distant stars… but her thoughts were elsewhere.
Queen Seraphina (thinking):
"Hero Ken… are you still alive?"
She stepped forward, her fingers tightening slightly against her chest.
Queen (thinking):
"I gave you my family's crest. It should have protected you… even just once. If you're still down there… if you're still fighting…"
A soft breath escaped her lips.
Queen:
"…Please… be safe."
A single tear rolled down her cheek.
She didn't wipe it away.
Queen (whispering, almost to the stars):
"Oh… Hero Ken…"
Her voice was barely a breath—
Not a command.
Not a queen's decree.
Just a quiet, aching hope.
And though the night gave no answer…
The wind carried her words deeper into the dark.
Dungeon, Floor 50 Boss Room.
GRRRAAAAAHHHHHHHHH—!!
The stone gate slammed shut behind Ken.
–BOOM!!
Torches along the walls erupted in sickly purple flames, bathing the obsidian chamber in ghostly light.
Glowing cracks pulsed across the floor like veins.
At the far end stood a giant.
Thar'Zul, the Abyssal Warden.
Ten feet tall. Obsidian armor cracked with glowing violet runes.
Twin battle axes floated behind him, spinning silently.
His hollow white eyes locked onto Ken.
[ MONSTER IDENTIFIED ]
Thar'Zul – Abyssal Warden
Level: 70
Traits: Mana Drain • Instant Teleport • Soul Chain Binding
Thar'Zul (voice echoing, distorted):
"Unworthy… flesh."
"You do not belong here."
Ken stepped forward calmly, cracking his knuckles and neck.
Ken: "…Then let's see if you can stop me."
–FWOOM!!
Thar'Zul vanished—a burst of black mist exploding in his place.
Ken's eyes sharpened.
–CLANGGG—!!
He blocked—just in time. The twin axes slammed down like guillotines, cracking the stone under his boots.
Ken (gritting):
"Tch… Fast."
He shoved forward—air rippling from the counter-blow.
–ZWWIP—!
Another teleport. From behind.
Ken ducked—
–WHOOSH—!!
An axe barely missed his head. He launched forward and twisted his torso.
Ken: "Counter."
–BOOOM—!!
His fist slammed into Thar'Zul's chest, armor cracking and sending the Warden crashing across the chamber.
Thar'Zul: "You strike… with will…"
Ken moved, dashing in a blur across the room, shooting fireballs one after another—
–FWOOSH—FWOOSH—FWOOSH—!!
But Thar'Zul dodged every one, his body flickering in and out like static.
Ken: "Tch... he's fast... and smart."
–SKREEEEEE—!!
Axes rose, now surrounded by twisting shadow tendrils, splitting into a bladed cyclone. They spun around the room like hell's shurikens.
Ken flipped mid-air—dodging left, ducking right—
–SWIP—SHHHK—CRACK—!!
He landed with a slide, red sparks dancing off his boots.
Ken (thinking):
He's adapting… learning my rhythm.
If those chains hit me—it's over.
–ZWWIP—!!
Thar'Zul appeared directly in front of him.
Ken's eyes widened.
–THUD—!!
A black fist smashed into Ken's guard, launching him like a missile into the far wall—
–SLAM!!
Dust and stone crumbled down.
–SKRAAAHH—!!
Dark chains erupted from the walls, racing toward Ken.
Suddenly—
–ZHOOM—!!
A golden dome of light burst outward from his chest, shattering the incoming chains.
Ken blinked and reached into his pocket—pulling out the glowing royal crest.
Ken (softly):
"…The Queen's crest… it saved me."
He looked up. Thar'Zul hissed and backed away—the light burning away his shadows.
Ken smirked:
"…So, you're afraid of light."
His body began to glow—holy energy pulsing across his arms and chest.
Ken: "…Your turn."
–BOOM!!
He launched.
–DHOOF-CRACK!!
His fist collided with Thar'Zul's torso again—this time, the punch landed deep.
Purple blood sprayed as the Warden slammed into the opposite wall.
–SLAAAM!!
Smoke filled the chamber.
Ken landed, calm, eyes focused.
Ken: "…Not done yet."
From within the smoke—
Thar'Zul roared.
His armor cracked, leaking black energy.
Thar'Zul:
"REJECTED. REJECTED. REJECTED!!"
His axes fused into a single massive greatblade—charging in full berserker mode.
Ken's body flared with golden lightning. His fists glowed bright—light and crackling power.
Ken (coldly):
"Holy Magic: Holy Lightning Fists."
He dashed forward—air erupting behind him
–BOOM—BOOM—BOOM—!!
The two collided in the middle of the chamber.
–KRAAAAAAKKHHHH—!!
Ken's punch shattered the greatblade, punched through the chestplate, and smashed directly into the glowing core.
Thar'Zul screamed—
–VRRRMMM—SHAAAA—!!
A massive vortex of golden energy exploded outward. Thunder cracked the room in half.
When the smoke cleared—
Ken stood alone.
His breath was steady.
His eyes glowed faint gold.
Behind him, Thar'Zul's broken body crumbled into ash.
SYSTEM ALERT
DING!
[ BOSS DEFEATED ]
Level Up! 65 ➝ 70
Item Acquired: Ring of Null – Cancels one magic effect per day
Item Acquired: Abyss Fragment (1/7)
DING!
Title Unlocked: Abyss-Walker
Passive: +15% resistance to dark-type effects
Abyssal entities will now recognize your presence...
Ken wiped blood from the corner of his mouth.
Ken (casually):
"…Tough guy."
He looked toward the glowing treasure door.
"But still… just a warm-up."
As he walked across the silent chamber, the torches dimmed—
Only his footsteps echoed now.
the final torch dimmed behind him, a hidden wall slid open near the altar.
Stone grinding echoed through the chamber.
Inside… was a lone pedestal.
Atop it sat a jet-black chest, glowing faintly with red runes.
Ken approached, eyes narrowed.
-CLACK.
The chest opened.
Inside was a pair of sleek black bracelets with thin red trims running through their centers—like veins pulsing with subtle energy.
DING!
Item Acquired: Veil Twin Bracelets
Grade: Legendary
Effect: Full-body disguise (customizable)
Disguise voice, face, aura
Cannot be detected by appraisal or scan
Cooldown: None
> "For the tricksters who walk among kings."
Ken (grinning): "Oooh… now this… this is dangerous."
He slipped the bracelets onto each wrist. The metal felt warm—like it recognized him.
Ken: "Let's give it a test…"
He stepped back, focused—
–POOF!!
In a burst of white mist, Ken's body transformed.
Standing there… was GOKU.
Orange gi. Spiked black hair. Buff AF.
Even his voice and posture changed slightly.
Ken blinked—jaw slowly dropping.
Ken (thinking, the mask of stoicism finally cracking):
"Holy sht… I'm— I'm Goku…"
He summoned the shiny sword from his ring with a flash of light, twisting the blade to see his reflection.
Ken (internally losing it):
Aaaaaaaaaah this is SICK!! I LOOK JUST LIKE HIM!
Imagine fighting a demon lord in this form…! That's gotta be the most badass entrance ever!
–POOF
Now he was Vegeta.
Sharp widow's peak. Serious glare. Proud arms crossed.
Ken (thinking in his best edgy tone):
"Kakarot… you fool."
Then immediately laughed at himself.
Ken (grinning): "Ahem. No time for impressions. Remember your goal."
He deactivated the disguise. Back to his normal form.
Ken looked around the empty chamber and stretched.
Ken (to himself): "I'm on floor 50. Still a long climb to the surface…"
He paused.
Then remembered how Thar'Zul teleported around the room.
Ken (thinking):
…What if I could teleport too? Maybe not just around the room… but all the way out?
He slowly raised two fingers to his forehead, mimicking Goku's Instant Transmission pose.
Ken: "…Alright. Picture the surface… dungeon entrance… focus…"
–WOOOSH!!
He vanished.
Cut To: Dungeon Entrance – Surface
–FLASH!
Ken appeared just outside the ancient dungeon gates, sunlight shining down through the trees.
He smirked.
Ken (smirking): "…It worked."
His stomach growled loudly.
Ken: "…Yeah. Okay. Food first. Revenge later."
He tapped the bracelets.
Ken: "Let's go incognito. Blonde hair. Blue eyes. Human aura."
–POOF.
His hair turned sandy gold. His eyes shone blue.
He looked like a traveler—unremarkable, untraceable.
He raised two fingers again.
Ken (thinking):
Middle District. Nearest inn. Can't wait to hear the gossip…
–WOOOSH!!
And just like that, he vanished.