The golden seal shattered.
Rai stood in the center of the chamber, the floor beneath him cracked and scorched. His eyes burned with orange fire, his aura flickering like a rising storm. For the first time since his reincarnation—
He could feel it.
Power. Real power.
The dungeon boss stepped forward, his cloak fluttering.
Boss: "You've awakened… but this is only the beginning."
Rai turned to him, hands trembling not from fear, but from pure energy.
Rai: "Please… train me."
There was no hesitation in his voice. No fear. Only determination.
The boss stared at him for a moment, then nodded slowly.
Boss: "Fine. But there's one condition."
He raised a hand, and the room quieted.
Boss: "You must stay here. Train under me. For three years. No going back. No shortcuts."
He stepped closer, his voice deep and calm.
Boss: "The choice is yours."
Rai's breath caught in his throat.
Three years. That was more than a promise—it was a sacrifice.
Before he could speak, Mina stepped forward, her eyes wide and wet.
Mina: "No… no, you can't! You have to come with me! What am I supposed to tell my parents? That you died in the dungeon? WHAT?"
Rai turned to her, smiling gently.
Rai: "Actually… that's a great idea."
Mina blinked. "Wait—what?"
Rai: "Tell them I'm dead."
Mina's face twisted in pain. "You think this is funny?! What about me, Rai?!"
Rai stepped forward. Without warning, he leaned in—
—and kissed her.
Time stopped. The entire chamber went silent.
He pulled back, their foreheads resting together.
Rai: "I'll come back. I swear it. Stronger than ever. You just wait for me."
Mina sniffled. Her cheeks red, eyes full of tears.
She smiled through it all.
Mina: "Okay. But you better come back…"
Then she kissed him back—this time, longer. The kiss lasted almost a minute… then two. They didn't care. The world could wait.
Behind them, the boss groaned.
Boss: "Are you two done? You're embarrassing me."
Mina pulled away, laughing through her tears.
Mina: "Shut up."
She turned to Rai, brushing her hand against his cheek.
Mina: "Goodbye."
Rai (softly): "What was that for?"
Mina (grinning): "Same reason you did it."
---
The Exit
The chamber's gate opened at last. Light flooded the room.
Mina stepped toward it, her eyes lingering on Rai the entire time.
Outside, General Baren stood at the edge of the gate. His heart raced when he saw Mina run through it—crying.
Baren: "Where's Rai?!"
Mina collapsed into his arms, sobbing.
Mina: "Rai… Rai is no more..."
Baren froze.
Behind them, the gate closed.
A final boom.
Silence.
---
Afterstory
Deep within the sealed boss chamber, Rai stood alone with the man who once knew him as Ryu Takeda.
The world believed him dead.
But inside the dungeon…
A storm was being forged.
For three years, he would vanish.
No letters. No magic calls. No signal.
Only one promise:
> "I'll come back. For her. For myself. For the world."
And when he does…
He won't be the same boy anymore.
He will return—
as the legend reborn.
---
To be continued…
> What kind of training awaits Rai in the dungeon?
Can Mina bear three years without him?
And what will the world become… when Rai finally walks out again?