《Ascension: Beyond the System》 The Mysterious Cube I groggily blinked my eyes open, barely registering the sound of my door slamming open before a small weight landed on my bed. ¡°Wake up, wake up, wake up!¡± Aoi¡¯s voice, way too energetic for this hour, drilled into my ears as she jumped on my bed like a gremlin high on sugar. I groaned, burying my face into my pillow, but that only encouraged her. ¡°Lucian, you¡¯re gonna be late! Come on, lazy bones!¡± I sighed and peeked out from under my blanket. My adopted little sister, Aoi Rengoku, was perched on the edge of my bed, her big, sparkling violet eyes practically glowing with amusement. Her silky, shoulder-length blue hair, which always reminded me of a clear summer sky, bounced as she hopped up and down. With her small nose, soft features, and naturally rosy cheeks, she had an almost doll-like beauty¡ªthe kind of girl who could make heads turn effortlessly. Unfortunately, behind that cute face was a full-fledged menace. ¡°Aoi, get off,¡± I mumbled, voice still heavy with sleep. ¡°Nope! Not until you get up.¡± Before I could shove her off, a melodic voice called from downstairs. ¡°Lucian, are you awake?¡± That was Ayaka Rengoku, my adoptive mother and the owner of a cozy caf¨¦ down the street. Her voice, gentle yet firm, held the kind of authority that made ignoring her impossible. ¡°I¡¯m up, I¡¯m up,¡± I called back, sighing. ¡°Then get moving, or I¡¯ll cut your caf¨¦ discount,¡± she warned playfully. That got me. Losing my coffee privileges was not an option. With great effort, I pried myself from my bed and dragged myself to the bathroom. I flicked on the light and stared at my reflection. A pair of deep blue eyes¡ªa shade so striking they almost seemed unnatural¡ªstared back at me. My black hair, tinged with red at the tips, was messy from sleep, falling over my forehead in a tousled look that I¡¯d like to pretend was intentional. My features were sharp yet balanced¡ªhandsome enough that I¡¯d caught a few admirers staring more than once, though I never really paid much attention to it. I splashed cold water on my face, letting the chill jolt me awake, then dried off and walked back into my room, only to find Aoi still there, sitting cross-legged on my bed. ¡°You¡¯re finally up,¡± she grinned. ¡°No thanks to you,¡± I muttered, grabbing a hoodie and pulling it on. She just giggled. ¡°You¡¯d sleep all day if I didn¡¯t wake you up.¡± ¡°You say that like it¡¯s a bad thing.¡± Aoi stuck out her tongue at me before hopping off the bed and skipping downstairs. I followed, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm bread already drifting through the air. In the kitchen, Ayaka stood by the counter, casually flipping through a magazine while sipping her coffee. She was the picture of elegance¡ªlong, silky black hair cascading over her shoulders, flawless fair skin, and soft, graceful features that made her look effortlessly beautiful. Dressed in a simple blouse and a fitted skirt, she had the kind of natural charm that suited a caf¨¦ owner¡ªwarm, inviting, yet with an air of quiet sophistication. ¡°Morning,¡± I mumbled, grabbing a plate of toast. ¡°Morning,¡± she replied smoothly. ¡°You were out like a rock last night. Stayed up reading again?¡± I shrugged. ¡°Maybe.¡± ¡°You mean definitely,¡± Aoi chimed in as she stole a piece of my toast. I flicked her forehead. ¡°Hey!¡± she pouted. ¡°You took my food. That¡¯s fair punishment.¡± Ayaka shook her head with an amused sigh. ¡°If you¡¯re done terrorizing each other, take your coffee and get moving. You have a whole day ahead of you.¡± Gratefully, I grabbed a cup of fresh coffee from the counter. The perks of having a mom who ran a caf¨¦ were undeniable. After taking a sip of the rich, slightly sweet brew, I stepped outside, letting the crisp morning air wake me up fully. The day had barely started, but somehow, with these two around, it already felt full. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª The city buzzed with life as I wandered through the familiar streets, hands tucked into my hoodie pockets. The air carried the scent of freshly baked bread from a nearby bakery, blending with the rich aroma of brewing coffee from a small shop on the corner. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. I passed by a bookstore, its large display window showcasing the latest bestsellers and light novels, the covers vibrant under the morning sun. Just next door, a tiny caf¨¦ was setting up for the day, a waitress flipping the sign from "Closed" to "Open." A few regulars were already seated outside, chatting over cups of steaming tea. The streets of London had a unique charm¡ªmodern glass buildings stood tall beside old brick alleyways, remnants of history peeking through the urban landscape. The contrast felt oddly fitting, considering my own life. I stopped at a vending machine tucked against a wall, the hum of its cooling system barely noticeable over the noise of passing pedestrians. Fishing a few coins from my pocket, I pressed a button, and a cold bottle of tea clunked into the tray below. As I twisted off the cap and took a sip, my mind drifted to my upcoming first day of high school. A new school, new classmates, new expectations. It wasn¡¯t like I was nervous¡ªI had been through plenty of changes before. But there was always that nagging feeling, like I was standing between two worlds without fully belonging to either. I was Western by birth but raised in a Japanese household. At home, I ate with chopsticks, helped clean the tatami mats, and followed the customs ingrained in my family. But outside? I ordered fish and chips like any other Londoner, preferred drinking from cans instead of teacups, and felt more comfortable speaking English than Japanese, even though I was fluent in both. It was a weird mix¡ªlike I was both, yet neither. Taking another sip of tea, I sighed and leaned against the vending machine, watching the city move around me. Maybe high school would be just another adjustment. Maybe it wouldn¡¯t be that different from everything else. Or maybe, just maybe, things were about to get a whole lot more interesting. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª The city moved around me, a steady rhythm of life¡ªcars rolling down the street, the chatter of early-morning workers, the distant hum of traffic. But then, something changed. The air turned unnaturally still. The usual sounds of London¡ªfootsteps, car horns, the rustling wind¡ªsuddenly felt distant, like I had stepped into an invisible bubble that muffled everything outside it. A strange chill crawled up my spine. ¡°The hell¡­?¡± I muttered under my breath. That was when I saw it. A faint glow flickered from the mouth of a narrow alleyway, tucked beside an old bookstore I had walked past countless times. The alley itself wasn¡¯t remarkable¡ªjust a cramped gap between two aging buildings, filled with forgotten trash bins and cracked pavement. But that light¡­ It pulsed, a soft iridescent shimmer, shifting like liquid metal and seeping out from somewhere deep inside the alley. ¡°Alright¡­ that''s not normal.¡± Any sane person would¡¯ve ignored it. Kept walking. And yet, before I even realized it, my feet were already moving. Each step felt heavier, like some unseen force was pushing against me¡ªwarning me. But the flickering glow pulled me in, curiosity outweighing common sense. The moment I reached the source, my breath hitched. Lying on the ground, half-buried in dust and grime, was a small, metallic cube. ¡°What the hell is this¡­?¡± I whispered, crouching down. It wasn¡¯t just glowing¡ªit was alive. The surface was black, polished stone, yet as I watched, shifting symbols flickered across it, rearranging into patterns I didn¡¯t recognize. They pulsed softly, as if the cube itself was breathing. I hesitated. Common sense told me to leave it alone. Walk away. Forget I ever saw it. But something deeper¡ªsomething instinctual¡ªurged me forward. I reached out a hand. The moment my fingers brushed against the cube, an electric jolt shot up my arm. ¡°Shit¡ª!¡± The alleyway twisted. Reality itself warped, bending and distorting like a funhouse mirror. The ground beneath me disappeared, and the walls stretched and collapsed all at once. My vision blurred as the colors around me melted into an infinite void. I gasped, my breath stolen away. The air felt too thick, pressing against my chest. A deafening silence swallowed me whole, replacing every sound in existence. And then¡ª Darkness. Dragged into the Unknown 1 A dull, aching pain throbbed through my body as I drifted back into consciousness. My head pounded, my limbs felt like they were weighed down by lead, and a cold, jagged surface pressed against my back. I sucked in a sharp breath¡ªand immediately regretted it. The air was thick and damp, heavy with the metallic tang of blood¡­ and something else. Something ancient. It carried the scent of time itself, as if the air had been trapped in this place for centuries, untouched by the world above. A low, guttural growl rumbled through the darkness. A chill raced down my spine. What the hell was that? I forced my aching muscles to move, turning my head as my vision wavered, still hazy from¡ªwhatever had just happened. As the blurriness faded, my breath caught. I wasn¡¯t in the alley anymore. Massive stalactites loomed above, jagged and menacing, like the gaping maw of some slumbering beast. Faintly glowing blue crystals jutted from the cavern walls, their eerie light pulsing like a heartbeat, casting long, shifting shadows across the uneven stone floor. The cavern stretched endlessly, twisting into tunnels that vanished into darkness. I swallowed hard. ¡°¡­Where the hell am I?¡± My voice was barely a whisper. Another distant roar echoed through the tunnels¡ªdeep, inhuman, too vast to belong to anything I wanted to meet. My skin prickled. Every instinct screamed that I wasn¡¯t alone. Ignoring the protests of my aching body, I pushed myself upright. My fingers brushed the stone beneath me¡ªslick with moisture¡­ or was that blood? My heartbeat thundered in my ears. What the hell had I gotten myself into? I gritted my teeth and forced my legs to steady beneath me. My fingers scraped against the rough stone, worn down by time. Every muscle protested, but I exhaled sharply and stood, blinking as my vision adjusted to the dim, pulsing glow around me. What I saw made my stomach twist. I was standing in the middle of a massive underground labyrinth. Towering stone pillars¡ªweathered by age¡ªstretched toward a ceiling so high it vanished into shadows. The walls weren¡¯t just rough, natural rock. They were carved. Marked. Engraved with intricate symbols, some faintly glowing beneath layers of dust and decay. Crumbling ruins¡ªremnants of what must have once been a temple or city¡ªwere scattered throughout the cavern, swallowed by time and darkness. It was like something straight out of a fantasy game. Except this felt too real. I let out a slow, controlled breath, my breath visible in the frigid air. ¡°What the hell¡­?¡± My voice barely reached my own ears. The engravings along the walls pulsed faintly, as if whispering to themselves. The symbols weren¡¯t in any language I recognized¡ªancient and jagged, twisting in unnatural patterns, like they were alive. A shiver ran through me. This has to be a dream¡­ right? Or¡ª A wild, impossible thought shot through my mind. ¡°Did I¡­ get Isekaied into some underground ruin?¡± Ridiculous. Impossible. And yet¡ªI was here. Feeling every ache, every breath, every shiver down my spine. Then¡ªthe cube. I stiffened. I thought back to the artifact I¡¯d found in the alley. The glowing symbols. The unnatural pull. The way it had felt alive beneath my fingertips. The way reality itself had fractured the moment I touched it. I clenched my fists. That thing did something to me. And now, I was here. Wherever here was. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª I tread carefully through the cavern, my footsteps echoing in the vast emptiness. Every corner of this place felt ancient, like it had been lost to time¡ªuntouched, unseen. But something about it also felt wrong. Like it wasn¡¯t just abandoned. Like something had died here. Then, I saw it. A shattered skeleton, half-buried under a pile of debris. But this thing¡ªit wasn¡¯t human. Its skull was elongated, almost beast-like, with jagged, predatory teeth frozen in an eternal snarl. The bones were thicker than any human¡¯s, the fingers ending in what looked like claws. Whatever it had been, it had died a long, long time ago. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. I swallowed. "Yeah¡­ that''s not comforting." Despite the eerie sight, something caught my eye¡ªa rusted sword, clutched tightly in its bony fingers. Carefully, I stepped closer, crouching down. The blade was in horrible shape, its metal corroded and chipped beyond repair, but the hilt¡­ There were markings carved into it. Faint, barely visible beneath the grime, yet still intact¡ªlike whoever made this had left something behind. Curiosity got the better of me. I reached for the sword, prying it from the skeleton¡¯s grip. The bones crumbled at the motion, turning to dust. And then¡ª A blue screen suddenly materialized in front of me, floating in midair. I flinched, nearly dropping the damn sword. ¡°What the¡ª?!¡± The glowing window flickered, displaying lines of text, as if I had just triggered a notification. [Appraisal Activated] [Item: Ancient Ruined Sword] Rank: E Condition: Useless Description: A broken relic from an adventurer who perished long ago. It holds no value. I stared. ¡°¡­Wait, what?!¡± The words stared right back at me, completely unreal yet undeniably real. My heart pounded as I hesitantly moved my fingers through the air¡ªthe screen flickered slightly, reacting like a real interface. This was like a¡­ game system? Before I could even wrap my head around it, another window popped up. [SYSTEM DETECTED] Welcome, Lucian Rengoku. System Integration: Complete. I felt a cold wave of realization crash over me. This wasn¡¯t just happening to me. The system wasn¡¯t some cheat ability or unique gift. It was just¡­ a part of this world. And I had no idea what that meant yet. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª I took a deep breath, my mind still struggling to process the floating blue screens before me. ¡°¡­Alright,¡± I muttered. ¡°If this is really some kind of system, then¡­¡± I hesitated, then focused on a single thought. Show me my stats. Another screen instantly appeared, flickering into existence. [STATUS] Name: Lucian Rengoku Race: Human (?) Level: 1 HP: 100/100 MP: 50/50 Strength: 10 Agility: 12 Endurance: 10 Intelligence: 15 Luck: ??? (Hidden) [TITLES] [One Who Walks Between Worlds] ¨C Grants [Card of Conquest] (Allows the user to seal defeated enemies into cards, gaining skills, items, or abilities they possessed.) [???] ¨C Effect Unknown. [SKILLS] [Appraisal EX] ¨C Able to analyze anything, including hidden information, surpassing normal appraisal abilities. [Language Comprehension] ¨C Instantly understands and can speak any language. [Beginner Magic Affinity] ¨C Grants the ability to use basic magic spells. [Divine Protection] ¨C ??? [Limit Break] ¨C When faced with a life-threatening situation, temporarily surpasses normal physical limits. [Instinct] ¨C Heightened battle sense, allowing reaction to danger a fraction of a second faster than normal. [Inventory] - Able to Store Anything Non-Living. [Mana Control] ¨C Improves efficiency in using magic, reducing MP consumption. I stared at the screen, my mind completely blank. ¡°¡­What the hell?¡± These titles and skills were insane¡ª[Appraisal EX]? [Divine Protection]? [Card of Conquest]?? But then, I glanced at my stats again. Strength: 10. Agility: 12. Endurance: 10. They were¡­ normal. Completely average. Hell, my MP was only 50, and the luck stat was hidden for some reason. I rubbed my forehead, exhaling. ¡°So, let me get this straight,¡± I muttered. ¡°I have overpowered skills, but my actual stats are just¡­ basic?¡± That wasn¡¯t how this usually worked. Isekai protagonists were supposed to start strong or have some broken leveling system. Instead, I had a ridiculously good skill set, but physically? I wasn¡¯t any stronger than a normal guy. That left me with a bigger question¡ª If everyone in this world has a system, does that mean people here are just naturally stronger than me? I clenched my fists. Whatever this world was, it wasn¡¯t going to be some easy power fantasy. I had skills¡ªbut whether that was enough? I was about to find out. Dragged into the Unknown 2 I exhaled slowly, my breath coming out in a faint mist. Standing around wasn¡¯t going to help me. If this really was some kind of underground dungeon, then I needed to find a way out before something¡ªor someone¡ªfound me first. Keeping close to the cavern walls, I started moving, careful not to make too much noise. My footsteps echoed slightly against the stone, the eerie blue glow from the embedded crystals casting long, shifting shadows as I walked. The deeper I went, the more unsettling things became. My eyes landed on something¡ªmassive claw marks, gouged deep into the rock face. I stopped dead in my tracks. ¡°¡­Nope. That¡¯s not a good sign.¡± These weren¡¯t just random scratches. They were deliberate¡ªhuge, jagged slashes that ran across the cavern walls like something had been trying to rip through solid stone. The sheer depth of the marks sent a chill through me. Whatever made these wasn¡¯t just big. It was monstrous. I swallowed, shaking off the unease and pushing forward. As I moved deeper, I started noticing remnants of old camps. A rusted fire pit, surrounded by scattered bones. Torn and rotting backpacks, half-buried under rubble. Rusty weapons and shattered armor lay abandoned in the dirt, as if the owners had either fled¡­ or never got the chance to. I crouched next to one of the decayed bedrolls, running a hand over the fabric. It crumbled at my touch, breaking apart like dried leaves. ¡°¡­Some of these are ancient.¡± Whoever had come here before me¡ªthey didn¡¯t make it out. A sharp crack echoed somewhere in the distance, like stone shifting under pressure. I froze, my body tensing. I wasn¡¯t alone. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª A deep, guttural growl rolled through the cavern, vibrating through the stone walls. I stopped breathing. The sound was low, primal, and impossibly deep, like the earth itself was groaning in warning. My instincts screamed at me to hide. Slowly, carefully, I crouched low and peered around a massive boulder. And my breath caught in my throat. A colossal creature prowled through the cavern, its very presence distorting the air around it. It was the size of a building, its massive frame covered in obsidian-like scales, each one lined with veins of molten fire that pulsed with heat. Its body radiated power, the cavern floor beneath it glowing faintly from the sheer heat it emitted. Every step it took sent cracks through the stone, the air shimmering around its hulking form. My heart pounded as my vision suddenly flickered, and another blue screen materialized in front of me. [Monster Identified] [Name: Infernal Titan Behemoth] [Rank:] SS+ [Level:] ??? [Danger Level:] CERTAIN DEATH WHAT THE HELL¡ª?! I barely held in a curse, my whole body going rigid. SS+?! CERTAIN DEATH?! I wasn¡¯t even Level 2 yet! There wasn¡¯t a single reality where I could fight something like that and live. As I was still processing my inevitable doom, the Infernal Titan Behemoth suddenly shifted its head slightly. The tiny movement alone sent a shockwave of pressure through the cavern. The sheer force crushed the air from my lungs, my ears ringing as an invisible weight pressed down on me. My knees buckled, my body instinctively trying to submit to the overwhelming presence of the monster. I need to get out of here. I didn¡¯t think. I didn¡¯t plan. I RAN. Spinning on my heel, I bolted down the cavern path, my boots slamming against the stone floor. I didn¡¯t care where I was going¡ªas long as it was far, far away from that thing. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª I didn¡¯t stop. I didn¡¯t even dare look back. The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. The Infernal Titan Behemoth didn¡¯t immediately chase me, but that didn¡¯t mean I was safe. The air still vibrated with its presence, waves of heat rolling off it like the breath of an active volcano. Staying anywhere near that thing was suicidal. I had to get out of here. My boots pounded against the uneven cavern floor as I sprinted deeper into the dungeon, weaving through jagged rock formations and towering ruins. My lungs burned, but fear kept my legs moving. Then I saw them. More monsters. Dozens. Hundreds. Abominations that looked like they belonged in nightmares. A hulking, six-eyed beast with obsidian claws tore through a pack of smaller creatures, its fanged jaws snapping through bone like wet paper. A serpentine creature, wrapped in jagged scales, hissed as it coiled around another monster, crushing it until blood sprayed across the cavern floor. Every single one of them radiated power¡ªthe kind of overwhelming aura that made my skin prickle and my instincts scream at me to turn around. I clenched my teeth. ¡°This entire place is a damn death trap.¡± A sudden gust of wind roared past me. I barely managed to dodge-roll to the side as a massive wyvern swooped down, its razor-sharp talons scraping against the stone where I had just been standing. Too close. WAY too close. I kept running, weaving between the towering rock formations like a rat trying to escape a den full of starving wolves. I wasn¡¯t even worth fighting to these monsters. If they noticed me, it would be instant death. Then, just as I was about to collapse from exhaustion, my eyes landed on something¡ª A small opening in the rock. It was narrow¡ªbarely wide enough for me to crawl through¡ªbut right now? It was my best shot. I dove for it, throwing myself forward and scrambling inside, my arms and legs scraping against the rough stone. I barely managed to squeeze through, my breath ragged as I pulled myself into the tight passage. Darkness swallowed me. But at least, for now¡ª I was alive. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª I barely had time to catch my breath. The narrow crawlspace I had squeezed into felt like a temporary haven¡ªa momentary escape from the nightmare of this dungeon. But that illusion shattered in an instant. A sudden gust of wind¡ªno, a shockwave¡ªslammed into me like a freight train, knocking me off my feet. ¡°Gah¡ª!¡± I hit the ground hard, my body skidding against the rough stone. Dust and debris scattered into the air, stinging my eyes as I struggled to push myself up. Then¡ª The entire dungeon trembled. A deep, earth-shattering roar exploded through the cavern, a sound so immense, so overwhelming that I felt it in my very bones. It wasn¡¯t just loud¡ªit was primal. A voice that commanded everything beneath it. And it had come from above me. My breath caught in my throat as I forced myself to look up¡ª And every thought in my head vanished. A colossal dragon, far beyond anything I could have ever imagined, slowly uncoiled itself from what I had stupidly mistaken for a mountain of obsidian-like scales. Towering. Majestic. Terrifying. Its wings, folded neatly at its sides, looked large enough to blot out the entire cavern ceiling if fully spread. Its body radiated heat, veins of liquid fire pulsing beneath its thick black scales, each one gleaming with an unnatural sheen. Then, its head lowered, and I found myself staring directly into its burning golden eyes¡ª Ancient. Intelligent. Absolute. I couldn¡¯t breathe. The sheer pressure it emitted was beyond anything I had ever felt. It wasn¡¯t just power¡ªit was authority. My legs nearly buckled on instinct. This wasn¡¯t just some mindless beast. This was a king. A ruler. A god of monsters. And I was nothing but an insect in its domain. I needed to move. I needed to run. But before I could even react¡ª Meeting A Dragon I couldn''t move. I couldn''t breathe. The sheer presence of the dragon bore down on me, pressing against my chest like an invisible weight, making my every instinct scream at me to run, to flee, to survive¡ª But then, the impossible happened. It laughed. A low, rumbling chuckle that shook the cavern walls, deep and resonant, like the sound of mountains grinding against one another. It wasn''t a cruel laugh, nor was it mocking¡ªit was something¡­ amused. "Hah¡­ It has been centuries since a mere mortal has dared to look upon me without immediately breaking." The dragon¡¯s voice was unlike anything I had ever heard. Deep. Ancient. Each word carried weight, like the very fabric of reality bent around its presence. It didn¡¯t just speak¡ªit commanded attention. I swallowed, my throat dry as sand. The dragon''s massive golden eyes, burning with wisdom far beyond human comprehension, regarded me with something between curiosity and amusement. "I suppose you must be wondering who¡­ or what I am, child." It lifted its massive head, scales gleaming like molten obsidian, and spread its wings slightly, a simple movement that caused the very air around me to tremble. "I am Ignis Aureum¡ªthe Eternal Calamity, the Black Sun that once scorched the skies, the being whom gods feared and mortals worshiped." I blinked. I knew I should be terrified, but¡­ how do you even process something like that? A dragon¡ª**not just any dragon, but a being that once rivaled gods¡ª**was right in front of me, speaking to me. Ignis let out a slow, almost weary exhale, his golden eyes flickering like embers. "Long ago, I ruled the heavens, my flames unchallenged, my power unmatched. Kings, emperors, and even deities sought my wisdom¡­ or my destruction." His voice turned darker, laced with something that sounded like deep-seated resentment. "And yet, in the end, it was not my enemies who brought my fall¡ªbut those who once revered me. The very beings who basked in my flames, who worshiped my existence, betrayed me. Fearing my power, they sealed me within this accursed dungeon, binding me in chains forged from the very laws of the world." A heavy silence hung between us. I could only stare, my mind racing to keep up. A being once revered as a god¡­ sealed away for centuries in this underground labyrinth? That wasn¡¯t just tragic¡ªit was insane. Ignis turned his gaze back to me, his eyes narrowing slightly as if peering through my very soul. "And yet¡­ you." I felt my skin prickle, a strange sensation washing over me as if something unseen was shifting within me. "You are no ordinary human." I flinched. "Huh?" Ignis let out a thoughtful hum. "I can sense it. Something¡­ elusive, something beyond fate itself surrounds you. Your very existence trembles with unseen potential." My heart skipped a beat. Was it my titles? My hidden luck stat? Ignis narrowed his golden eyes. "Tell me, mortal¡­ What are you?" This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª The cavern remained silent, save for the faint crackling of heat radiating from the dragon¡¯s molten veins. I swallowed hard. What am I? Hell if I knew. I wasn¡¯t even sure if I belonged here, let alone what the hell was happening to me. But before I could even attempt to answer, Ignis Aureum spoke again¡ªhis voice carrying something that hadn¡¯t been there before. Resignation. "But in the end¡­ it does not matter." I tensed as the dragon¡¯s massive golden eyes slowly drifted away from me, staring toward the cavern ceiling like he was gazing beyond it¡ªbeyond this prison of stone and fire. "I have slumbered here for countless years, my power slowly fading, my body eroding into little more than a husk. Once, I ruled the skies. My flames burned through empires, my name alone could make gods tremble. And now¡­ I am nothing but a shadow of what I was." His voice, though still deep and commanding, carried an undeniable weight of bitterness. Of sorrow. I didn¡¯t dare move. "The chains that bind me are no longer necessary. My own body is a cage now. I no longer seek vengeance. I no longer dream of reclaiming what was taken from me." Then, his burning gaze locked onto me again. "I only wish for one thing, outsider." A shiver ran down my spine as his next words rumbled through the cavern, final and absolute¡ª "I wish to die." I froze. "Wait¡ªwhat?!" Ignis lowered his head, bringing his massive, ancient face mere meters away from me. His searing breath washed over me like a wave of heat, but I barely registered it. "I do not wish to rot in this prison, forgotten and powerless. I ask you, outsider¡­ grant me my release." My heart pounded violently in my chest. "Are you¡ªare you serious?!" I stammered. "You¡ªyou¡¯re literally the biggest thing I¡¯ve ever seen! You could turn me into ash just by blinking! I¡¯m Level 1! How the hell am I supposed to¡ª?" Ignis chuckled¡ªnot in mockery, but something almost¡­ amused. "You are correct. As you are now, you would not even scratch me. But I would not make such a request without reason." I swallowed hard. "Meaning¡­?" The dragon slowly lifted one massive claw, tapping the ground beneath him. The impact alone sent small tremors rippling through the cavern. "I will not ask you to slay me as you are. Instead, I will give you the means to grow. To become strong enough to grant me what I seek." My mind was racing. This was insane. All of this was insane. A legendary, god-tier dragon was asking me, a total weakling, to kill it?! And yet¡­ Something deep in my gut told me this wasn¡¯t just some random encounter. My hidden luck stat. The unknown titles. None of this was a coincidence. Ignis let out a slow exhale. "I offer you the legacy of my flames, my power, my knowledge. You will walk a path no other has walked before." His golden eyes gleamed with something dangerous¡­ but certain. "So tell me, mortal." A heavy silence filled the cavern. "Will you accept?" Meeting A Dragon 2 I took a deep breath, my legs still shaky from the sheer weight of what had just happened. I had just been asked¡ªno, chosen¡ªby a god-tier dragon to inherit its power and put it out of its misery. Insane. Absolutely insane. And yet, here I was. Following the colossal beast deeper into the dungeon. Ignis Aureum moved with an unsettling grace for a creature of his size, his massive obsidian-scaled body weaving effortlessly through the cavern, his golden eyes glowing like embers in the dim light. "You lack strength. That much is undeniable." His voice rumbled through the cavern. "But raw strength alone is not enough to survive in this world. You must learn to fight. To adapt. To kill." I swallowed. Yeah. No pressure or anything. "Your first trial awaits, outsider." I frowned. "Wait, wha¡ª?" A chilling snarl cut through the air, and my body immediately tensed. Something moved in the shadows ahead, its sheer size making the ground tremble slightly beneath my feet. Glowing crimson eyes locked onto me, filled with hunger. Then, it stepped forward. A massive beast, nearly the size of a truck, emerged from the darkness. Its body was covered in thick, black fur, bristling like needles. Its fangs gleamed under the cavern¡¯s eerie glow, long and curved like a predator built for tearing prey apart. Muscles rippled under its hide, its clawed paws sinking into the stone beneath it. A blue screen flickered into my vision. [Monster Identified] [Name:] Abyssal Direfang [Rank:] A [Level:] 42 [Danger Level:] EXTREME [Skills:] Shadow Stalker, Crimson Rend, Predator¡¯s Instinct I felt my stomach drop. "A-Rank?!" I wheezed, spinning to face Ignis with wide eyes. "Are you insane?! That thing is, like, fifty times stronger than me!" Ignis let out a low, amused rumble. "Then fight smart, not strong." "That¡¯s easy for you to say! You could roast it in a second!" "And yet, you are the one who must learn." I barely had time to process before the Direfang lunged. My instincts screamed, and I threw myself to the side just as the beast¡¯s claws slammed down where I had been standing a second ago. The impact sent shards of rock flying, one of them cutting across my cheek. I staggered, gripping my arm. Shit. This thing was fast. "Move, outsider! Do not hesitate!" Ignis commanded. I gritted my teeth. Right. Skills. What do I have? I focused¡ª [Limit Break] activated. A sudden surge of energy coursed through me, my body feeling like it had been kickstarted into high gear. My movements felt sharper, my senses clearer. I darted left, narrowly avoiding another claw swipe, then twisted my body to get behind the beast. Think. I can¡¯t overpower it, but I can outmaneuver it. I clenched my fist and focused again¡ª [Mana Control] activated. A faint heat coursed through me as I channeled magic, a rudimentary blast of fire forming in my palm. I barely had control over it, but it was better than nothing. I flung the fireball at the beast¡¯s face. It exploded against its fur, but the attack barely phased it¡ªit only angered it more. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. "Pathetic. Do not simply throw attacks blindly!" Ignis barked. I cursed. I was burning way too much stamina, and this thing wasn¡¯t even tired. The Direfang snarled, then blurred forward. It was too fast¡ª Its claws slashed toward me, but at the last second, my body moved on its own. [Instinct] activated. I twisted, narrowly avoiding a fatal hit, but pain exploded in my arm as its claws raked across my shoulder. "Argh¡ª!" I hit the ground, gasping in pain. Blood dripped down my arm. This wasn¡¯t working. If I didn¡¯t do something, I was going to die. Then, suddenly¡ªmy vision flickered. Another blue screen appeared. [Appraisal EX: Weakness Identified] The Direfang¡¯s fur is resistant to direct magic. However, its underbelly is vulnerable. Crimson Rend requires a charging period. Exploit the opening. I froze. That¡¯s it. I staggered to my feet, ignoring the throbbing pain. I only had one chance. The Direfang¡¯s claws gleamed with a deep red glow, its Crimson Rend attack preparing to strike. This was the opening I needed. I gripped a sharp shard of broken stone from the cavern floor, adrenaline surging as I sprinted forward. The Direfang lunged¡ª I ducked low, skidding under its belly just before the attack launched. Then¡ª I drove the jagged rock deep into its stomach. The beast howled, convulsing violently as black blood sprayed from the wound. Its body trembled, its massive form staggering before it finally collapsed, the cavern floor shaking with its final breath. A loud ding rang in my ears. [Abyssal Direfang ¨C Eliminated] Level Up! I gasped, my body finally giving out as I fell onto my back, panting hard. I did it. I actually killed something. The adrenaline slowly began to fade, replaced by a strange, small sense of achievement. But before I could even catch my breath¡ª A deep rumbling echoed through the cavern. I froze. Ignis let out an amused chuckle. "Hah. And so, you learn the first rule of the dungeon, outsider." I swallowed hard, turning my gaze to the cavern ahead¡ª Where two more pairs of glowing crimson eyes emerged from the shadows. My sense of achievement? Immediately shattered. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª I lay on my back, my lungs burning as I gasped for air. My body felt like lead, every muscle screaming in exhaustion. But I had done it. I had actually killed an A-rank monster. I wanted to laugh¡ªor at least check the spoils of my victory. My vision flickered to the still cooling corpse of the Abyssal Direfang, my mind already wondering what kind of loot it might have dropped¡ª Then the ground rumbled violently beneath me. A low, familiar growl sent a bone-rattling vibration through the cavern. I stiffened. No. No, no, no¡ª The very air shifted, thickening with heat and pressure. A deafening roar shattered the cavern walls, the sheer force of the sound sending cracks racing through the stone. Then, it emerged. The Infernal Titan Behemoth. Its colossal form moved with terrifying weight, molten veins glowing brighter than before, its sheer presence suffocating. The cavern floor beneath it cracked and melted as it stepped forward, its molten claws sinking into the stone like it was nothing more than wet clay. Meeting a Dragon 3 Its colossal form moved with terrifying weight, molten veins glowing brighter than before, its sheer presence suffocating. The cavern floor beneath it cracked and melted as it stepped forward, its molten claws sinking into the stone like it was nothing more than wet clay. It wasn''t just big. It was destruction incarnate. My throat went dry as its massive glowing eyes settled on me. I couldn¡¯t move. I couldn¡¯t even think. This was on an entirely different level. I had struggled against a single A-rank beast, but this? This was SS+ ranked¡ªan unstoppable force of nature. I was completely outmatched. The sheer pressure of its gaze alone made my knees nearly give out, my body instinctively reacting to the presence of something so far beyond me. I was going to die. I knew it. And then¡ª A deep chuckle rumbled beside me. Not a cruel laugh. Not a nervous one. Just amused. Ignis Aureum stepped forward. The dragon''s massive obsidian wings unfurled slightly, his molten eyes gleaming with a mixture of irritation and excitement. "Hmph. That took long enough." Wait. WHAT?! The Infernal Titan Behemoth let out a guttural growl, lowering its massive head, molten saliva dripping onto the cavern floor. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut. And yet¡ªIgnis only sighed, sounding almost¡­ bored. "I had hoped to avoid unnecessary trouble, but it seems you have the instincts of a starving beast." He turned his head slightly, golden eyes flicking toward me. "Outsider. Stay back. You are not yet ready for this level of battle." Not yet ready?! As if I needed him to tell me that! I wanted to run. I wanted to disappear. But my legs wouldn¡¯t move. I could only watch¡ª As two titanic beings stood face to face. One, a dragon of fallen godhood. The other, an ancient behemoth of unrelenting destruction. The cavern walls shook, stone cracking from the sheer force of their clashing auras. And then¡ª The battle began. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª The cavern shook violently, each tremor threatening to bring the entire dungeon crashing down. I pressed myself against the rocky wall, barely keeping my balance as two colossal forces clashed before my eyes. Ignis Aureum moved with terrifying grace, his obsidian wings unfurling as he launched forward. His body, massive yet controlled, collided with the Infernal Titan Behemoth in an earth-shattering impact, sending shockwaves across the cavern. The Behemoth roared, molten veins flaring brighter as it swung a massive claw, aiming to cleave the dragon in half¡ª Ignis vanished. A blur of black and gold, his speed betraying his sheer size. He reappeared in an instant, above the Behemoth, jaws parting¡ª Then, he unleashed hell. A torrent of golden flame erupted from his maw, hotter than liquid magma, twisting through the air like a living serpent before consuming the Behemoth¡¯s form. The cavern glowed white-hot. The flames didn¡¯t just burn¡ªthey erased, melting through stone, searing deep into the Behemoth¡¯s molten armor, forcing the monster back with a deafening howl of agony. But the Infernal Titan Behemoth wasn¡¯t done. With a furious bellow, its molten body pulsed, the glow in its chest condensing¡ª Then, with a single stomp, the ground beneath it collapsed. A violent eruption of lava and flame exploded outward, engulfing the cavern floor, forcing Ignis to retreat midair as the dungeon itself tore apart beneath them. I dove behind a rock, my body heating up from just the residual energy. This was beyond anything I could handle. The two monsters collided again, tearing into each other with claws, fangs, and raw, unstoppable force. Every movement, every attack, sent cracks spiderwebbing through the dungeon walls. Stalactites crashed down like spears, the ceiling itself groaning under the strain. But¡­ I began to notice something. Ignis¡­ was slowing down. Even as he dominated the fight, his movements became slightly more sluggish, his flames not as fierce as before. I clenched my fists. The centuries of imprisonment¡­ his body is failing him. Still, he refused to back down. The Infernal Titan Behemoth, now weakened, staggered as Ignis launched forward once more. His claws raked deep across the Behemoth¡¯s face, his tail slamming into its side with a force that shattered the cavern walls, sending debris cascading into the abyss below. The Infernal Titan Behemoth let out one final, guttural roar¡ª Before collapsing, its molten body flickering, its once unstoppable form now reduced to a barely breathing, critically wounded heap. The dungeon fell silent. I barely managed to pull myself together, my heartbeat still thundering in my ears. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Then, I turned¡ª And Ignis Aureum stood before me, breathing heavily. His majestic form, though still imposing, was clearly weakened. His obsidian scales, once shining with power, looked duller, his once effortless movements now strained. For the first time, he looked mortal. He let out a slow exhale, his golden eyes locking onto mine. "It is done." ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª I could still hear it breathing. The Infernal Titan Behemoth, once an unstoppable force, now lay in a broken, molten heap, its once scorching veins flickering weakly like dying embers. And yet¡ªit wasn¡¯t dead. My chest tightened as I took a step back, my legs still trembling. Even in this state, it could kill me in an instant. Then¡ª "Outsider. Finish it." Ignis Aureum¡¯s booming voice left no room for argument. I spun to face him, my eyes widening. ¡°W-WHAT?! Are you serious?! That thing is still alive!¡± The dragon¡¯s golden gaze burned with expectation. ¡°Indeed. And yet, this is your trial. Will you falter now? Or will you prove yourself?¡± My heart pounded. This wasn¡¯t just about killing it. This was a test. I clenched my fists, forcing my breathing to slow. I had to think. I needed every advantage I could get. First, the Loot. I pulled up my system screen, finally checking the spoils of my first battle. [Loot Obtained] [Abyssal Direfang¡¯s Fangs] ¨C Can be used for crafting. [Direfang Meat] ¨C High-quality monster meat. [Shadow Weave Tactical Suit] (S-Rank) ¨C A sleek, modern tactical jacket and fitted pants. The fabric is made from enchanted nanofibers, granting self-cleaning, temperature regulation, auto-repair, and adaptive fitting. Can integrate with armor and augment user mobility. [Abyss Fangblade] (A-Rank Sword) ¨C A curved blade forged from abyssal steel. Lightweight, highly durable, and amplifies physical attacks. I sucked in a breath. Jackpot. Without hesitation, I equipped the suit, feeling the smooth, reinforced nanofiber material wrap perfectly around my body, adjusting as if it had been tailored for me. Gone were my torn and tattered clothes¡ªthis was sleek, functional, and combat-ready. Then, I grabbed the Abyss Fangblade, feeling the perfectly balanced weight settle in my grip. Next, My Status. [STATUS] [Name:] Lucian Rengoku [Race:] Human (?) [Level:] 1 ¡ú 32 (+31 Levels!) [HP:] 9,000/9,000 [MP:] 3,000/3,000 [Strength:] 312 [Agility:] 310 [Endurance:] 350 [Intelligence:] 312 [Luck:] ??? (Hidden) +26 Levels! My entire body surged with power, my muscles tightening, my mind sharpening, and a rush of energy I had never felt before flooded my veins. I exhaled. This was it. My chance. I activated every skill I had. [Limit Break] ¨C Activated. [Instinct] ¨C Heightened battle awareness. [Mana Control] ¨C Enhancing weapon strength. [Appraisal EX] ¨C Scanning enemy¡¯s weak point¡­ The Behemoth''s body flickered, its once mighty form struggling to hold together. Then¡ªI saw it. A small crack near the base of its skull, where the molten core of its body was most exposed. I tightened my grip on my blade, every fiber of my being screaming at me to move. This was my shot. ¡°Lucian.¡± Ignis¡¯s voice was calm, yet carried undeniable authority. "Strike true." I launched forward. With every ounce of strength, speed, and mana I had left, I dashed toward the fallen titan, my blade glowing as mana surged through it. The Behemoth let out one final, ear-splitting roar, its molten eyes flickering with rage and defiance. I didn¡¯t stop. I leaped. My sword pierced straight through the weakened core, driving deep into the Behemoth¡¯s heart. For a brief second, time froze. Then¡ª The Infernal Titan Behemoth let out a final, deafening roar, shaking the very foundation of the dungeon¡ª Before its body exploded into embers, disintegrating completely. I hit the ground hard, my lungs burning, my limbs trembling from exhaustion. And then¡ª A flurry of system messages flooded my vision. [SYSTEM REWARDS] [You have leveled up!] (Lv. 32 ¡ú Lv. 99!) [New Skills Acquired!] I blinked. Levels 99?! As the flames settled, something glowed softly in front of me¡ª Two floating cards, gold-trimmed, humming with raw energy. My breath hitched. My Card of Conquest skill. I had just sealed an SS+ Rank monster. I stared at the cards, my chest still rising and falling heavily. Holy shit. A deep chuckle rumbled from behind me. I turned, my gaze meeting Ignis Aureum¡¯s amused, golden eyes. ¡°Hah. So¡­ you may yet survive this world after all.¡± I let out a breathless, half-crazed laugh. ¡°Y-Yeah,¡± I panted. ¡°I think I might.¡± Loot and Going Home I let out a long, shaky breath, my body still trembling from exhaustion. The cavern was eerily silent now, the heat from the battle still lingering in the air. My fingers clenched the dirt beneath me, my chest rising and falling as I tried to process what had just happened. I had done it. I had actually killed an SS+ Rank monster. The blue glow of my system screen flickered into existence before me, and I exhaled, forcing my hands to stop shaking long enough to check the loot. [Loot Obtained] [Molten Titan Core (SS+)] ¨C A condensed core of infernal energy, pulsing with raw destructive power. Can be used for crafting, magic enhancement, or fusion. Holding it too long may cause burns. [Infernal Emperor¡¯s Mantle (SS)] ¨C A high-rank cloak crafted from the Infernal Titan Behemoth¡¯s molten hide. Resistant to extreme heat, offers increased defense and mana regeneration. Cloak flows like fire when in motion. [Crimson Heart Essence (S)] ¨C A crystallized drop of pure power, enhances fire-based abilities and boosts flame affinity. [Titan Fang Blade (SS)] ¨C A massive sword forged from the Behemoth¡¯s fangs, imbued with destructive fire attributes. It radiates overwhelming heat and power, increasing attack strength and causing burn damage on impact. [Infernal Core Shards (A)] ¨C Fragments of the Behemoth¡¯s molten core, useful for forging weapons and armor. Some still pulse with residual infernal energy. [Behemoth¡¯s Roar (Skill)] ¨C A skill that allows the user to unleash a devastating pressure wave, stunning and terrifying enemies in its radius. Stronger foes may resist but will still feel the impact. [Fire Manipulation (Skill)] ¨C Grants the ability to generate, shape, and control fire freely. Scales with intelligence and mana levels. I stared at the list, my brain struggling to comprehend just how insane these rewards were. This wasn''t just loot¡ªthese were legendary-grade items and skills. I slowly reached out and grabbed the Infernal Emperor¡¯s Mantle from the glowing pile. The second my fingers brushed against it, a wave of heat spread through me¡ªbut it didn¡¯t burn. The material felt like living flame, weightless yet indestructible. It flowed like molten lava, shifting between solid and ethereal depending on how I moved it. I swallowed hard. This is next-level. Then, my eyes flicked to the Titan Fang Blade. The sword was enormous, nearly twice the size of my current weapon, glowing with an intense, smoldering aura. I hesitated before wrapping my hand around the hilt¡ª And the second I did, a pulse of scorching energy surged through my arm, like the blade itself was alive. The weight felt natural, despite its size. Like it wanted to be wielded. "Hah¡­ so this is what true power looks like." A deep chuckle echoed behind me. I turned to see Ignis Aureum, his golden eyes gleaming with what could only be amusement. "A mortal wielding the fangs of a fallen titan. The irony is almost poetic." I let out a breathless laugh. ¡°I barely survived that fight, and now you''re telling me to handle this?¡± "You have already taken your first step." The dragon¡¯s gaze locked onto me, unreadable yet knowing. "And now, you will walk a path only the strongest dare to tread." I looked down at my hands, new power surging through me, the weight of my new skills and abilities finally sinking in. I wasn¡¯t just some lost outsider anymore. I had leveled up. I had fought and survived. And now¡­ I had the tools to get even stronger. I clenched my fists. "Then I better make sure I live up to it." ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª I staggered backward, my eyes locked on the shimmering Status Screen that hovered in front of me. ¡°No way¡­¡± The numbers were astronomical. My level had jumped from 32 to 99, and my stats had skyrocketed far beyond anything I thought possible. My HP and MP bars now stretched on for what seemed like an eternity, and each of my core attributes¡ªStrength, Agility, Endurance, Intelligence¡ªstood at a staggering 999. [STATUS] Name: Lucian Rengoku Race: Human (?) Level: 99 HP: 99,999 / 99,999 MP: 90,999 / 90,999 Strength: 999 Agility: 999 Endurance: 999 Intelligence: 999 Luck: ??? (Hidden) I could feel the change¡ªnot just in the raw numbers, but in every fiber of my body. My blood felt like it was coursing with liquid fire, my senses sharpened to an almost superhuman degree. I flexed my fingers, marveling at the sheer surge of power behind even the slightest movement. Yet amid the exhilaration, one detail nagged at me. My Luck stat remained hidden. ¡°What are you hiding from me¡­?¡± I muttered, staring at the three question marks as if I could will them to reveal their secret. My thoughts were cut short by the weight of my new strength. Even standing still, I felt the air shift around me, like the world was responding to my every breath. A thrill tingled down my spine¡ªexcitement, curiosity, and a hint of dread all at once. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I was no longer the powerless outsider. I had the numbers to prove it. But deep down, a voice reminded me: Stats aren¡¯t everything. I closed my eyes, inhaling the dungeon¡¯s stale air. If I truly wanted to survive this world¡ªand make good on my promise to free Ignis¡ªthese new stats were just the beginning. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª I let out a slow breath, the rush of my newfound strength still settling in. My body felt lighter, stronger, faster¡ªbut beneath it all, something felt¡­ off. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. A strange sensation stirred inside me, like a faint resonance, a whisper deep within my soul. My brow furrowed. The Cube. I hadn''t thought about it since I arrived in this dungeon, but now that I had a second to breathe, the question hit me like a ton of bricks. Where the hell did it go? I placed a hand on my chest, closing my eyes. The feeling wasn¡¯t physical¡ªit was something deeper. It was almost as if¡­ It was inside me. A sudden pulse of energy surged through my being, spreading outward like ripples in still water. I focused on the sensation, reaching for it¡ªnot with my hands, but with my mind. Search. Find it. Bring it forth. The air around me shifted. And then¡ª A brilliant glow erupted from my chest, expanding outward as a shimmering, ancient artifact materialized in my palm. The Cube. It floated just above my hand, its black, metallic surface pulsing with golden energy, intricate symbols constantly shifting like a living enigma. My breath hitched. ¡°So¡­ you¡¯ve been with me this whole time.¡± I swallowed, the sheer magnitude of what I was holding settling in. Time for some answers. I activated [Appraisal EX], and immediately¡ª A detailed system window appeared, displaying information that sent a chill down my spine. [Universal Cube] Item Rank: ??? Type: Transdimensional Relic Abilities: [World Travel] ¨C Allows the user to travel between worlds at will. [Reality Manipulation] ¨C Can influence the laws of a world, adjusting to the wielder¡¯s needs. [Adaptive Synchronization] ¨C The Cube aligns with the user¡¯s soul, granting unknown effects. [Luck Beyond Measure] ¨C This item grants the wielder an unparalleled, divine level of luck. I stared. I kept staring. ¡°¡­This is a joke, right?¡± I could travel between worlds? I could manipulate reality? And my Luck stat¡ª My thoughts froze as another notification appeared. [New Title Unlocked!] [Wielder of the Universal Cube] ¨C A being chosen by the Cube, one who walks beyond worlds. Effects: Grants unparalleled Luck (hence why Luck was ??? before). Fate itself bends in favor of the wielder. Unknown effects yet to be discovered. I exhaled sharply, my heart pounding. This was it. This was why my Luck stat was hidden. It wasn¡¯t just some high number¡ªit was on a completely different plane of existence. I clenched my fist around the Cube, watching its golden engravings pulse in response. ¡°¡­Just what the hell did I get myself into?¡± ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª I tightened my grip on the Universal Cube, feeling its ancient energy pulsing softly against my palm. The weight of its true power still lingered in my mind, but before I could process everything¡ª A deep rumble echoed through the cavern. "Hmph." I looked up to see Ignis Aureum, his massive golden eyes narrowing as he observed the Cube floating just above my hand. "A tool for world travel. I suspected as much." His voice was calm, but there was a hint of something deeper¡ªcuriosity, caution, maybe even the slightest trace of wariness. I kept my expression neutral, even as my thoughts raced. So, he doesn¡¯t fully understand it. Ignis saw the Cube as nothing more than a high-level dimensional artifact, something used for traversing between realms. To him, it was impressive¡ªbut not incomprehensible. But I knew better. This thing wasn¡¯t just a tool. It wasn¡¯t just powerful. It was something beyond power. Reality Manipulation. Fate Alteration. Luck Beyond Measure. The Cube didn¡¯t just let me travel between worlds¡ªit could change them. I clenched my fist, allowing the Cube to sink back into my soulscape, disappearing in a soft pulse of golden light. Ignis watched, then exhaled. "You hide it well. That is good. There are beings who would kill for such an artifact." My fingers twitched slightly. Yeah. No kidding. I met his gaze and nodded. ¡°Yeah. I figured as much.¡± Ignis held his gaze on me for a long moment, then let out a low, amused rumble. "Hah. You are more than you seem, outsider. I wonder¡­ just how far you will go." His words sent a chill through me, but I pushed the feeling down. One thing was certain¡ª The less people knew about the Cube¡¯s full potential, the better. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª I stood there, Cube pulsing softly in my palm, the weight of everything that had happened pressing down on me. I had come to this world as nothing. Now, I was leaving it as something entirely different. My gaze flickered to Ignis Aureum, the colossal dragon who had guided me, tested me, and in some strange way¡ªacknowledged me. I took a breath, then bowed slightly. "Thank you¡­ for everything." The cavern was silent, the heat from the battle still lingering in the air. For a moment, Ignis said nothing¡ªsimply watching me with those piercing golden eyes. Then, slowly, he nodded. "Hmph. Do not disappoint me, outsider." His voice was deep, rumbling, yet carried an odd sense of finality. "Your path is only beginning." I clenched my fist around the Cube, feeling its ancient power resonate with my very soul. I knew what I had to do. Taking a deep breath, I focused, willing the Cube to activate¡ª A golden rift tore open before me. The very fabric of space twisted, swirling with pure, radiant energy, like a gateway carved from the essence of the universe itself. The power emanating from it made my skin prickle, an undeniable force calling me forward. I turned back one last time. Ignis watched, his massive frame unmoving, his golden eyes still gleaming with that same knowing amusement. It felt like he already knew what was coming next. I took a step forward¡ª And the last thing I heard before the portal engulfed me was his final words, echoing through the cavern: "We will meet again." The world blurred into gold¡ª And then, I was gone.