Four Years Later
Akira was now five years old, but he already towered over children his age. His silver hair, a gift from his mother, shimmered in the sunlight, and his striking eyes, deep with hidden power, caught the attention of everyone around him. He had become the subject of gossip in town—an enigma that people whispered about. His body was that of someone much older, and his strength surpassed even the fittest adults, yet there was something else about him—an otherworldly aura that made people look twice. He wasn't just an ordinary child, and everyone knew it.
Inhale... exhale...
Akira was practicing a newly purchased breathing technique. It had cost him 100,000 points from the shop—Sun Breathing, a legendary technique only ever mastered by Yoriichi. The power coursed through his veins, amplifying his already formidable abilities, sharpening his focus. The breathing technique had elevated his combat prowess beyond what even he expected at such a young age.
*Knock knock.*
"Akira-kun?" A soft, familiar voice came from behind the door.
Akira stood up, wiping the sweat from his forehead, and opened the door to find Shinobu, her wide eyes filled with excitement.
"What is it, Shinobu?" Akira greeted her with a smile, his voice calm but warm.
"Akira, let's play!" Shinobu exclaimed, her face lighting up with joy.
"What do you want to play?" Akira asked. They spent a few minutes debating, eventually deciding on a game of hide-and-seek.
Two Minutes Later
"All right, I'll hide. You count," Akira said with a playful grin.
Shinobu eagerly faced a nearby tree, covering her eyes as she started counting aloud. Akira wandered deeper into the forest, his senses on high alert. He knew demons lurked once the sun began to set, and today felt no different. As he moved silently among the trees, something caught his attention.
A shadow—dark and twisted.
A demon.
The creature perched in a tree, watching him like a predator. Its grotesque tongue slid across its lips as it eyed Akira hungrily. The demon's pale, sickly skin seemed to absorb the last rays of sunlight as darkness settled over the forest.
Akira smirked. "Another weak one," he muttered under his breath.
He continued walking nonchalantly, pretending to be unaware of the demon's presence, acting as easy prey. The demon, convinced of its superiority, lunged from the branches with blinding speed, claws extended, aiming for Akira's back.
'System, give me my weapon,' Akira thought.
In an instant, a glowing sword materialized in his hand—*Zeref*, the God of All Weapons. The blade gleamed with a light blue hue and white edges, a weapon unlike any the demon had seen before. It wasn't the standard katana wielded by the Demon Slayers—it was something far more dangerous.
The demon hesitated, its instincts screaming danger. It had faced swords before, but this… this was different.
"Let's see how you handle this," Akira whispered.
The demon leapt at him, its claws aiming for his throat. Akira dodged effortlessly, his movements fluid. He faked a wild slash, making himself appear inexperienced. The demon fell for the trick, lunging in for a killing blow. But Akira was ready. He shifted mid-movement, leaping behind the demon with supernatural speed. In one smooth motion, he transformed *Zeref* into a scythe. Before the demon could react, its head was severed, the lifeless body crumpling to the ground.
[Ding!]
Demon killed.
Reward: 500 points.
"Claim the reward," Akira said without emotion, his expression unchanged as the notification vanished from his mind.
As he prepared to leave, he heard light footsteps approaching. Swiftly, he stored the demon's body and his weapon back into his inventory. Moments later, Shinobu appeared, her face stained with tears, her voice trembling.
"Akira! Where are you?!" she cried, desperation in her voice.
Akira ran toward her, his expression softening. "Why are you crying?" he asked, his tone gentle.
"I... I thought you left me in the forest," Shinobu replied between sobs, her eyes glistening.
"Silly girl, why would I leave you?" Akira chuckled softly, wiping away her tears.
"You disappeared... and I couldn't find you anywhere," she sniffled, still shaken.
Akira sighed, smiling as he knelt down to her height. "I'll never leave you, you know that, right?"
Shinobu's eyes widened, and she threw her arms around Akira, clinging to him tightly. Exhausted from the fear and worry, she eventually fell asleep in his arms. Without hesitation, Akira gently lifted her, cradling her like a princess, and carried her back to her home.
When they arrived at Shinobu's house, her older sister, Kanae, greeted them at the door. Her brow furrowed with worry as she saw Shinobu asleep in Akira's arms.
"Akira, what happened? Why is she asleep?" Kanae asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"We were playing hide-and-seek in the forest, but she couldn't find me for two hours," Akira explained, though his tone was apologetic.
Kanae sighed deeply, concern etched on her face. "You shouldn't be playing in the forest after dark. It's dangerous," she said, her voice soft but firm.
Akira didn't argue. He simply nodded and handed Shinobu over, offering Kanae a quick goodbye before heading back home. Once inside, he walked to his personal training ground in the backyard. The moon had risen high in the sky, casting silver beams across the grass. Akira sat in silence, gazing up at the moon, letting his thoughts drift.
Thirty Minutes Later
After some time of peaceful reflection, Akira felt ready to assess his progress. "Status," he said softly, and a glowing panel appeared in front of him.
| Status |
Level: 15 (50/100)
Name: Akira D. Kanahe
Title: Reincarnator, Saint of Charity, Richest Man in the World
Age: 5 years / 21 years, 1 month
Bloodline: Human
Condition: Healthy
Passive Skills: Immortal Body, Sun Breathing
Skills: None
Inventory: Zeref (God of All Weapons)
The Next Morning
Akira woke up to the sight of the familiar wooden ceiling. Springing up from his bed, he immediately activated the shop. "Shop," he said, and the blue light materialized before him, revealing rows of new skills and items.
| Shop |
SP: 9,900,500
| Skill |
Gravity Control: Manipulate gravity at will.
Price: 200,000
Time Control: Control time in a specific area (limited by user strength).
Price: 200,000
Telekinesis: Move objects with the mind.
Price: 100,000
Barrier: Create barriers of varying strength.
Price: 75,000
Wind Magic: Control wind at will.
Price: 70,000
Creation Magic: Create objects or beings using magic.
Price: 300,000
"Buy them all," Akira said confidently.
As each skill integrated into his system, he could feel the potential surging within him. His power was growing, and with each passing day, the path ahead became clearer. He was no longer just a boy—he was something far greater. His future held unimaginable possibilities, and he would shape it with his own hands.
To Be Continued...