Kenta had barely settled into his temporary lodgings in Vardania when he felt a familiar pull. It was as if an invisible hand was drawing him upward, into the sky. The sensation was both exhilarating and comforting, a gentle reminder of the divine forces that had shaped his journey. Without resistance, he allowed himself to be taken, and in an instant, he found himself standing in a place of pure light.
The God of Creation stood before him, radiating an aura of infinite wisdom and power. Kenta bowed respectfully, feeling a mixture of awe and gratitude. The god's presence was overwhelming, yet it carried a sense of benevolence that put Kenta at ease.
"Kenta," the God of Creation spoke, his voice resonating through the ethereal space, "you have journeyed far and faced many trials. Your determination and strength have not gone unnoticed."
Kenta straightened, meeting the god's gaze. "Thank you, my lord. I have only done what was necessary to protect my family and fulfill my destiny."
The god nodded, a serene smile gracing his features. "Indeed, and your efforts are commendable. But the challenges you face will only grow more formidable. To aid you in your quest, I bestow upon you a new ability."
Kenta's heart raced with anticipation. The god raised his hand, and a radiant light enveloped Kenta, filling him with warmth and energy. As the light faded, Kenta felt a surge of power coursing through his veins.
"This ability will allow you to steal the abilities of others," the God of Creation explained. "Use it wisely and with honor. It is a gift that can tip the scales in your favor, but it also comes with great responsibility."
Kenta nodded, absorbing the weight of the god's words. "I understand. Thank you for this gift. I will use it to protect the innocent and fight for justice."
The god's smile deepened. "I have faith in you, Kenta. Now, return to your journey and may this new ability guide you to victory."
With that, the god's presence faded, and Kenta found himself back in his room in Vardania, the lingering warmth of the divine light still enveloping him.
Eager to test his new ability, Kenta made his way to the Adventurer's Guild. The guild was a bustling hub of activity, filled with adventurers of all levels preparing for their next quests. Kenta approached the quest board, scanning the available missions. His eyes settled on a notice for a dungeon located on the outskirts of Vardania, known for its formidable monsters and valuable treasures.
"This should be a good test," Kenta muttered to himself as he accepted the quest. He gathered his gear and set off toward the dungeon, his mind racing with thoughts of how to best utilize his new power.
The entrance to the dungeon was a foreboding cavern, its mouth gaping like a giant maw ready to swallow any who dared enter. Kenta took a deep breath and stepped inside, his senses immediately heightened by the darkness and the sounds of distant creatures.
The first few chambers were filled with low-level monsters—goblins, giant rats, and the occasional skeleton warrior. Kenta dispatched them with ease, his sword slicing through their ranks with practiced precision. As he progressed deeper into the dungeon, the air grew colder and the enemies more formidable.
Kenta entered a large chamber, its walls lined with flickering torches. In the center of the room stood a massive ogre, its hulking form casting a long shadow across the stone floor. The ogre's eyes glinted with malice as it spotted Kenta, letting out a roar that echoed through the cavern.
"Perfect," Kenta thought, readying his sword. He had faced ogres before, but this time he had a new weapon in his arsenal. He focused on the ogre, willing his new ability to activate.
As the ogre charged, Kenta sidestepped its attack and slashed at its exposed side. The ogre bellowed in pain and swung its massive club. Kenta ducked under the swing and reached out with his mind, feeling for the ogre's abilities.
To his surprise, he felt a connection. The ogre had a natural toughness, an ability to withstand physical attacks. Kenta concentrated and felt a rush of power as he absorbed the ability. His skin tingled with a newfound resilience.
Emboldened by his success, Kenta launched a counterattack. He moved faster, striking with more force, knowing that he now shared the ogre's toughness. The battle was intense, but Kenta's new ability gave him the edge he needed. He dodged the ogre's clumsy swings and delivered a final, decisive blow, felling the beast.
Kenta continued deeper into the dungeon, encountering a variety of monsters. Each battle provided an opportunity to test his new power. He faced a pack of werewolves, absorbing their enhanced speed and reflexes. A group of sorcerers fell to his blade, and he stole their ability to cast basic spells, feeling the arcane energy flow through him.
With each new ability he absorbed, Kenta became more formidable. He honed his skills, learning to switch between abilities quickly and efficiently. His confidence grew with each victory, but he remained vigilant, knowing that the dungeon held even greater challenges.
After hours of battling through the dungeon, Kenta arrived at the final chamber. The room was vast, its walls adorned with ancient runes that glowed with a faint blue light. In the center of the chamber stood a creature unlike any he had faced before—a dragon, its scales shimmering with a dark, otherworldly energy.
The dragon's eyes locked onto Kenta, and it let out a low growl. The air crackled with tension as Kenta readied himself for the ultimate test of his new ability.
The dragon struck first, breathing a torrent of dark flames that engulfed the room. Kenta rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the inferno. He focused on the dragon, reaching out with his mind to steal its power.
To his amazement, he felt a connection. The dragon's abilities were vast and complex, but Kenta honed in on one—its control over dark flames. He felt a surge of energy as he absorbed the power, his hands tingling with newfound heat.
Kenta wasted no time. He summoned the dark flames, feeling them swirl around him before launching them at the dragon. The beast recoiled in surprise, its own flames turning against it. Kenta pressed the attack, switching between the dragon's flames and the abilities he had absorbed from previous battles.
The fight was fierce and unrelenting. The dragon's scales provided a tough defense, but Kenta's combination of stolen abilities allowed him to outmaneuver and outthink the creature. He struck with precision, each blow weakening the dragon's defenses.
Finally, with a powerful thrust of his sword, Kenta delivered the final blow. The dragon let out a deafening roar before collapsing, its body dissolving into dark energy that dissipated into the air.
As the dust settled, Kenta took a moment to catch his breath. He had defeated the dragon and proven the worth of his new ability. The God of Creation's gift had given him a powerful edge, but it had also come with great responsibility.
Kenta knew that he had to use this power wisely. The ability to steal other abilities was a double-edged sword—it could make him incredibly strong, but it could also corrupt him if he wasn't careful. He vowed to use it only for good, to protect the innocent and fight against the forces of darkness.
With renewed resolve, Kenta left the dungeon and returned to Vardania. The city was alive with activity, but Kenta's mind was focused on his next steps. He had a new power, but his mission remained the same—to find Ryuu and Akari and reunite his family.
As he walked through the bustling streets, Kenta felt a sense of purpose and determination. He had come a long way, but his journey was far from over. With the God of Creation's gift and his own unwavering resolve, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.