Akira regained consciousness, finding himself in an unfamiliar realm shrouded in peach-black shadows. The oppressive atmosphere was silent, save for the sound of approaching footsteps. An aged man emerged from the darkness, his weathered face framed by a bald head, a thick beard, and piercing eyes—black sclera with vivid red pupils.
"Tell me your real name," the man demanded, his voice cutting through the silence.
Akira hesitated, his instincts urging caution. He refrained from answering, his silence met by the old man's unsettling smile—a smile that sent chills down his spine.
Suddenly, an overwhelming force of gravity pressed upon Akira, driving him to his knees. His body grew weak, and fear consumed his thoughts. I don't want to die! the phrase echoed in his mind as the weight intensified, threatening to crush him.
The pressure grew unbearable. Akira's bones cracked under the strain, and blood spilled from his eyes. Despite the agony, he mustered the strength to glare at the man and screamed, "I'll never tell you my name!"
Intrigued by Akira's resilience, the old man withdrew the crushing gravity and clapped his hands, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Such determination," he mused. "Welcome to the Temple of Shadows."
With a snap of his fingers, the old man illuminated the temple. Akira's eyes widened at the sight—statues of serpentine and horse-like demigods filled the cavernous room, their monstrous forms unnerving.
"Where am I?" Akira asked, his voice trembling.
"You're inside the book," the old man replied cryptically, his smile widening.
Akira pleaded, "Send me back to heaven!" His desperation only provoked the man's rage. With a powerful punch, the old man sent Akira flying. To Akira's astonishment, he felt no pain and stood back up, facing the man defiantly.
Amused, the old man began explaining the temple's history. He recounted the tale of the God of Shadows, betrayed by the other gods and forgotten by humankind. The deity had cursed humanity and awaited a disciple to spread his teachings.
"Why me?" Akira asked warily.
"You were chosen because of your desires," the old man replied.
Akira hesitated, considering the implications. "If I join you, will you use me for evil?"
The old man laughed heartily, his voice echoing ominously. "You can use the power however you wish," he replied. "But remember, the God of Shadows slumbers, waiting for belief to awaken him."
Akira's gaze shifted to the hybrid statues. "What are these creatures?"
"Cursed humans," the man explained. "Those who crossed our god were transformed."
"Could I be cursed too?" Akira asked, a flicker of unease in his voice.
The old man smirked. "Who knows? Just don't anger our god."
Resolving to harness this power, Akira requested training. The old man explained that Akira's cursed body would now channel dark mana, turning his weakness into strength. With another snap of his fingers, they were transported to an endless grassy field.
"Kill those goblins," the old man commanded, gesturing to the approaching creatures.
Akira's eyes widened in terror as he beheld the goblins—sickly green with enormous heads, jagged teeth, and three arms. Panicking, he fled, but the open field offered no sanctuary. A sharp pain struck his stomach, and he looked down to see a dagger embedded in his chest.
The goblins closed in, overwhelming him. As they tore into his flesh, Akira screamed in agony, certain he was dying.
But death was fleeting. Moments later, Akira awoke to see his lifeless body being devoured. The old man's voice resonated in his mind: "You cannot die. You will feel this pain until you learn."
The cycle repeated endlessly. Akira would flee, die, and awaken anew, his bodies piling up around him. His sanity frayed as he wept at the grotesque sight of his own corpses.
Desperation turned to fury. Akira, his mind teetering on the brink, lay beneath the pile of his bodies, waiting. A lone goblin passed by, and he leapt, pinning it down. Ignoring the pain of its dagger, he wrestled the creature and strangled it to death.
For the first time, Akira had killed. His body trembled, but a grin spread across his face as he realized the power within him.
Emboldened, he grabbed a goblin's sword and charged, slaying two more before succumbing to blood loss. This time, his laughter echoed through the air—a haunting sign of his transformation.
Reborn once more, Akira felt a surge of energy. Mana coursed through his body, electrifying his nerves. As pain and power intertwined, he smiled. He had awakened his abilities.
Infusing his sword with mana, Akira moved with blinding speed, decapitating the goblins. His thirst for combat grew insatiable, an inner darkness urging him forward.
The old man observed from afar, pride gleaming in his red eyes. "This boy is extraordinary," he murmured.
The old man summoned ogres and more goblins. Akira, instead of charging recklessly, analyzed their weaknesses. He exploited the ogres' sluggishness, dodging their attacks and delivering precise blows to their necks.
Repeated exposure to goblin poison rendered Akira immune, while constant battle sharpened his reflexes. He discovered a latent affinity for elemental magic—ice, fire, wind, and water—and awakened his aura, further enhancing his abilities.
Two months passed in the illusionary realm. Akira had transformed into a skilled warrior, capable of strategic combat and diverse magic.
When Akira was summoned back to the temple, the old man greeted him warmly.
"You've grown immensely," the old man said. "Your determination is truly astounding."
"Thank you," Akira replied. "I couldn't have done it without your guidance."
The old man revealed that though two months had passed in training, only two hours had elapsed in the real world. He instructed Akira to travel to Skull Head Mountain and subjugate a sealed
As Akira's soul returned to his 10-year-old body, the maid and doctor rushed to his side. Their concern was palpable as they tended to him, ensuring his recovery.
Akira's mind, however, was elsewhere. The knowledge and power he had gained burned within him, and his resolve to complete his mission and claim his destiny had never been stronger.