[Slayer University — One month later]
(The Academy was buzzing with activity.
Everyone was preparing for the grand inter-class tournament…
But a rumor spread through the halls:
Diopha Hitari, the "Special" ranked student, had been missing since his last dungeon mission.)
---
Milim (frowning):
— Tch… Where did that idiot go?
He was supposed to be back…
Now he vanishes like a coward.
---
Douriel (more serious than usual):
— That's not like him.
I can feel it…
Something's off here.
---
[Instructor Hall — Secret meeting]
President (pounding the table):
— One month with no news.
No trace detected, even by our magical systems.
That's… impossible.
Head Instructor (grim):
— This boy…
He's becoming a dangerous enigma.
---
[But in truth…]
---
[Parallel Dimension — "Demon King's Void"]
(An infinite space, where the sky was black studded with red sparks,
and the ground was a fractured chessboard pattern.
Here, time was distorted: 1 real day = 2 months in this realm.)
---
Diopha (panting, on his knees):
— Hah… hah…
Again… one more time…
---
(In front of him, Mini-Zenkai floated with arms crossed, his cold, piercing gaze locked on Diopha.)
Mini-Zenkai:
— Get up.
Your synchronization passed 30%…
Yet you're barely an insect who can compress a single meter of space.
---
[System Window — Update]
Game Core:
— Current synchronization: 32%.
— Body reinforcement: +20%.
— Hair mutation: whitening started.
— Active skill unlocked: Spatial Compression - Level 1.
---
(Diopha stood back up, wiping blood from his lips.
His black hair now streaked with white strands.
His body had grown taller and broader: he now stood at 1.95 meters.)
---
Diopha (clenching fists):
— I can do it…
Stronger…
Faster…!
---
Mini-Zenkai (floating, emotionless):
— Your progress is commendable.
But every time you dig deeper into my power…
You burn your own lifespan.
Never forget this pact.
---
(Diopha gritted his teeth but nodded.
He focused, raising his hand in front of him.)
---
Diopha:
— Spatial Compression… activate!
---
(The air in front of him folded visibly.
Like an invisible wall collapsing inward, the void crushed and twisted,
causing an entire fractal pillar to vanish in a violent implosion.)
---
Mini-Zenkai (coldly pleased):
— Finally…
You've crossed the first gate.
---
[Pause — Key dialogue]
---
Diopha (staring at him, serious):
— Tell me…
How do you know so much about this world?
You know everything.
Everything that's going to happen, everything that exists…
What are you, exactly?
A god?
---
(Zenkai smirked faintly — a rare sight.)
Mini-Zenkai:
— Hmph. A god? No.
I am not omnipotent.
But…
I perceive all that is, all that was, and all that will be in this dimension.
The past, the present, and the future…
nothing is hidden from me here.
---
(Diopha's eyes widened.
For the first time, he truly felt the massive gap between himself… and this superior being.)
---
Diopha (thinking, shivering):
He's really… on another level.
Not a god… but something even scarier…
---
Mini-Zenkai (calmly):
— But you…
You are destined to surpass me.
If you don't die first, of course.
---
(A heavy silence followed.
Diopha gritted his teeth but a flame lit up in his eyes.)
---
Diopha (determined):
— I'll survive.
And I'll take everything.
Your power… this world…
I'll control it on my own terms.
---
Mini-Zenkai (softly chuckling):
— Now that's starting to get interesting…
---
[Transition — End of training]
---
(After this final exchange, Diopha closed his eyes, ready to return to the real world.
His hair was now partially white,
his body forged like a blade.
His synchronization: 35%.)
---
[System Window — Final Update]
Game Core:
— Synchronization: 35%.
— Body reinforced.
— New height recorded: 1.95 meters.
— Hair mutation: 35% white.
— Active skill: Spatial Compression - Level 2.
---
Mini-Zenkai (final warning):
— Remember, kid…
You're still far from the summit.
But your next fight…
will mark the start of your real ascent.
---
[Return — Real world]
---
(Time at the academy had advanced.
The grand inter-class tournament was about to begin…
And Diopha was still nowhere to be found.)
---
Tournament Announcer (over loudspeakers):
— "The inter-class tournament starts today!
All fighters must check in before the end of the day!"
---
(Milim crossed her arms, annoyed.
Douriel gazed at the sky, worried.
Rumors about Diopha's absence grew louder.)
---
[End of Chapter]