The raw power that had surged through Kenji during his final stand against the S-rank Spider Demon abruptly receded. He stood for a moment, chest heaving, drenched in demonic ichor, before his legs gave out. He slowly fell down, landing hard on the damp, cave floor, trying desperately to catch his breath. His entire body screamed in protest, every muscle aching, every spiritual reserve completely depleted. The crimson aura that had momentarily enveloped him was gone, leaving only the dim, chilling light of the dungeon.
[QUEST COMPLETE: DEFEAT S-RANK BOSS. TWO PARTY MEMBERS ALIVE (ALL FIVE SURVIVED!).]
[REWARD: SKILL POINTS +20. NEW SKILL ACQUIRED: HOST MAY CHOOSE ONE.]
[ADDITIONAL REWARD: BUFF CHARM (BUFF TEAMMATES FOR 1 MINUTE, 24 HOUR COOLDOWN).]
Despite his exhaustion, Kenji focused on the System overlay. Twenty skill points. And a choice of a new skill. He needed to be strategic.
He thought about the Spider Demon's cunning, its ability to hide its rank, its sheer resilience. He also thought about his team, how vulnerable they had been, and his own near-fatal miscalculation.
Kenji chose his new skill carefully: Spiritual Sense (A-Rank). This would enhance his ability to detect hidden enemies and perceive even the most cloaked spiritual signatures, preventing future surprises like the Spider Demon's hidden rank.
With his new skill acquired, he had 20 skill points left. He decided to distribute them evenly among his most crucial attributes, further solidifying his foundation.
* SPIRITUAL ENERGY (SP) upgraded significantly (Cost: 5 Skill Points)
* SPIRITUAL CONTROL (SC) upgraded (Cost: 5 Skill Points)
* SPIRITUAL STRENGTH (SS) upgraded (Cost: 5 Skill Points)
* AGILITY (AG) upgraded to S-Rank (Cost: 5 Skill Points)
He felt a subtle, reinforcing thrum throughout his body as the upgrades integrated. A quiet confidence settled over him. He was truly an S-rank now, in every sense of the word.
The World Reacts: Admiration and Opportunism
Across the globe, the live feed had cut out just as Kenji collapsed, leaving billions of onlookers in a state of stunned awe and frantic concern. When the drone feed restored moments later, showing Kenji slowly trying to catch his breath, the world erupted.
News anchors struggled for words. Social media platforms crashed under the weight of simultaneous posts. "He actually did it!" "An S-rank soloed another S-rank demon, and he's brand new!" "The Thirteenth S-Rank is a legend!"
In a modest living room, Masako and Kaito Tanaka, Kenji's adoptive parents, watched the news coverage with utterly bewildered expressions.
"That… that's Kenji?" Masako stammered, pointing a trembling finger at the screen showing a graphic of Kenji's S-rank profile. "Our Kenji? The one with no drive?"
Kaito's eyes, usually so cold, now glittered with an unsettling avarice. "An S-rank… Do you know what that means, Masako? The wealth! The influence! The recognition!" He turned to their biological son, Haruki, who sat beside them, his jaw hanging open in disbelief. "Haruki! You need to go to the Academy. Talk to him. Remind him of his family. He's always been… part of us. He needs to come back home."
Haruki, still reeling from the shock of seeing his once-bullied adopted brother become a global sensation, could only nod, a complex mix of jealousy, awe, and calculated ambition warring on his face. Money signs danced in their eyes, replacing years of scorn with sudden, transparent affection.
Meanwhile, fan forums and online communities were ablaze. Women around the world gushed, their admiration for Kenji reaching fever pitch. "He's not just strong, he's loyal to his team and handsome under all that blood!" "He could have left them, but he risked his life! Such integrity!" "I wish I could marry him! Forget the rich businessmen, I want an S-rank hero who bleeds demon goo!"
Reprimand and an Unexpected Introduction
Back in the dimly lit boss chamber, Kenji slowly pushed himself up, leaning against a jagged rock formation. His team, now fully recovered thanks to his healing, rushed towards him, their faces a mixture of relief and fury.
"Kenji! What were you thinking?!" Akari burst out, her hands on her hips, her eyes blazing. "Going in alone?! You almost gave us a heart attack! We're a team! We fight together!"
"Yeah, man! That was completely reckless!" Hiroki added, his usual bravado returning now that the immediate danger was past. "You could have died!"
Even Goro, usually stoic, shook his head. "We trust you, Kenji, but you can't pull stunts like that. You put yourself at unnecessary risk."
Saki, however, remained silent, looking at Kenji with a complicated expression.
Just as Akari was about to launch into another tirade, Aoi Sato, who had stepped through the portal with the drone, moved forward, placing a hand on Akari's shoulder.
"Leave him alone, guys," Aoi said, her voice softer than Kenji expected. Her eyes, filled with concern, met his. "He did what he thought he had to do. He made a judgment call to protect you all. Look at you – you're all alive, thanks to him. He took on an S-rank beast alone and won. You can't fault him for prioritizing your lives." She defended him fiercely, her cheeks flushing slightly as she realized she was, once again, being a little too obvious with her feelings.
His teammates fell silent, grumbling but acknowledging the truth in Aoi's words. Kenji offered her a small, grateful smile.
As they began their walk towards the A-ranked portal, the sounds of the bustling crowd outside grew louder. Kenji braced himself.
Stepping out of the portal, they were immediately engulfed by a frenzy of flashing cameras and shouting reporters. "Mr. Tanaka! Your team survived! How do you feel?" "What about the S-rank boss? Is it truly dead?" "Are you the strongest S-rank now?"
Kenji was about to try and answer when a new voice, confident and somewhat arrogant, cut through the din.
"Move aside, you parasites!"
The crowd parted as a tall, imposing figure strode forward. He had sharp, angular features, short, spiky blond hair, and eyes that held an almost contemptuous glint. He wore a pristine white Academy uniform, adorned with a dazzling array of medals and the unmistakable, gleaming S-rank insignia. His presence exuded immense power and an undeniable self-importance.
"So, you're the new hotshot, huh?" the man said, stopping directly in front of Kenji, his eyes sweeping over Kenji's blood-soaked form with a critical gaze. He completely ignored the frantic reporters. "Number 13, I hear. Not bad for someone who popped out of nowhere."
Kenji met his gaze, sensing the man's immense power, easily an S-rank, but also an aura of deep-seated pride.
The man smirked, a hint of disdain in his eyes. "The name's Kaito 'The Sunflare' Kazama. I'm currently ranked Number Three among the S-ranks. Don't get too comfortable at the top, rookie. The real challenges are still ahead."
A collective murmur of awe swept through the crowd. Kaito Kazama, the renowned Number Three, known for his cocky attitude and rude demeanor to everyone, had actually bothered to personally introduce himself to the new S-rank. This was unprecedented.
Kenji simply stared, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips, still dripping with demonic blood. He had faced his demons, internal and external, and now the world's most powerful figures were lining up to challenge him.