So guys, I have a request to make. Despite those that has subscribed to my patreon, should I open another tier worth 15 chapters ahead?
Well, I would really be happy to open another tier but the problem is that you guys never pour me your power stones.
1 stone per person is that really hard of a task? C'mon guys I know you could do more than that. Pour me your Power Stones and I'll decide if I'll open a new patreon tier this week for those who wants to read 15 chapters ahead.
.....
The staircase to Level 2 groaned beneath Gojo's weight, each creaking echo reverberating into the oppressive darkness below. The dry, suffocating heat of Starvation Hell began to recede, giving way to something far more primal—a cacophony of guttural growls, sharp hisses, and the heavy, grating thud of claws dragging relentlessly against stone.
Gojo tilted his head, a smirk on his lips. "Hmm. That doesn't sound like starving prisoners. That sounds like a zoo that forgot to pay its zookeeper."
As he emerged onto the level, the sight before him confirmed it.
This was Level 2—Wild Beast Hell.
Gargantuan predators roamed freely across the expansive cavern. Serpents the size of galleons slithered between searing, molten cracks. Winged monstrosities with leathern wings flapped lazily from jagged perches carved into towering stalactites. The infamous Sphinx, a massive lion-like creature with a strangely ridiculous face, gnawed in frustration at the bars of an empty cell. Further in, the hulking Basilisk lay coiled, its scales gleaming like a thousand polished blades.
And amid this chaotic menagerie, shackled to the far wall, sat two very familiar figures.
Jake, the sniper with a perpetual scowl, leaned against the rough stone with his arms crossed, his demeanor suggesting that this prison was merely another tiresome tavern stop. Ryuken, taller and broader, held himself with a poised stillness, his gaze sharp yet unnervingly relaxed as he hummed a low tune, as if bored by the entire ordeal.
Gojo's grin stretched from ear to ear.
"Yoo-hoo! Guess who's back from his sightseeing tour!"
Jake's head snapped up. "...Gojo?"
Ryuken offered a faint, knowing smirk. "Took you long enough."
"Aw, come on," Gojo chided, striding toward them with his characteristic, infuriating swagger. "I was downstairs playing tag with a giant poison man. You'd love him, Ryuken—really gooey personality. Jake, you'd hate him. Smells worse than your cooking."
Jake growled, straining against his bonds. "You bastard—you actually came back."
"Of course!" Gojo laughed, spreading his arms in a theatrical gesture. "What kind of captain would I be if I left my crew behind?"
"Lol!" Jake and Ryuken snapped in unison, though the faint undercurrent of relief in their voices was unmistakable.
Gojo leaned in, whispering conspiratorially. "Don't worry, the prisoners upstairs already decided I am. You'll catch up eventually."
Ryuken chuckled under his breath. "Same old Gojo."
With a negligent flick of his wrist, Gojo's cursed energy erupted, shredding their thick chains like parchment. The sharp report of snapping metal echoed through the chamber.
Jake rose to his feet, stretching his shoulders with a deliberate roll. "Tch. About time." His hand instinctively shot out, reclaiming his beloved pistol from one of the guards that was knocked out by Gojo.
Ryuken flexed his massive fists, the air around him rippling faintly with the release of his restrained aura. "It feels good to move again."
Gojo clapped them both on the shoulders. "Group hug later. For now, how about we trash this floor and head upstairs?"
Unfortunately, Level 2's residents were not pleased with the sudden disturbance.
The Sphinx roared, its comical face contorting into a mask of fury as it barreled toward them. The Basilisk uncoiled with a piercing hiss, its scales rattling like a legion of blades ready to shred flesh. All around, the rest of the beasts stirred, a unified hunger flashing in their monstrous eyes.
Jake reloaded his pistol, a sharp gleam reflecting the hellish light. "I'll take the lizard."
Ryuken cracked his knuckles, his eyes narrowing on the charging Sphinx. "Then I'll handle the idiot lion."
Gojo raised his hand casually. "Don't mind me. I'll just… supervise."
Jake shot him a venomous glare. "You better not just sit back and make jokes."
Gojo's smirk widened. "No promises."
The Basilisk struck first, lunging with blinding speed, its jaws gaping wide enough to swallow a ship whole. Its fangs gleamed like deadly spears.
Jake met the charge head-on, his pistol flashing in a perfect arc as the seismic impact shook the very ground beneath them. The colossal serpent reeled back, hissing in furious pain.
"Damn thing's hide is tough," Jake muttered, sliding back into a ready stance.
The Basilisk retaliated, whipping its bladed tail in a blow that shattered the surrounding stone. Jake rolled aside, his pistol singing as he delivered a series of bullet. This time, the strike bit deeper, and a web of cracks spread across the armored scales.
Acidic blood hissed as it struck the molten floor, sending the beast into a violent, thrashing frenzy.
Gojo called from the sidelines, cupping his hands around his mouth. "Hey, Jake! Aim for the soft spots—like the face! Or, you know, just tickle it until it cries."
"Shut up!" Jake barked, narrowly avoiding another crushing bite that could have severed him in two.
Meanwhile, Ryuken stood firm against the Sphinx's charge.
The massive beast pounded forward, each step sending tremors through the chamber. Its foolish expression clashed horribly with its genuinely feral roar.
Ryuken stood his ground, unflinching. At the very last moment, his fist shot forward, imbued with devastating, raw strength. The impact cracked like thunder, connecting squarely with the Sphinx's jaw.
The beast skidded backward, momentarily stunned, before shaking its massive head and roaring with even greater rage. It lunged again, claws swiping with enough force to cleave rock.
Ryuken flowed around the attacks, his movements sharp and preternaturally precise. Another powerful slash drove into its ribs, followed by a devastating blow to its chest; the sound of splintering bone echoed through the cavern.
Gojo clapped slowly from the sidelines. "Wow. Look at you, Ryuken! Punching lions in the face. Truly inspirational."
"Less commentary," Ryuken said, though a fierce grin betrayed his enjoyment.
Jake growled, tightening his grip on his pistol. The Basilisk coiled once more, readying for a final strike. Their duel had already torn through half the cavern.
"Enough of this," Jake muttered. He exploded forward, his pistol glowing faintly with focused intent. As the Basilisk lunged for the kill, Jake shot his pistol, a decisive line through its skull.
The beast's body shuddered violently before collapsing with a deafening, final crash.
Not far away, Ryuken intercepted the Sphinx mid-leap, his sword above his head cleaving the beast in two. The impact lifted the massive creature completely off its paws before it crashed back to the ground, unconscious.
The cavern fell into a sudden silence, save for the low crackle of magma and Gojo's slow, mocking applause.
"Bravo, boys. Bravo. Remind me never to upset you two when you're hungry."
Ryuken sheathed his blade, breathing heavily. "Tch. You could've helped."
"I did," Gojo said cheerfully. "I provided emotional support."
With the alpha beasts defeated, the trio advanced.
Prison guards poured into the chamber, weapons drawn, but they were utterly insignificant against the combined force of Gojo's impenetrable Infinity, Ryuken whirling blade, and Jake's crushing pistol.
Gojo toyed with his opponents, flicking them into unconsciousness with lazy taps of cursed energy. Ryuken cut clean, efficient paths through their formations, his sword a silver blur of motion. Jake simply smashed through walls and armor alike, leaving a trail of broken steel and groaning bodies in his wake.
The starved prisoners they passed cheered weakly, too terrified or exhausted to rise, but their awed chants still rang out.
"Captain Gojo…"
"Their crew… unstoppable…"
Gojo groaned in exasperation. "Not you too. Seriously, it's like a bad nickname that won't die."
Jake allowed himself a faint smirk. "You brought it on yourself."
Finally, after tearing through the remaining guards and wrecking the last lines of defense, the trio ascended to the surface of Level 1.
The main gate of Impel Down loomed before them—massive, heavily reinforced, and legendarily impenetrable. Beyond it lay the treacherous Calm Belt and, ultimately, freedom.
Gojo tilted his head back to admire the colossal structure. "Well. That's a big door."
Ryuken cracked his knuckles. "Think we can cut through?"
Jake stretched his powerful arms. "Or punch through."
Gojo's grin returned, brimming with audacious confidence. "Or… we make it open itself. Doors love me."
Behind them, alarms still blared, their shrill cries reverberating through the chaos. The entire prison was in an uproar. Marines scrambled in disarray, prisoners cheered from their cells, and the world outside was already reacting to the impossible truth: Gojo and his crew had reached the front gate of the inescapable Impel Down.
The three stood side by side, their shadows stretching long across the ruined floor, the massive door before them standing as the final barrier between legend and escape.
Gojo chuckled softly, the sound full of promise.
"Guess it's time to make history, boys!"
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