Chapter 18 – A Companion Named Death
DING!
[You are dead.]
The words echoed in Kaden's mind as his head exploded into oblivion.
And yet—death wasn't what he expected.
In his first life, he'd died a coward's death. He had taken his own life—not for honor, not for power—but simply to escape. That moment had branded him. Ever since, death had meant rest to him. An eternal escape.
The idea of death as anything else—an ally, a companion—had never occurred to him. It was a foreign concept, as alien as a language he had never heard.
But now, dying again, something changed.
This time, his death was a choice. Not to escape, but to return stronger. To transcend himself. To rise beyond.
This time... death embraced him. Not coldly, not cruelly—but warmly.
As if whispering:
You are safe with me.
A strange thought. Who could possibly be safe in the presence of death?
And yet, Kaden smiled inwardly.
'It seems I, Kaden Warborn, son of Garros and Sarena Warborn... can be.'
He affirmed his identity.
He was no longer Boris—the weak, bullied child. No longer the orphan whose parents died in a car crash. That life... was gone.
Here, in this realm of endless darkness—where only his consciousness existed—where the air reeked sweetly of death...
Kaden finally let go.
He released the weight of his past. The burdens. The anger. The regret.
'Mother... Father... Sister...'
'Rest in peace. Don't worry about me. And... I hope you can forgive me.'
For letting go of the identity you gave me.
Because from this moment on—
Kaden grinned, madly.
"I am a Warborn."
And as if acknowledging this rebirth of thought, Death—his strange, silent companion—responded. Not with silence, but with joy.
[Congratulations, Host!]
[You have found your own perception of death. For you, death is not escape. Death is not the end. For you, death is strength. Death is the companion that shoulders you to the very end.]
[Your Will stat has increased to 50.]
Then a pause.
[You have died.]
[You have 900 Death Coins. At what point in time do you wish to return?]
Kaden didn't hesitate.
"How much will it cost to return to the moment just before that being offered me the test?"
[200 Death Coins.]
He smirked.
"Then that's when I want to revive."
[DING! Confirmed.]
[You were killed by a Troll. You've gained 5 Strength stat fragments.]
[If you wish to revive now, simply will it.]
Kaden took note of the fragments he gained.
'I would've preferred the Troll's regeneration trait... but strength works too.'
And he had plenty of Death Coins left.
"Death... revive me."
Suddenly a massive black clock appeared in the center of the void.
The black clock ticked once—and in that moment, all reality warped. Past and future blurred. Cause and effect bent. And then—
Blankness.
...
"...Pass my test, and you'll leave this dungeon alive—with a reward beyond your imagination."
Kaden's eyes snapped open. He was kneeling, his head pounding from the voice's pressure.
But everything was just as it was. The same moment. The same position.
'I'm back,' he thought, heart thudding with excitement.
The figure in the sky asked again, "So, do you accept my test?"
This time, Kaden didn't panic. He stood slowly and looked the being in the eyes—for the first time.
His instincts screamed. The sheer pressure made him want to fall. But he held firm.
And then, slowly, nodded.
"I accept the test."
The being tilted its head, amused.
'He's trying to hold my gaze. Interesting child,' the being thought.
"Perfect."
CLAP—!
Dozens of doors burst open again. Thousands of beasts poured out.
"Let the test begin."
Kaden stood firm, Reditha flashing crimson in his hand. She pulsed with concern.
But Kaden smiled.
"Don't worry, Reditha. I've got this."
The beasts descended. Weapons, claws, teeth, magic—all aimed at the lone boy in the center of the arena.
But something had changed.
There's something fascinating that happens when the fear of failure disappears. When your mind stops asking: What if I fail? What if it doesn't work?
When all those crippling doubts vanish, you realize:
"It's not that scary."
Kaden raised his stance. Red and black blood formed jagged spikes around him, glinting wickedly.
No hesitation.
He charged.
Every slash of his blade targeted the head—nothing more, nothing less.
One strike. One kill.
To conserve strength.
Easier said than done when surrounded from all sides—but Kaden had prepared.
The blood spikes lunged outward, striking down anything in his blind spots, giving him time to move, slash, and kill.
And the more he killed, the more blood he collected.
The more blood he had—
"Blood Explosion."
BOOOOM!!
"Blood Explosion."
BOOOOM!!
Again and again, he used his power to destroy swathes of enemies at once.
The battle raged.
His blade danced, strikes becoming sharper, deadlier. After thirty minutes, he hardly missed.
His precision was ruthless.
...but he was bleeding.
Deep cuts, slashes, bruises. Even Reditha couldn't keep up with healing anymore. The wounds outpaced the regeneration.
His body wore down—just like the first time.
But this time, he didn't care.
He had only one goal: kill as many as possible.
BAAM!
A hammer struck the side of his head. He staggered, vision blurring. But he twisted and rammed Reditha into the attacker's throat.
Then spun—
CRACK!
—delivering a brutal kick to a wolf trying to backstab him.
Its skull shattered.
Kaden grinned, his teeth red with blood. Reditha flickered back into his hand.
"Come at me!"
He shouted—and charged again.
But the numbers were simply too many.
He couldn't win—not yet.
But he didn't die in vain.
This time, Kaden had slain twice as many as before.
And with that thought, he smiled.
'So what if I die again?'
A massive black wolf lunged, its jaws crushing his throat.
Kaden's last thought was filled with fire.
'I'll come back. And I'll kill every single one of you bastards.'
CRUNCH—!
The jaws closed.
DING!
[You Have Died.]
—End of Chapter 18—