In a hidden chamber deep beneath the Duke’s mansion, ancient magic thrummed.

  Kazuki stood in the center of a massive ritual circle, shirtless and surrounded by a dome of dark energy. Sigils along the walls pulsed with power as a gravity field slowly activated.

  [1000x Gravity Field — Engaged]

  The room shuddered.

  BOOM.

  Kazuki's knees slammed into the floor from the sheer pressure. Blood trickled from his lips as every muscle in his body screamed in defiance. His bones groaned. His heart slowed. It felt like the world was trying to crush him into the earth.

  And yet… he smiled.

  “I’ll surpass him,” he whispered, his voice ragged. “No matter what it takes.”

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  He slowly rose—one inch at a time. Every movement felt like lifting mountains. He threw a single punch.

  CRACK!

  The air rippled, his knuckles tore open, and the reinforced wall before him dented. He didn’t stop. He kept going—punch after punch. Sweat and blood mixed beneath him. Hours passed. Then more.

  He activated:

  [Total Concentration]

  [Elemental Fury]

  [Limit Breaker]

  [Shadow Pulse]

  Each skill amplified his power—but also the pain.

  His muscles bulked, mana veins glowing violet beneath his skin. His heart beat like a war drum, and he leapt straight into the air—

  —only to crash down immediately.

  The gravity was too much.

  But he stood up again.

  And again.

  And again.

  ---

  Outside, Rinara stood beside the Duke, watching a magical projection of the chamber. Her hands were clenched tightly.

  “He’s going to kill himself at this rate,” she muttered.

  The Duke didn’t look away. “He knows the world isn’t waiting for him to catch up. Kairyuuha has already begun… and Kazuki is our only hope.”

  ---

  Inside the chamber, Kazuki summoned one of his elite shadow beasts—Velgrim, the twin-bladed wraith. He nodded.

  “Don’t go easy.”

  The sparring began. Every strike Kazuki threw was met with perfect counters. He took hit after hit, forcing his body to adapt under the crushing pressure.

  He bled. He fell. But he rose.

  Until finally—his eyes flared with black lightning.

  His stats spiked.

  [New Passive Unlocked:

  – Relentless Body: Adapts faster under extreme conditions]

  Kazuki smirked, standing tall under the 1000x gravity, breathing steady now. The dark army gate briefly flickered behind him—his aura towering like a giant.

  “I’m coming for you, Kairyuuha…”