Training

Water droplets trickled down Yuuki's face as he slowly opened his eyes. He felt the sensation of hard rocks against his back and realized he was back in the dungeon where he had lost consciousness. Yuuki wakes up but this time his body feels light and fully recovered. He looks around and sees no one but just the dark and quiet cave surrounding him. He notices a mark on his hand, the number "0" was marked on it.

"Hello?" Yuuki called out in a quiet voice. "Is anybody there?"

The silence that surrounded him was unnerving. Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching, and fear began to grip him as the sounds grew closer. A monstrous creature emerged from the darkness, screeching and howling, and charged at Yuuki at full speed. Yuuki tried to run, but he tripped and fell. Just as the monster was about to attack, a deep voice that Yuuki had heard before echoed through the cave.

"What a waste of my power."

A portal opened from the ground, and a hand emerged, slapping the monster against the wall and killing it instantly. Yuuki was astonished as he realized it was the devil. The devil emerged fully from the portal, his tone now filled with anger.

"What a waste of my power!" he exclaimed, causing the ground and Yuuki to shake.

Yuuki couldn't find the words to respond, but he mustered the courage to question the devil.

"What powers do I have?"

The devil let out a disappointed sigh, explaining to Yuuki that their contract was different from other spirits. Instead of money, food, blood, or treasure, the devil had taken away Yuuki's remaining lifespan. He pointed to Yuuki's other arm, where a long number was ticking down.

"1419120000," the devil said. "That number indicates how long you will live. Every second I am with you, you are losing your life. The more you use my power, the faster the time will go down. Your offering to me is yourself."

Yuuki couldn't take his eyes off the number as he watched it rapidly decrease by 30 seconds for each second that passed. The devil then revealed that the strength of Yuuki's powers determined how much of his lifespan would be taken away and that Yuuki was currently too weak, causing him to lose his life rapidly.

The devil stood up and brought forth the monster that Yuuki had defeated earlier.

"Concentrate. Try to hit the monster," the devil instructed.

Yuuki closed his eyes and focused, then swung his arm with all his might, causing the monster to explode in front of him. But the devil's eyes were fixated on Yuuki's arm.

"1419116000," the devil said. Exactly 1 hour of Yuuki's life had been taken away from a single swing, and the countdown continued to decrease rapidly. Yuuki was shocked, but the devil offered to break the contract if Yuuki wished.

Yuuki's face reflected confusion, but he looked determined as he glanced at the rapidly decreasing number on his arm.

Yuuki couldn't believe his strength, still feeling the adrenaline rush from the impact. He looks back at the devil, his curiosity piqued.

"What was that about?" Yuuki asks, wiping sweat from his brow.

The devil's grin widens. "You see, Yuuki, your powers are not just about taking away time from your life. They are also tied to your physical strength and abilities. The stronger you become, the slower your life force will be drained."

Yuuki raises an eyebrow, processing this information. "So, if I become stronger, I can extend my lifespan?"

The devil nods. "Exactly. Your physical strength is directly linked to the rate at which your life force is depleted. The stronger you are, the longer you'll live."

Yuuki's determination flares up. "Let's start training. I've got no time to waste."

The devil's eyes widened, and he laughed as he stood up.

"Let's go. We've got no time to waste."

Several months passed by, and Yuuki found himself running from a monster with all his strength. His back was soaked with sweat and blood, and he was exhausted. The devil watched from across the room as Yuuki ran, his eyes fixed on Yuuki's arm.

Yuuki's progress had been remarkable. Under the devil's harsh tutelage, he had learned to harness his newfound powers and had become a formidable fighter. His speed, strength, and agility had all improved exponentially, and he had even unlocked some advanced techniques that were beyond what the devil had expected. But with each use of his powers, Yuuki's lifespan continued to dwindle rapidly.

As Yuuki dodged another attack from the monster, he felt a surge of determination. He couldn't afford to lose any more time. He focused his energy and delivered a powerful counterattack, defeating the monster in a single strike. However, the cost was evident as the number on his arm dropped to "1416007000." He could feel the toll his powers were taking on his body, and he knew he couldn't keep this up for much longer.

The devil approached Yuuki, a mix of pride and concern in his eyes.

"You've come a long way, Yuuki," the devil said. "But you're pushing yourself too hard. You can't sustain this level of power for much longer without risking your life."

Yuuki nodded, panting heavily. He knew the devil was right. He had been reckless in his training, desperate to become stronger and fulfill his goal.

"I can't give up now," Yuuki said through gritted teeth. "I've come too far to back down."

The devil sighed, realizing that Yuuki's determination was unwavering. He decided to change his approach.

"I understand, but there's another way," the devil said. "Instead of using your powers to fight, you can learn to control them, to channel them in a more strategic and efficient manner. This way, you can minimize the impact on your lifespan while still gaining the upper hand in battles."

Yuuki listened attentively, realizing that the devil was offering a solution that could potentially extend his lifespan while still allowing him to become stronger.

"I'll do whatever it takes," Yuuki said with determination.

And so, Yuuki began to train with the devil once again, but this time focusing on control, precision, and strategy. He learned to harness his powers in a more calculated manner, using them only when necessary and conserving his energy whenever possible. He honed his combat skills, learning to outsmart and outmaneuver his opponents, using his powers as a last resort.

Months passed, and Yuuki's skills continued to improve. He faced numerous challenges and battles within the dungeon, but he fought with calculated precision, carefully managing his powers to minimize the toll on his lifespan. The devil watched with pride as Yuuki grew into a formidable warrior, both mentally and physically.

One day, Yuuki found himself face to face with a formidable opponent, a monstrous creature that seemed unbeatable. He knew that defeating this creature would require him to use his powers to their fullest extent, risking a significant portion of his lifespan. But he also knew that it was his only chance to escape the dungeon and fulfill his goal.

With a deep breath, Yuuki unleashed his powers with precision and control, engaging in a fierce battle with the creature. He fought with all his might, utilizing his skills and powers to their fullest potential. The battle was grueling, and Yuuki's lifespan dropped rapidly with each use of his powers.

But in the end, Yuuki emerged victorious. The creature lay defeated at his feet, and Yuuki's arm showed a significantly reduced number: " 946,080,000 ." He was exhausted, but he had achieved his goal. He had proven himself as a formidable warrior and had gained the respect of the devil.

Yuuki stood victorious, but he could feel the toll the battle had taken on him. His breathing was labored, and he could barely stand. He looked at the devil, who approached him with a mix of pride and concern.

"You did it, Yuuki," the devil said, admiration in his voice. "But at what cost?"

Yuuki looked down at his arm, the number now reduced to " 946,080,000 ." He realized that he had risked a significant portion of his lifespan to achieve his goal.

"I did what I had to," Yuuki said, his voice weak but determined. 

The devil nodded solemnly. "I understand. You've proven yourself to be a warrior of great skill and determination."

Yuuki nodded, knowing that he couldn't afford to be reckless any longer. He had come too far to let his impulsive nature endanger his life further.

With the devil's guidance, Yuuki embarked on a new quest to find a way to slow down his rate of lifespan. They ventured deeper into the dungeon, facing more challenges and adversaries along the way. Yuuki continued to refine his skills, using his powers strategically and conserving his energy as much as possible.

Through their journey, Yuuki also learned about the history of the dungeon and the source of his powers. He discovered that the dungeon was once a prison for powerful beings who had been sealed away due to their dangerous abilities. The devil, who had been tasked with guarding the dungeon, had been testing Yuuki to see if he was worthy of inheriting the powers of the prisoners.

As they delved deeper into the dungeon, Yuuki encountered ancient artifacts and learned ancient rituals that could replenish his lifespan. He faced trials and tribulations, testing his resolve and pushing him to his limits. But with each challenge, he grew stronger and wiser, honing his skills and mastering his powers.

Finally, after a long and arduous journey, Yuuki stood at the heart of the dungeon, facing the ultimate challenge. He confronted a powerful entity that guarded the source of rejuvenation, a pool of life-giving energy. With all his skills and powers at his disposal, Yuuki engaged in an epic battle.

The battle was fierce, and Yuuki's lifespan dwindled rapidly as he unleashed his powers to their fullest extent. But he fought with control and precision, using all the lessons he had learned and conserving his energy whenever possible. It was a grueling battle that pushed him to his limits, but in the end, Yuuki emerged victorious.

As he stood by the pool of rejuvenation, Yuuki felt the life-giving energy surging through him, replenishing his lifespan. The number on his arm began to slowly decrease at a rate of 2 seconds per second.

Yuuki turned to the devil, who looked at him with a nod of approval.

"You've done it, Yuuki," the devil said, a hint of pride in his voice. "You've proven yourself worthy of inheriting the powers of the prisoners."

Yuuki smiled, grateful for the devil's guidance and mentorship. He knew that he had come a long way, and he had learned valuable lessons about control, strategy, and the importance of preserving his lifespan. With his renewed energy and resolve, Yuuki was ready to face whatever challenges awaited him outside the dungeon.

"Speak of the Devil." The devil points his finger up at the ceiling and suddenly a portal shows up. The portal of a raid shows up and a party of rankers and non-rankers can be seen walking in.