The Dark Ascendance

Kazuki stood, panting heavily, his eyes locked on the orc, now barely phased by his current attacks. Each punch, each blow, seemed like a drop in an ocean compared to the brute’s endless regeneration.

“If I keep this up... nothing will change,” Kazuki muttered to himself, frustration creeping into his voice. His cold eyes darted across the pitch-black cavern, searching for any possible solution. I can’t use 100%. I’d destroy myself. There’s no other choice... I need a plan.

But thinking in the heat of battle wasn’t easy. Just as his mind drifted, the orc’s massive club swung towards him, grazing his head.

WHOOSH!

Kazuki ducked, barely dodging the blow. He scowled, retreating to regain his composure. "Tch, no time to think... I need space."

He backed up, scanning the area for a higher ground where he could rest and think without getting overwhelmed. As he moved, his foot slipped on loose stones, and before he could react—

CRACK!

Falling debris from the cave ceiling struck his shoulder, forcing him to stumble. “Damn... it’s too dark to see anything.” He clenched his fist, his body screaming in pain.

His cold eyes glinted in the darkness. I have no choice... I’ll have to use magic.

Kazuki raised his hand, attempting to summon both his dark and lightning magic. His mind reached out, but...

Nothing. No spark, no shadow. His brow furrowed in annoyance. “I don’t... know how to use it.”

Gritting his teeth, he closed his eyes and forced himself to focus. The air around him buzzed faintly, a faint crackle of energy forming around his fingertips.

Then, a flicker of light appeared in his fist—a fragment of dark and lightning magic, weak and unstable. He narrowed his eyes, concentrating harder.

ZZZT!

Electricity coursed through his hand, the lightning magic taking shape, but the dark magic remained elusive. “It’s not perfect,” Kazuki whispered, staring at his lightning-clad fist, “but it’ll have to do.”

Determined, he charged toward the orc, his fist coated in crackling lightning. The creature saw him coming and swung its weapon in a wide arc.

SWOOSH!

Kazuki sidestepped, dodging the swing just in time. His enhanced speed surprised him, and he closed the distance in an instant.

THUD!

His electrified fist slammed into the orc’s massive body, but to his shock, the damage was minimal. The orc merely grunted, the blow barely more than an irritation.

Kazuki's eyes widened. "Just... a little sting?" But then, he realized something—the speed. His punch had been much faster, almost blindingly so.

He smirked coldly, his voice low and detached. “So... the lightning enhances my speed. Interesting.”

He flexed his fist, feeling the raw energy flowing through him. “In that case... I’ll just hit faster.” His voice remained flat, as though he were stating a fact rather than issuing a challenge.

Kazuki surged forward again, this time unleashing a barrage of punches, each one charged with lightning.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

Fist after fist landed, each blow faster and more precise than the last. The orc howled in pain, its body brutally battered. With each strike, Kazuki pushed his strength to 30%, the attacks tearing through the orc’s thick hide until bones and organs were exposed.

Yet, despite the damage, the beast continued regenerating, though slower than before.

Kazuki’s cold eyes narrowed. “Still regenerating...”

His body moved with deadly precision, calculating his next attack. His fist clenched tighter as he decided to push his power further. “Fine. Let’s finish this.”

With a final push, Kazuki threw his fist forward with 50% of his destructive strength.

CRACK!

His punch shattered through the orc’s chest, and for the first time, he saw it—the creature’s heart. Without hesitation, he plunged his hand into the orc’s chest cavity and crushed the pulsing organ in his grip.

SQUELCH!

The orc let out one final, gurgling roar before collapsing in a heap, lifeless.

Kazuki stood over the corpse, his breathing steady, the faintest hint of satisfaction flickering across his otherwise emotionless face. "First win..." he muttered under his breath, staring at his bloodied hand.

The cave fell into silence, save for the faint crackle of electricity still coursing through Kazuki’s palm. He looked around, realizing the darkness had once again swallowed him.

“I need light,” he murmured coldly.

Kazuki focused all his remaining lightning magic into his open palm, attempting to form a ball of electricity. His brow furrowed as he concentrated, and after several failed attempts, a small, glowing orb flickered to life in his hand.

ZZZZT!

A faint blue light now illuminated the cavern, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Kazuki examined his surroundings carefully, walking toward the edges of the cave in search of an exit.

But after several minutes of scanning the area, his realization hit him hard. The walls were steep, and the hollow floor seemed to stretch on endlessly.

“I’m... trapped,” he whispered, his voice echoing faintly through the cavern.

With no visible way out, Kazuki leaned against the cold stone, his glowing lightning orb still buzzing quietly in his hand. He stared at the ground, his cold gaze unblinking.

"I’ll get out of here," he said softly, his voice as cold and detached as ever. “No matter what.”