Death to Power
Copyright© 2025 by TheSmartOne
Chapter 17: Let’s Die!
Kaden stared up at the figure hovering high in the sky.
His entire body trembled—uncontrollably. His knees threatened to give out. His heart pounded like a war drum in his chest.
He didn’t understand why. Just looking at the man made his blood run cold.
‘What ... is this feeling?’
He instinctively took a step back.
The figure in the sky smiled.
“Why are you trembling, little brat?”
The voice was a whisper—yet it echoed in Kaden’s skull like thunder, loud and suffocating. It felt like someone was hammering nails into his brain.
Kaden dropped to one knee, barely able to stay upright.
“You think it’s fair to ambush my children like that?” the being asked, his voice almost amused.
Kaden clenched his jaw. “This is a fight. Fairness doesn’t matter.”
The being nodded slowly. “That much is true.”
“But you got one thing wrong. There may be no fairness in battle ... but there is justice in defending your home.”
Kaden said nothing, tightening his grip on Reditha.
“And as far as I see ... you are the intruder here.”
A grin split the man’s face—jagged white teeth against endless black.
“But I’m feeling merciful today.”
His grin widened.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had company. Entertain me.”
“Pass my test, and you’ll leave this dungeon alive—with a reward beyond your imagination.”
Kaden’s mind reeled. The pressure of the being’s presence was overwhelming. Every word slammed into his head like a falling mountain.
But even so—he refused to be treated like some toy.
“ ... What kind of test?” he asked, voice hoarse.
“Now that’s the right question.”
The being gestured lazily. “You came here uninvited. My children hate intruders—and you’ve already killed four of them.”
He chuckled darkly. “They want your blood. All of them.”
“So, here’s your test: survive their assault. No, not just survive—kill them all. And pass ... or perish.”
“I always keep my word,” he added smoothly.
Kaden frowned. “ ... Aren’t they your children?”
“Just a term of endearment,” the being said, waving it off. “Don’t sweat the details.”
“And what if I refuse?”
The moment the words left his lips, the dungeon fell silent.
No more wind. No more echoes.
Kaden looked up—and instantly regretted it.
SHUDDER—!
His body convulsed violently, as if every muscle rebelled at once. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, gasping. Sweat poured from his skin like rain.
It felt like madness incarnate was staring directly into his soul.
“If you refuse...” the being whispered, voice devoid of playfulness, eyes glowing like twin abysses, “I will take your soul and chain it here for eternity.”
“Or—” his smile returned, colder this time, “—I’ll simply make you one of them.”
He tilted his head, almost cheerfully. “How about it? Interested?”
Kaden’s heart froze.
Becoming one of them—mindless, soulless things—felt far worse than death. And the worst part?
The being never said he’d kill him.
Which meant...
He might not revive.
Because he wouldn’t be dead.
His hands trembled.
For the first time since his reincarnation ... truly, deeply—Kaden felt helpless.
But he clenched his fists.
“ ... I accept.”
The moment he spoke, the pressure vanished like a passing storm. The being smiled.
“Perfect.”
CLAP!
With a sharp clap of his hands, dozens of massive doors began to open all around the arena.
“Like I said ... my children want your blood.”
Kaden stepped back, Reditha trembling in his grip.
“And my children ... are not one or two.”
His grin stretched into something monstrous.
“They are thousands.”
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