Death to Power
Copyright© 2025 by TheSmartOne
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.
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