Anime: Passive Inheritance System

In the 42nd floor of the dungeon, the stone walls all around pulsed with a dim, purplish glow that seemed to writhe like living things. A dark figure raced at full speed through the passage, and behind that shadow surged a wave of countless monsters.

"Crack—crack-crack…"

As the figure ran, small fragments of stone kept falling from the cave walls around him. With each falling shard, a cavity opened in the stone—its interior glowing a deep red—and freshly spawned monsters dropped out from within.

"Tch, what a nuisance…"

Without slowing down, the dark figure—Kai—locked eyes on the newly born monsters blocking his path. Holding twin longswords in an X-shaped cross, sparks of light flickered along the blades. Sword intent surged violently around him, and blood-red aura swirled like a storm.

The moment the light gathering on his blades reached its peak—

Zing!

A sharp, ringing sword cry echoed out. In that instant, two beams of intense silver-white light burst forth, illuminating the entire 42nd floor corridor.

Moments later, the light faded.

In the dim dungeon tunnel, from Kai's position extending dozens of meters forward, every newly spawned monster had silently fallen—lifeless corpses now strewn across the ground.

His cold eyes stared at the corpses of those monsters, which looked completely unharmed on the surface. As if what he'd done just now was nothing worth mentioning, Kai's expression didn't change in the slightest. With both hands gripping his sword hilts tightly, his figure turned into a black blur, leaving a blood-reeking gust of wind behind as he charged straight toward the vertical stairway at the end of the tunnel.

Just a few meters behind him, all sorts of Level 4 and Level 5 monsters pushed and shoved, swarming together into a wild tide, launching wave after wave of relentless pursuit.

Thud!

Just as he dashed into the vertical stairway, Kai stumbled and fell to the ground. At the same time, his hands holding the swords trembled like a leaf. His chest rose violently with each labored breath, and his lungs burned with a sharp, bloody pain.

Ten hours… or twenty?

He couldn't remember anymore…

All he recalled was that before entering the dungeon, the bright full moon was hanging high above Babel Tower.

"System."

Leaning on his longswords to push himself off the ground, Kai called out the system screen once he caught his breath a little.

Name: Kai

Race: Human

Profession: Adventurer Lv.2 (6739/10000) – Hestia Familia

Age: 23 (150)

Height: 178 cm

Weight: 71 kg

Spirit: 55 (100)

Strength: 53 (100)

Agility: 69 (100)

Endurance: 61 (100)

Constitution: 70 (100)

Class Inheritance: [Black Swordsman]

Energy: 887,452.31 / 1,000,000

In just a few days, by constantly defeating high-level monsters above his rank, Kai had earned vast amounts of experience far beyond what low-level mobs could provide. He had pushed his Level 2 adventurer EXP bar past halfway, and all his stats had risen accordingly. Currently, his highest stat—Constitution—had already broken 70. Under the effects of the Solo Player passive, that number would be multiplied sixfold to a whopping 420.

In other words, if he were to fight Bete again right now, he could beat him with basic sword strikes alone.

Yet even with all that, facing the endless sea of monsters in the dungeon, Kai was forced to stop at the 42nd floor. Any further down, and it wouldn't just be gambling with his life—it'd be suicide. The deeper he went, the faster the monsters spawned. If he really forced himself to rush down another dozen floors or so, perhaps even a few dozen with Heartlight, turning back would become a death trap.

After reviewing his stats, Kai felt a bit of his strength return. He picked up his blades and began heading back up.

He had fought his way down; naturally, the return trip would also be a bloodbath.

…

Outside Babel Tower, in the central square during the afternoon, even the most diligent adventurers had set down their weapons, enjoying lunch and restoring stamina for the coming battles.

Squelch—

While everyone was resting, a wet, sticky sound echoed from the tower entrance, drawing everyone's attention.

Squelch, squelch…

Footsteps soaked in thick monster blood left deep, crimson footprints across the pavement. Wordlessly, Kai walked out of Babel Tower, squinting at the afternoon sun. His body still radiated a chilling sword aura, like the metallic hum of blades clashing.

Black coat, black hair, black eyes, twin swords, and that skin-splitting sharp presence…

The moment they saw him, the resting adventurers recognized him instantly.

There was no other man in Orario with all those features—Hestia Familia's young blade, the Dark Sword Saint: Kai.

Sensing the barely restrained killing intent emanating from Kai, nearly all the adventurers began whispering among themselves.

They hadn't heard a single thing about the Dark Sword Saint all morning. It was obvious now—he must have entered the dungeon the night before and only returned just now. With such a dense stench of blood, he must have gone through one hell of a battle.

Thinking this, the adventurers suddenly felt ashamed.

They had only fought for a couple of hours before taking a break, yet Kai had pulled an all-nighter, fighting nonstop in the dungeon.

Alongside the shame, their gazes grew more respectful.

None of their stares affected Kai in the slightest. He habitually rested one hand on his sword hilt, maintaining the passive bonus from the [One-Handed Sword] skill, and briskly walked across the square, heading toward the Takemikazuchi Familia's headquarters.

Back in the dungeon, when Yamato Mikoto had asked him to rescue

Ouka from the mid-level floors, she promised that Takemikazuchi would owe him one favor.

So much had happened since then that he'd forgotten—until now.

With the trial mission deadline approaching and power growth urgently needed, Takemikazuchi's promised favor had come at the perfect time.

…

The Takemikazuchi Familia base was a traditional Japanese residence. A pink-blossomed cherry tree scattered petals in the yard. The wooden gate stood half-open, revealing a pebble path flanked by bamboo.

A figure in a purple kimono walked past the path and spotted Kai outside. Surprised, she quickly came over and opened the gate.

It was Yamato Mikoto, the one who had asked him for help.

"Kai-san, what brings you here? Please, come in!"

Accepting the invitation, Kai stepped through the gate and got straight to the point. "I came about the reward you mentioned before."

"The reward?"

Surprised for a second, Mikoto quickly understood and nodded. "Understood. Please wait a moment, I'll go call Lord Takemikazuchi."

With that, she turned and rushed into the inner house.

Moments later, the Familia's god appeared behind her—Takemikazuchi, the war god known for lightning and martial valor.

Seeing Kai in his black coat standing in the bamboo-shadowed path, Takemikazuchi spoke first, even before Mikoto could introduce him.

"It's all thanks to you that Ouka and Chigusa were saved. And you even got dragged into more trouble afterward… I must apologize for that."

"You're too kind, Lord Takemikazuchi." Kai politely returned the gesture, then smiled directly at him. "And Mikoto and I each got what we wanted. Honestly, who wouldn't be tempted by a god's promise? That's why I've come to claim it."

Takemikazuchi blinked in surprise at Kai's boldness, then suddenly laughed heartily.

"Haha! As expected from the one who defeated Goliath while still only Level 2—you're certainly no ordinary child. Hestia's found herself a real gem. Very well, tell me—what is it you want from me, a god?"

"I want…"

Meeting Takemikazuchi's intrigued gaze, Kai paused for a moment, then said solemnly:

"I want a possibility."

Takemikazuchi's smiling face froze.

"…My lord?"

Seeing her god's expression change, Mikoto tilted her head in confusion.

Did Kai say something wrong?

Before she could think further, Takemikazuchi's voice—stern and unfamiliar—sounded beside her.

"Mikoto, step back."

The tone was unmistakably firm, a true command.

Although she didn't understand, Mikoto still obeyed and quietly left the path.

Only after her figure vanished did Takemikazuchi return his gaze to Kai.

"This 'possibility'—what exactly do you mean?"

Kai stared back and said evenly, "The possibility of becoming a god."

"…I see."

Takemikazuchi was silent for a moment, then let out a soft sigh.

"Final question. Why come to me? Given how much Hestia dotes on you, if you made the request to her, she wouldn't refuse."

Kai's eyes lit up slightly as he answered honestly, "Because my goddess's domain doesn't suit me."

Hestia wasn't a battle god. In terms of compatibility, Takemikazuchi, the god of war, was far more aligned with him.

"That's true…" Takemikazuchi nodded thoughtfully, then turned toward the wooden house. "Come with me, Kai. I accept."