That Time I Got Reincarnated as a King (Old Version)

The journey upward felt different than Kael had expected.

After the violent chaos and desperate struggles they'd faced deeper within, the dungeon now seemed strangely subdued, almost respectful. The oppressive heat had faded, leaving behind only a lingering warmth that brushed gently against Kael's skin rather than searing it. It felt as if Emberdeep itself had bowed its head, recognizing their victory, quietly stepping aside to let them pass unhindered.

Kael moved slowly, carefully stepping over the scattered debris and shattered stones of the volcanic chamber. His muscles protested with each step, sore and battered from the brutal fight against the Embercore Warden. Yet, despite the pain, a quiet sense of accomplishment glowed steadily inside him.

At his hip, Blazebinder rested comfortably, the newly-claimed katana pulsing gently, as if attuned to Kael's own heartbeat. Rimuru floated softly at his side, her surface shimmering with muted hues of blue and gold, clearly tired but content. Nyaro walked silently, the big panther's golden fur dappled with soot and scorch marks, his quiet, steady breaths matching the rhythm of Kael's steps.

Each floor they ascended brought back vivid memories, recent yet somehow distant after everything they'd endured:

Floor 5, where they'd faced down death itself. Kael glanced back briefly, seeing again the ghostly outline of the Embercore Warden etched in ash and fire, a monument to their struggle.

Floors 2 through 4, marked by clever traps, cunning enemies, and tense moments where victory had been uncertain at best. The echoing silence there felt almost approving now, as though acknowledging Kael's growth.

And then, finally, Floor 1. He paused at the threshold, gazing across the wide chamber where he'd first learned to truly fight—to trust his companions, his instincts, and himself.

Rimuru bobbed gently beside him, softly projecting a shimmering, playful memory: a tiny cartoon Kael awkwardly waving a flaming stick at a crumbling golem, his face cartoonishly panicked. Kael chuckled softly, grateful for Rimuru's quiet attempt at humor. He reached out, gently patting her warm, gelatinous form.

Nyaro nudged Kael's side gently with his head, golden eyes calm yet attentive, clearly sensing his companion's reflective mood.

"Feels like we've been down here forever," Kael murmured softly, his voice barely louder than the whispering wind that drifted through the empty tunnels.

Great Sage responded quietly, the voice inside his mind unusually gentle. "Measured time spent within Emberdeep: approximately two days, fourteen hours. Emotional and psychological perception: significantly extended due to extreme circumstances and rapid experiential growth."

Kael shook his head, a faint smile curving his lips. "In simpler terms, Sage…we grew up a bit, didn't we?"

"Affirmative," Great Sage answered. "Significant personal evolution confirmed."

Kael's smile widened slightly, but quickly faded into a thoughtful expression as he approached the original stairway that led back toward the surface. He ran his hand along the rough stone walls, fingertips tracing cracks and worn runes. These halls felt familiar now, marked not just by battle, but by memories—shared struggles, victories, and growth.

But as the sunlight began to filter faintly down from the distant entrance, Kael's mood grew heavier again. Emberdeep had given them power, experience, and Blazebinder—but it remained dangerous. Unchecked, it could easily become a deadly attraction or a hidden threat.

He paused, turning back toward the dungeon depths one last time, his heart heavy with responsibility. He knew what he had to do. Emberdeep needed to be sealed—not forever, but until he was ready. Until Emberleaf was ready.

He took a slow, steady breath and met the questioning eyes of Rimuru and Nyaro. "We can't leave it like this," he said softly. "Not yet."

Rimuru pulsed once in gentle agreement, her color shifting to a calm, supportive blue. Nyaro simply dipped his head, trusting Kael implicitly.

They moved forward together, toward the cracked stone archway that led back to daylight—back to a decision Kael knew would shape their future, their safety, and their legacy.

The cracked stone archway loomed ahead, a faint golden glow filtering gently through the tangled vines and moss-covered stones. It was a comforting sight—an open doorway back to sunlight, fresh air, and safety. Yet, Kael paused just shy of stepping fully into that welcoming glow.

He stood at the threshold, balancing on the invisible line between darkness and daylight. His gaze turned slowly back into the dungeon's quiet depths. The shadows seemed to stretch toward him, calling him gently, whispering promises of power, mystery, and answers yet undiscovered.

Kael's fingers brushed lightly over Blazebinder's hilt, feeling the sword pulse softly in response, as if sensing his hesitation. Beside him, Rimuru hovered uncertainly, her soft glow flickering through hues of questioning orange and thoughtful violet. Nyaro, always perceptive, sat quietly at Kael's side, his golden eyes steady and calm, watching Kael carefully.

For a long moment, no one moved.

Kael's heart felt heavy with a strange sense of loss he couldn't fully explain. Leaving Emberdeep unsealed felt irresponsible, dangerous even. But sealing it—locking away the potential discoveries and strength he could achieve—felt almost like running away. Like defeat.

He sighed softly, finally voicing the question that had lingered silently since defeating the Warden. "If I was stronger…could I have gone further? Could I have kept going, conquered more?"

Great Sage's voice responded gently within his mind. "Speculative analysis: Continued descent without adequate preparation and support carries a 94% probability of failure. Current decision to withdraw represents strategic foresight, not cowardice."

Kael shook his head slightly, a small, rueful smile crossing his face. "Still doesn't make it feel any easier, Sage."

Great Sage paused for a rare, thoughtful moment before responding quietly. "Correct. Leadership often entails difficult emotional choices. Preservation of potential requires patience, not haste."

Kael absorbed the quiet wisdom of her words, feeling the truth settle like a heavy stone within him. Leadership was more than winning battles. It meant protecting the future—knowing when to push forward and when to hold back, when to reveal strength, and when to conceal it.

Rimuru gently floated forward, pressing lightly against his shoulder with a comforting warmth. Her surface shimmered, projecting a small, gently glowing question mark into the air beside her, followed swiftly by a tiny, reassuring heart. The message was simple, clear, and profoundly comforting: Whatever you choose, I trust you.

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Kael's chest tightened slightly with gratitude. He reached up and gently placed his palm against Rimuru's smooth form, feeling the warmth radiate softly beneath his touch. "Thanks," he whispered quietly. "I needed that."

Nyaro rose slowly and nudged Kael's hand gently with his broad head, offering silent comfort and unwavering loyalty. Nyaro's quiet strength reminded Kael once again that he was never truly alone in these difficult moments.

He turned fully back to the dungeon, staring deeply into the shadowed hallways and distant chambers, feeling the ancient mana swirl gently around him like a warm breeze. Emberdeep wasn't evil or malicious—it simply was. It held power, potential, and danger all at once, neutral until wielded by the right or wrong hands.

And right now, Kael knew Emberleaf simply wasn't ready.

He wasn't ready.

Not yet.

But one day he would be.

Kael exhaled slowly, the weight on his shoulders easing slightly as his resolve solidified. He spoke quietly, as much to himself as to his companions. "We'll seal it. Not forever—just until the right time."

Rimuru pulsed once in firm agreement, her color settling into a calm, approving blue. Nyaro's tail flicked softly, the big panther dipping his head slightly in acknowledgment of Kael's decision.

With one final, lingering glance into Emberdeep's hidden depths, Kael stepped fully through the cracked archway, ready now to do what had to be done—for Emberleaf's safety, for his companions, and for the future he had barely begun to grasp.

Kael stood in front of the cracked stone archway, breathing slowly, gathering both his thoughts and his mana. The subtle interplay of sunlight filtering through the tangled greenery cast soft golden patterns onto his skin, providing a calming contrast to the internal storm of emotions he felt.

Beside him, Rimuru bobbed softly in place, awaiting instructions, her color shifting gently between patient blue and attentive silver. Nyaro settled onto his haunches nearby, vigilant yet calm, his eyes locked firmly on Kael.

With a quiet exhale, Kael knelt down, carefully setting down his pack. He opened it and withdrew a small vial—within, a mixture of finely-ground molten dust gathered carefully from the fifth floor. It shimmered faintly in the sunlight, still infused with the dungeon's ancient, fading magic.

Carefully, Kael began to trace an intricate sealing glyph around the edges of the archway. His fingers moved deliberately, weaving intricate patterns into the worn stone. As he worked, he carefully channeled small threads of mana, infusing each delicate line with precise bursts of Flame Manipulation. The molten dust fused neatly into the stone, leaving faintly glowing sigils etched permanently in place.

Great Sage gently guided him through the process, her voice a calm, steady whisper in his mind. "Glyph integrity stable. Recommend proceeding to mana containment phase."

Kael nodded silently, stepping back slightly and raising his hands, palms outward. Rimuru immediately floated forward, positioning herself precisely at the center of the archway. Her body expanded slightly, absorbing the invisible threads of residual mana leaking from the dungeon. Predator activated gently, pulling in the stray magical energies, clearing and purifying the air around the archway.

The stone shivered subtly beneath Kael's feet, a quiet vibration of challenge—Emberdeep's ancient magic briefly resisting their effort.

Kael's muscles tightened instinctively. He clenched his jaw, refocusing sharply. He couldn't fail now, not after everything they'd overcome.

"Hold steady," Great Sage urged quietly. "Mana stabilization crucial during final sealing stage."

Kael closed his eyes for just a heartbeat, steadying his pulse, his thoughts. He exhaled sharply, then stepped forward again, pressing his fingertips against the intricate central sigil he'd carved at the very crown of the archway.

He spoke softly, his voice firm and clear despite its quietness. "Seal."

Mana flowed smoothly from his fingertips, tracing the complex rune patterns he'd created. A low, resonant hum echoed outward, vibrating softly through the stone. Rimuru synchronized perfectly, channeling the absorbed mana back toward Kael, forming a flawless circuit of energy between them.

The dungeon's faint resistance faded swiftly, yielding to the gentle, persistent pressure of their combined strength. The cracked archway shimmered briefly, then seemed to exhale softly, settling into profound stillness. Before Kael's eyes, the stone slowly crumbled visually, ancient runes fading until nothing remained visible to casual eyes but a harmless, weathered ruin tucked against the ridge.

Kael stepped back, breathing slightly heavier from the precise effort. Rimuru floated gently back to his side, her form flickering with gentle relief and satisfaction. Nyaro rose slowly, stepping forward and sniffing curiously at the now-inert stone, before turning back to Kael and dipping his head approvingly.

Great Sage's voice sounded quietly satisfied within his mind. "Sealing successful. Emberdeep entrance now undetectable by ordinary means. Entrance attuned specifically to your mana signature. Current risk assessment: negligible."

Kael nodded quietly, his heart feeling lighter yet oddly bittersweet. They had done what needed doing, protecting Emberleaf from a power they weren't yet ready to handle openly.

Still, he couldn't help feeling a quiet pang of regret.

He gently placed his palm flat against the stone, feeling the residual warmth slowly fade beneath his touch.

"Someday," he whispered quietly, making a promise both to himself and to the quiet, sealed dungeon beyond. "Someday I'll return—stronger, wiser, and ready."

Rimuru hummed softly in response, a soothing, reassuring note. Nyaro pressed gently against Kael's side, his quiet strength steadying.

Kael took one final deep breath, feeling calm resolution settle firmly within him. He had made his choice. And despite the lingering melancholy, he felt peace with it.

Slowly, he turned away from the sealed entrance, facing outward toward the brightening sky, ready now to move forward—to Emberleaf, to his people, and toward the future he was finally beginning to grasp clearly.

Kael stood quietly, facing the east as the first hints of dawn broke over the distant hills, scattering gentle waves of gold and rose-colored light across Emberleaf's peaceful landscape. The morning air felt fresh, carrying the faint scent of dew-covered grass and wildflowers.

Behind him, the sealed entrance to Emberdeep lay still and silent, now only a faint memory etched into the land itself. The dungeon's ancient secrets were safely tucked away—waiting patiently for his return, protected yet accessible only to him.

Kael drew a slow, steady breath, feeling the gentle warmth of Rimuru resting softly against his shoulder and Nyaro's steady presence at his side. Together, they stood in peaceful silence, watching the new day emerge.

He knew that this moment marked a turning point—not only in his own journey but also in Emberleaf's destiny. What he'd gained in Emberdeep went beyond mere power or skill; it was a deeper understanding of what it meant to lead, to protect, to decide not only for himself but for those who placed their trust in him.

Quietly, Kael lowered himself onto one knee, placing a hand gently upon the ground. The earth felt cool beneath his fingertips, solid and comforting. He closed his eyes briefly, gathering his thoughts, feeling a subtle yet profound connection to the world around him.

"I promise," he whispered softly, speaking not to any person, but to Emberleaf itself, to the land, and to everything he held dear. "This isn't the end—it's a new beginning. Someday, I'll return here, stronger, wiser, and truly ready. When that day comes, I'll open Emberdeep again—not just to explore, but to master it. To protect everything we've built, and to build even more."

His voice, though quiet, resonated deeply in his heart. It was more than a promise; it was an oath.

Rimuru's gentle glow pulsed warmly in response, her soft colors shifting into a shimmering vision that hovered just above her. Kael smiled softly at the sight—a small yet detailed image of Emberleaf, grown larger, stronger, thriving, a great fortress rising proudly above the dungeon's hidden entrance, banners waving under a sky brilliant with sunlight.

Nyaro stepped forward, pressing gently against Kael's side, quietly offering his own silent reassurance. Nyaro's eyes gleamed with quiet pride, the warmth of trust and companionship radiating softly between them.

Kael stood slowly, looking once more toward the rising sun. He felt no fear about what came next, only a quiet excitement, a calm resolve settling deeply within him. He knew the road ahead would test him even more fiercely than Emberdeep had, but he welcomed it. He was ready.

With one final glance toward the hidden dungeon entrance, he turned fully toward Emberleaf's village, bathed in the soft glow of dawn. Together with Rimuru and Nyaro, Kael began walking forward, leaving behind Emberdeep and stepping boldly into the future.

Volume 1 had ended—not in a burst of fire and chaos, but quietly, with gentle sunlight and whispered promises.

Ahead, he could see clearly the challenges, mysteries, and adventures that awaited him.

But for now, this moment of peace was exactly what he needed.

Kael smiled, feeling the calm strength of companions at his side and the weight of destiny upon his shoulders.

This was just the first chapter of a much greater story.

And Kael Drayke was more than ready for the next.