Ken, Akio, and Viko ventured deep into the Black Phantom Cave, where silence filled the air except for the sound of their footsteps echoing between the walls. The cave was illuminated by glowing crystals scattered in every corner, adding an extraordinary beauty to the place.

Akio (excitedly): “Oh my God! Did you see this? This place looks like a palace made of gemstones! I can’t believe people are scared to enter it!”

While Akio approached one of the crystals and touched it curiously, Ken moved steadily, prepared for any threat. He glanced at Fiko, who appeared tense yet intrigued.

Ken (seriously): “Fiko, what is this treasure you keep talking about? And why do you and your sister want it so badly?”

Viko paused for a moment, then sighed deeply and said:

viko: “It’s not just any treasure… It’s an ancient scroll written by my ancestors from the ninja clan hundreds of years ago. It’s called the Forbidden Ninja Scroll, and it’s said to contain secrets and techniques that grant its holder unimaginable power. My sister Ann and I wanted to retrieve it to protect our village… and to prove that we’re capable of achieving something great.”

Akio stopped examining the crystals and turned excitedly toward Fiko:

Akio: “Secret techniques and immense power? That sounds amazing! Why didn’t you tell me about this earlier?”

Ken (sharply looking at Akio): “This isn’t the time for jokes, Akio. If the scroll really has such power, it’s no wonder this place is filled with dangers. That makes things even more complicated.”

As the three of them progressed through the cave, the passages gradually narrowed, and the atmosphere grew increasingly eerie, with strange sounds echoing from deep within the darkness.

Viko (nervously): “Be careful… These could be the spirits guarding the scroll. I’ve heard that anyone who gets close to the scroll is immediately targeted.”

Akio (smiling confidently): “Spirits? I’m not afraid of ghosts. Just leave them to me if they show up!”

Ken (with slight sarcasm): “Don’t forget we’re here to rescue Fiko’s sister, not to show off your bravery.”

As their conversation continued, they suddenly stopped when a loud noise echoed from deep within the cave. It sounded like the scream of someone in distress.

Akio (worriedly): “Could that be Ann?!”

Viko: “I don’t know… but it’s very close!”

Ken cautiously moved forward, his hand on the hilt of his sword. He signaled the others to stay behind him.

Ken: “Stay behind me. Anything could happen now.”

Akio placed his hand on his sword’s hilt as well and stepped forward alongside Ken.

Akio: “Do you still think I’m weak? Watch what I can do now!”

Ken (mockingly): “Alright, let’s see what you’ve got—if you’ve got anything at all!”

As they continued deeper into the cave, they noticed ancient carvings etched into the walls. The drawings seemed to tell the story of an old battle between ninjas and strange spirits.

Akio (pointing at the drawings): “It looks like there’s a lot of history here.”

Viko (staring at the carvings): “These are the drawings of my ancestors. They believed the spirits were the eternal guardians of the scroll. But I never imagined they’d be real.”

Suddenly, a bright light shone from the depths of the cave, stopping everyone in their tracks.

Ken (closing his eyes briefly against the light): “Get ready… it seems like we’re close to something big.”

Out of nowhere, a strange, shadow-like spirit appeared. It had no defined form or features but moved and floated as if alive.

Akio (bravely): “Who are you?! Are you the Black Phantom?”

The Spirit: “No, I’m not the Black Phantom. But why are you here? Have you come to die?”

Akio (angrily): “We’re here to rescue Fiko’s sister! Don’t tell me you’ve killed her!!”

The spirit laughed coldly: “Hahaha, so you know that girl. She’s quite stubborn and strong. She’s still running away.”

Viko (with sudden hope): “So you’re saying… my sister is still alive?!”

The Spirit: “That’s right. Everyone who enters this cave dies within two hours—except that girl. She seems to be incredibly strong and has dangerous stealth skills. We don’t know where she is right now.”

viko: “Give me back my sister!”

The spirit laughed again: “Hahaha, don’t worry. We’ll reunite you with her… but in the afterlife!”

The spirit suddenly began to attack, transforming into a hideous creature with a massive, towering body. The three immediately drew their swords and prepared for battle. Akio was the first to strike, aiming his blade at the creature’s neck, but a sharp saw emerged from its neck, blocking the attack. Ken and Viko joined in the fight, but every time they struck a part of the monster’s body, a saw would appear to deflect the blow. Saws seemed to sprout from all over its body.

Viko tried fighting with punches, but they had no effect on the creature. Despite their relentless efforts, the creature blocked every attack. Exhausted and sweating, the three began to feel the toll of the battle.

Viko (in despair): “It’s no use! The more we attack, the more it deflects our strikes. We’re just wasting our energy!”

Ken (shouting as he leaped to attack the creature): “Damn it!”

This time, Ken jumped high, aiming for the monster’s head, specifically its massive mouth. To his horror, the creature bit down, trapping him between its sharp teeth. Ken screamed in pain as blood poured from his body while he remained trapped in the creature’s jaws.

Akio (screaming in fear for his friend): “Ken! Let Ken go right now!!”

The Monster: “Hahahaha, leave this place now if you don’t want to die like him!”

Ken was panting, groaning, and sweating profusely, his body weakened from the heavy blood loss. At that moment, Akio didn't hesitate. He leaped high into the air, his face filled with anger, as if he had transformed into an entirely different person. This time, he used his lightning Faken, merging it with his sword. He then aimed his blade at the monster's hand. Surprisingly, the monster couldn't block Akio's strike this time-its entire body was electrified, and blood began pouring from its hands. It seemed the monster could endure all kinds of attacks except those involving Faken.

Akio continued stabbing the monster repeatedly with his sword and lightning Faken, causing it to cry out in pain. Its face was filled with shock-it had never expected this.

Akio shouted at the electrified monster, "Let go of my friend right now, or I'll make you experience a hell you'll never forget for the rest of your life!"

The intense pain the beast felt caused it to release Ken from its jaws, dropping him to the ground. His body was covered in wounds on his hands, legs, and stomach, but he had not lost consciousness yet. He was still fighting. Akio approached Ken with a mix of tension and awe in his eyes.

Akio: “Ken, are you alive?! Please, don’t die!!”

Ken slowly opened his eyes, unusually calm, as if trying to conceal his pain.

Ken (in a weak voice): “Don’t underestimate me like I underestimated you. It seems you are really strong and trustworthy, despite your stupidity!”

Viko (with fear and concern): “Let’s get out of here immediately! We have an injured person!”

Hearing Vico’s words, Ken began to rise slowly and with great difficulty from the ground, but he managed to stand in the end. He looked utterly exhausted after losing so much blood. Vico’s face showed clear signs of shock and astonishment.

Viko: “How… how are you able to stand?!”

Ken: “I’m fine. It’s just scratches! I won’t leave here until we finish our mission!”

At that moment, the beast collapsed to the ground, succumbing to its injuries. Akio’s expression shifted dramatically, and tears comically streamed down his face as he ran toward Ken and hugged him while sobbing.

Akio: “You idiot! I thought you were going to die and leave me to finish the adventure alone!”

Ken (angrily, in a comical tone): “Get off me! You’re hurting me even more!”

Akio continued crying while holding onto Ken, who had no idea how to escape his grasp.

To be continued…