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The video ended. Max stretched his sore shoulders when the system's cold mechanical voice rang in his mind.
Ding. First video completed. You've earned 13,000 awe points. Reward: 13,000 system credits. Keep up the good work, Host.
Max groaned."System, seriously? What the hell are credits even good for? I bust my back and all I get is this measly amount?"
"Host, as long as you earn enough points, you can exchange them in the shop for absolutely anything you want."
"Anything I want…"
Max's mind drifted for a moment, imagination running wild. With a deep breath, he pushed himself forward. Alright, let's play the second video.
The video began slowly. On the screen appeared a white-winged angel, holding a staff that glowed with sacred light.
Naruto World
Everyone was still reeling from the previous video's shock. Naruto, however, was brimming with excitement. "They're just gonna keep getting stronger and stronger, dattebayo!"
Then he caught sight of the angel on the screen. His jaw dropped. "Wait—an angel? Does that mean another world really has creatures like this?"
Sasuke's expression darkened slightly. An angel…! A being straight out of legend—real, and terrifyingly powerful at first glance. There are too many strong people out there in other worlds. If I don't push myself harder, I'll be left behind.
One Piece World
Luffy stared at the screen, eyes wide. "Whoa! Is that like a Mythical Zoan fruit… or are there really species like angels out there? Maybe it's a god? Man, I wanna fight it!"
"Luffy, you've never seen anything like this before, right?" Zoro asked, his own face showing rare surprise.
Luffy shook his head.
Zoro crossed his arms. "Hmph. Looks like a god to me. Wonder if it could block one of my blades."
Meanwhile, on Shanks' ship, a party was already in full swing. The crew couldn't stop talking about the mysterious warrior from the last video—they were all fired up at the thought of one day meeting that person and crossing blades.
Shanks sipped his drink, watching the crystal screen intently. His eyes glimmered with sharp light. "A Mythical Zoan…? No, I've never seen a Devil Fruit like this before. Whoever they are, they're definitely another powerhouse."
Bleach World
From atop his throne, Aizen rose to his feet. His tone carried both intrigue and disdain. "Still not me? An angel this time? What a ridiculous species. I wonder… could even a so-called angel withstand my blade?"
Digimon World
"That's… that's Angemon!" someone cried out.
"I can't believe Angemon made the list! This is amazing!"
"Taichi, I've gotta work harder too! Someday, I'll make the ranking!"
Agumon clenched his fists.
Taichi grinned. "You will, Agumon. The next list will definitely have your name on it."
Faces across the group lit up with excitement and determination.
But young Takeru stood quietly at the back, trembling. His voice was small but filled with awe. "Angemon… you really are the best. Please… do your best in the video too!"
The ninth video began. A massive shadow burst out of a house on the mountain top—an enormous, jet-black giant, its presence suffocating.
"Taichi… what is that? It's terrifying!"
Leomon's voice was grim. "That's Devimon. All the dark energy in this world has gathered within him—that's why his body has become so huge."
"All the darkness… gathered into one?"
Devimon's voice boomed across the island. "Chosen Children… today, File Island will be your grave."
"Taichi, let's go!"
"Right, Agumon—evolve! We'll show him what we've got!"
"Beast King Fist!!!"
Leomon charged first. A golden aura flared from his fist, compressing into the shape of a roaring lion's head. The very air seemed to burn as it shot straight at Devimon.
But the black giant simply raised a hand. A surge of freezing darkness clashed against the golden energy, the impact kicking up a storm that forced the children to shield their eyes.
Devimon's cruel voice echoed. "Leomon… how dare you betray me? I'll bury all of you here today."
"Raaaah!!!"
He unleashed a torrent of black energy so dense the sky itself seemed to warp. The world bent under the weight of his malice.
Dragon Ball World
"What is this evil aura?" Goku muttered, stunned. "I can feel it even through the screen… so cold, so cruel, so merciless!"
Krillin shivered. "Yeah… it's like pure evil itself. Not even Frieza's power felt this chilling."
Piccolo narrowed his eyes, visibly unsettled. "Feels like the Demon Clan's energy… but even darker. Sharper. Completely untainted—pure malice."
One Piece World
On Whitebeard's ship, Teach—Blackbeard—watched Devimon's overwhelming power with a twisted grin. Instead of fear, excitement bubbled in his chest.
"Zehahaha! Now that's what I call power! Dark, overwhelming, absolute! Exactly the kind of strength I crave. Maybe I'll be the one to appear on the next ranking!"
His grotesque smile turned toward Whitebeard. Once I get the right Devil Fruit, I'm gone. No way I'm rotting away under this old man any longer.
Elsewhere, on a lone skiff adrift in the sea, a man in a black cloak raised his head. Hawkeye Mihawk's hawk-like eyes gleamed.
"Not bad. I wonder if that beast could withstand my blade. If I ever cross paths with it… I'd like to test my sword."
His lips curved faintly. "A devil, huh? Interesting."
Naruto World
"What is that thing? Some kind of monster?" The Third Hokage's voice was heavy as he studied the screen. "Its power feels even darker than the Tailed Beasts…"
Naruto shivered without realizing it. "A monster…? It feels like something straight outta hell. Scary… Do all people from other worlds look like this?"
Sakura, Hinata, and Ino clung to each other, trembling. "That face… it really is a demon."
Uchiha Itachi's gaze lingered on the towering figure. "What kind of jutsu is this? That chakra is far too cold… Only Susanoo might be able to stand against such a monster. But this thing doesn't even feel like a shinobi… It feels like a creature from hell itself. Maybe when I die and go there, I'll meet something like it."
Nearby, Kakuzu's eyes gleamed with greed. "A body that massive must hold one hell of a heart. And the corpse could fetch a high price too. Don't you think so, Hidan?"
"Tch. Not interested. Don't bother me—I'm praying. Lord Jashin wouldn't waste his time with a creature like that."
Pokémon World
"Ash… is that a Pokémon?" Misty's voice was shaky. "It's so huge… and its power feels… wrong. Too dark."
Ash frowned, staring at the screen. "No… Pikachu's right. It doesn't feel like a Pokémon. Even though it has kids fighting by its side just like we do… their bond is different. And no Pokémon could ever be that evil."
"Pika… Pi…" Pikachu murmured uneasily.
But Ash clenched his fist, determination lighting up his face. "Don't worry. Our turn will come. Charizard, Bulbasaur—are you guys ready to make the list someday?"
"Char!"
"Bulba!"
"Yeah, I knew it! We'll show everyone what real partners can do!"
"..."
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