Age 749, December 28, Unknown Location
Son Goku
Goku found himself adrift in a vast, featureless void, the world around him nothing but a hazy blur. His senses were dulled, his mind struggling to grasp the nature of his surroundings.
He blinked repeatedly, trying to clear the fog that clung stubbornly to his vision.
Gradually, the haze began to dissipate. Shadows lengthened and merged, giving way to more defined shapes.
The ground beneath his feet solidified, cool and smooth like polished metal. Above him, the ceiling curved and arched, forming a perfect dome that encapsulated him entirely.
As clarity seeped into his consciousness, Goku discerned the walls surrounding him, their surfaces gleaming with a metal sheen, as well as a strange, spongy, and yet sturdy fabric.
The enclosed space felt both claustrophobic and comforting, a seamless sphere that seemed to pulse with a faint, rhythmic hum. The air was sterile, carrying a faint, unfamiliar scent that tickled his nostrils.
In front of him, buttons and lights flashed on and off in a chaotic dance, filling the small compartment with an eerie, constantly shifting glow. He pressed his tiny hands against the smooth, cold surface of his prison, but it was too strong for him to make even a scratch, he realized just from touch alone.
He couldn’t remember being this weak.
Goku spotted a small window above the panel of buttons. He had to stretch and strain his eyes to see through it, but when he finally managed to look outside, he saw a night sky unlike any he had ever seen. The stars seemed scattered in strange constellations, ones he could not fathom.
Nothing made sense. He’d not seen the night sky often when he was young, but he knew enough to realize that he did not recognize a single constellation here.
Outside of the sphere, he could hear two distinct voices— a man and a woman, speaking in a language he could scarcely understand. The words were muffled for the most part, a few words entering the sphere here and there, but their tones conveyed a sense of urgency and concern.
Goku’s heart raced as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. Where was he? How did he get here? The last thing he remembered was— was…
The voices grew louder, drawing his attention back to the small window. He could see two shapes beyond the glass, but the details were too blurry to make out.
Goku had no idea what was going on, but he was going to figure things out—
Just before the shapes outside the window could coalesce into something recognizable, his eyes snapped open.
He blinked. He was no longer in the strange enclosed space with flashing buttons and unfamiliar stars. Instead, he found himself staring at the familiar ceiling of Kame House.
The soft sounds of the ocean waves lapping against the shore outside and the gentle breeze rustling the palm trees brought him back to reality.
That dream again… Goku sat up in bed, frowning.
He had been having the same dream over and over for the past few months. Each time, he found himself trapped in that strange prison, surrounded by flashing buttons and voices speaking in a language he couldn’t understand.
He always woke up before he could make sense of it, but this time had been different. This time, he had heard a word— clear and distinct.
“Kakarot.” He said, feeling his very being shudder as he said the word.
It echoed in his mind, unfamiliar yet oddly resonant.
Goku had no idea what it meant or why it seemed important, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that it was significant.
He stared ahead, lost in thought. He hadn’t told anyone about his recurring dream. He didn’t know why, but it felt important to keep it to himself. His instincts screamed at him to do so.
Goku knew that he wasn’t as smart as other people— certainly nowhere near the level of Bulma’s genius. Even his own peers, who weren’t anywhere in Bulma’s league, were smarter than he was by miles.
Come to think of it, Ten had said something that matched one of the words in his dream, hadn’t he?
“Saiyan.” Goku said, feeling it sing to him just as the word ‘Kakarot’ had.
He rolled the word ‘Saiyan’ a few times in his mouth.
A chill ran down his spine as he pondered its significance. Did Ten know something about this? That guy always seemed to know more about the world than he let on.
Maybe that’s how he’s so much stronger than me. Goku’s brain went down another line of thought. He’s smart and uses that to make himself better?
Soon, however, he returned to his previous thoughts, the light of pre-dawn filtering through the window. The dream had left him with more questions than answers, but he felt a strange sense of urgency.
Kakarot. Saiyan.
He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, stretching.
Goku knew he needed to talk to Ten. Maybe his friend had some answers, or at least a clue about the strange words that haunted his dreams, but it would be some time before he saw him again. For now, he would keep the dream to himself, just as his instincts urged.
He got dressed, making sure to poke a hole in the back of his gi as he did so, allowing his tail to freely leave it. He didn’t understand how it had grown back, it just seemed to do it on its own— not that he minded. Goku felt stronger than ever with his tail back.
Of course, he winced as he put the heavy shell on, he couldn’t exactly beat the weight of this stupid shell. He knew he was getting stronger, but somehow the damn thing continued to stay heavy, no matter how much he improved.
He’d beat it, though. He was never one to quit.
As he stepped outside, the scene of the empty beach greeted him with its usual serenity.
There was no one around. Goku wasn’t surprised; the Sun hadn’t even risen yet, leaving Kame House shrouded in the soft darkness of early morning. It would be some time before dawn broke and the others woke up.
Master Roshi always emphasized the importance of a good night’s sleep, but every time Goku had that dream, he woke up with more energy than he knew what to do with.
Maybe it was just in his nature? He wasn’t sure. Thinking too much never suited him anyway. Goku was a boy of action, and too much contemplation made him feel restless, like he might burst.
No, he needed to train. That was the only thing he could do for now. Ten was out of reach until the tournament, and the tournament was a perfect goal to focus on. Goku resolved to train harder than ever.
He would show Ten what he was made of, and maybe, just maybe, he would get some answers about the dreams which haunted him.
He took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the salty sea breeze. His senses felt heightened, every sound and smell more vivid in the predawn stillness. He walked to his usual training spot on the beach, the sand cool beneath his bare feet.
He started with his usual warm-up: a series of stretches and basic martial arts forms. Each movement was fluid and precise, his body moving on instinct as his muscles strained against the added weight. He pushed any and all thoughts on his dream away, focusing instead on his forms.
After warming up, Goku began his more intense training. He ran along the shoreline, his legs pumping furiously as he pushed himself to go faster and faster. Then he practiced his punches and kicks, imagining an invisible opponent in front of him. Each strike was powerful and quick, leaving imaginary wounds on his opponent.
Goku continued his training, losing himself in the intricate movements of an advanced kata his grandpa had taught him a short while before he’d been killed by the giant monster. Each motion flowed seamlessly into the next, a dance of strength and precision that filled the predawn air with a sense of purpose.
For a long while, he moved through the kata, his mind focused solely on the rhythm of his movements. The world around him faded away, leaving only the sound of his breath and the feel of his muscles working.
But then, a familiar voice broke through the silence from behind him. “Up early again, aren’t we?”
Goku stopped mid-motion, turning to see Master Roshi standing on the porch of Kame House, watching him with a knowing smile. Goku bowed respectfully, a hint of embarrassment coloring his cheeks.
“Sorry, old timer.” He said. “I couldn’t sleep.”
Master Roshi chuckled softly, shaking his head. “No need to apologize, Goku. It’s good to see you so dedicated to your training. Just remember to give yourself some rest too. You need to heal— a worn out body won’t do you any good in the long run.”
Goku nodded, taking the advice to heart. He respected Master Roshi’s wisdom, knowing that the old martial arts master had seen and experienced more than he could ever imagine.
Master Roshi gestured for him to sit on the front porch, and so he did, joining the older man in the early morning quiet.
“So, what’s on your mind, kid?” Roshi said. “You’ve been getting up early a lot lately.”
He studied his master intensely, searching for any sign of judgment or disbelief, but all he found was genuine concern in the old martial artist’s eyes.
Taking a deep breath, Goku began to speak, his voice quiet but steady.
“I’ve been having this dream…” He started, his words hesitant at first. “It’s the same one, over and over. I’m trapped in this place with flashing buttons and strange stars in the sky. I can’t understand anything, but I feel like I need to.”
Master Roshi listened intently, nodding encouragingly as Goku recounted the details of his dream. Though Goku couldn’t provide many specifics, Roshi’s expression remained thoughtful, as if he were piecing together a puzzle.
When Goku finished speaking, there was a moment of silence between them. Goku felt a surge of vulnerability, unsure of how his master would react. But then, to his surprise, Master Roshi spoke.
“It sounds like a powerful vision, Goku. Or a memory.” He said, his voice calm and reassuring. “Dreams have a way of revealing things to us that we may not understand at first. Perhaps there’s a message hidden within it, waiting for you to uncover.”
Goku blinked, surprised by the wisdom in his master’s words. He had expected confusion or disbelief, but instead, Master Roshi seemed to understand. It was a comforting thought, knowing that he had someone to confide in, someone who believed in him.
He hadn’t had something like that since… Well, since his grandpa.
“Thank you, Master.” Goku said softly, feeling a sense of gratitude wash over him. “I’ll do my best.”
Master Roshi smiled warmly, placing a hand on Goku’s shoulder. “I have no doubt you will, Goku. Just remember, the journey is just as important as the destination. Take your time, and trust in yourself.”
Goku felt a sense of gratitude mixed with lingering unease settling in his chest. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something his master wasn’t telling him, something hidden beneath the surface of their conversation.
His thoughts drifted back to his earliest memories— or rather, the lack thereof.
He had never been able to remember anything from before he hit his head as a young child. It was as if his past was shrouded in darkness, unreachable and unknowable.
He frowned, a familiar pang of frustration washing over him. He wished he could remember— knowing who he was and where he came from felt important, somehow. But try as he might, the memories remained elusive, slipping through his fingers like grains of sand.
Once again, Master Roshi’s voice broke the silence. “You still seem troubled, Goku. What else is on your mind?”
Goku hesitated for a moment before replying. “I just wish I could remember, Master. I can’t remember anything from before I hit my head.”
Master Roshi didn’t say anything for a long moment, his expression thoughtful. Then, finally, he spoke, his voice gentle yet cryptic. “Your memory will come to you if that’s your intended fate, Goku.”
Goku nodded slowly, accepting the words with a mixture of resignation and hope. As Master Roshi turned to head back inside, Goku couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to the story.
“Thank you, Master.” He said quietly, watching his mentor go.
Alone once more, Goku’s mind raced with unanswered questions. If only he knew what Master Roshi was hiding from him. But for now, all he could do was continue his training and wait for the truth to reveal itself in its own time.
For better or worse, it always did.
Age 749, December 29, Late Afternoon, Kami’s Lookout
Ten
The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over Kami’s lookout, despite our lofty altitude, far higher than even the tallest peaks of Earth’s mountains.
I found myself engaged in a fierce battle against an opponent, but it was clear I was losing terribly. My body was covered in countless bruises, evidence of the relentless assault I faced.
With each strike, I felt the weight of my opponent’s strength bearing down on me. Despite my best efforts to defend and counter, I struggled to keep up.
The air crackled with energy as we exchanged blows, the sound of impact echoing throughout the serene surroundings of the Lookout.
I gritted my teeth, pushing through the pain and exhaustion as I fought to stay standing. Every fiber of my being screamed for me to give in, to admit defeat and yield to my opponent’s seemingly superior skill. But I refused to surrender. I had come too far and worked too hard to let myself be defeated now.
As the battle raged on, I focused, drawing upon every technique and strategy I had learned. Yet, for every move I made, my opponent seemed to have a counter, leaving me constantly on the defensive.
Despite the odds stacked against me, I refused to give up hope. I knew that even in defeat, there was still much to be gained. Every setback was an opportunity to learn and grow stronger, to become a better fighter than I was before.
With renewed determination, I squared my shoulders and prepared to face my opponent again.
With my own face, my foe smirked back at me, mirroring my movements with eerie precision. It assumed a stance, and before I could react, a ki blast was launched my way.
I lunged to the right, narrowly avoiding the attack. But as I did, a second blast followed, forcing me to dodge again— straight into the end trajectory of a third.
Gritting my teeth, I knew I had to act fast. I squared my shoulders and focused my energy, charging my hand with ki until it crackled with power.
-2,500 Ki!
With determination fueling my movements, I straightened my hand into a knife’s shape and stabbed it forward, straight into the path of the oncoming blast.
The collision was fierce, the force of the explosion splitting the blast in two. I moved to counter attack, but the remnants exploded behind me, sending me stumbling forward.
Before I could regain my footing, I felt a sudden impact against my face— my opponent’s knee, driving into me with devastating force. I staggered backward, pain shooting through my body as I struggled to maintain my balance.
-3,000 HP!
As I regained my bearings, I saw my opponent looming over me. But I refused to be defeated. With a fierce roar, I launched myself forward, channeling every ounce of strength and determination I had left into one final attack.
Before I could begin to channel the remainder of my Ki, Mr. Popo’s voice cut through the tension.
“Stop!”
Instantly, both I and the doll-clone of myself froze in place, our movements coming to an abrupt halt. The eerie mimicry of my own face vanished from the doll’s visage, leaving it blank and lifeless once more.
A shiver ran down my spine as I observed the doll, feeling a familiar sense of unease wash over me. No matter how many times I witnessed it, the sight never failed to creep me out. It was like staring into a twisted reflection of myself.
“I almost had him, that time.” I said as I took a deep breath, pushing aside the discomfort.
“You were a second away from waking up in your bed again, Ten.” Popo chided, though not unkindly.
“I can keep going.”
A sudden blow to my stomach knocked the wind out of me, doubling me over in surprise and pain.
-1,000 HP!
I hadn’t even seen it coming. Gasping for air, I struggled to straighten up, my muscles protesting against the unexpected strike as I sent the genie a glare.
“No, you cannot.” Mr. Popo’s voice was firm now, leaving me no room to argue.
Wheezing, I managed to straighten myself, acknowledging his point with a strained nod.
“Point taken.” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper as I struggled to regain my composure. “Did you have to hit so hard? I’ll be feeling that tomorrow.”
“Perhaps you’ll learn not to argue, this time?”
I chuckled at that, the movement forcing me to double over and hold my stomach once again.
“That wasn’t even funny, Mr. Popo.”
Taking a moment to catch my breath, I forced myself to push through the discomfort and stand back up.
As I followed Mr. Popo towards the hot springs, hoping for some much-needed relief, he spoke to me again.
“Do not be discouraged, Ten.” Popo said. “As bad as it seems, you do not see the progress you have made in recent months.”
I couldn’t help but frown at his words, feeling a pang of doubt creeping in.
“Thanks, Mr. Popo.” I replied, my voice tinged with uncertainty. “But I don’t feel like I’ve made much progress at all. I just get beaten down on the regular.”
Mr. Popo glanced back at me, his expression unreadable.
“You have indeed come a long way, Ten.” Mr. Popo said. “You’ve learned to conserve your energy more efficiently, and your techniques have improved. You’ve also learned to acclimate to increasing levels of pain. That’s considerable progress, considering your unique circumstances.”
I nodded, though I still felt a sense of frustration lingering beneath the surface.
“I guess so.” I conceded, though the words felt hollow on my tongue. As we reached the hot baths, Mr. Popo bid me goodbye, and we parted ways. Undressing, I lowered myself into the warm water, feeling the tension begin to ease from my tired muscles.
With a sigh, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to relax, letting the soothing heat wash over me. Tomorrow would bring another day of training, and I needed all the rest I could get.
With a thought, I brought forth my [Status], opening my eyes as I did so.
Name: Ten
Occupation: The Gamer
Level: 39 (32,500/52,000 XP)
Race: Human
Age: 14
HP: 20,000/62,960 [Dyspnea]80%
MP: 30,000/58,900
Ki: 25,000/84,900
STR: [314]-40%
VIT: [324]-40%
AGI: [405]-40%
INT: [203]-40%
WIS: [210]-40%
Points: 0
Battle Power: [348]-40%
As I relaxed in the soothing warmth of the hot spring, I couldn’t shake Mr. Popo’s words from my mind. Despite my initial doubts, I had to admit that he was right. While I hadn’t seen a significant increase in my power level, my approach to training, resting, and even fighting had undergone a complete transformation.
For one, growing used to the atmosphere up here had reduced my [Dyspnea]‘s effects to only reducing my stats by 40%, as opposed to the 50% it used to be. Not a massive change, but one which would eventually pay off in the future.
With [Gamer’s Body]‘s most powerful effects no longer at my disposal, I could no longer afford to take my health for granted. This training was teaching me to function with less, allowing me to conserve my energy and movements.
Who knew, maybe I could eventually learn to fight in outer space?
A silly thought, but one I imagined was not wholly beyond my powers, at a future juncture. If my [Inventory] window could manipulate space and time, I imagined it was at least possible to devise a spell to keep me in a bubble of air.
Something to think about in the future. I thought before my thoughts returned to the matter in question.
I had to be more careful. Without the best effects of [Gamer’s Body], I could no longer take any hits with reckless abandon.
The absence of its protective effects meant that pain was no longer muted, and I could no longer withstand debilitating shots as I once could. It was a harsh reality to face, but one that forced me to adapt and evolve as a fighter.
I reflected on the impact which [Gamer’s Body] had on my early days of training. I couldn’t help but acknowledge its incredible power.
In many ways, it had indeed served as a safety net, allowing me to push myself to the limits without fear of consequence.
In hindsight, I understood how the system could view my past experiences as a sort of “tutorial mode”, despite me brushing with death on several occasions.
There had been countless situations in which [Gamer’s Body] had saved my life, allowing me to emerge victorious against seemingly insurmountable odds. Without it, I would have been vulnerable to the full force of my opponents’ attacks, and the outcome could have been far different.
No ‘could’ about it. I thought, memories of previous battles coming to mind.
Fighting the Ox-King. Battling in the choking atmosphere of the Demon Realm. Facing off against General Blue in a miasma of deadly gasses meant to debilitate and kill lesser opponents, trying to survive against Goku when he’d turned into a giant monkey… The list went on and on.
Yes, I had definitely been in tutorial mode, this whole time.
The Game had begun for real, though. I had to be prepared for all of these kinds of attacks, now. That was why I was training up here.
Time flew by as I lost myself in my reverie. Eventually, though, a sharp knock on the door broke through. Startled, I jumped out of the water, landing on the smooth marble floor and almost sliding for my trouble.
“Coming!” I called out after I regained my balance, swiftly drying myself off with a burst of Ki before getting dressed.
Opening the door, I found Mr. Popo standing on the other side, his typically impassive expression tinged with an unusual hint of excitement, judging from his body language.
“Mr. Popo, what’s going on?” I inquired, eager to understand the reason for his uncharacteristic demeanor. “Is everything all right?”
With a small smile, Mr. Popo spoke, and his next words floored me. “Chichi has finally awoken.”
My heart skipped a beat at his words, a mixture of shock and relief flooding through me.
“What? She’s awake?” I exclaimed, hardly able to contain my excitement.
Mr. Popo nodded solemnly.
“Yes, she’s awake.” He confirmed. “Follow me.”
“I… Yes.” I said, feeling a sudden unease. “Of course.”
As we made our way through the corridors of Kami’s lookout, anticipation coursed through me. After everything Chichi had been through, I wondered what the first thing she told me was when she saw me.
Would she be happy to see me? Sad? I thought, a thousand and one scenarios blazing through my mind and leaving it in utter chaos.
I took a breath, calming myself down. I could do this.
Time both passed in a crawl and at breakneck speed as we reached the door to the room where she’d been kept for the past few months of her therapy.
Chichi’s faint voice carried through the room; she seemed to be engaged in a short conversation with Kami. Eager anticipation coursed through me, drowning out Mr. Popo’s cautionary glance. With a quick push, I entered the room, excitement bubbling within me.
Chichi’s back was turned to me, and she had gone quiet.
I approached her, a smile already forming on my lips. But as I drew closer, a sudden surge of ki rippled through the air, sending alarm bells ringing in my mind.
“Ten—” Kami tried to say something, but it was too late.
Before I could react, Chichi whirled around with startling speed, her fist connecting with my face in a swift, unexpected punch.
-3,000 HP!
Stumbling back from the impact and falling down, I blinked in shock, confusion clouding my thoughts. Of all the situations I had envisioned, I did not expect her to punch me in the face.
“Chichi, what—” I began, but started as her expression shifted from murderous to apologetic. With a swift movement, she extended a hand to help me up from the ground, her now-green eyes looking pained.
I took her hand, too stupefied to speak.
“Ten, I’m so sorry.” She apologized, her voice full of regret and self-reproach. “I didn’t mean—”
I did not let her finish the sentence, instead enveloping her in a tight embrace, giving her warmth and safety in her moment of need.
“It’s okay.” I said. “It’s okay, don’t be sorry.”
In that embrace, surrounded by the familiar scent of her hair and the comforting press of her arms around me, I felt a profound sense of gratitude. Despite the unexpected turn of events, I knew that she was back.
“I love you.” The words came out of her mouth as she sobbed. “I love you so much. Thank you…”
“I know.” I said, caressing her back. “I love you too.”
That only seemed to make her sob even harder, but it was all right. I held her even more tightly.
“We’ll get through this.”
Ping! Quest Updated!
You have—
I dismissed the notification, deciding I would look at it later. For now, there was only me, and Chichi.
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