Inside the modest yet cosy bedroom of a decent-sized apartment in Kuoh , a youngster around the age of seventeen sat hunched over a desk, his fingers swiftly moving over the keys of his laptop. The soft glow of the screen illuminated his face in the dimly lit room. This peculiar youth had slightly messy brown hair and green eyes that reflected the light from his computer. This was no ordinary young man—this was Benjamin Kirby Tennyson, known to most as Ben, and while he wasn't the superhero Ben from other timelines, he had been through extraordinary events that still left a mark on him.
In countless timelines, Ben Tennyson was destined to wield the Omnitrix, a powerful alien device that allowed him to transform into a variety of extraterrestrial species. His other selves—Ben Prime and Ben Ben 10,000—were heroes across the multiverse, taking on intergalactic warlords and preventing the destruction of countless realities. But for this Ben, the Omnitrix wasn't meant to be. He wasn't a chosen one like the others.
In this Universe however, his grandfather Maxwell Tennyson had been the one to find the Omnitrix.
Maxwell, a seasoned Plumber and veteran of countless cosmic conflicts, had taken up the mantle as Earth's protector, all the while ensuring his grandchildren had a chance to grow up normally. Yet, despite the absence of the Omnitrix, Ben couldn't shake the feeling that he was meant for more. His experiences, even without the device, were far from ordinary. He had seen alien technology up close, fought off enemies alongside his grandfather, and lived through battles that most people would consider the stuff of science fiction.
His grandfather was no stranger to adversity. Even as a seasoned warrior, getting back into the physicality of combat, especially at his age, proved to be more difficult than he had anticipated. The Omnitrix gave him access to alien transformations that were at the peak of their species' abilities, granting him immense power during battle, but returning to a soldier's life after years of peace required more than just strength. It took endurance, determination, and a will to keep fighting, no matter the odds.
At first, his body struggled to keep up with the fast pace of intergalactic combat, and though the Omnitrix aliens were powerful, Max still felt the toll of his age when in human form. He found himself grappling with enemies he might have once defeated easily, but he wasn't one to back down from a challenge. The sheer force of his will and years of experience allowed him to adapt, pushing through and mastering each transformation the Omnitrix had to offer.
However, when the Highbreed threat escalated beyond what even he could handle, Max had to seek a solution that went beyond his physical capabilities. Despite his experience and tactical acumen, his body was wearing down. The battles were becoming too frequent, the enemies too strong. That's when he remembered an old favor—a promise from the guardian of the Fountain of Youth, someone he had saved years ago from the dark sorcerer Hex.
The guardian had long safeguarded a limited supply of water from the mystical fountain, which could keep someone youthful for hundreds of years. While the guardian had enough to maintain his vitality for the next three centuries, Max knew he didn't need nearly as much. He wasn't looking for immortality—just enough time to protect the Earth from the Highbreed and train his grandchildren to one day take his place, at least that's what he had in mind.
Max approached the guardian, asking for just enough water to keep himself in peak condition for fifteen more years. The guardian, remembering the debt he owed Max, gladly offered the water. Drinking it, Max felt the years melt away. His body, once weary from battle and age, became strong and agile again. His mind, still sharp, was now matched by a body that could endure the rigours of war.
Hitting a temporary reset on his body's clock.
Once Max drank the water, the effects were almost instantaneous. His body, now revitalised, no longer bore the burden of age. He was once again in his physical prime, with sharp reflexes, enhanced endurance, and the vitality that matched his decades of experience. The Omnitrix, already a powerful tool, became even more effective in Max's hands. He could now fight the Highbreed and other threats with both the energy of a younger man and the wisdom of a seasoned veteran
Which he did, for the most part.
Whether it was Zs'skayr, Vilgax, Albedo, Hex, Malware or perhaps even that otherworldly being called Eon, all of them had been swiftly and decisively dealt with by his grandfather before they could wreak havoc upon the human world.
Greatly impressed by Max's overwhelming victory and success against Highbreed, Azmuth the creator of Omnitrix had unlocked master control.
Something which not only offered Max access to all one million transformations stored inside Omnitrix but also granting him ability to transform just by his thoughts and remain his alien transformation for all eternity if he wished to do so.
Ben sighed, he was still quite upset about the whole ordeal and how mundane his life truly felt, although he loved his grandfather too much to feel jealous or stay upset at him.
He knew Gwen too felt inadequate sometimes. But at least she had her magic and anodite heritage to fall back on.
But he, on the other hand, simply had nothing going on for him.
He had, however, once donned the Omnitrix in a moment of desperate need, standing tall when the multiverse itself seemed to be crumbling.
When even his alternate versions with Omnitrix and his grandfather Max 10,000 were vaporised, it was this Ben—this regular teenager—who stepped up, slapped the Omnitrix on his wrist, and fought through time and alternate universes, wrestling with evil versions of himself and defeating a powerful warlord bent on universal domination. It had been a life-changing experience, one he'd never forget.
Yet, the reality remained: his life wasn't meant to be that of a superhero. He wasn't destined to wield the Omnitrix long-term. That was a bitter pill to swallow, but it was one Ben had learned to accept as he tried to live a normal life, moving forward from the extraordinary into the mundane.
Ding!
The sound of a notification ping broke the silence in his room and brought him back to reality. He glanced at the laptop, and a smile crept across his face. Finally, after years of waiting, the final chapter of Volcanic Age, his favourite web novel, had been released.
Volcanic Age was the story of an ordinary martial artist who had survived hundreds of years in bloodied and treacherous world of Murim, relying on his with and resourcefulness , eventually becoming the supreme leader of becoming the supreme leader of his sect. After his lifespan had reached its limit, he died during a desperate attempt to reach the next stage of cultivation, only to be reborn in his youth with a second chance at life. Although it was a common plot in the cultivation genre, the execution, world-building, and intricate character arcs made the story stand out, turning it into a beloved classic. Ben had been following it for six years and, after months of anticipation, the final chapter was finally here.
Ben didn't want to waste any time. He eagerly clicked on the author's website and opened the last chapter. But just as he began to read, a familiar voice echoed from downstairs.
"Ben! Can you run to the store and grab some cooking oil? We're almost out, and I need it to make dinner!" His mother's voice cut through his concentration.
Ben groaned, closing his eyes as frustration welled up inside him. Of all the times…
"Mom, can it wait just a few minutes?" he called back, keeping his eyes glued to the screen. "I'm in the middle of something!"
Sandra Tennyson, his mother, was relentless when it came to family duties. Her voice cut through the silence like a knife. "I need it now, Ben! Your father's having guests over tonight, and I can't cook without it. You're almost eighteen and just about to graduate from your highschool—aren't you too old for this manga nonsense?"
Ben's jaw tightened. He loved his mom, but she never understood his interests. To her, his love of video games, comics, and web novels was childish, a distraction from the real world. He heard her footsteps coming up the stairs, and before he could react, his bedroom door flew open.
"Ben, you need to take more responsibility. What are you doing with your life, sitting here playing games all day?" Sandra crossed her arms, her expression a mix of disappointment and frustration.
"I'm not playing games, Mom," Ben muttered, glancing away from the screen as if caught in some forbidden act. "I was just… reading"
"Reading? What exactly?" She leaned forward, squinting at his laptop screen. "This again? The same thing you've been obsessed with for years? You could spend that time studying or doing something productive about your career !"
Ben resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "I just came back from my extra classes, Mom. Can't I relax for a bit?"
"You've been relaxing for months! You are just about to graduate from one of Japan's most prestigious high schools, Ben. Your father and I didn't move all the way to Japan just so you could waste time on… on this. We did this so you can get away with all that alien and magic nonsense surrounding your grandfather and cousin, and have a normal life for once." She gestured toward the laptop.
The mention of their move hit a sore spot for Ben. His parents had relocated to Japan a few years ago, upon their grandfather's insistence. For some mysterious reason only known to Max, he told them that Kuoh town was the place least likely to get affected by Highbreed Invasion, even if he failed to stop them somehow. His mother , who always wanted Ben to go away from all the alien drama surrounding Tennyson family gladly took on his offer and Max arranged for their jobs, along with Ben's enrollment to the best school in Japan, Kuoh Academy.
"Yeah, yeah, I got it," Ben muttered under his breath as he grabbed his wallet and keys from his desk. He took one last longing look at the screen, sighed, and shut the laptop. "Great timing, as always," he grumbled, slipping into his jacket.
As he trudged downstairs, he heard his dad, Carl Tennyson, chuckling from the living room. "You know, Ben, you could avoid all this if you just did what your mom asked the first time," Carl called out, his voice laced with amusement.
Ben glanced over at his father, who was lounging on the couch, watching TV with a laid-back demeanour that only made Ben more annoyed. "Thanks for the advice, Dad," Ben replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
Carl grinned but didn't press further. He knew better than to get between Ben and Sandra when it came to these little spats.
Besides, he had some right to tease his only child every now and then.
He was his father after all.
….xxxxxx…..xxxxxxx….xxxxxxx…..
The neighbourhood was peaceful as Ben walked down the familiar path that led to the commercial district. He passed through the park he often visited whenever he needed a break from everything—whether it was the stress of school or the remnants of the multiverse-spanning adventures he'd experienced. The park was serene, with benches scattered throughout, tall trees shading the walkways, and a central fountain where children loved to gather. Beyond the park, the bustling shopping district came into view. There were various shops—grocery stores, fast-food places, and even an arcade where Ben liked to hang out.
Moving to Japan had been a big change for all of them, but especially for Ben. The bustling town of Kuoh, while peaceful, always felt like a strange place for him. Despite his parents' insistence that it was for the best, he couldn't help but feel like he was being sheltered from something. His grandfather's insistence on them moving here still felt like a mystery that gnawed at the back of his mind.
But, as always, those thoughts were shoved aside by more immediate concerns. "Cooking oil, right," he muttered to himself as he opened the door and stepped out into the cool evening air. The sun had started to dip below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over Kuoh Town. The quiet streets were peaceful, but Ben couldn't help but feel restless.
As he walked toward the convenience store, Ben found himself lost in thought, thinking about everything that had happened over the past few years. His life had never been "normal" by any stretch, but it was the kind of normal he had gotten used to. No Omnitrix, no alien invasions, but still the ever-present knowledge that he was part of something much much bigger than himself—thanks to Grandpa Max.
Max…
Ben sighed again, his mind drifting to his grandfather. The old man was a legend, even more so now with the Omnitrix at his disposal. Ben had always admired him, but sometimes it was hard not to feel like he was living in Max's shadow. A shadow cast by a million different transformations, he thought bitterly.
Even though Ben didn't have the Omnitrix, he had seen his fair share of action growing up. Aliens, high-tech gadgets, adventures with Gwen and Grandpa Max—those were the memories that stuck with him. Yet, none of it was his. It was like watching someone else's life unfold, while he remained on the sidelines.
He kicked a loose pebble along the sidewalk, watching it bounce ahead of him. Maybe that's all I'm meant to be—the guy who helps out his mom with groceries, I wish I could have a second chance like Joo Seo Cheon , he thought, his mood darkening.
As Ben rounded the corner, he caught sight of the small convenience store up ahead. The bell above the door jingled as he pushed it open, the familiar scent of instant ramen and various household products hitting him as he entered.
Behind the counter, an elderly shopkeeper greeted him with a nod. "Evening, young Tennyson. What brings you in tonight?"
"Hey, Mr. Yamada. Just picking up some cooking oil for my mom," Ben replied, trying to sound upbeat, but his voice came out a little flat.
Mr. Yamada chuckled. "Ah, the ever-important errand. Keep it up and you'll be a master of the domestic arts in no time." He winke and Ben couldn't help but smirk a little at the joke.
"Yeah, well, someone's gotta do it," Ben said, grabbing a bottle of cooking oil from the shelf. As he made his way back to the counter, he noticed the store's small television was tuned into the local news. The reporter was talking about a series of strange murders reported near the now abandoned local church.
The police report as per what the reporter was talking about , found the causes of death the most brutal and unusual.
Without any sort of scientific explanations whatsoever.
"Strange stuff, huh?" Mr. Yamada remarked, following Ben's gaze. "Serial murders are happening all over the place . Some folks are even saying it's a sign of something bigger. But one thing is for sure, You gotta stay alert and don't trust strangers so easily! "
Ben nodded absentmindedly, but his mind was elsewhere. He had seen enough weirdness in his life to know when something was off. But, like everything else, this wasn't his problem. Not anymore, at least.
And in case things did escalate to a certain, he could always call his grandfather Max 10K or his cousin, the master sorceress Gwendolyn "Gwen " Tennyson.
"Yeah, Mister Yamada, You need to keep your eyes and ears open," he shrugged, handing Mr. Yamada the cash for the oil and a bag of chips he picked up for himself.
As Ben turned to leave the store, his hand paused on the door handle. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted someone familiar—a girl from his class at Kuoh Academy, Sona Sitri. She stood near the back of the convenience store, examining a shelf with quiet focus. Sona was known around school as the refined and serious president of the student council, always composed, always intelligent. With her glasses perched perfectly on her nose and her long, black hair cascading down her back, she gave off an air of authority that made her seem unapproachable to most.
For a brief moment, Ben considered saying hello, but quickly dismissed the idea. They weren't exactly friends, and Sona didn't seem like the kind of person to be interested in small talk.
Ben turned his attention back to the door, deciding it was best to keep things simple and just go home.
But just as his fingers touched the door handle, a loud crash came from behind him. The bell above the door rang violently as a group of five masked men, armed with guns, stormed into the store. Ben's heart skipped a beat as the lead robber, a tall man with a gruff voice, shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Everyone, get down on the floor! Now!"
The elderly shopkeeper, Mr. Yamada, froze behind the counter, his hands trembling as he slowly raised them in surrender. Ben felt a rush of adrenaline surge through him, his mind racing as he quickly assessed the situation. He dropped to the ground, eyes wide, trying to remain as calm as possible
This wasn't like one of the alien invasions he'd witnessed. These were regular thugs—dangerous, yes, but nowhere near the scale of villains his grandfather usually fought. Still, they had guns, and Ben wasn't exactly equipped to handle this.
Out of the corner of his eye, Ben saw Sona standing still, her eyes narrowed behind her glasses, but oddly calm. While everyone else in the store dropped to the floor in panic, she stood her ground. There was something unnerving about how composed she seemed in the face of danger.
The lead robber pointed his gun at Mr. Yamada. "Empty the register! Now! And don't try anything funny, old man, or you won't live to see tomorrow!"
Mr. Yamada stammered, his shaking hands fumbling with the register as he tried to open it.
But as he crouched there, muscles coiled with nervous energy, something else stirred within him. The years of training from his grandfather—Maxwell Tennyson, the seasoned Plumber—kicked in. Though he didn't have the Omnitrix, Ben had been trained by both his grandfather and Gwen in self defence , teaching him how to fight with armed and unarmed combatants much larger than himself . He wasn't a superhero in this timeline, but he sure as hell wasn't helpless.
Stay calm. Observe the situation, he told himself, breathing deeply to steady his nerves. His eyes flicked toward the robbers, assessing their positions. The leader was near the front, holding his gun to Mr. Yamada's head. Two more were covering the hostages, pacing back and forth nervously. The last two were by the entrance, blocking any attempt at escape.
From the corner of his eye, Ben saw Sona Sitri, his classmate from Kuoh Academy, standing near the back of the store. She wasn't following the robbers' orders to get down. Instead, she was standing tall, calm, as if this situation didn't even faze her.
"Get down on the ground!" one of the robbers shouted, pointing his gun at Sona. "What are you, deaf?"
Sona's expression didn't change. Instead, she slowly turned to face the robber, her glasses reflecting the dim light of the store. "I suggest you reconsider your actions," She spoke, her voice calm, authoritative.
The robber blinked, momentarily thrown off by her tone. "What did you say?" he snarled, stepping toward her. "You think this is some kind of game?"
Sona tilted her head slightly, her gaze never leaving the robber. "If you leave now, no harm will come to you. But if you stay, I can't guarantee what's about to happen next."
Sona didn't flinch. Her cool eyes remained fixed on the robber, and there was something strange in her demeanour, something… powerful. Ben could sense it, but there was no time to dwell on it. The situation was escalating, and fast.
I can't just sit here. I have to do something.
The training kicked in again. Ben scanned the store. He noticed a stack of canned goods on the shelf next to him, and an idea formed in his head. He wasn't always the fastest or strongest guy in, but he was a bonafide plumber and a hardcore martial artist. His training taught him how to be quick, precise, and strategic even under the most stressful of situations.
Ben waited for the right moment. The robbers were still focused on the hostages, barking orders and keeping their guns trained on the customers. When one of the robbers stepped just close enough, Ben made his move.
In one swift motion, Ben grabbed two cans from the shelf and flung them with deadly accuracy. The first can struck the nearest robber square in the head, sending him reeling backward with a loud grunt. Before the second robber could react, the second can hit him in the wrist, causing him to drop his gun.
"What the—?!" the robber shouted, clutching his wrist.
Ben didn't waste any time. He dashed forward, closing the distance between himself and the disarmed robber. With a quick, fluid movement, Ben grabbed the man's arm and twisted it behind his back, forcing him to the ground with a sharp judo takedown. The robber let out a pained yelp as his body hit the floor.
Ben didn't waste any time. He dashed forward, closing the distance between himself and the disarmed robber. With a quick, fluid movement, Ben grabbed the man's arm and twisted it behind his back, forcing him to the ground with a sharp judo takedown. The robber let out a pained yelp as his body hit the floor.
The leader of the robbers noticed the commotion and whipped around, pointing his gun at Ben. "You little—!"
Before he could pull the trigger, Ben ducked behind a nearby shelf, narrowly avoiding the shot. His heart pounded, but he kept moving, staying low and using the aisles for cover.
"You think you can play hero, kid?" the leader snarled, advancing toward Ben's position. "I'll put a bullet in your head!"
His eyes landed on a bottle of cooking oil on a lower shelf—the very thing his mom sent him to get. Without hesitation, Ben grabbed it and, as the leader came around the corner, Ben hurled the bottle at his feet. The glass shattered, spilling the oil across the floor.
The leader stepped forward, gun raised, but his foot slipped on the oil, and he stumbled. That was all the opening Ben needed.
Ben surged forward, delivering a swift kick to the back of the robber's knee. The man let out a grunt of pain as he collapsed onto the slick floor, his gun sliding out of reach. Ben followed up with a sharp elbow strike to the back of the robber's neck, knocking him out cold.
Breathing heavily, Ben turned to check on the other robbers. The one he had disarmed earlier was still on the ground, clutching his arm in pain. The two near the entrance, however, were starting to react. One of them aimed his gun at Ben, eyes wide with fury.
But before either of them could take a shot, something strange happened.
Sona, who had remained calm and composed this entire time, stepped forward. Her eyes gleamed with a faint glow, and the air around her seemed to ripple with unseen energy. Ben watched in disbelief as a glowing, intricate magical circle appeared beneath appeared beneath her feet.
Sona raised her hand, and in an instant, the two remaining robbers were lifted off the ground as if by some invisible force. They thrashed and struggled, but it was no use. Sona's power had immobilised them completely.
"What the hell…?" Ben muttered under his breath, staring in awe at his classmate.
Although he had seen magic being used before, but never like this.
Sona's voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge to it. "That's enough. You will not cause any more harm here." With a flick of her wrist, she sent the two robbers crashing to the ground with their weapons clattering away from them. Sona turned to him, her expression unreadable behind her glasses. "Are you alright?" she asked, her tone professional, as if they weren't surrounded by unconscious criminals.
Ben nodded, still catching his breath. "Yeah… I'm fine. Thanks for the assist."
Sona gave a small nod. "You handled yourself well. Your martial arts…..was quite impressive."
"Uh, thanks," Ben replied, still a bit dazed. "I didn't expect to see… well, that."
Sona's lips twitched into the faintest of smiles as he handed him over a leaflet with a blue glowing magic circle on it.
Ben studied the leaflet, confused about what was written on it. There was only a weirdly drawn circle with various geometric shapes and a symbol in the centre he'd never seen before. "We will grant you your wish!" were the only words written on the leaflet. He wondered if the leaflet was an invitation to some kind of cult or a new Alternate Reality Game with the words and the circle on the leaflet being clues to push the game forward
"There's more to this world than you know, Ben. Be careful in the future."
Before Ben could ask what she meant, she turned and walked toward the exit, leaving him standing there, surrounded by unconscious robbers .
But as Ben stood there, scanning the room, a movement caught his eye. One of the robbers—the one he had hit with a can earlier—was not fully down. He had managed to crawl across the floor, pick up a discarded gun, and was now rising shakily to his feet. His face was twisted with rage, and his eyes were locked on Sona, who was calmly turning to leave.
In a split second, Ben saw the robber aim the gun directly at Sona's back, his hands trembling with desperation. The man's face was pale with fear, sweat dripping down his forehead, but his eyes were wild. He was about to pull the trigger.
Time seemed to slow down. Ben's heart pounded in his chest. He didn't know what Sona really was—whether she had more magic up her sleeve or if she could even dodge a bullet. He knew that even master sorcerers weren't entirely invulnerable to bullets , until they knew about it and reinforced their bodies with magical spells. All he knew was that he couldn't let her get hurt.
Without thinking, Ben sprang into action.
"Watch out!" he yelled, diving toward Sona with all the speed he could muster.
In one fluid motion, Ben pushed Sona out of the way just as the gun went off.
BANG!
The sound of the gunshot rang in his ears, loud and deafening in the in the small store. Ben felt the impact immediately—a sharp, searing pain tearing through his side. The bullet slammed into his ribcage, sending shockwaves of agony through his body. He gasped, stumbling as his legs gave out beneath him, and he collapsed to the floor.
"Ben!" Sona's voice was sharp, cutting through the haze of pain that clouded his mind.
Ben clutched his side, feeling the warm, sticky wetness of blood beginning to seep through his fingers. His vision blurred for a moment, and his breath came in short, ragged gasps. The pain was overwhelming, but he forced himself to stay conscious, to stay focused.
Through the haze of agony, Ben could still see the robber standing there, gun raised, his face pale and horrified at what he had done. But before the man could react any further, Sona was already moving.
Her calm, composed demeanor vanished in an instant, replaced by something far more terrifying. Her eyes glowed a fierce, crimson red, and an aura of raw power crackled around her. The very air in the store seemed to tremble under the weight of her presence.
"You… made a mistake," Sona said coldly, her voice dripping with restrained fury.
Before the robber could even blink, Sona raised her hand, and the same intricate magical circle from before appeared beneath her feet, glowing with an ominous light. She flicked her wrist, and the gun was ripped from the man's grasp by an invisible force, flung across the room with a loud crash.
The robber let out a panicked yelp and turned to run, but Sona wasn't done. With another wave of her hand, the man was lifted off the ground as if by an unseen hand. He struggled and thrashed in midair, but it was no use. Sona's magic held him in place, completely immobilized.
"I could have ended this peacefully," she said, her voice icy and controlled. "But now, you've crossed a line."
With a flick of her wrist, she sent the robber hurtling across the store. He slammed into the wall with a sickening thud, collapsing into a heap on the floor. He didn't get up again.
It didn't seem like she was about to stop there and continue further with her assault. However Ben shakily put his hand on her shoulders, causing her to turn around.
Sona's eyes dimmed, and the magical circle faded as she turned back to Ben, her expression softening with concern. She knelt down beside him, her eyes scanning his injury with the same calm precision she had used against the robbers.
"Ben," she said quietly, her voice laced with urgency."You're hurt. I need to stop the bleeding."
Ben gritted his teeth, trying to stay conscious as the pain throbbed in his side. "I-I'm fine… just a scratch…" he muttered weakly, though the blood soaking through his shirt told a different story.
Sona shook her head, her expression serious. "This isn't something you can just brush off. Hold still."
Without hesitation, she placed her hand over his wound, and Ben felt a strange warmth begin to spread through his body. It was as if the pain was being gently pushed away, replaced by a soothing, almost numbing sensation. He blinked, surprised at the sudden relief, and glanced down at Sona's hand, noticing a faint glow emanating from it.
"Magic…?" Ben muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Sona nodded. "A healing spell. It won't fully heal you, but it will stop the bleeding until we can get you proper medical attention."
Ben managed a weak smile, though his face was still pale from blood loss. "Yeah, well… didn't want to take any chances."
For a moment, Sona's usually composed expression faltered, and a flicker of something else crossed her face—something like gratitude or even admiration. But just as quickly, she regained her usual calm demeanour.
"You're reckless," she said quietly, though there was no real anger in her tone. "But brave."
Ben chuckled weakly, though it quickly turned into a cough. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Sona gave a small smile, though it was brief. She stood up, her hand still hovering over Ben's wound as the healing magic continued to do its work. " The spell will hold for now, but you've lost a lot of blood. But there won't be much issue in recovering back to normal once you receive medical attention.
Ben nodded, wincing as he tried to sit up. "Yeah… good idea."
As Sona helped him to his feet, the sound of sirens grew louder. The police were almost there. Ben glanced around at the chaos in the store—the unconscious robbers, the shattered glass, the spilled oil—and couldn't help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction. Despite everything, he had made it through alive and kicking.
Ben opened his mouth to protest, but Sona gently shook her head. "For now, let's focus on getting you help. There's a lot you don't know about this world… but you'll learn. In time."
However Before Ben could ask any question, he saw it.
A blue text box which began floating in front of his eyes along with a soft, metallic ding sound
[Alarm!]
[You have completed all the necessary requirements of the Secret Quest: 'A Guardian's Heart!']
Ben stared at the text in disbelief, his mind struggling to comprehend what was happening. What… is this? Was he hallucinating from the pain? From blood loss?
[Alarm!]
[You have earned the right to become a User. Will you accept?]
The text hovered in front of him, waiting for a response. His vision was darkening, his body growing numb. But then, more and more text kept appearing in front of his eyes.
[Naljians—Observers of the Multiverse—are impressed by your actions, tenacity and resolve. They have estimated that given your current talent and fate, you have no chance to stand against the Longinus users of this Universe. Thus, they have decided to give you a system of their own creation as a token of gratitude to your grandfather Max 10k, who had returned the favourite lost toy of their princess before her 1 Millionth Birthday Party, causing her to finally stop crying]
[The Naljian Empress is curious to see how their system compete against the Sacred Gears and even the so called mighty Dragons of this Universe]
Ben's heart raced as he read the words. A system? Like the ones in the web novels like Solo Levelling he'd read? The idea seemed impossible, absurd even. But here it was, in front of his eyes.
"But who are these Naljians? And how did Grampa Max ended up helping them find their Princess' missing toy?"
He blinked, struggling to process it all through the haze of pain. The idea of a system—like the one he had just been offered—sounded absurd, but after everything he'd been through, could it be any more outlandish than the aliens, magic, and multidimensional beings he'd encountered?
As more text appeared in front of his eyes, his body grew heavier, and his vision began to blur. The sirens outside seemed distant, like they were coming from another world.
[System Initialization: 98%... 99%... Complete!]
Ben tried to speak, tried to ask Sona if she could see the strange text too, but his voice didn't come out. Instead, the last thing he saw before everything went black was Sona's concerned face, her hand still
[Welcome User!]
Then, darkness overtook him.
...xxxxxxxx...xxxxxxxx...m
Official Adaptation of Ben 10 : Game of Life but with my own twist.
I have not mentioned Kevin for a reason as Team Tennyson never found him in the first place as Max was the wielder of Omnitrix and I hate the idea of the whole Rooters nonsense and the entire retcon about Kevin's father so I am not gonna bring this up in this story
But he is a wielder of a very powerful sacred gear. One that's quite compatible with his powerset.
Though I am not gonna say which one XD
And don't worry
Our No Watch Bro is still alive and kicking. He is just injured and passed out due to exhaustion.
I have already taken blessings of Original author and I hope I will be able to continue his work for a long time. Though the system I utilise is going to be much different compared to his. Since I am not a huge fan of all features of Gamer system
Please read and review
