The flickering glow of torches painted the walls of the ogre village in warm hues, casting long shadows that danced like spirits in the night. Despite the modest size of the village, life bustled with purpose as ogres of various shapes and sizes went about their routines. The faint sound of hammers striking metal echoed from the blacksmith’s corner, mingling with the aroma of roasting meat wafting through the air.

  Nestled in a secluded part of the dungeon, the village was a sanctuary for its residents. But to a curious child like Kenji, it was a world waiting to be explored.

  Kenji, now a toddler with striking blonde hair and bright blue eyes, stood at the entrance of his mother’s hut. Though his small size made him appear fragile, there was a sharpness in his gaze that belied his age—a glimmer of intelligence that unnerved even the older ogres.

  “Kenji,” the ogre Queen called gently from inside. Her towering figure, wrapped in simple yet regal furs, seemed almost out of place in the humble home. She was seated on a large stone chair, watching her adopted son with a mix of affection and concern. “Don’t wander too far. The village is safe, but even here, danger can find you.”

  “Yes, Mother,” Kenji replied, his voice clear and confident for someone so young. He turned back to face her, his innocent smile hiding the gears turning in his mind.

  

  It had been over three years since I was reincarnated into this world. In that time, I’d learned a few things.

  First, I wasn’t just in a dungeon—I was in a world governed by strength. The ogres weren’t just hiding here for survival; they were stagnating. Without combat or growth, even their once-proud lineage had dwindled into obscurity.

  Second, I was weak. I hated admitting it, but it was the truth. My human body, though healthy, lacked the natural power of my ogre kin. Watching my adoptive brother, the ogre prince, lift boulders twice his size while I struggled to carry a small rock was a humbling experience. But unlike the others, I had something no one else here did—a brain fueled by knowledge from my past life.

  This wasn’t just a second chance. It was an opportunity to rise above everyone, to become the strongest in this dungeon—or even this world.

  But for now, I needed to take small steps.

  Kenji’s explorations often took him to the edge of the village, where a lone hill overlooked the rest of the settlement. Today was no different. Climbing the hill with surprising agility, he sat at the top, gazing at the sprawling maze of the dungeon beyond.

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  The walls of the cavern glimmered faintly with traces of mana crystals, casting an eerie light over the rocky terrain. He could see the faint outline of the tunnels leading deeper into the dungeon, places where the ogres rarely ventured.

  “Kenji!” a familiar voice called out.

  He turned to see Gorruk, the ogre prince and his adoptive brother, stomping up the hill. Gorruk was only a year older but already towered over Kenji, his muscular frame a testament to his lineage. His crimson skin gleamed under the light, and his tusks curled slightly upward, giving him an air of arrogance.

  “What are you doing up here, runt?” Gorruk asked, crossing his arms.

  “Thinking,” Kenji replied, unfazed by his brother’s size.

  Gorruk raised an eyebrow, his expression caught between curiosity and disdain. “Thinking about what? How to keep up with me?”

  Kenji smirked. “Something like that.”

  The ogre prince huffed, plopping down beside him. “You’re weird, you know that? Most of the ogres say you’ll never amount to anything. A human in our village? It’s ridiculous.”

  “And what do you think?” Kenji asked, genuinely curious.

  Gorruk was silent for a moment, staring at the dungeon’s horizon. “I think…you’re different. You don’t have our strength, but you’re not like the weaklings either. There’s something about you that pisses me off.”

  Kenji chuckled, finding his brother’s blunt honesty refreshing. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  Gorruk snorted. “Don’t. Just don’t embarrass Mother. She believes in you, for some reason.”

  Kenji’s gaze softened at the mention of their mother. The ogre Queen had been his anchor in this unfamiliar world, her unwavering support keeping him grounded.

  “I won’t,” he said firmly.

  Later that Night

  The ogre Queen’s hut was quiet, save for the crackling of the fire in the corner. Kenji sat cross-legged on the floor; his small hands placed over his knees. He was meditating—a practice he had started recently after noticing how mana flowed through the dungeon.

  In this world, mana was everywhere, an invisible force that connected all living things. By focusing on it, Kenji could feel the faint traces entering his body, strengthening his muscles and sharpening his mind. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

  “Kenji,” his mother’s voice broke the silence.

  He opened his eyes to see her standing over him, her massive form casting a shadow that seemed to envelop the entire room.

  “You’re working hard,” she said, a hint of pride in her voice.

  “I have to,” Kenji replied. “If I want to survive here, I can’t rely on strength alone. I need to be smarter.”

  The ogre Queen knelt beside him, her golden eyes studying him intently. “You are not like us, Kenji. You don’t have our raw power, but that does not mean you are weak. Strength comes in many forms.”

  Kenji nodded, absorbing her words.

  “Tomorrow,” she continued, “I’ll take you to the village’s library. It’s small, but it holds knowledge from our ancestors. If you’re going to grow, you’ll need to understand the history of this dungeon—and your place in it.”

  Kenji’s eyes lit up with excitement. This was exactly what he needed.

  “Thank you, Mother,” he said earnestly.

  The ogre Queen smiled, ruffling his hair with surprising gentleness. “Rest now, my child. Tomorrow marks the beginning of your journey.”

  As Kenji lay down to sleep, his mind raced with possibilities. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—he would not let this second life go to waste.