[System Alert: Training protocol initiated.]
[Mental Stability Screening: 68%]
[Psychological Resilience: Minimum threshold met.]
[Access granted: Mirror of the Soul protocol active.]
Fade opened his eyes to a darkness.
But this darkness was not like the previous ones. Neither dim light nor echoing footsteps.
Just silence.
It was as if the voice of existence itself couldn't enter here.
He took a step.
The surface beneath his feet was like a mirror—but it didn't reflect.
Hard as glass, transparent as water... but silent as a mirror.
There was no sky. There was no horizon. The ground continued flat to infinity.
Fade continued to walk. He didn't know when he should stop.
Until...
Until a cracking sound is heard.
The ground cracked beneath his feet first.
Then that crack widened.
And from within the mirror... a silhouette emerged.
Fade.
But... another Fade.
His hair is messy, his eyes are like bottomless pits.
Shadows wandered on his skin; the darkness seemed to have merged with his flesh.
"Look at me," said the dark Fade.
His voice was Fade's own voice. But inside, it felt like there were drowned screams.
"Your true face is mine." No matter how tightly you wear your mask, your true self smells like rotting flesh underneath, and you can't escape it. "However tightly you wear the mask, the self underneath smells like rotting flesh; you can't escape from this."
Fade drew his sword.
But the dark self just laughed at him.
"You can't defend yourself with a weapon." I am what you have forgotten. I am your repressed. Every blow will hit me, every breath will collide with the emptiness within. "Every blow to me, every breath will hit the emptiness within."
And the system was activated:
[Training Mission Started: Confronting the Dark Self]
Task: Define the origin of the dark reflection.
Warning: Physical attacks only buy time. The real solution is internal.
Fade delivered the first blow.
He swung his sword at the dark self.
He struck. But like a reflection, the dark Fade pulled back and responded with the same move.
The blow hit Fade's chest.
He was thrown back and fell on his knees.
"You think you're so skilled," said the dark self, "but instead of admitting your weakness, you leaned on skill points and ability locks. But they don't work here."
And here is the system notification:
[Mental Pressure Level: 43% ↑]
[Stat Loss: Temporary – Strength -5, Mind -3, Endurance -2]
Fade sighed.
This isn't a fight, it's a resolution.
Each blow was revealing one of the cracks within his soul.
A memory surfaced.
A figure appeared behind the dark Fade.
A little Fade.
It is hidden inside a wooden chest.
Someone is shouting outside. Chaos.
With a suppressed scream, his mother:
"Fade, close your eyes. Don't listen to us. This is not your fault."
The image was erased. He collapsed and remained where he faded.
"Do you remember me?" the dark Fade asked.
"I am ashamed to hug you, my mother."
"I am the side of me that fears learning the truth."
"I am truly you."
Fade stood up.
He was injured.
But that vibration inside... It was like a faint light shining in the midst of darkness.
"No," he said. "You can be a part of me, but you are not my entire being."
Dark Fade took a step back.
For the first time, he hesitated.
The system notification has come again:
[Cognitive Boundary Crossed – Mind Lock Opening…]
[New Skill Discovered: Echo of the Soul]
Passive Skill: Resistance is gained against mental manipulations that do not belong to oneself. The power of confronted memories brings stability.
Stat Bonuses:
→ Mind +3
→ Intuition +2
Fade closed his eyes.
He took a deep breath.
He grasped his sword again, but this time not to attack...
The darkness walked towards Fade.
Step by step.
"I will not destroy you." he said.
"But I will accept you."
And at that moment, true emotion appeared on Fade's face for the first time.
Fear.
The sky cracked.
The ground began to brighten.
Darkness Fade looked into Fade's eyes.
"If you accept me, you can never be the same as before." "If you accept me, you will never be the same as before."
Fade bowed his head.
"I can't be anyway."
And at that moment...
The darkness dissolved and entered Fade's body.
It didn't happen.
It merged.
The system rang:
[Training Completed: Mirror of the Soul]
New Stat: Spiritual Stability +7
New Skill: Echo of the Soul [Passive]
Bonus Skill: Reflection Breaker – Absolute resistance to mental illusions, provides 10 seconds of clarity (once a day).
Fade knelt down on his knees.
But this time it wasn't fatigue... it was fulfillment.
He closed his eyes.
A whisper came—this time not from the Watcher of the Abyss, but from within Fade:
"Your strength is not what makes you look strong... it is what keeps you grounded." "Power is not what makes you look strong... it is what keeps you within yourself."