The cell was no longer a barrier, but merely the first stage in my game. I closed my eyes, focused on the Dual Spirit Shadow, and began sensing every crack in the walls, every fissure in the floor, every window letting in the faint light. My first shadow attacked the iron columns, shifting the locks as if they were sheets of paper, while my second shadow erected a barrier of darkness to hide me from the guards' eyes.
The air itself groaned under the weight of my presence; every breath I took became like a hidden sword strike. Slowly, I pierced through the walls—not by my body's strength alone, but by the manipulation of shadows and fire, and my sharp awareness, making everything in the prison obey my plan.
I emerged into the open courtyard, where the new city awaited, and my eyes widened to see every detail: burning markets, towering buildings stretching endlessly, and groups of people roaming the streets. A new group blocked my path the moment I entered:
Valira: swift as an arrow, her eyes red as blood, wielding a dual dagger.
Kratos: a giant, muscles covered in heavy armor, his voice like thunder when he strikes.
Zyndra: the Shadow Sorceress, controlling darkness as I control fire.
Lorian: grinning maliciously, a glowing iron rod in his hand.
I smiled—a psychological, fierce smile—then whispered to myself:
— "The entire city is a stage, every step a game, and none will begin without me knowing its ending…"
The attack began instantly. I used the Dual Spirit Shadow in an advanced way: my first shadow struck Valira and Kratos with astonishing coordination, while my second shadow cast a chain of dark restraints to hinder Zyndra and Lorian's movements. Fire in my right hand cut like a blade, burning everything nearby, while the shadow infiltrated my enemies' senses, confusing them and making them strike blindly.
Valira screamed, Kratos tried to counter, Zyndra used counter-shadows, but every tactic collided with a storm orchestrated by me—Kim, the sinister, manipulative, psychological force. The battle ended swiftly: all of them lay defeated before me, and I stood victorious, breathing between fire and darkness.
But the surprise was cruel. Lorian, who seemed the weakest, grinned maliciously, then vanished behind me like a shadow, his dagger piercing my back. Darkness consumed my vision, and I lost consciousness before I could react.
When I opened my eyes, I found myself again in a new cell, larger and more terrifying, overlooking the entire vast city. Everything seemed alive, as if the city itself were watching me. I sat on the floor, my awareness absorbing everything: betrayal had been a lesson, weakness an illusion, and the ability to manipulate others the only path to survival.
I whispered to myself, words laced with both regret and awareness:
— "I've learned the truth… every temporary victory, every power that can be stolen. But this game… this game I will rewrite. There is no place for mercy here, and I will not allow anyone to mock my emptiness again… I am Kim, the Endmaker, king of shadows and fire, and now… I will redefine everything."
I smiled a lethal, psychological, manipulative smile, and began to sense my new skill shaping itself across the entire city, ready to face any opponent daring enough to stand in my way, ready to destroy any trick before it is born. And now… the real game begins.