Ethan’s vision shattered.


    One moment, he was standing before the Master, locked in a battle of words.


    The next—


    He was falling.


    Endless blackness stretched in every direction.


    No up, no down—just a vast, infinite void.


    A weightless descent, yet his stomach churned like he was plummeting.


    The air was cold, pressing against his skin like an unseen force.


    Then—


    A whisper.


    <blockquote>


    “Let’s see what you’re truly made of, little predator.”


    </blockquote>


    The Master’s voice echoed, but he was nowhere to be seen.


    Ethan gritted his teeth.


    This wasn’t real.


    It wasn’t a normal place.


    t was something created—an illusion, a trial.


    But that didn’t mean it wasn’t dangerous.


    Suddenly—


    Impact.


    Ethan’s body hit solid ground.


    Not painfully—but suddenly.


    Like the void had simply decided to stop his fall.


    He stumbled to his feet, blinking against the gloom.


    Blackened stone stretched in every direction.


    No walls, no sky—just endless space.


    And in the distance, a single figure stood.


    A humanoid shape.


    Wrong. Distorted.


    Its body was shrouded in swirling shadows.


    No face—just a hollow abyss where its features should be.


    Its arms twitched unnaturally, as if its limbs didn’t fully belong to it.


    Ethan’s mark burned.


    The thing watched him.


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    Waiting.


    Then—it moved.


    The shadow lunged—


    Faster than any monster Ethan had faced before.


    His instincts screamed.


    <blockquote>


    [Void Step – Activated.]


    </blockquote>


    He blinked to the side, the creature’s blackened claws missing him by inches.


    It didn’t pause.


    It twisted—**too fast—**and attacked again.


    Ethan barely managed to block with his daggers, the force rattling his bones.


    It was strong.


    Faster than him.


    And worst of all—it was learning.


    The thing didn’t move like a beast.


    It moved like a fighter.


    A hunter.


    Like it had fought Ethan before.


    And it was adapting.


    Ethan gritted his teeth.


    His normal attacks weren’t working.


    ts movements mirrored his—like it already knew his combat style.


    It was his shadow.


    His own reflection, stripped of its humanity.


    The realization hit him like a punch to the gut.


    <blockquote>


    This thing is me.


    </blockquote>


    The Master’s voice echoed from the void—amused.


    <blockquote>


    “Ah. You see it now.”


    </blockquote>


    Ethan narrowed his eyes.


    <blockquote>


    So this is the trial? Fighting my own reflection?


    </blockquote>


    No.


    It was more than that.


    This wasn’t just a test of strength.


    It was a test of control.


    Ethan stopped dodging.


    He planted his feet, shifting his stance.


    The shadow hesitated.


    Ethan exhaled.


    <blockquote>


    If it’s learning from me…


    </blockquote>


    <blockquote>


    Then I need to do something it can’t predict.


    </blockquote>


    The shadow lunged again.


    But this time—


    Ethan didn’t just block.


    He reached into his mark—the strange power that had been growing inside him since the gate.


    And he let it flow.


    <blockquote>


    [Abyssal Lock – Activated.]


    </blockquote>


    Chains of black energy erupted from the void, wrapping around the shadow.


    The creature thrashed, its form distorting, its movements slowing—


    Ethan didn’t hesitate.


    <blockquote>


    [Twin Fang Strike – Activated.]


    </blockquote>


    He rushed forward, his daggers flashing.


    One blade tore through the creature’s chest.


    The other buried deep into its throat.


    For a moment—silence.


    Then—


    The shadow collapsed.


    And as it faded, Ethan felt something shift inside him.


    Like a piece of himself had been restored.


    A slow clap echoed through the void.


    Ethan turned, chest heaving, his daggers still gripped tightly.


    The Master stood there, watching him with dark amusement.


    "Not bad," he mused.


    Ethan glared. "What the hell was that?"


    The Master tilted his head.


    "A lesson."


    He stepped forward, eyes gleaming.


    "You see, little predator—power is nothing without control."


    Ethan clenched his fists.


    "That thing was me."


    The Master smirked.


    "Yes. And no."


    He gestured around them.


    "This realm? It is a reflection of your potential."


    He leaned closer, voice smooth.


    "And potential can be your greatest strength… or your greatest enemy."


    Ethan’s mark pulsed.


    And deep down, he knew—


    This trial was far from over.