Nayomi stood in a world of ash and flame.
This was not just heat—it was rage made real. The ground cracked with every step, molten fissures spitting sparks like accusations. Above her, a burning sky churned with storms of screaming faces.
A trial tailored for her.
[Zone Fragment: Tower of Pleasure –
Floor 2: Infernal Mirror] [Trial Type: Catharsis] [Objective: Defeat Your Inner Fury – Or Be Consumed]
A mirror stood at the center of the scorched arena.
From it stepped... herself.
Only not.
This Nayomi wore black war paint and nothing else but a crown of bone. Her claws dripped magma. Her smile was savage.
"Finally," the copy purred. "No more holding back. No more protecting Kai. No more pretending you're not a weapon."
Real Nayomi narrowed her eyes. "I protect because I choose to. I fight because I must."
"You lie," said the other her, stalking forward. "You ache to burn everything. You've just been waiting for permission."
[Enemy: Infernal Nayomi – Level ?] [Unique Trait: Soulfire Wrath – All attacks scale with unresolved trauma]
They clashed.
Claw against claw.
Fire against fire.
Each blow sent shockwaves through the arena. Nayomi gritted her teeth, feeling old memories flare like wounds—her ruined tribe, her stolen childhood, the rituals that bound her to the System.
[Condition: Emotional Suppression Limit Reached] [Unlocked: Soulflare Mode – Unstable]
She screamed—and her body ignited with violet flame.
The false Nayomi laughed with joy. "YES! Now you remember what you are!"
"No," Nayomi snarled, voice layered with fury and pain. "I remember what they tried to make me."
She surged forward, cutting through the projection's guard. Every strike now burned with intent—not just rage, but will.
"I am not their puppet."
[Catharsis Progress: 64%... 82%...]
"I am not my past."
[Catharsis Progress: 97%...]
"I AM MY OWN FIRE!"
[Catharsis Complete – Trial Cleared]
The false Nayomi shrieked—and shattered into embers that swirled into her real form, merging.
[New Skill Unlocked: Soulflare Nova – Once per trial, unleash full emotional power as pure damage] [New Trait: Phoenix Warden – Revives once with 25% HP after death, causes burn in a 20m radius]
She dropped to her knees, chest heaving, flames dying down.
But the Tower wasn't done.
A new portal opened ahead—framed in bone and fire.
And from it stepped a Host with obsidian wings and a blade made of screams.
A voice echoed:
[Next Rival Approaches: Host "Vael, Scourge of Empathy" – Level 10] [Challenge Type: Soul Duel – Only the true self may stand]
Nayomi stood, eyes glowing like twin suns
"Then let's see who burns brighter."
To be continued…