The night air hung thick with tension as Jayden crouched behind a broken wall, the distant hum of neon and the low murmur of the city providing a strange soundtrack to his growing chaos. The Echobound System orb hovered just above his wrist like a restless guardian, its pulse syncing with his rapid heartbeat.
"Access system menu."
The command echoed clearly inside his mind, as natural now as breathing. His vision dimmed at the edges, and the familiar interface appeared — translucent panels floating in a dark void layered over his real-world view.
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ECHOBOND SYSTEM – MAIN MENU
1. Status
2. Abilities
3. Echo Inventory
4. Missions
5. System Settings
Select option: 2
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The screen shifted fluidly, highlighting his active abilities:
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Abilities
Shadow Dominion (Lv. 2)
Echo Shift (Lv. 1)
Chrono Disruption (Locked)
Multi-Aura Adaptation (Locked)
Shadow Echo Mode (Locked)
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Jayden's fingers twitched with nervous energy as he hovered over Echo Shift.
"Upgrade skill," he whispered to himself.
The system beeped.
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Upgrade Echo Shift? (Y/N)
Energy cost: 50
Cooldown reduction: 5 seconds
Effect duration +1 second
---
Jayden hesitated. His energy gauge was dangerously low after the last fight, but this upgrade could be the difference between life and death.
"Y."
A rush of light filled his vision. His body tingled as the upgrade solidified within the Echobound system's metaphysical framework.
"Upgrade successful," the system confirmed.
---
A low vibration came from the communicator on his wrist.
"Jayden, do you copy? It's Rika," the voice whispered urgently. "We have intel — Apex Council's elite squad is deploying to Sector 5 East. We need you there ASAP."
Jayden exhaled sharply, pushing off the wall. His shadow stretched and curled, ready to obey.
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System prompt: New mission unlocked: 'Intercept Apex Squad'.
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The city's streets were a maze of flickering lights and looming concrete. Jayden slipped through the shadows with new confidence, using Echo Shift to bypass patrols and avoid surveillance drones.
But as he reached Sector 5 East, a chilling sight stopped him cold.
The air shimmered with an unnatural darkness, thicker than normal shadows — like the city itself was holding its breath.
From the abyss stepped a figure cloaked in black, eyes glowing with eerie blue light.
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"Jayden Bartels."
The voice was cold, distorted — the unmistakable signature of Nyxorath.
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System alert: Enemy detected: Nyxorath (Future Echo). Danger level: Extreme.
---
Jayden's breath caught. This was no ordinary enemy. This was himself—twisted by time and shadow.
But before he could react, the ground beneath him exploded with dark energy, and the battle began.