SAI SHINU
I sat frozen, pale, drenched in sweat. My heart pounded like a war drum.
"Does my story ring a bell?" he asked, his voice steady, his black eyes locked on mine.
I dragged in a shaky breath. "Yes," I answered coldly, refusing to look away.
"How is that even possible?" My voice cracked.
He leaned forward slightly, the weight of his words pressing into me like a blade. "The same way I died… the same way you got your powers… and the same way Earth was wiped out. Someone is pulling strings in the shadows."
A chill raced through me, burrowing deep into my bones. My whole body shivered.
I tore my gaze away and pulled up the System. "Then what is this new ability?" I muttered. The holographic screen blinked to life.
CHARACTER PROFILE
Name: Sai Shinu
Age: 22
Class: Unknown
Title: None
Weapon: Sword
Skills: 2nd Stage Light Core, Shadow Step, Crimson Rift, Gift-Weave, Astral Gate (Godglyph)
I barely had time to process before another notification slammed across my vision.
NEW ABILITY UNLOCKED: ASTRAL GATE
DESCRIPTION (Requires Light):
Secret art containing three acts. Each act is different. The user must eliminate every living thing within the dimension to end its duration.
My eyes widened. "It… takes me to another dimension?"
He nodded slowly. "That's my guess. But don't even think about using it in battle yet. Test it on animals first. Learn it. Control it."
"Three acts…" I whispered. "What does that mean?"
"Maybe three variations. Or maybe three steps to reach its true form." His voice was grim. "Either way, you won't master it overnight. Even if you tried, you'd fail without understanding."
I clenched my fists, frustration burning. "I know that!"
He tilted his head. "Still, that's not your biggest problem."
"What now?" I snapped.
"The ability you just forged—Crimson Rift—you can't use it properly."
I blinked. "Why not?"
"It requires darkness." His words hit me like a hammer.
"No… no way," I muttered. My hands trembled as I reopened the System, scrolling until I found the ability. My stomach dropped. He was right.
ABILITY: CRIMSON RIFT
DESCRIPTION (Requires Darkness):
A slash that can unravel the very fabric of its target, turning fragments into purple roses. The 'unmade' effect consumes resources.
I swallowed hard. "Did I make the right choice?"
He gave a slow, approving nod. "It's unique. Dangerous. Beautiful. I'm sure it'll be useful."
Relief washed over me, a fleeting smile breaking across my face—only to vanish with my next question.
"But if it requires darkness… how am I supposed to use it?"
He leaned back on the sofa, his tone low, deliberate. "You'll have to forge a Darkness Core."
The room seemed to shrink around me. My heart skipped. A Darkness Core…
That path had no return.