The wind howled through the broken corridors as Jiwoon approached the ancient chamber, led by Grael Vortax's fragmented coordinates. The air here was denser—heavier—as if filled with mourning.
[Objective: Key One – Embody Regret]
[Location: Core Nexus Ruin – "The Regret Engine"]
The Regret Engine was not a machine.
It was a conscious construct—fueled by the echoes of remorse from those who had once resisted the system and failed.
"It feeds on pain," Grael explained.
"To pass, you must relive your greatest regret… and accept it as part of your code."
Jiwoon's Trial
Inside, the room was black.
A single pulse beat from the floor—like a heart made of memories.
[Initiating Regret Sequence – Subject: Jiwoon]
He was pulled inward—no longer in control.
The chamber around him dissolved, and he was back in Sector Zero, twelve years ago.
Flashback: The Choice He Never Forgave
A corridor bathed in emergency red light. Two doors.
His mother behind one.
His best friend behind the other.
Only one door could be opened.
"Save her!"
"Please, save me—Jiwoon!!"
His child self hesitated. One second. Then another.
Too long.
Both doors sealed.
Both were lost.
Jiwoon collapsed to his knees.
"I thought I'd moved past this…"
But the Regret Engine spoke:
"You never moved on.
You simply coded over it."
"You can't alter the system if you won't alter yourself."
Acceptance or Collapse
The voice asked:
[Will you embed this regret into your soul-core?]
[Doing so will grant access to Key One – but leave a permanent emotional scar.]
Jiwoon whispered,
"Let the scar stay. I deserve it."
[Key One Acquired: Heart of Regret]
[New Trait Unlocked: Soul Deepening – Empathy-driven resistance to emotional manipulation.]
Back to Reality
Jiwoon emerged from the Engine, visibly shaken.
Mira ran to him, holding his arm.
"Are you okay?"
He looked at her… and then at himself.
"No. But I'm clearer now."
"That's one down. Two more to go."