The chains meant to restrain the reflection had become its fuel. They wrapped around its arms like living flame, melting into its corrupted armor. The monster tilted its head, grinning—a twisted mirror of Jiwoon's calm smirk.
"You can't judge me," it hissed.
"Because deep down… you're still running from yourself."
Jiwoon stood firm, the sigil on his hand flickering with unstable light. His breath was steady, but his heart beat with a slow, deliberate thud.
"No," he whispered. "I'm not running."
The reflection lunged.
This time, Jiwoon didn't dodge. He stepped forward, closing the distance with precise timing. Their fists collided again—but Jiwoon wasn't aiming for damage.
He let the reflection strike him.
And in that instant—
He reached into its chest with his bare hand.
[Sinbound Echo: Initiated]
"Reveal to me… the moment you were born."
The world around them froze.
The obsidian coliseum shattered like glass, replaced by a memory—a vision suspended in darkness.
Jiwoon found himself standing in a ruined city, bodies strewn across broken marble roads. Smoke curled from buildings. Screams echoed faintly in the distance.
A throne stood at the center.
And on that throne sat the black-winged version of himself, cloaked in madness. Eyes glowing crimson. Holding a single relic: the Ebonwyrm Exordium, fully awakened and alive—devouring souls with each breath.
"This was the world you created," a voice whispered in Jiwoon's ear.
"When you gave up control."
He looked around.
Every corpse bore a face he recognized.
Vera. Kaelya. Even the Abyssal Qirin—ripped apart, bleeding light instead of blood.
The Sinbound Jiwoon on the throne slowly turned toward him.
"This is not fiction. It is possibility. This is what happens if you choose power without purpose."
Back in the real world, Jiwoon gasped and pulled his hand back. The reflection staggered, flickering with instability.
"You… saw it," the monster said, voice cracking.
"And you still want to fight?"
Jiwoon clenched his fist. "That's exactly why I have to."
"Because if I don't fight you now—someday, I'll become you."
[Trial of Origin – Phase 2 Unlocked]
Objective Updated: Overcome. Do not destroy.
The mirror cracked.
And from it, stepped the reflection again—but this time, weakened, eyes dimmer. It no longer screamed. It simply raised its fists… like a warrior who knew the end was near.
The sin no longer wanted to devour him.
It wanted to be understood.