The ash had not settled.
Jiwoon stood in the Arena's broken center, breath steady, while the shattered lance of the Ash Lancer lay smoldering behind him.
But this was only the beginning.
System Update
Victory Registered
Opponent: [Ash Lancer]
Sin Absorbed: [Greed – 78% Purity]
Sin Points Gained: +142
New Skill Unlocked: Greed Echo – Weapon Duplication (Short Term)
Loadout Slot 4: Locked (requires Rank Up)
From above, the system pulsed:
"Welcome, Contender. You have passed your first evaluation.
Next Phase: PVP Initiation."
A new platform rose from the arena floor. On it stood a girl—tall, cloaked in white, with black bands covering her eyes.
Jiwoon narrowed his gaze.
She didn't feel human.
But she didn't feel like sin either.
Her Name Was Shira
"You're the debt hunter," she said.
"But here, you are simply a player."
Her tone was flat. Calm.
Jiwoon nodded. "And you're my next opponent?"
She shook her head. "No. I'm your mirror."
Before he could reply, the arena changed—shifting, pixelating, until they stood inside an illusion of Jiwoon's own memories.
Trial of the Self: Sin Projection Mode
Shira raised her hand, and a perfect copy of Jiwoon appeared—same face, same powers, same burden.
"To climb in this world, you must defeat yourself," she whispered.
"Not just your strength… your regrets."
Jiwoon faced his own projection—eyes burning with all the sins he had once consumed.
The battle was instant.
Blades clashed. Shadows burst. Flames roared.
Jiwoon used his Sin Blade—twisting the power of Wrath and Greed into a dual-edged spiral.
But his projection was faster, more ruthless—unburdened by morality.
Every hit Jiwoon landed came back harder.
Shira Watched
From her floating perch, Shira watched the fight unfold.
"Only those who reconcile with their sins can access Rank II."
Jiwoon faltered. The projection struck deep. A vision flashed—
His mother.
The day she died.
The moment he chose vengeance.
"I'm not him anymore!" Jiwoon shouted, breaking free of the illusion blade.
He let go—not of pain, but of denial.
His projection flickered. Cracked.
And then—vanished.
System Update
Sin Projection Overcome
Access Granted: [Loadout Slot 4: Unlocked]
New Passive: [Sin Balance – Reduce instability during Sin Overflow]
Rank Progression: +14%
Shira smiled, just faintly.
"You are one step closer."
"But the arena watches everyone. And it remembers everything."
She turned to leave.
Jiwoon stood still, his body shaking—not from pain, but from the truth.
"Next match: Begins in 24 hours."