The Doppelganger's eyes flickered at the movement, but before he could react, the blade's high-voltage slash rippled through the space, chaining towards him with a lethal hum.
Every strike carried the dual essence of my mana and the blessing of {Electro's Roar}, blending raw power with precision. My movements were silent, unseen, and untouchable.It was a perfect execution of {Electro's Serenity}.
The battle had just escalated, and now, I could see the first crack in his composure.
Blood flowed from his back as he glared at me, eyes full of deadly intent. He tried to react, tried to dodge, but it was too late. The blade had already sliced into the area near his shoulder.
But then the wound began to heal on its own. The Doppelganger had used {Manifestation} to regenerate the injured area.
Well, not that it mattered. I knew exactly what I and my doppelganger were capable of.
The Doppelganger lunged at me, swinging his white sword. I knew it wasn't
He clutched his abdomen, red spreading like a warning, but before I could react, a sigil blazed to life on his palm. Lines of arcane light twisted and formed a spell.
'Heal!'
The crimson wound from my punch vanished in an instant, replaced by skin.
A cold dread gripped me. My heart raced. The Doppelganger hadn't just regenerated. He'd manifested a First Circle Spell. And that mark… I swear it was Hydro.
I leapt back, landing several steps away, muscles coiled and ready.
[Skill: {Mana Sense} has been activated]
[Skill: {Mana Confluence} has been activated]
I extended my hand letting Arcanum hum with raw mana. Red circles ignited around me, each swirling with the fierce essence of Pyro.
'Fire Missile!'
Fifteen blazing rods of flame erupted simultaneously, streaking through the air toward the Doppelganger. Each shot hissed and crackled, a deadly symphony of heat and light, aimed with perfect precision. The mirrors of the chamber shivered from the force, and the acrid scent of burning mana filled my nostrils.
I could see his pupils flare red as he realized the barrage wasn't just fast.It was relentless
The barrage of fire missiles struck him head-on, but there wasn't a single burn. The flames hissed and vanished as steam filled the room. He had cloaked himself in Hydro energy, letting the water absorb and evaporate the heat.
'Hydro Prison!'
A sphere of shimmering water surrounded him. It wasn't an attack but a strong defense enough to block the blast.
He smirked. "You're not the only one who learns in the middle of a fight!"
I met his gaze without emotion. "Is that so?"
In the next instant, I appeared in front of him. Pyro energy flared around me as I merged {Electro's Serenity} with {Lavender Edge}. My blade cut through the air and struck him cleanly.
The moment the blade made contact, the clash of elements erupted. Flames and lightning surged together, blasting him backward. The shockwave rippled through the chamber as he crashed into the glass wall. Smoke rose where he landed.
I walked toward him slowly, my blade still crackling with faint traces of energy. "Why do you want to become me?" I asked, my voice calm and steady.
He smiled weakly, though I could see the pain behind his eyes. "From the moment I came into existence, I was nothing but a mass of mana with a will strong enough to think. I had no name, no form, no purpose. All I wanted was an identity. Something that could give me meaning."
"Oh? So that's why you chose to become a doppelganger? To live as someone else?" I asked quietly.
"Yeah," he whispered, his expression twisting between sadness and defiance. "So at least once… I could feel what it's like to exist."
"Then," I said, extending my hand toward him, "why don't you just merge with someone?"
He frowned, confusion flickering in his eyes. "What are you talking about? No one can coexist in the same body."
"Yes, they can," I replied softly. "They just have to try."
For a moment, he hesitantly stared at my hand. Unsure of what to do. Then, with a faint, almost broken laugh, he reached out and grasped it.
His form began to blur, his outline dissolving into shimmering mist. The fog of mana swirled around him and then rushed toward me, wrapping my body in a cold, tingling embrace.
I could feel his thoughts, his memories, his emotions merging with mine. The pressure was overwhelming, but I didn't resist. I let it happen.
Because somewhere within that storm of mana, I could sense it.
A will that only wanted to exist.
[You have merged with your doppelganger]
[You have accepted your reflection]
The mist swirled in front of me, spinning faster until it formed a small whirlwind. A soft rumble echoed through the chamber as a glowing portal slowly opened.
[Gates to the Second Floor have opened]
I stepped through the portal and found myself standing inside a massive cathedral. The walls were built from smooth white marble, shining faintly in the soft light, while the floor beneath my feet was made of polished Blackstone, cold and solid.
[You have entered the Second Floor: The Cathedral of Voices]
[You have received rewards for completing the First Floor]
[You have received:100 Super Credits,{Mirage Substitute}, I smiled as I opened the item and skill details boxes.
---
[Item Details]
Item:Phantom Earring.
Rank:A.
Grade:Legendary.
Status:Special.
Type:Artifact(Earings).
Description:This accessory is your reward and was created from pure Mana in large quantities. This caused the item to gain a random Blessing called: {Supreme Silence}. It is an earpiece forged from the pure Mana of ◼️◼️◼️'s Residue.
Item Skills:
1.Veil:Allows the user to completely hide their existence even when fighting.(Active)
2.Supreme Silence: The user cannot produce any sound except their voice.(Passive)
3.Detection: Allows the user to detect anything within 10m.(Passive)
4.Phantom Sight:Allows the user to see everything in a area of 10m.(Active)
---
[Skill Details]
Skill:Mirage Substitute.
Rank: S.
Grade:Heroic.
Status:Special.
Type:Active.
Description:This skill allows the user to project a semi-autonomous mirrored clone of themselves forged from their own Mana and essence. This clone can mimic up to 40% of the user's physical abilities and movements.
---
I wore the "Well, well… this earring suits me just fine," I said with a grin.
[Item Skill: {Detection} has detected some presences]
"Okay, let's see who you are," I whispered as my eyes turned pitch black.
Oh, did they really think they could hide from me? Not anymore.
[Item Skill: {Phantom Sight} has been activated]
Five faint figures shimmered into view. These were echo spirits.
"Heh, looks like I've caught a big fish in a small pond," I muttered as my eyes shifted from black to glowing crimson.
[Skill: {Gamer's Eye} has been activated]
[Skill: {Gamer's Eye} has leveled up]
[New Sub-Skill: {Foresight} has been acquired]
[Sub-skill: {Appraisal} has been activated]
---
[Entities Details]
Names:None.
Aliases:None.
Ranks:F
Levels:7-10
Title:None.
Race:Spirit(Echo).
Strengths:Mental warfare,High Agility , confusion, emotional manipulation,Astral Body,Basic Elemental Resistance,Sound Magic and sensory dominance.
Weakness:Silence,Umbro,Lux,Santus and Electro Magic; Calm Mind, Mental Barrier, Destroyable Core and physical fragility.
---
I channeled my mana into "Hey, guys! Do you know what my specialty is?" I called out, a sly grin spreading across my face. "It's the Umbro element,You're weakness."
[State has been changed to Abyss(Umbro)]
---
[Item Details]
Item:Moon Cleaver.
Rank:A+++.
Grade: Mystical Unique.
Status: Weapon(Katana).
Type: Permanent Manifestation.
State:Abyss(Umbro).
Description:This weapon is your creation and was created from pure Mana in large quantities.This was caused the item to gain a random Blessing called:{Abyss's Embrace}.It is a blade forged from the pure Mana of ◼️◼️◼️'s Residue and in the image of the constellation:{Lady of the Dark Night} and constellation:{Father of The Darkest Springs} in the Abyss state.
Item Skills:
1.Abyss Edge:Allows the blade to cut through anything and travel an infinite distance depending on mana.(Active)
2.Abyss's Embrace:Enhances all stats by 10%;allows Umbro Infusion.(Passive)
3.Death's Ascent:Allows the user to transcend life and death, becoming partially intangible while increasing speed and converting damage dealt into Abyssal Energy that can heal the user or empower attacks. (Active)
4.State Change:When the user puts elemental Mana of a specific attribute,the state changes.(Active)
---
I smiled, but then—
[Item Skill: {Detection} is active]
[Skill: Gamer's Eye}(Lvl- 2) has been activated]
[Sub-skill:{Foresight} has been activated]
A subtle ripple brushed my senses, faint and almost imperceptible. My {Foresight} flared, showing a ghostly arc in the air where something deadly would strike.
Instinctively, I dashed left, my body moving before my mind fully registered it. A pulse of sound exploded where I had been. {Sound Wave} a 2nd Circle Spell which was far beyond the first circle I'd prepared for.
[To be Continued...]
[End of Chapter 13:The Cathedral of Voices]