> "In most caves, you find rocks.
In this one, you find the person you almost became—and maybe still could."
— MC, brushing past a regret that wore his face
---
[Location: Cave of Echoes – 100 meters underground, narrative depth unknown]
The air was thick.
The light dimmed.
Flashlights flickered, even the magical ones.
The deeper they walked, the more strange phenomena began:
Footsteps echoed before they were made
Shadows walked ahead of their owners
The cave walls reflected faces… just slightly wrong
Kazuma (shivering):
> "I just saw myself with confidence.
It tried to give me life advice."
Rimuru (staring at a slime reflection wearing a crown):
> "Mine called me a coward for being kind."
Deadpool (staring at a clean-shaven version of himself):
> "NOPE. We burn this place."
---
[Scene: The Echoes Begin – One by One]
The cave separates them, gently but firmly.
Each must face… themselves.
---
[Sona's Trial]
She stumbles into a chamber lined with floating report cards.
Across from her stands Sona Prime: ruthless, heartless, commanding an army of spreadsheets and broken allies.
> "You were supposed to rise above feelings.
Instead, you let him smile at you."
Sona (facing her):
> "And for once… I didn't regret it."
She burns the gradebook.
---
[Rias's Trial]
She faces Queen Rias — cold, perfect, beloved, utterly alone.
> "You gave up your throne for warmth. You surrendered power for laughter."
Rias:
> "And I'd do it again.
Every crown is cold. But hands held in darkness? They're warm."
She reaches through her reflection. It fades.
---
[Akeno's Trial]
Her echo smiles with wide, hollow eyes.
> "You pretended too well.
Now the act is you."
Akeno (tearfully):
> "Then maybe it's time I drop the act… and start again."
The cave answers with silence.
---
[MC's Trial – The Chamber of the Blank]
He walks in. Calmly. No fear.
On the wall: dozens of "possible" MCs.
One who sought power
One who loved openly
One who broke
One who ruled
One who begged to be seen
And at the center… a version who embraced being the main character.
Echo-MC:
> "You could've taken the spotlight. You could've changed everything directly.
Why stay in the shadows?"
MC (softly):
> "Because stories are better when you don't tell them what to be.
I'm not here to lead the plot.
I'm here to make sure it stays real."
The echoes vanish.
---
[Reunion – Near the Cave's Heart]
One by one, the group reunites.
Changed.
Lighter.
Quiet.
Koneko (eating rice crackers again):
> "...I hugged my other self."
Deadpool (sobbing):
> "Mine told me I was still a good person.
So I shot him. Emotionally."
MC (checking the cave's pulse):
> "We're near the core.
One more echo remains."
A wall crumbles.
A door appears.
---
[System Notification]
> Character Development Completed: Internal Conflict Arc Resolved
Final Room Opening: The Echo of the Plot Itself
---
End of Chapter 65: The Cave Shows What Might Have Been