[System Notification]
Spiritual Synchronization Completed.
Education Level: Stage 2 – "Walking Through the Shadows"
Training Area: Umbravita – The Realm Where Fear Takes Shape
Warning: The entities encountered in this training are derived from Fade's mental and spiritual remnants. Physical harm is not possible, but mental collapse may happen.
When Fade opened his eyes, the first thing he noticed was... the darkness was moving.
This place was completely different from the previous training area. There was no water, ground, or sky. Everything was enveloped in a grayish hue leaning towards black; it was covered with shadows that constantly undulated, spreading like faint breaths. There was neither a direction nor a focal point. Only a deep coldness and a gnawing feeling within Fade: it was being observed.
He took his steps carefully. The ground was soft and misty, as if it weren't real. With each step, the shadows receded, but immediately afterward, they enveloped Fade in a thicker layer.
The voice of the Watcher of the Abyss echoed in his mind.
"This realm is a reflection of the fears you are fleeing from." What you are fighting here is not just what comes from the outside—it's everything you have repressed within yourself. "Here, what you are fighting is not only what comes from the outside—it's everything you have suppressed within yourself."
Fade clenched his fists. He had seen before that he was inadequate. He had realized that power was not just about stats and skills. Now… he was ready to step into the next threshold.
The first shadow emerged suddenly from a mist that rose to its chest.
The silhouette belonged to Fade's mother. But it had no face. There were voids where his eyes should have been. He had bowed his head and extended his hands. He was speaking with a face that had no lips.
"Why couldn't you reach us, Fade? Why did we have to leave you behind?"
Fade stepped back. His heart sank. His logic said this was just an illusion. But his heart... was aching.
At that moment, a system alert came in:
[Mental Resilience Test Initiated]
The Form of Fear: Guilt
Chance of Success: 34%
Resistance Duration: 00:15
The countdown has begun.
Fade fell to his knees. Before the image was erased, his mother's face had become one with Fade's childhood self. He relived himself, his past, and his abandonment. But this time, he didn't run away. He closed his eyes and, without suppressing the voice inside him, accepted his guilt.
[Mental Resilience Successful!]
+2 Mental Strength
+New Skill Acquired: "Emotion Filter" – The ability to perceive illusions fed by fear and guilt has been gained.
Fade stood up. His breath was quickening, but his gaze was clearer.
The shadows receded for a moment. But the peace didn't last long.
This time, three figures appeared before him. Each one was a version of himself.
— The first: Arrogant Fade
— The second: Weak Fade
— Third: Ruthless Fade
They were all circling around Fade, talking at the same time.
"Your strength is an illusion."
"You are still that poor child who cried."
"You know the truth. If you don't become ruthless enough, you won't be able to complete this path."
Fade's mind started to throb. Each one seemed right. And each one represented a self that was about to shatter.
Another system notification has arrived:
[The Inner Reflection War Has Begun]
Target: Three Shadow-Selves
Difficulty Level: A
Suggestion: Activate the Emotion Filter.
Fade activated his new skill with an internal command.
Shadows trembled before his eyes. The three figures took on different colors: The arrogant one was blood red. The weak one was in a dull gray. The ruthless one is pitch black.
The first move came from Arrogant Fade.
The ground shook with his laughter. The shadows around Fade trembled.
But Fade wasn't scared this time.
"Your strength feeds on the weakness of others." But my strength comes from being able to stand by them. "But my strength comes from being able to stand by them."
And he lunged forward.
The arrogant figure shattered when Fade's fist struck his chest. The shattered red shadows dispersed into the sky.
Fade immediately turned into the Weak version behind him.
This was the hardest for him.
This self represented Fade's cowardly side.
His failures, his loneliness, his indecisiveness.
Weak Fade didn't speak. He just looked with teary eyes and knelt down and started crying.
Fade's insides burned.
But then he understood:
This figure should not have been destroyed.
Fade bent down. He lifted it. He hugged him.
"You were also a part of me." And I will no longer reject you. And now I will no longer reject you.
There was a break in the system:
[Balance Achieved]
Harmony with the Weak Self was Established
+5 Spiritual Resilience
+New Passive Skill: "Inner Balance" – The threshold resistance to mental breakdown increases by 10%.
There was only one figure left. The most dangerous one. Ruthless Fade.
He never spoke. He just lunged forward.
A short, fierce fight began. Each blow was testing Fade's resolve, not his physical strength.
Ruthless Fade whispered in Fade's ear as he brought him to the ground:
"You will have to be like me." You need to leave everyone behind, turn your back on everything. Otherwise, you won't survive on this path. "Otherwise, you won't be able to live on this path."
Fade's mind went blank for a moment.
But then, her mother's words came to her mind:
"This road will bring you to us..."
Fade stood up. He extended his hand forward.
He looked at his ruthless self.
"I will need you. But I will be the one controlling you. Not you controlling me."
The ruthless figure trembled, the black fissure on his chest transferred to Fade's palm.
Like a seal, it shone on Fade's chest and then vanished.
[Inner Reflection Completed!]
+New Active Skill: "Master of Shadows" – Creation of illusions from shadows
+Permanent Stat Increase:
→ Spiritual Power +4
→ Mental Resistance +3
→ Charisma +2
The shadows were drawn.
The voice of the Watcher of the Abyss was heard again.
"You became one of those who shaped your fears." You didn't crush them—you recognized, accepted, and absorbed them. That's why you will survive. "That's why you'll survive."
Fade's eyes shone in the dark.
He was no longer running away from the shadows within him. He was walking with them.