Inside the darkness—
Rey was gone.
Not dying.
Not alive.
Just… scattered.
Shredded into nothing within that endless maw of teeth.
No body.
No form.
Only awareness.
Fading.
Sinking.
'…Finally…
It's over…'
Then—
CRACK!
A sharp impact exploded across his face.
SLAP.
Pain.
Real.
Violent.
Intrusive.
Rey's consciousness snapped back together in an instant.
His eyes shot open.
Light flooded in.
Harsh.
Blinding.
His body slammed against something solid—
Cold ground.
He gasped.
Air rushed into his lungs like he had been drowning.
For a moment—
He didn't move.
Didn't think.
Didn't understand.
"…Wha—"
His voice came out dry.
Broken.
He forced himself up.
His hand instinctively went to his face.
Still stinging.
Still real.
That wasn't a dream.
Slowly—
His vision cleared.
White.
Endless white.
The familiar space.
The place where his Relic Spirits resided.
And standing in front of him—
Aiden.
Victor.
Zero.
All looking down at him.
Not relaxed.
Not casual.
Confused.
And slightly… tense.
"…What happened?"
Rey muttered.
His breathing hadn't stabilised yet.
"And who the hell hit me?"
Victor immediately looked away.
Whistling.
Taking a slow step back.
"…No idea."
Rey narrowed his eyes at him.
Long.
Suspicious.
But—
He let it go.
Right now—
Something else felt wrong.
"…Why do I still feel like I'm inside it…?"
His voice dropped unconsciously.
Aiden stepped forward.
His expression sharpened.
"That's exactly what we want to know."
His tone wasn't light anymore.
"When you appeared here… you weren't conscious."
Rey looked up.
"…What?"
"You were screaming."
Aiden continued.
"Not reacting. Not responding. Just… screaming."
Victor scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"We tried pulling you out."
"Didn't work."
Aiden's eyes locked onto Rey.
"You don't get trapped here unless something is interfering with your mind."
Silence fell.
Rey's fingers tightened slightly.
"…I saw something."
His voice slowed.
Careful.
Measured.
"Darkness."
"Not empty… watching."
"Eyes."
His pupils shrank slightly.
"…Too many."
Victor stopped moving.
Even Aiden's expression stiffened.
"And then…"
Rey swallowed.
"…I was eaten."
Silence.
No one joked.
No one interrupted.
"It wasn't a dream."
Rey added quietly.
"It felt like… I was being broken down."
"Like something was… testing how much of me would remain."
That line—
Changed the air.
Aiden's gaze deepened.
Before he could speak—
A voice cut in.
Calm.
Cold.
Certain.
"It wasn't a test."
All of them turned.
Veylen.
He hadn't moved.
But his eyes were now open.
Looking directly at Rey.
"It was erosion."
Rey frowned.
"…What?"
Veylen's voice didn't rise.
But it carried weight.
"Your Deviant Element—Oblivion…"
"It's not passive."
"It doesn't wait."
"It devours."
The white space felt colder.
"It has started interacting with your consciousness."
Aiden's expression hardened.
"That's a big claim without proof."
Veylen didn't even look at him.
"I don't deal in guesses."
His eyes remained on Rey.
"What you experienced…"
"…is the early stage of internal override."
Rey's heartbeat slowed.
Dangerously calm.
"…Meaning?"
Veylen answered without hesitation.
"It is learning you."
"Breaking your sense of self."
"Reducing resistance."
"So when the time comes…"
"…you won't even realise you're no longer in control."
Silence.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Victor didn't joke this time.
Aiden didn't interrupt.
Rey didn't speak.
Because deep down—
It made sense.
That feeling…
Of being watched.
Of being peeled open.
Of not being able to resist—
"…So I'll become a puppet?"
Rey asked.
Flat.
Veylen's gaze didn't soften.
"If you remain as you are—"
"Yes."
The word landed clean.
No hesitation.
No comfort.
Just truth.
"And the thing you felt?"
Veylen continued.
"That wasn't killing you."
"It was measuring how much of you it could erase…"
"…before you disappear."
A faint pause.
Then—
"Right now?"
"You survived."
"But not because you're stronger."
"Because it hasn't decided to finish yet."
That hit harder than anything else.
Rey exhaled slowly.
"…So what do I do?"
For once—
He didn't argue.
Didn't deflect.
Didn't joke.
Veylen watched him for a second.
Then—
"You build a will, it cannot break."
"And fast."
His figure began fading.
"But if you fail…"
"…you won't die yet."
A faint pause.
"…You'll remain."
"And watch."
Gone.
The space fell silent again.
Rey didn't move.
Didn't react immediately.
Because this—
This wasn't abstract anymore.
This was real.
Internal.
Inevitable.
"…He's exaggerating."
Aiden said after a moment.
But even he didn't sound fully convinced.
"I'll figure something out."
Victor added.
"Worst case, we beat the hell out of it."
Rey let out a small breath.
"…Yeah."
But his eyes—
Didn't relax.
Because he knew.
That thing…
Was already inside.
Watching.
Waiting.
Growing.
Victor clapped his hands suddenly.
Breaking the tension.
"Alright, enough horror talk."
"We didn't drag you here just for that."
Aiden nodded.
Regaining focus.
"Yes."
His tone turned sharp again.
"Your tournament is still ongoing."
"No external abilities from us."
"Not until it ends."
Rey nodded.
"…Got it."
"And second—"
Aiden stepped closer.
"This…"
"…is where your real growth begins."
Rey looked at him.
This time—
Fully attentive.
No distraction.
No jokes.
"Everything you've done so far…"
Aiden continued.
"…was survival."
"Pain."
"Trial."
"Struggle."
"But now?"
His eyes sharpened.
"You need direction."
A brief pause.
Then—
"Tell me honestly."
"How do you see your own growth right now?"
Rey didn't answer immediately.
He thought.
Carefully.
"…It was hell."
His voice was calm.
"But it worked."
"I stood on my own."
"I fought without relying on you."
"I won."
A faint pause.
"…And for the first time…"
"I didn't feel helpless."
Silence.
Aiden watched him.
Then—
Smirked slightly.
"The scared kid is gone."
Rey blinked.
"What's left…"
"…is someone who still doesn't understand his own worth."
Flick!
Aiden tapped his forehead.
Rey frowned.
"…What?"
"You'll see."
Aiden stepped back.
"Check your status."
"And answer me again."
Before Rey could respond—
Panels exploded into existence in front of him.
One after another.
Like a flood.
Information he had never seen before—
Now rushing toward him.
And this time—
It wasn't just numbers.
It was proof.
Of what he had become.
__
Name: Rey Shadowthrone
Age: 18
Race: Human (Fully Dark-Attributed)
Physique: Darkness Physique (Upgradable)
Titles: Self-Learner, The Psycho....
Class: None
Level: 19 [11,272/25,000]
Rank: 0th Rank
Core: Darksyth Core [F+] {0.26%} (Rank 0)
Curse: Nirzveil's Covenant (Origin- Grade)
Variant: Oblivion Gloom (Darkness Path)
Laws: Death {.0013%}, Soul {.000009%}, 'Darkness' {.01312%}, Shadow {.0011%}
[Attributes]
HP: 2,985/2,985 (Reserve Energy: +2,985)
MP: 4215/4215 (Mana Overload: +4215)
Stats:
Strength (STR): 535 [C+] (↑24)
Agility (AGI): 542 [C+] (↑32)
Vitality (VIT): 597 [C+] (↑13)
Intelligence (INT): 562 [C+] (↑9)
Stamina (STA): 581 [C+] (↑54)
Endurance (END): 546 [C+] (↑43)
Luck (LUK): F+ (Dependent on Core)
Free Stat Points: 298 (280↑)
Derived Stats:
Attack Power (ATK): 646.2 (Potential Strength: +642.6)
Magical Power (MGL): 1,011.6 (Arcane Potential: +1,011.6)
Defence (DEF): 563.5 (Reinforcement Reserve: +563.5)
[Skills]
Active Skills:
Eclipse Shroud (S) Umbral Dash (C+) Abyssborne Overdrive (A+) Ebon Vein Reinforcement (C-) (!) Darkpulse (E) Elemental Kinesis (F+) | Leap (E) Shadowgaze (F+) Echoshade (E+) Throw (F)
Passive Skills:
Darkforged Repair (C+) Phantom Shift (S) Abyssal Pulse Echo (S, Hybrid) Dreadflow Instinct (C+) Veil Sense (E+) Darkflow (D) (!) Voidrest (C-) (!) | Basic Cooking (F-) | Beginner Gardening (F) Beginner Farming (F+) Basic Taming (F-) Hyper Perception (D+) (!) Persistent Stamina (D+) (!) Heightened Sense (C-) Critical Hit (D) Calm Mind (D+) (!)
Resistance:
Heat Resistance (F+) Anesthetic Resistance (F)
Art/Technique(s):
Veil of the Unseen Abyss {Stage 0 – Concealment of Shadows} [44.8%] Basic Archery Art {Stage - Intermediate} [08%] Scaled Drift Art {Stage 0 - Foundation} [15%]
Abilities:
Tier 0: DARKNESS (EX+)
───◈ Arsenal Mastery ◈───
Sword: E+ ↑ (99%)
Dagger/Knives: D- ↑ (00%)
Spear: E+ ↑ (99%)
Shield: E+ ↑ (78%)
Bow: D- ↑ (99%)
Greatsword: D- ↑ (68%)
Hand-to-Hand: E+ ↑ (18%)
Gun: E (11%)
Hammer: E+ ↑ (2%)
Katana: E+ (94%)
───◈◈◈◈◈───
___
The panels floated before Rey.
Layer after layer.
Numbers.
Skills.
Proficiency.
Growth.
He didn't rush.
Didn't react immediately.
His eyes moved slowly across everything.
Carefully.
Silently.
"…Higher."
A quiet murmur escaped him.
Every skill had improved.
Not drastically.
But undeniably.
Steady.
Real.
His fingers twitched slightly as his gaze stopped.
[Bow Proficiency — Bottleneck Reached]
"…So this is the limit for now."
No frustration.
No excitement.
Just acceptance.
Then—
[Technique — Intermediate Stage]
A faint pause.
"…At least something broke through."
Behind him—
Aiden and Victor watched.
Neither spoke.
But both noticed it.
That change.
Rey wasn't chasing numbers anymore.
He was reading them.
Understanding them.
That alone—
Was growth.
"…Stats too."
Rey exhaled softly.
Small increases.
But he knew what they meant.
Each point—
Was earned.
Not handed.
"…Yeah."
This time—
There was no smile.
Only clarity.
Silence stretched.
Until—
"Done admiring yourself?"
Victor's voice cut in lazily.
Rey glanced back.
"…If you're done staring at me, maybe tell me what you dragged me here for."
Aiden stepped forward.
His expression—
Serious again.
"Good."
He didn't waste time.
"You've seen the result."
"Now answer me something."
Rey straightened slightly.
"What you experienced before coming here…"
"—and what you went through these past few days."
Aiden's gaze sharpened.
"Which one do you choose?"
No explanation.
No guidance.
Just the question.
Rey froze.
For a moment—
He didn't speak.
Memories surfaced.
His hometown.
Power given.
Support everywhere.
Control—
Loose.
Comfort—
High.
Then—
The recent days.
Pain.
Fear.
Isolation.
No support.
No shortcuts.
Only himself.
Rey closed his eyes briefly.
Then opened them.
"…They're completely different."
His voice steadied.
"In my hometown…"
"I had everything."
"Resources. Abilities. Support."
A faint pause.
"…But I didn't grow."
Victor's smirk faded slightly.
"I felt strong."
Rey continued.
"But it wasn't mine."
"My control was bad."
"My understanding was worse."
"I was just… using what I was given."
Aiden didn't interrupt.
Didn't nod.
He just listened.
"And here…"
Rey's voice lowered.
"I had nothing."
"No backup."
"No safety."
"Just pressure."
"Fear of losing everything."
His fingers tightened slightly.
"And because of that…"
"I broke my limits."
A faint breath escaped him.
"For the first time…"
"I relied on myself."
Silence.
Heavy.
Clear.
Rey looked straight at Aiden.
"So yeah."
"I choose this."
No hesitation.
No doubt.
"This path."
Aiden's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Even if it's slower?"
"Yes."
"Even if it's harder?"
"Yes."
"Even if it breaks you?"
Rey didn't answer immediately.
Just for a second—
That nightmare flashed in his mind.
The eyes.
The teeth.
The feeling of being erased.
Then—
"…Then I'll just have to not break."
That was his answer.
Simple.
Final.
Victor let out a low chuckle.
"…He said it."
He glanced at Aiden.
"Kid just walked into your trap on his own."
Aiden ignored him.
But—
A faint smile appeared.
"…Good."
He stepped closer.
"What you had before—"
"Was borrowed strength."
"What you're choosing now—"
"Is your own."
A brief pause.
Then—
Rey spoke again.
"…But I don't want to throw everything away either."
Aiden raised a brow.
"Explain."
Rey exhaled.
"I don't want to rely on abilities blindly."
"But I also don't want to limit myself."
His gaze sharpened.
"I want everything."
Victor grinned.
"Greedy."
"Yeah."
Rey didn't deny it.
"I want to be able to do everything."
"And master it."
Aiden stared at him for a few seconds.
Then—
Victor burst out laughing.
"Pfft—"
"Aiden, he just said your entire plan without even knowing it."
Aiden clicked his tongue.
"…Shut up."
Then—
He looked back at Rey.
"This path you're talking about…"
"It exists."
Rey's eyes sharpened slightly.
"But no one reaches the end of it."
Aiden continued.
"Most quit halfway."
"Some master a few things and settle."
"Because going further…"
"…is hell."
A brief silence.
Then—
Aiden leaned in slightly.
"Are you ready for that?"
No dramatic pause this time.
No hesitation.
"…Yeah."
Rey answered immediately.
Not loud.
Not emotional.
Just certain.
Victor's grin widened.
"There it is."
Aiden straightened.
"Then listen carefully."
His tone shifted.
Sharp.
Commanding.
"You will continue exactly like you have these past few days."
"No overreliance."
"No shortcuts."
"No leaning on us."
Rey frowned slightly.
"…So I still don't get the relic abilities back?"
Aiden smirked.
"Not yet."
"This is still a test."
"A will test."
His eyes locked onto Rey.
"Because if you can't even walk this far…"
"…then everything you just said is meaningless."
Rey didn't argue.
Didn't complain.
"…Fine."
That answer alone—
Said enough.
Aiden nodded once.
"Good."
Then—
The space shifted.
Rey's body lifted off the ground.
"…Wait."
Behind him—
The white space cracked open.
Darkness poured in.
Not empty.
Not silent.
Familiar.
Too familiar.
Rey's expression changed instantly.
"…Aiden."
No response.
"Aiden, wait—"
The pull increased.
"Not now—!"
Victor waved lazily.
"Relax."
"Consider it… practical learning."
"YOU CALL THIS—"
Before he could finish—
The force dragged him back.
And threw him into the darkness.
Everything vanished.
Again.
Rey's eyes snapped open.
No white space.
No spirits.
Just—
A room.
Dimly lit.
Unfamiliar.
"…Where…"
He pushed himself up slightly.
Disoriented.
His head still heavy.
His thoughts—
Not fully stable.
"…Where am I?"
Then—
The door burst open.
A figure entered swiftly.
Sharp.
Alert.
Rey's eyes narrowed instantly.
'…What now?'