The moment I stepped forward—
I knew.
Something was wrong.
Too easy.
Too open.
Too… prepared.
"...Tch."
But it was already too late.
The door behind me—
Closed.
Heavy.
Locked.
"...So you noticed."
The leader smirked.
"...A little late though."
My grip tightened on the black blade.
"...You planned this."
Mira tilted her head slightly.
"...Of course."
A small smile.
"...Did you really think you were the one hunting us?"
Silence.
"...No."
She continued calmly.
"...You walked exactly where I wanted you to."
My chest tightened.
"...Damn it."
The ring on my finger pulsed violently.
Stronger than before.
Almost burning.
"...What did you do?"
I asked.
Mira raised the artifact slightly.
Still wrapped.
But—
Something leaked from it.
Energy.
Dark.
Heavy.
"...You helped me, actually."
She said.
"...What?"
"...That ring."
My eyes widened.
"...The tracking seal?"
She nodded.
"...It doesn't just track."
A pause.
"...It resonates."
My body froze.
"...Resonates…?"
The leader laughed.
"...You carried a beacon right into our hands."
"...Shit."
I tried to move—
But something felt off.
Heavy.
My body felt slower.
"...You feel it, right?"
Mira's voice softened slightly.
"...The pressure."
"...What did you do to me?"
She smiled faintly.
"...Synchronization interference."
My eyes widened.
"...You're messing with the system?"
"...Not exactly."
She stepped closer.
Calm.
Careful.
"...I'm amplifying it."
The pressure increased.
My breathing got heavier.
My vision slightly blurred.
"...Damn it…"
The leader stepped forward.
"...Now."
Three of them moved at once.
Fast.
Too fast.
Clash.
I blocked the first strike.
Barely.
Another came from the side.
I dodged.
But slower than before.
"...My movement…"
Delayed.
"...You're weaker."
One of them smirked.
"...No."
I gritted my teeth.
"...I'm being suppressed."
I forced my body forward.
Shadow Step.
But—
"...Too slow."
A blade cut across my shoulder.
"...Ghh—!"
I stumbled back.
Another hit.
Then another.
They weren't trying to kill me.
They were testing me.
"...Bastards…"
I forced myself up.
Breathing heavy.
Body shaking.
"...You've improved."
The leader said calmly.
"...But this is your limit."
"...Shut up."
I moved again.
Faster.
Harder.
Ignoring the pain.
Clash.
Clash.
Clash.
For a moment—
I kept up.
Then—
A heavy blow.
Straight to my stomach.
"...GHH—!"
I dropped to my knees.
Blood.
On the floor.
"...Still too emotional."
Mira said quietly.
"...Still predictable."
My vision blurred.
"...Not… yet…"
I forced myself up again.
"...I'm not done."
The black blade trembled.
The system flickered.
[Warning: Host Condition Critical]
"...Again…"
My body screamed.
But I stepped forward anyway.
"...Why?"
One of them frowned.
"...Why won't you just die?"
I laughed weakly.
"...Because…"
I looked at Mira.
"...I haven't killed you yet."
Silence.
Then—
Mira smiled.
Not amused.
Interested.
"...Good."
She raised her hand.
"...Enough playing."
The pressure intensified.
The artifact—
Reacted.
The room shook slightly.
"...Now show me."
She whispered.
"...How far you can go."
The leader stepped forward.
Alone this time.
"...You want her?"
He said calmly.
"...Then get past me."
My body felt like it was breaking.
But I stood.
"...Fine."
I lifted the blade.
Slow.
Heavy.
"...I'll kill you first."
He smiled slightly.
"...Try."
And then—
He disappeared.
"...!"
Too fast.
I couldn't track him.
Impact.
"...GHH—!"
I flew back.
Smashed into the wall.
"...Pathetic."
I coughed blood.
"...Not… yet…"
I forced myself up again.
But my legs—
Shaking.
My vision—
Fading.
"...This is the gap."
The leader said calmly.
"...Between you… and us."
I clenched my teeth.
"...I know."
A pause.
"...That's why…"
I lifted my head.
Eyes sharp.
"...I'm still here."
Silence.
For a moment—
No one moved.
Then—
Mira spoke softly.
"...Break him."
The leader stepped forward again.
This time—
No hesitation.
And I realized—
"...This really is a trap."
Not just to stop me.
But to measure me.
To understand me.
"...Damn it…"
As he raised his blade—
I smiled.
"...Then watch carefully."
Because if I survive this—
Everything changes.