The training chamber beneath the guild was forged from obsidian stone, enchanted to withstand explosions, blade storms, and even collapsed timelines.
This was where legends were broken and rebuilt.
Kairo stood shirtless in the center of the chamber, chest rising and falling with each breath. His muscles twitched with leftover tension from the Echo encounter. Across from him stood an old man in a red cloak, bald, with glowing tattoos crawling up his arms.
Master Dren, a retired S-Rank from the Flame Monastery.
"You faced a Devourer," Dren said, voice cold as the blade he held. "And survived. That makes you valuable. But that doesn't mean you're ready."
"I don't need validation," Kairo replied, raising his sword.
"You don't need pride either."
Dren struck first—faster than lightning. Kairo barely blocked the strike, sparks flying as metal clashed. The old man was relentless, each strike calculated to break him.
---
"You lack form," Dren growled. "You rely on instinct. That's animal strength, not godlike power."
Kairo's vision blurred. His Essence was low.
But then—he remembered Echo's touch. The darkness. The visions.
> [Abyssal Echo: Activate?]
> [Y/N]
Kairo hesitated... then chose Y.
Suddenly, the chamber twisted. Dren's strikes slowed. Kairo saw afterimages, predicted movements, even the smallest twitch in his opponent's fingers.
It was like watching the world in frames.
He moved.
And landed a hit.
Dren flew backward, crashing into the wall, blood at the corner of his mouth.
"Good," the old man coughed. "But don't get cocky. You just unlocked your own nightmare."
---
That night, Kairo walked through the guild hall, towel over his shoulder. As he passed the Strategy Wing, he heard arguing.
He froze.
"…we can't let him keep growing unchecked," a voice said. "He's absorbing Devourer traits."
It was Vice Commander Reylin—the very person who brought Kairo into the guild.
A second voice joined. "He'll lose control. He's not one of us anymore."
Kairo stepped back, heart pounding.
They were planning something.
His presence was now a threat.
---
Vexa met him outside.
"You heard them?"
He nodded.
She sighed. "They're scared. You shouldn't blame them."
"I don't," Kairo said. "But if they're scared of me now… what happens when I unlock my next form?"
Vexa looked into his eyes. "Then you become the god you were born to be… or the monster they always feared."
---
Later, Kairo stared at his reflection in the mirror.
Behind his own eyes, a faint glow pulsed—purple and cold.
He clenched his fist.
"I won't become Echo. I'll become something stronger."