The portal's pull was suffocating, a vortex of cold light that swallowed me whole. My chest ached—not from the wounds, but from the hollow space where Mira's memory used to be. The System had taken everything: her smile, her laugh, the warmth of her voice. All I had left was a name—Mira—and even that felt like a fading echo. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as the light faded.
I landed on a smooth, reflective surface. The air was heavy, thick with a strange, bitter scent—like regret. The arena around me was a maze of mirrors, each one stretching endlessly in every direction. My reflection stared back at me, but it wasn't just me. My eyes in the mirror glowed green, and a cruel smirk curled on my lips—a version of myself I didn't recognize. The System flashed:
Third Floor: Envy Trial
Task: Face your envy. Defeat the Shadow of Envy.
Reward: +100 Tını Points, Ability Upgrade
Penalty: Eternal Imprisonment
Face my envy? I barely had time to process the task before I heard footsteps behind me. I turned—and there was Vyrn, his battered armor gleaming in the mirror's reflections. His smirk was as sharp as his sword.
"You thought you could leave me behind, Sacrifice?" he said, his voice dripping with malice. "This floor will be your grave."
Before I could respond, the mirrors around us shimmered. A figure stepped out of one of them—a perfect copy of Vyrn, but his eyes glowed green, just like the reflection of me. The System identified it:
Enemy: Shadow of Envy (Vyrn's Form)
Tını Points: 400
Warning: This enemy embodies the envy of others toward you. It will use your strengths against you.
Vyrn laughed, a cold, bitter sound. "Envy, huh? I've always envied how the System favors a weakling like you," he spat. "Let's see how your precious Tını Resonance handles this."
The Shadow of Envy lunged, moving with Vyrn's speed and precision. It swung a sword identical to Vyrn's, and I barely dodged the strike. The mirrors reflected the attack from every angle, making it impossible to predict its movements. I activated Flame Claw, my hands igniting with fire, and slashed at the Shadow. The flames connected, but the Shadow didn't flinch. Instead, it mirrored my attack—its own claws bursting into flames.
Tını Resonance Activated
Enemy Ability Copied: Flame Claw
The Shadow smirked, its green eyes glinting. "You think you're special, Kael?" it said in Vyrn's voice. "A Sacrifice with power… but you'll never be enough."
The words cut deeper than any blade. I gritted my teeth, striking again, but the Shadow countered every move. It was like fighting myself—every strength I had, it turned against me.
Vyrn watched from the sidelines, arms crossed. "Look at you," he sneered. "The System gave you Tını Resonance, a power I'd kill for. And yet you're still pathetic."
His words fueled the Shadow. Its flames grew hotter, and it slashed at me with terrifying speed. I blocked with my Flame Claw, but the impact sent me crashing into a mirror. The glass shattered, and my reflection in the shards showed that same cruel smirk.
The Shadow spoke again, its voice a venomous whisper. "You envy him, don't you? Vyrn's strength, his confidence… you'll never have that."
I froze. Envy? Me? I'd spent my life surviving, not envying others. But as the Shadow's words sank in, I felt a bitter truth. I envied Vyrn's power, his Reaper class, the way he commanded respect while I was branded a Sacrifice. The System had chosen me, but it had also cursed me.
The Shadow's flames surged, feeding off my realization.
Warning: Envy detected. Shadow of Envy growing stronger.
Blood dripped from my side—a wound from the Wrath Trial that hadn't healed. My vision blurred, but I couldn't give in. I remembered the Wrath Trial—I'd beaten my rage by staying calm. Maybe this was the same. I had to let go of envy. But how?
Every mirror showed a version of me that hated what I saw.
The Shadow charged again, its flaming claws aimed for my throat. I dodged, but it caught my arm, burning through my skin. I screamed, falling to my knees.
Vyrn laughed. "Pathetic," he said. "You'll die here, and I'll take your Tını Resonance for myself."
That's when I realized something.
The Shadow wasn't just my envy—it was Vyrn's too. He envied me, just as I envied him. The System was playing us against each other.
I forced myself to stand, ignoring the pain. "You're wrong," I said, my voice steady. "I don't need to be you, Vyrn. I'm enough."
The Shadow hesitated, its flames flickering.
I focused on that thought—I didn't need Vyrn's strength. I had my own. I charged at the Shadow, using Flame Claw not to attack, but to shatter the mirrors around it. Each broken mirror weakened the Shadow, its form distorting as the reflections disappeared.
Finally, I drove my claws into its chest, and it shattered into shards of green light.
Task Completed
Reward: +100 Tını Points, Ability Upgrade: Flame Claw (Enhanced)
Total Tını Points: 260
I collapsed, gasping for air. The System flashed:
Warning: A new price paid. Physical strength reduced.
My body felt heavier, weaker. The System had taken another toll.
Vyrn stepped closer, sword drawn. "You're a fool, Kael," he said. "You may have passed this trial, but you're weaker now. The next floor will break you."
Before I could respond, a new portal opened, its pull dragging us both in.
The System's voice echoed:
"Fourth Floor: Pride Trial awaits."