Jack couldn't believe how fast the world had flipped upside down.
A few days ago, his aunt had kicked him out, tossing his bag into the street like trash. Now he was staring at a dying man with no arms who had just turned into a giant fire monster.
The fire giant's body collapsed into embers. Blake spilled out of the fading shell, his burnt torso dragging across the ground. His breaths came harsh, his grin still clinging to his face.
The original Mia walked forward, her glowing blade pointed at his throat. She spoke low, but there was steel in it.
"Mia Park. Remember it. Where is the False King?"
Blake coughed, then laughed, the sound broken but mocking.
Her eyes narrowed, the light of her blade brushing his neck. "You know someone who attacked my father. A fire Miracle user. Tell me where."
"I don't remember killing anyone with a cardholder daughter. Could be anyone with fire. But not as glorious as mine." His eyes shone with fevered pride. "My flame was mine alone."
Mia pressed the tip closer.
Blake's grin twisted. "I did hunt a Park once. Dragged him to my boss. But False King? No. Whoever told you that set you up to aim at the wrong throne." His voice rasped, but his grin never faded. "I only serve one king. The Cosmos King. If you want the fire that ended your father, look for his Solar Flare."
Mia's brows furrowed. Confusion flickered in her eyes. "Solar Flare?"
Blake's gaze slid toward Jack.
"As for you… if you'd just handed me that card, you could've crawled on a little longer. But now? You're in the game. A cardholder. Most die in days." His cracked smile widened. "You'll fit right in."
Mia's blade shook. "Tell me more. Who killed my father—"
Blake ignored her. His eyes locked on Jack until they dulled.
"Congratulations… on winning my card."
Then he stopped breathing.
A black card materialized in the air above his body, glowing faintly white.
Mia reached for it, but the moment her fingers brushed, a sharp jolt of electricity knocked her back. She hissed in pain, eyes wide.
Jack stared. "What was that?"
Her lips pressed thin. "It's true. When a cardholder dies, their Miracle passes on. Your Duplicate beat his. Now it wants you."
Jack swallowed. The glow seemed to tug at him, as if the card itself was calling. He reached out, hesitated, then closed his fingers around it.
The glow died.
A screen lit up before his eyes, the same system from earlier.
[MIRACLE 52: Cardholder Status]
Cards: Duplicate, Blood Flare
Collected: 2/52
Jack exhaled hard, relief loosening his chest. "So… it's over."
His relief ended when Mia lifted her blade again. The point hovered at his chest.
Her eyes flickered with hesitation, her grip trembling. "If I kill you now… your cards are mine. Duplicate. Blood Flare. With them, I'll be strong enough to finish my father's killers."
Jack stepped back, hands up. His voice came sharp, tired, edged with sarcasm. "Wow. Thanks for the gratitude. I distract the maniac, keep you alive, and you decide to stab me. Great teamwork."
Her jaw tightened. Her knuckles whitened.
Before she could act, steel rang. Her sword flew from her grip, knocked aside by the duplicate's strike.
The copy planted herself between Jack and Mia, blade steady. "I won't let you hurt him. He's one of the few in our class who ever treated me kindly. Without asking for anything back."
Mia's eyes went wide. "What are you saying—"
The duplicate glanced at Jack, her voice even. "I'm glad to see you again. You've been gone for days, after the treasury scandal. I hoped you weren't jailed."
Jack's mouth opened, but nothing came. Someone actually cares for me?
Mia flushed red, fury twisting her face. "Why would you—why are you blurting that out?"
She lunged for her sword, but before her fingers touched it, the blade dissolved into light. She stumbled forward, falling to her knees.
The duplicate's own blade gleamed, steady in her grip. "Fencer's one hour is done. I'll eliminate you, to keep Jack safe."
Jack moved fast, voice sharp. "Stop. I don't understand half of this, but I'm not letting you kill her. She's not my enemy."
The duplicate's eyes flickered, but she did not lower her weapon.
Jack's voice dropped, raw but steady. "Mia. My father was killed too. Gangs. I know what it's like. To lose your family. To be kicked down. To have nothing left."
He swallowed hard. "I get it. I won't fight you for wanting revenge. But I won't let you throw yourself away either."
The real Mia froze. Her breath caught. Her eyes softened, the fight bleeding out of her. She opened her mouth to speak.
Before she could, arms wrapped around Jack's waist. The duplicate hugged him from behind. Her voice was quiet, trembling. "You're kind. I'm glad you're here."
Jack stiffened. His face burned.
Mia's mouth fell open. Her eyes blazed. "What are you doing?!"
The duplicate blinked. "I don't know. I'm your duplicate."
Her legs suddenly buckled. She collapsed forward.
Jack caught her in his arms.
Her voice was faint. "That last strike… Star Slash Alpha… drained almost all of my life force. I'll fade now." She turned her head toward Mia. "Take care of him. And practice. You're strong."
Then her body broke into light.
Jack's system screen flickered again.
[MIRACLE 52 Update: Duplicate active time remaining — 00:37:00. Original item destroyed.]
Jack stared at the text, his head spinning. "Thirty-seven minutes left? For… another object?"
"Yes."
His voice cracked with disbelief. "Great. More rules."
He looked up. People were heading toward the park. Sirens wailed faintly in the distance.
"We need to go." He grabbed Mia's arm, tried to pull her up. "Truce. You're powerless. I still have Duplicate."
Mia hesitated, then nodded. Her voice was quiet. "Fine. Truce."
He tried to help her walk, but she pulled her tattered uniform tighter, cheeks flushing. Burn marks cut through most of it.
Jack exhaled. "Duplicate. My jacket."
A second jacket flickered into his hands. He draped it over her shoulders.
She muttered thanks, and they walked together, staggering with every step.
As they crossed into the shadows, Mia's voice came soft. "That fake Mia earlier, she was right. I'm… glad to see you again."
Jack glanced at her, then away. "Yeah. Me too."
Her hand tightened on the jacket. She lifted her eyes, steady now, her voice carrying sudden confidence. "But don't forget. If killing you makes me stronger, I won't hesitate."
Jack gave a bitter laugh. "That's comforting."
Mia's gaze didn't waver. "Welcome to the Miracle Death Game, Jack."