The wind howled across the rooftops as Kairo sprinted toward the swelling A-Level Gate.
Golden light pulsed in the sky like a second rising sun, throwing long shadows across the city.
Zero kept pace at his side, silent and alert.
The newly-forged Titan-shadow lumbered behind them, each step shaking the metal vents beneath its feet.
The phase-shadow drifted weightlessly above the rooftops like a ghost.
But even with all of them—
Kairo felt the Shadow Crest burning hotter and hotter against his chest.
It wasn't pain.
It was hunger.
The shadows are growing restless…
He gritted his teeth.
Not now.
Not when the city needed him clear-headed.
But the System had other plans.
A blue notification sparked in front of him:
[SHADOW CREST INSTABILITY: 82%]
Human/Shadow Balance compromised.
Initiating Trial of Control.
Location: Inside Host's Mind.
Time: Immediate.
Kairo froze mid-step.
"Wait—what? Not now, I don't have ti—"
The world shattered.
---
Inside the Shadow Realm (Mind Domain)
Darkness swallowed him whole.
Not the calm void he experienced during awakening—
this darkness was alive.
It pulsed around him.
Whispered.
Breathing.
Kairo landed in what looked like an endless black ocean, ripples spreading beneath his feet even though he stood on solid ground.
A familiar voice echoed:
"Master…"
Kairo spun around.
Zero stood before him—
but not as his loyal soldier.
This Zero was enormous, towering like a god, eyes glowing a dangerous crimson instead of soft blue.
The air trembled under his presence.
Kairo stepped back.
"…Zero?"
The giant shadow spoke, voice fractured and deep.
"Not Zero. Not entirely."
Kairo swallowed.
"Then what are you?"
The entity tilted its head.
"A fragment of your power."
"A piece of the Shadow King you have yet to tame."
Kairo's jaw tightened.
"So this is the trial…"
The entity didn't answer.
It simply raised a massive hand—
and the entire Shadow Realm shook violently.
---
The Trial Begins
Without warning, dozens—hundreds—of shadow beasts erupted from the dark ocean, their eyes red and hungry.
Wolf-like forms.
Humanoid forms.
Winged horrors.
Twisted silhouettes of creatures Kairo had killed in the past.
All of them snarling.
All of them watching him.
The giant fragment spoke:
"Your power is growing faster than your will."
"If you cannot command us…"
"…we will command you."
Kairo clenched his fists.
"I'm not losing myself to shadows."
The fragment's voice boomed:
"Prove it."
Every shadow creature lunged at once.
---
The Battle for His Mind
Kairo moved instantly—
shadows gathering around his arms like armor as he dashed forward.
A wolf-beast jumped at him.
He grabbed it midair and slammed it into the ground, dispersing it in black mist.
Two humanoid shadows rushed him from either side—
he swept low, using Night Step to blink behind them, delivering a crushing dual-strike that cracked their bodies apart.
But they kept reforming.
Stronger.
Faster.
More violent.
The giant fragment watched from above, unmoving.
Kairo fought brutally—
Shadow chains shot from his arms.
Dark blades extended from his fists.
Shockwaves erupted from his kicks.
But for every ten he destroyed—
twenty more emerged.
His breath grew ragged.
His muscles screamed.
Whispers filled the air:
"Give in."
"You're not a king."
"You're prey."
Kairo's teeth bared in anger.
"SHUT UP!"
He stomped the ground, releasing a surge of shadow energy that blasted the nearest creatures away.
But the fragment wasn't done.
It raised one colossal arm—
and slammed it into the ground.
The shockwave sent Kairo flying, smashing him across the dark ocean.
He skidded across nothingness, coughing blood.
The fragment spoke coldly:
"You are not ready."
Kairo wiped his mouth.
"Maybe not…"
He pushed himself to his feet.
"…but I'm not backing down."
---
The Turnaround
Kairo closed his eyes.
He inhaled.
He felt every shadow in the realm.
Every creature.
Every whisper.
Every fear.
And beneath all of it—
His will.
His determination.
His refusal to be weak ever again.
He spread his arms wide.
"…I AM THE MASTER HERE."
Shadows roared outward.
The ocean rippled violently.
Every creature froze mid-charge.
Kairo's voice deepened, echoing with Sovereign authority:
"BOW."
The shadows trembled—
and dropped to their knees like a black wave collapsing.
Even the monstrous giant Zero-fragment paused…
then lowered its head slightly.
Just enough to acknowledge him.
Kairo exhaled shakily.
The System chimed:
[TRIAL COMPLETE]
Shadow Crest Stability restored: 93%
New Skill Unlocked:
— Sovereign's Will (Tier 2)
Effect:
Your voice commands all shadow beings within range.
Stronger will = stronger army.
Kairo's heartbeat steadied.
"…Good."
But the giant fragment wasn't finished.
It leaned down—massive face inches from Kairo's.
"You have taken the first step…"
Its crimson eyes burned into him.
"But a king who cannot control himself…
…cannot control the throne."
Then the darkness shattered—
---
Back to Reality
Kairo gasped awake, nearly collapsing onto the rooftop.
Zero caught him gently.
"Master. You were unresponsive for ten seconds."
Kairo wiped sweat from his brow.
"I… did a system trial."
Zero paused.
"And the outcome?"
Kairo's eyes darkened, glowing faintly violet.
"…I'm stronger."
The System chimed again:
[A-LEVEL GATE APPROACHING FULL BREAK]
Time Remaining: 1 hour, 42 minutes
Kairo steadied himself.
Zero looked toward the rising golden energy.
"Master. The Gate awaits."
Kairo cracked his neck, shadow aura swirling around him like storm clouds.
"Then let's finish this trial too."
They sprinted toward the glowing horizon—
the Shadow King and his rising army.