Reichi didn't sleep well that night. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Erina's face—not the kind one he loved, but the one that laughed as he fell into the abyss. His heart pounded against his ribs like a trapped animal.
When dawn broke, Akane was already standing over him, her crimson eyes glowing in the dim light of the sanctuary.
"Get up, human," she commanded, her voice cold as steel. "The world doesn't wait for the weak to stop crying."
Reichi scrambled to his feet. His body still ached, but the fire in his chest was hotter than the pain. Eriza stood nearby, watching with a worried expression, but she didn't interfere. She knew Akane was right.
"You awakened Fire yesterday," Akane said, leading him to a clearing filled with jagged, obsidian rocks. "But fire is just a tool. To kill a Prince, you need more than a tool. You need Aura—the manifestation of your soul's weight."
Suddenly, Akane released a tiny fraction of her own power. The air around Reichi turned heavy, like he was suddenly underwater. His knees buckled, and he gasped for breath.
"This is Aura Pressure," Akane smirked. "Now, show me yours. Imagine your hatred. Imagine the moment the light turned into darkness. Push that feeling out of your body!"
Reichi closed his eyes. He remembered the cold air of the pit. He remembered Prince Kael's golden boot on his chest. 'Weak... useless... sacrifice...' The words echoed in his mind.
"I... am... NOT... WEAK!" Reichi roared.
[System Notification: Latent Skill Triggered - Aura Pressure (Rank E)] [Condition: Extreme Emotional Distress & Soul Resonance]
Suddenly, a shockwave erupted from Reichi. It wasn't golden like a normal hero's; it was a dark, suffocating violet tinged with gold. The ground beneath his feet cracked, and the nearby obsidian rocks shattered into dust.
Akane's eyes widened. She actually had to take a step back to steady herself. "This pressure... it's not human."
[System Notification: Skill 'Aura Pressure' Level Up!] [Hidden Passive Unlocked: Intimidation of the Betrayed] [Current Level: 6]
Reichi stood in the center of the crater, his breath coming in heavy gasps. His eyes, once soft and kind, now held a terrifying, sharp glint.
Eriza stepped forward, her voice soft. "You did it, Reichi. But remember, the more you use this power, the more it consumes your humanity. Are you ready for that?"
Reichi looked at his hands, still trembling with dark energy. "My humanity died in that pit, Eriza. Now, there is only the debt I have to pay."
[System Notification: Quest 'The Dragon's Trial (Part 1)' Completed!] [Rewards: 500 XP, 100 Gold, New Skill: Shadow-Step (Rank F)] [Level Up! You are now Level 7]