CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: The Shadow of Wrath
The first night in the northern wilderness was silent except for the distant howls of beasts and the occasional rustle of the wind. JC sat cross-legged near a small, flickering fire. His red eyes glowed faintly in the dim light as he opened the system window hovering before him.
The system displayed his current stats, abilities, and quests. Among the active quests, one stood out:
Quest: The Logia Family Shadow
Objective: Unlock the Mark of the Seven Deadly Sins: Wrath
Reward: Mastery over Wrath's Power and Access to the Shadow Arts of the Logia Family
Warning: Completion requires mastery of both body and mind. Failure may result in death.
JC's gaze lingered on the details. He had heard stories of the Marks of the Seven Deadly Sins, said to be gifts from an ancient entity, each mark granting unparalleled power at the cost of great personal trials. Wrath, the mark tied to the Logia family, was known for its destructive force and uncontrollable nature.
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The Start of the Training
JC stood, the fire casting long shadows across his face. He unsheathed his sword and gripped it tightly, feeling the familiar weight in his hands. The system window pulsed, prompting him to begin.
"Training Protocol Activated: Wrath's Trial, Phase One."
A surge of energy enveloped him, pulling him into a simulated battlefield created by the system. The snowy wilderness faded, replaced by a barren, charred wasteland under a blood-red sky.
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Phase One: The Trial of Endurance
Before him stood a massive beast, its body cloaked in black flames and its eyes glowing like molten lava. The system identified it as:
Trial Beast: Emberclaw Wraith
Rank: A+
The wraith roared, its fiery claws slashing through the air as it charged at JC. He barely had time to react, dodging the first strike and countering with a swing of his sword. Sparks flew as blade met flame.
The trial wasn't about defeating the beast outright; it was a test of endurance. The system's voice echoed in his mind:
"Wrath feeds on struggle. Endure its fury without succumbing to rage."
Each attack pushed JC closer to his limits, his muscles straining and his mind battling the urge to give in to frustration. The beast's relentless assault was a mirror of the wrath he was meant to control.
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Phase Two: The Trial of Clarity
After what felt like hours, the beast vanished, leaving JC alone in the wasteland. The system chimed again:
"Phase One Complete. Proceeding to Phase Two: The Trial of Clarity."
The wasteland shifted, transforming into a vision of JC's past. He stood in the middle of a familiar battlefield, surrounded by the faces of fallen comrades. The scene replayed one of his most painful memories—an ambush that had left him the only survivor.
Wrath stirred within him, threatening to consume him. The system's voice cut through the memory:
"Wrath clouds the mind. Mastery lies in understanding, not vengeance."
JC clenched his fists, his breathing steady as he forced himself to confront the pain without giving in to anger.
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Wrath's Mark
When the vision faded, the system window reappeared, displaying a new message:
"Phase Two Complete. The Mark of Wrath is now yours to wield."
A searing pain shot through JC's chest as a fiery symbol burned itself into his skin—a crimson sigil shaped like a coiled serpent, glowing with an otherworldly light. He could feel the power coursing through him, wild and untamed but within his grasp.
As the simulation ended, JC found himself back in the northern wilderness. The fire had dwindled to embers, but he stood taller, his expression calm and resolute.
"This is just the beginning," he muttered, his hand brushing against the still-warm mark on his chest.
With the power of Wrath now at his disposal, JC was ready to continue his training. The path ahead would only grow more dangerous, but he had taken his first step toward unlocking the full potential of the Logia family's shadow.