Chains of Fate

Their swords clashed, sparks exploding across the void. Jin-Won felt the entity's power threatening to consume him—it wasn't just physical strength, but something deeper, as if the darkness was trying to invade his very soul.

"Can you feel it?" the entity whispered, shoving Jin-Won backward. "This isn't just a battle… this is the truth you've been running from."

Jin-Won staggered, gasping for breath, but he wasn't alone.

"It doesn't matter how strong you are," Hori interrupted, charging at the entity with his glowing sword. "If you think we'll back down, you're dead wrong!"

The clash of steel rang out again, but the entity deflected the attack with ease, countering with a blow that sent Hori tumbling across the reflective surface.

"Hori!" Jin-Won shouted, but he had no time to help—his opponent was already upon him again.

Then, a piercing scream cut through the void.

"Stop!"

Everyone froze.

It was Si-Yeon. But she no longer looked weak.

The eerie glow in her eyes dimmed, and the chains binding her trembled, as if on the verge of breaking.

She turned her gaze directly to Jin-Won, and in that moment, something in her expression made him realize the truth.

This wasn't just a fight to save her—it was a fight to decide her fate.

But before he could take a step toward her, the entity raised its hand, and the darkness surged.

"Oh, no… I won't allow that."

A wave of shadows erupted, swallowing everything in endless black.

Then, the world shattered.

—To be continued…