CHAPTER 20 – THE DUNGEON DEEPENS – THE SECOND TRIAL BEGINS

THE DUNGEON DEEPENS – THE SECOND TRIAL BEGINS

Arvan descended.

The spiral led to a void.

No torches. No monsters.

Just a massive mirror—twenty feet high, made of black water that rippled when he stepped near.

A voice boomed from it—not Rāvaṇa's, but something else. Deeper. Older.

"The Second Trial: Know Thyself."

The mirror shimmered—

And Arvan saw himself.

No, not quite.

He saw Rāvaṇa.

Standing in a battlefield, bloodied, wearing black armor sculpted like a demon's hide, a crown of flames upon his head. He held a blade — not a sword, but a glaive, twisted with runes and dripping celestial ichor.

"That's not me…"

"That can't be me…"

Arvan was desperately trying to convince himself that he wasn't what ravana said

But the reflection turned—and smiled.

"Do you know what they called me, Arvan?"

"They called me the Tenth Flame. The Eleventh Head. The War that Would Not End."

"And you… you are my last breath."

The mirror exploded.

Arvan was flung back.

In its place—the glaive.

Hovering. Waiting.

He reached for it—his fingers trembling.

But this time… there was no voice.

Only the silence of a man who had accepted what he'd become.

[Weapon Obtained: Silent Remnant – Soulbound]

[Skill Unlocked: Whispered Requiem]

[WARNING: Class Change Detected – Syncing Core Identity]

The screen glitched again. And this time, it stayed broken.