THE STEP OF SOFI

After witnessing everything, Sofi collapsed, gasping.

"What nonsense…"

She lay there, breathless, her heart throbbing with confusion and pain. Her enemy—the one wearing her face—approached with the Sword of Purification.

"My sword…" she murmured.

"And I… barehanded?"

In that instant, her inner self—Sofi's darkest form—swung the blade at short range. Sofi blocked, dodged, and barely escaped each blow, her body rattled from the sheer force.

"So sharp… Just like the old days.

Back when he sat on his throne… watching."

"Of course it's sharp," the shadow mocked.

"After all, I was forged from your memories."

She clenched her teeth and staggered back.

Suddenly, shadows gathered at her feet, tendrils of darkness binding to her ankles.

"Shadow Walk."

The inner self activated the same technique, and both turned into black streaks—two forces crashing against each other like twin beams of annihilation. The speed was inhuman; even blinking could cost your life.

Their movements blurred, their battle became a spectacle of light—until one massive boom cracked the air.

Sofi's body crashed into the earth.

Blood spilled from her limbs. Time slowed.

The figure above laughed coldly.

"Pathetic. And yet… you begged me to let you reincarnate?"

"You talk like you gave me something," Sofi groaned, trying to lift herself.

"I have the Sword of Purification. And I came here barehanded."

The inner self laughed louder.

"Oh please. Don't tell me you still haven't figured out the ring. Useless gift, isn't it?"

Sofi's hand trembled, but she said nothing. Her mind raced.

No… I never unlocked it. I don't even know how.

"A worthless gift for someone who never earned hardship. Everything you ever wanted was handed to you, wasn't it?"

Sofi's eyes narrowed.

"That's not true."

"Isn't it? Were you not born into strength? Born with a sword-bonded body and boundless resources?"

Suddenly, a memory surged.

She stood over a boy, sword drawn, blood dripping.

"Just give up," she'd said.

"You can't defeat me."

The boy coughed and replied,

"What are you so proud of? You were born into privilege. You have less experience, less knowledge—and still think you're better than me?"

"I still beat you," she'd said back then.

But now, in this moment, the truth burned.

The boy had been bloodied, bones broken, fingers cut, teeth shattered—and yet he still stood his ground.

"If I lost," he'd said, "it's because I was just a commoner. You were high-class. Born with it all. If I had what you had… we'd see who'd win."

Now, Sofi's hand trembled.

"Maybe I was chosen by fate… but that doesn't mean I never worked.

I've bled. I've trained. Just like you."

As the shadows clung to her body again, Sofi activated Shadow Walk. Her dark form did the same. They clashed—black beams becoming blades, movements like a violent storm. But this time, they weren't equals.

Then it happened.

Her hand—her real hand—flew off, landing at her feet. A tail-like appendage followed, aimed straight at her chest. It slammed into her, sending her flying across the field, her body skidding violently.

Before she could react, the severed hand of her inner form regenerated—and took shape as another Sofi.

Now two shadows attacked her together.

She dodged one, only to feel a sword tear through her back—splitting through her spine and pinning her to the ground.

It wasn't the new shadow.

It was the severed part of her old form.

Blood pooled. Her body trembled.

"What… is happening…

Why is everything going dark…"

Then—

A voice.

Soft. Innocent. From a small girl, her eyes blue, hair glowing crimson-red, dressed in pure black.

She sat before Sofi.

"Who… are you?"

The girl tilted her head.

"That's a hard question. But for now, let's say… I'm the one who can save you."

"You won't help me for free."

"Clever girl," the child smiled.

A boom shook the battlefield.

Suddenly, blinding purple light ripped through the air, incinerating both Inner Forms in a flash of fire.

One form barely dodged.

As the smoke cleared, Sofi stood—her body glowing, steam rising from her skin. In her grip was a scythe made of black fire.

She didn't know how she was still standing. She didn't even know what this weapon was.

Only that the ring had responded.

It heard me. It protected me… even when I didn't deserve it.

"If you want my help," the girl had said,

"Make a soul contract. Grant me shelter even after you reincarnate."

"And if I need strength…"

"Then you'll offer a piece of your soul."

"Fine," Sofi had said, smiling through her pain.

"If you can save me now—I accept everything."

A slow clap echoed.

A man stepped forth, draped in radiant black. Space bowed before him. The heat, the silence—it all bent around his presence.

Sofi's body stilled.

She had never seen him before, but his voice—that was the one from deep inside the trial.

"Impressive," the man said.

"No one has passed my trial in eons."

"You… you gave this trial?"

He nodded.

"I am the Arbiter. The one who tests the souls of the deserving.

You may call me… Ket."

Sofi bowed, breath still heavy.

"I didn't win because I was strong.

I won because I had to."

Ket nodded with approval.

"You conquered your Inner Form. You survived with the ring's help.

But its true power is still locked.

And now—your choice."

"Return to your old world without memory, or be reborn in a new one.

A realm without cultivation. A place of forgotten magic."

"But what if… I meet someone from my past?"

"Then be ready," Ket said.

"You may encounter the Son of Destiny… or the Son of Chaos. Or both."

Sofi didn't hesitate.

"I choose the new world.

I won't live another life empty of truth."

Ket raised a hand. Four flames danced on his palm.

"Then take these.

Flame of Creation. Flame of Purification. Flame of Destruction. And Flame of Corruption."

The flames sank into Sofi's heart—her body shimmering.

From the shadows, a woman stepped forward and knelt.

"Solmira," Ket said.

"Ensure Sofi's reincarnation is flawless."

"Yes, Supreme."

The light swirled, lifting Sofi into the air.

Solmira whispered to herself with a quiet smile—

"As expected… Good job, Sofi."

And then—

She was gone.