Bab 19: Chapter 19: Dark Revelations
Jin's eyes narrowed as he gazed out at the chaotic landscape unfolding before him. The temporal instability caused by Chrono Annihilation had set off a chain reaction, drawing parallel universes together.
"Merging realities," Jin muttered to himself.
Ash, his loyal minion, bowed slightly. "Yes, master. The instability is causing parallel universes to converge."
Yoon-Ah's eyes sparkled with determination. "This means we have a chance to rescue Joon-Oh."
Ji-Hoon's brow furrowed. "But what does this mean for us? What kind of dangers are we facing?"
Jin's expression turned grim. "Unstable realities mean unpredictable dangers. We'll need to be cautious."
As they ventured deeper into the merging realities, the group encountered bizarre creatures and alternate versions of familiar faces. Glimpses of Joon-Oh flickered at the edges of their perception, only to vanish.
"Joon-Oh!" Jin shouted, his voice echoing through the shifting landscapes.
But the visions disappeared, leaving Jin more determined than ever.
"We're close," Jin said. "Keep moving."
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. Jin's instincts went on high alert.
"Welcome, Jin," the figure said, its voice eerily familiar. "I've been waiting."
Jin's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"
"A version of yourself," the figure replied, its smile twisted. "From a reality where you failed."
Jin's grip on his sword tightened. "What do you want?"
"To warn you," the figure said, its voice dripping with malice. "Of the costs of playing with time."
The figure vanished, leaving Jin to ponder its words.
"Ash, scout ahead," Jin ordered, his voice low.
Ash nodded, disappearing into the shadows.
Yoon-Ah turned to Jin. "I think we're getting close. A reality shift is happening."
The group prepared for the unknown, their senses on high alert.
As they stepped into the shifting reality, Jin felt the fabric of time itself begin to unravel.
As Jin stepped into the shifting reality, the world around him dissolved into chaos. Landscapes blurred, colors swirled, and time itself seemed to bend and warp.
"Master, be careful!" Ash shouted, reappearing at Jin's side.
"I know," Jin replied, his eyes scanning the turmoil.
Yoon-Ah grasped Jin's arm. "What's happening?"
"The reality shift is intensifying," Ji-Hoon said, his voice strained.
Suddenly, a figure materialized before them.
"Welcome, Jin," the figure said, its voice like a gentle breeze.
"Who are you?" Jin demanded.
"I am the Guardian of Realities," the figure replied.
"And you, Jin, are a threat to the fabric of time."
Jin's eyes narrowed. "I'm trying to rescue Joon-Oh."
The Guardian's smile was enigmatic. "Joon-Oh's fate is tied to the balance of realities."
"Balance?" Yoon-Ah repeated.
"The merging realities must be stabilized," the Guardian explained.
"Or the consequences will be catastrophic."
Ji-Hoon's eyes widened. "What consequences?"
"Realities will collapse," the Guardian said.
"Causing untold destruction."
Jin's grip on his sword tightened. "I won't let that happen."
The Guardian nodded. "I sense determination in you, Jin."
"But determination alone is insufficient."
"What do you mean?" Jin asked.
"You must confront your own doubts," the Guardian said.
"And the shadows within yourself."
Jin's expression turned inward.
Could he truly save Joon-Oh?
Or was he doomed to fail?
"Ash, what do you think?" Jin asked.
Ash's voice was steady. "I believe in you, master."
Yoon-Ah and Ji-Hoon nodded in agreement.
The Guardian's smile grew. "Then let us begin."
The Guardian raised its hand.
A portal swirled open.
"Enter," the Guardian said.
"And face your doubts."
Jin steeled himself.
And stepped forward.
Jin turned to Ash, his loyal minion. "Ash, return to my shadow."
Ash bowed. "Yes, master. But are you certain?"
"I must face this alone," Jin said.
Ash nodded, understanding in his eyes. "I'll be ready when you need me."
With a final glance, Ash dissolved into Jin's shadow.
Jin felt a pang of loneliness, but steeled himself.
"Let's do this," Jin said, turning to the Guardian.
The Guardian nodded. "Then enter the portal."
Jin stepped through the swirling gateway.
And into a realm of darkness.
"Welcome to your inner world," a voice whispered.
Jin's eyes adjusted to the shadows.
A figure emerged.
A mirror image of himself.
But twisted, corrupted.
"Meet your shadow self," the figure sneered.
Jin's grip on his sword tightened.
"You're the part of me I've suppressed," Jin said.
The shadow self laughed. "You've tried to hide from me."
"But I've always been here."
"Waiting to consume you."
Jin's eyes blazed. "I won't let that happen."
The shadow self snarled.
"We'll see about that."
The two Jin's clashed.
Swords ringing out.
Shadows swirling.
As they fought.
Jin confronted the doubts he'd hidden.
The fears he'd suppressed.
The darkness within himself.
"Why do you haunt me?" Jin demanded.
"Because you're afraid to face the truth," his shadow self replied.
"What truth?"
"That you're not strong enough."
"That you'll fail Joon-Oh."
Jin's determination burned brighter.
"I won't fail," Jin shouted.
"I'll save Joon-Oh."
The shadow self's laughter echoed.
"We'll see."
The battle raged on.
Jin's inner turmoil intensified.
Jin's sword clashed with his shadow self's, the blades ringing out in a cacophony of steel and darkness. The air thickened with malevolent energy, as if the very fabric of reality was unraveling.
"What are you?" Jin demanded, his voice strained.
"I am the sum of your fears," his shadow self replied.
"The culmination of your doubts."
Jin's eyes widened as his shadow self began to twist.
Contorting into grotesque, inhuman shapes.
"Tentacles of despair," the shadow self whispered.
"Wraiths of failure."
"Eternal darkness."
Jin stumbled back.
Horror etched on his face.
"This can't be," Jin muttered.
"This is what you've hidden from," his shadow self said.
"The abyssal darkness within."
The shadow self's form dissolved.
Reforming into a monstrous, cyclopean entity.
Eyes blazing with malevolent intent.
"Mortal, you dare confront me?" it boomed.
Jin trembled.
Yet stood firm.
"I won't yield," Jin declared.
The entity laughed.
A sound like shattering realities.
"You'll succumb to madness," it said.
"Your mind shattered by the void."
Jin's grip on his sword tightened.
"I'll resist," Jin shouted.
The entity's laughter intensified.
As Jin's vision began to blur.
Colors bleeding into madness.
Reality unraveling.
"You can't resist," the entity whispered.
"The void consumes all."
Jin's thoughts fragmented.
Memories dissolving.
Identity shattering.
"No..." Jin whispered.
"Ash..." Jin called out.
But Ash was gone.
Jin was alone.
In the abyss.
Facing the eldritch horror.
That was his own darkness.
The entity's laughter echoed through Jin's shattered mind.
"Your sanity crumbles," it said.
"Your soul succumbs."
Jin's thoughts fragmented.
Desperation clawed at his consciousness.
"Arise!" Jin shouted.
His Necromancy skill should activate.
Summoning legions of undead.
Turning the tide.
[System Message]
_Error: Necromancy cannot be activated._
_Situational constraints applied._
_Cannot use skills in realm of inner turmoil._
Jin's eyes widened.
"No...this can't be."
The entity's laughter intensified.
"You thought your powers would save you?"
"Here, I am the law."
Jin's mind reeled.
The entity's words struck like a hammer.
"What do you mean?" Jin asked.
"You created this realm," Jin said.
"But what lies beyond?"
The entity's form shifted.
Its cyclopean visage contorted.
"I created the system," it said.
"For something greater."
Jin's curiosity sparked.
"What is it?" Jin asked.
The entity's smile grew.
"You'll discover soon enough."
"In the future."
[System Message]
_Reality Distortion: +50%_
_Sanity Threshold: -20%_
_Caution: Mental instability imminent._
Jin's frustration boiled.
"Tell me!" Jin demanded.
The entity's laughter swelled.
"Patience, mortal."
"Your destiny unfolds."
Suddenly, visions flooded Jin's mind.
Glimpses of an apocalyptic future.
Realities collapsing.
Civilizations burning.
Jin's eyes snapped open.
"What have you done?" Jin whispered.
The entity's voice faded.
"My purpose transcends mortal comprehension."
"Your role will be revealed."
Jin's determination hardened.
"I'll stop you," Jin vowed.
The entity's laughter echoed.
"We'll see."
Jin's determination hardened.
He refused to succumb to madness.
Focusing on his breathing.
Clearing his mind.
A spark within him ignited.
A flame of resolve.
[System Message]
_Sanity Threshold: +10%_
_Reality Distortion: -20%_
_Mental stability regained._
The entity's laughter faltered.
"Impossible," it muttered.
"You shouldn't have escaped."
Jin stood tall.
"I won't be broken," Jin declared.
The entity's form shifted.
Its cyclopean visage contorted.
"You're...different," it said.
"Your will is stronger than I anticipated."
Jin's eyes blazed.
"I'll stop you," Jin vowed.
The entity's smile returned.
"We'll see," it said.
"Your role will be revealed in time."
"Until then, mortal...farewell."
The darkness dissipated.
Jin found himself back in the portal.
The Guardian waited.
"Well done, Jin," the Guardian said.
"You've passed the test."
Jin's confusion deepened.
"What test?" Jin asked.
"The test of self," the Guardian replied.
"You faced your inner demons."
"And emerged victorious."
Jin's thoughts reeled.
"What does this mean?" Jin asked.
The Guardian's smile grew.
"You're one step closer to understanding."
"Your true purpose."
[System Message]
_Experience Points: +1000_
_Skill Points: +5_
_New Skill Unlocked: Mental Fortress._
Jin's eyes widened.
"Mental Fortress?" Jin repeated.
"A skill to shield your mind," the Guardian explained.
"Against external influences."
Jin's determination hardened.
"I'll continue," Jin said.
"To uncover the truth."
The Guardian nodded.
"Then proceed, Jin."
"Your journey awaits."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone