Reincarnated as a Wandering Swordsman in a World of Magic and Murim

The master's smirk vanished as he stood, his presence radiating an intensity that made Ren's breath hitch. Without a word, he thrust a hand forward, sending a surge of Soulfire hurtling toward Ren. Instinct took over, and Ren barely managed to parry, the force sending him staggering backward.

"Hesitation is death," the master said coldly. "You do not learn Soulfire. You become it."

Ren gritted his teeth and steadied his stance. He had expected rigorous training, but he hadn't expected it to begin without warning. The master was testing him, pushing him beyond the limits he thought he had.

For days, Ren was subjected to relentless trials. He was forced to meditate under freezing waterfalls, his body numbing as he tried to channel his Soulfire without allowing it to consume him. At night, he was made to fight shadow-like figures conjured by the master, creatures that moved faster than his eyes could track. His exhaustion grew, yet failure was not an option.

One evening, after barely managing to hold his own against a new set of spectral enemies, the master approached him. "Your flames are weak because you hold onto doubt," he said, his tone softer but firm. "What is it that shackles you, boy? What fear burns inside you?"

Ren's thoughts raced. The memory of his past life, his regrets, and the looming uncertainty of his place in this world all threatened to surface. But there was something else—something deeper. A fear of losing control, of being consumed by the very power he sought to master.

The master's gaze pierced through him. "Face it, or it will consume you."

That night, Ren found himself standing at the edge of a great abyss within his own mind. The shadows whispered, tempting him to surrender, to let go of reason and be swallowed by his power. He clenched his fists, heart pounding. He had come too far to let fear define him.

With newfound resolve, he stepped forward, plunging into the abyss.