NOVEL WEB Chapter 34: Shadow Against Flame
"Your greatest enemy is the version of you that gave up."
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📍 Ember Chain – Trial Grounds, Core Arena
The circle blazed to life with flames of memory and rejection. Kael stood, weapon in hand, heart pounding.
Across from him, the Corrupted Echo—a twisted reflection of himself—grinned with hollow eyes. Its body radiated shadow mana laced with crimson veins of Arconte corruption.
Same face. Same voice.
But utterly wrong.
"You think you're in control?" the Echo rasped. "You don't even know what you've become."
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đź“Ť Trial Status
> Combat Type: Duality Test
Target: Corrupted Self [System-Bound / Arconte-Touched]
Condition: Victory within 10 minutes
Penalty: Core Fracture
Bonus: Inner Flame Awakening
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The Echo charged—faster than expected.
Kael barely brought up the Emberblade in time, sparks flying. The impact knocked him back, skidding across the scorched stone.
> [System: Instability Detected]
[System: Memory Feedback Engaged]
The Echo split into three shadows, each carrying a different phase of Kael's past:
— the powerless boy from Juren.
— the ruthless survivor of the dungeon.
— and the cold executor he's becoming.
They attacked in unison.
Kael parried one, dodged another, but the third struck his shoulder hard, sending blood spraying.
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📍 Inner Realm – Flashback Pulse
In a blink, Kael saw his younger self curled behind a wall, trembling, as his sister cried in hunger.
"No one saved us," the past Kael whispered. "Why are you trying to save anyone now?"
Kael roared back in the present. "Because I can now!"
He unleashed a horizontal arc with the Emberblade—flames cutting through one shadow completely.
It screamed, vanishing into sparks.
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The remaining two shadows fused back into the Echo.
This time, it held Nullfang—but corrupted. Black energy oozed from its edge.
"Your strength was never yours," the Echo growled. "It was given to you by the same system you now defy."
Kael steadied his breath.
"And I'll use that strength… to destroy everything they built."
They clashed again—flame against void.
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Kael dropped to one knee, panting. His blade cracked from overuse. The Echo loomed above him.
"You'll never be free."
Then Kael's hand ignited—not with system-given power, but with something deeper.
His will.
His rage.
His choice.
He caught the corrupted blade bare-handed—flesh burning—and screamed as he drove his Emberblade straight through the Echo's chest.
> [Trial Complete]
[Duality Balanced – Ember Insight Achieved]
[New Title Unlocked: Flame of the Broken Chain]
The Echo shattered—pieces of shadow dispersing into the fire.
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📍 Aftermath – Sanctuary Balcony
Kael emerged from the arena, steam rising from his body. Rhaz stood waiting.
"You faced the worst of yourself," he said. "And you won."
Kael shook his head. "No… I understood it. That's enough for now."
Behind them, the brazier pulsed—brighter than ever.
And somewhere far away… Vel'Zhara shivered.
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