Jin-Seong stood before the Blade of the Fallen, his pulse quickening as the air around him seemed to hum with an unseen force. His eyes were locked on the sword, its dark, shimmering surface almost hypnotic. The cavern felt colder now, the ancient symbols carved into the ground glowing faintly, as if the very cave itself was alive.

"This blade," the rogue warrior began, his voice deep and low, "is unlike anything you've ever known. It's powerful, but it comes with a cost. Only those with the strength to carry the burden may wield it."

Jin-Seong tore his gaze away from the sword to look at the man. "What kind of cost?"

The warrior's eyes were hard, his jaw set. "The blade tests you. Not just your body, but your mind, your soul. It will take from you as much as it gives, and if you're not careful… it will consume you."

So-Ra stepped forward, her hand resting lightly on Jin-Seong's arm. "Are you sure about this? We've heard stories of cursed weapons. This could be dangerous."

Jin-Seong felt the weight of her concern, but something about the Blade of the Fallen called to him. It was as if the sword recognized him, as if it had been waiting for him.

"I can feel it," Jin-Seong said softly, more to himself than the others. "This sword is tied to our fight. If we're going to stand a chance against the Hero Council, we need every advantage we can get."

The warrior crossed his arms, studying Jin-Seong. "If you believe you're ready, then step forward. But know this—the blade will not let you go once you've touched it. It's a bond for life."

Jin-Seong hesitated for only a moment before stepping toward the altar. The air seemed to thicken around him, the hum of the blade growing louder in his ears. He could feel every heartbeat, every breath, as he reached out, his fingers trembling as they neared the hilt of the sword.

The moment his hand touched the hilt, a wave of cold energy surged through him. His vision blurred, and suddenly, he wasn't standing in the cave anymore. He was somewhere else, a vast, dark expanse stretching endlessly around him. Above, the sky was filled with swirling black clouds, and beneath him, the ground was cracked and barren.

In the distance, figures emerged from the darkness—warriors clad in broken armor, their faces obscured by shadows. Jin-Seong's chest tightened as they moved toward him, their eyes glowing faintly. Each step they took echoed in the silence, like the beating of a war drum.

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"Who are you?" Jin-Seong demanded, gripping the hilt of the sword tightly.

The figures didn't answer. Instead, they raised their weapons, and in an instant, they charged. Jin-Seong's instincts took over, and he swung the Blade of the Fallen, the dark steel cutting through the air with a sound like thunder. The first warrior fell, but another took his place, and then another.

The battle raged on, each swing of the sword sending shivers down Jin-Seong's spine. The weight of the blade was immense, but it moved with him, its power flowing through his veins like ice.

Yet with every enemy he cut down, the sense of dread grew stronger. These warriors—they weren't real. They were memories, phantoms of battles long past, and each one he struck down seemed to drain him, pulling something from within him.

"Jin-Seong!"

A voice broke through the fog of battle, and Jin-Seong blinked, the vision fading. He was back in the cave, his chest heaving as he gripped the sword, his knuckles white. So-Ra stood beside him, her eyes wide with concern.

"You were gone," she said, her voice unsteady. "You just… froze."

Jin-Seong released the sword, stumbling back as the cold energy ebbed away. He felt weak, as though the fight had drained him more than any physical battle ever had.

The rogue warrior stepped forward, his gaze intense. "That was just the beginning. The blade tests you every time you wield it. If you can't control it, it will control you."

Jin-Seong nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. He could still feel the weight of the sword's power lingering in his bones, but despite the toll it had taken on him, he knew that this weapon was a key to their survival.

"I can handle it," Jin-Seong said, more to himself than to the others. "This sword… it's powerful, but I can feel its purpose."

So-Ra looked at him, her worry clear. "You don't have to do this alone, Jin-Seong. We're in this together."

He turned to her, offering a small, tired smile. "I know. But this is something I have to carry. For all of us."

The rogue warrior nodded approvingly. "You've taken the first step. But the real test is yet to come. The Hero Council won't sit idly by once they hear about this sword. They'll come for you, and when they do, you need to be ready."

Joon stepped up, clapping a hand on Jin-Seong's shoulder. "Then we'll train. We'll get stronger. No more running, no more hiding."

Lily, her wooden sword now strapped to her back, grinned. "We've already come this far. What's a little more danger?"

The rogue warrior's expression softened, though only slightly. "You've got heart, I'll give you that. But heart alone won't win this war. You'll need to learn how to wield that blade properly, and I'll teach you. But know this—there's no turning back now."

Jin-Seong tightened his grip on the hilt of the Blade of the Fallen, the cold steel pressing into his palm. "I've made my choice. We're ready."

The warrior smiled, a rare expression for him. "Then your training begins now. Welcome to the real fight.