The blinding light that enveloped everything receded, and Zuol-Ki found himself standing on the familiar training grounds once again. His heart pounded in his chest, and he momentarily lost his footing, dizziness washing over him. His gaze met with the expanse of the martial training grounds, exactly as he had first seen it. The sense of deja vu was overwhelming.
He glanced up to see an icon glowing above Jeok-Myung. A transparent, ghostly-blue [+6] that seemed to hover over Jeok-Myung's head.
"What is that?" Zuol-Ki murmured, narrowing his eyes. The number held no significance for him, but it being above Jeok-Myung sparked a wave of curiosity. His gaze shifted between Jeok-Myung and the floating symbol, analyzing, trying to connect the dots. Was this another feature of the system, like the choices he had been given?
As Jeok-Myung approached him, Zuol-Ki noted that he looked exactly as he had in the previous cycle, vibrant and brimming with life. The stark contrast to the Jeok-Myung he had just witnessed at the Red Phoenix Flower's grove sent chills down his spine.
"Greetings, Zuol-Ki," Jeok-Myung said, breaking his train of thought. His voice was as Zuol-Ki remembered it, but something felt different this time around.
"Jeok-Myung," he greeted, his eyes still glued to the glowing [+6]. "I need to ask you something."
Jeok-Myung's eyes widened slightly, taken aback by the sudden seriousness in Zuol-Ki's voice. He nodded for him to continue.
"Do you know anything about a system? A system that gives you choices in critical situations," Zuol-Ki asked, a sense of urgency seeping into his voice. He watched closely as Jeok-Myung's expression morphed from surprise to confusion.
"A system? What are you talking about, Zuol-Ki? I don't understand," Jeok-Myung replied, genuine confusion etched across his features. "Are you feeling alright?"
A pit formed in Zuol-Ki's stomach, realizing the strange reality he was now a part of. Was he the only one experiencing this? Was he alone?
The ringing of the gong signaling the start of their daily training echoed in the distance, pulling Zuol-Ki from his spiraling thoughts. He glanced once more at the [+6] above Jeok-Myung's head, his mind brimming with more questions than answers.
As they began to spar, Zuol-Ki couldn't help but replay the previous cycle's events in his mind. Would things play out the same way, or was it possible to alter the course of this cycle?
Before Zuol-Ki could respond to Jeok-Myung, the door to the training hall slid open with an abrupt, scraping sound. A messenger, beads of sweat tracing a path down his nervous face, stepped inside, his eyes flicking between the two men. "Zuol-Ki, Jeok-Myung, the second strategist calls upon you," he declared, his voice laced with an urgency that seemed to permeate the room.
The messenger hastily retreated, the door closing behind him with a thud that seemed to echo through the silent hall. Before the sound could die away, the now-familiar ethereal screen materialized before Zuol-Ki.
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Proceed immediately to the second strategist]
▶ [Insist on finishing your training before meeting the strategist]
▶ [Confront Jeok-Myung here and now about your trust issues]
Time seemed to freeze as Zuol-Ki weighed his options. He chose the first:
▶ [Proceed immediately to the second strategist]
He remembered the events of his previous run - everything hinged on the strategist's orders.
Stepping into the strategist's chambers, Zuol-Ki was instantly struck by the shift in the room's aura. The strategist's demeanor was completely changed from the previous time. His gaze was cold, ruthless, and his aura was one of supreme confidence - a man who held the reins of life and death without any hesitation.
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"Your task," the Strategist began, his voice devoid of any emotion, "is to infiltrate their stronghold. We believe they hold a crucial artifact that could turn the tide of the war in our favor."
Before he could voice out his thoughts, the ethereal screen materialized once again in front of his eyes, bearing three new choices.
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Accept the mission]
▶ [Refuse the mission]
▶ [Challenge the Strategist to a duel]
Zuol-Ki didn't hesitate. His decision was clear.
▶ [Accept the mission]
The strategist's quarters dissolved into a memory as Zuol-Ki stepped out, his mind heavy with thoughts. A mission laid before him, yet time still held him within its grip, allowing him moments of peace before the storm. Encased in the bustling life of the sect, he wandered aimlessly, taking in the familiar sights with a newfound perspective.
The sect was alive, pulsing with an energy that seemed more vibrant, more intense this time around. Disciples flitted to and fro, their laughter a melody against the backdrop of the sect's tranquil aura. The sun splashed its molten gold on the expanse of the sect, turning the place into a surreal landscape, beautiful yet haunting in its familiarity.
Venturing deeper into the sect, a tingling sensation gripped him. An uncanny energy seemed to pull at his senses, something he hadn't perceived in his previous existence. As he was about to explore further, an ethereal screen emerged before him, its bright characters piercing the tranquility around him.
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Investigate the strange energy]
▶ [Ignore it and prepare for the mission]
▶ [Seek help from Jeok-Myung]
Zuol-Ki hesitated for a moment before finally selecting the first option:
▶ [Investigate the strange energy]
He scoffed at the thought of seeking Jeok-Myung's assistance, "That's the last thing I'll do. Twice a traitor, always a traitor," he murmured to himself.
With renewed determination, Zuol-Ki walked towards the strange energy, his senses heightened. As he got closer, he noticed an eerie silence replacing the cacophony of the sect. An ancient courtyard lay ahead, seemingly abandoned and forgotten. The vines climbing the surrounding walls were a testament to its age and abandonment, but there was an undeniable allure to it.
Standing in front of a moss-covered statue, he noticed a peculiar carving – a phoenix in flames, identical to the symbol of his sect. He reached out, tracing the carving with his fingertips. Suddenly, a blinding light erupted from the statue, casting long, dancing shadows across the courtyard. A surge of energy rushed through him, threatening to overpower his senses.
Startled, he jumped back, eyes wide with surprise. A voice rang out, shattering the silence that had taken hold of the courtyard. "Who dares disturb the sanctuary of the Phoenix?" it boomed, reverberating off the ancient walls.
Zuol-Ki stood his ground, mustering the courage to respond. "I am Zuol-Ki, a warrior of the Crimson Phoenix Sect," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I meant no disrespect. I was merely..."
Before he could finish, the voice interrupted. "A warrior, you say? The Phoenix has not chosen a warrior in many cycles. And yet, here you stand," it said, its tone softer now, but still full of intrigue.
An ethereal screen appeared before Zuol-Ki, interrupting his thoughts. The choices glowed with an intensity he had not seen before.
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Accept the trial of the Phoenix]
▶ [Decline and leave]
▶ [Demand answers from the voice]
"Ah, a random statue giving me an unknown trial, it sounds totally trustable... ahhhh, can't believe I'm doing this.."
▶ [Accept the trial of the Phoenix].
The courtyard seemed to pulsate in response, the energy intensifying as if echoing his choice.
Suddenly, a blazing inferno erupted from the Phoenix statue, the flames twisting and writhing like living creatures. Heat waves radiated from the source, almost blinding him with their intensity. The voice echoed once more, "The trial begins now. Embrace the flame of the Phoenix or perish in its wrath."
Before he could react, a fiery surge charged towards him. His instincts screamed to dodge, but his body froze. The flames engulfed him, searing pain tearing through his body. He could feel his consciousness slipping away, his vision blurring as the inferno consumed him. His last thought was a desperate hope that this was all part of the trial, a test of his endurance and resilience.
But it wasn't. His world plunged into darkness as the pain overwhelmed him. His screams echoed around the courtyard before they were silenced by the ruthless flame. His body collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
His vision went black and he thought it was the end. Yet, a familiar voice echoed in the darkness, breaking through the silent abyss.
"[You have died.]"
"[Life Coin spent]"
"[Restarting...]"
Once again, he woke up at the beginning of everything, lying on the cold stone floor of the training hall. The taste of defeat was still fresh, "Ah shit, this didn't go to plan... At least now I think I know what the [+6] is all about..."