> [Time Remaining: 11 hours 32 minutes]

The Trial Gate had yet to open, but his blood pulsed with anticipation—like something ancient was stirring beneath his skin.

He turned his gaze downward to the lit window of their apartment.

Inside, Natsuki moved across the living room, organizing her school bag, humming to herself. Carefree. Normal.

Jace sighed and headed down.

---

She turned as he opened the door.

“Hey, you’re back!” she said brightly. “Dinner’s still warm—Mom’s old recipe, remember?”

Jace smiled faintly. “Smells amazing. But I gotta talk to you.”

Natsuki blinked, sensing the shift in his tone. “What’s up?”

“I’m… going to be gone for a while,” Jace said. “Just a day or two. Some... important hunter business came up.”

She frowned. “Is it dangerous?”

He hesitated. “I don’t know yet.”

Natsuki walked up and grabbed his wrist. “You better not get yourself killed. You promised me you’d come back every time.”

Jace gave a tired laugh. “Yeah. I remember.”

They stood there for a moment—silent, steady.

Then Natsuki nodded and gave him a small salute. “Then go do whatever insane thing you have to do, big bro. Just… don’t die.”

---

That night, after she had gone to bed, Jace returned to the rooftop, gear packed, blades sharpened, cloak secured.

And then—

it appeared.

The air split like torn fabric.

A vortex of swirling crimson and black opened before him—a Gate unlike any other he’d seen. No visible dungeon. No monsters. Just pulsing energy… and a pull that felt personal.

> [Trial Gate: Reforging the Bloodline – Active] Requirement: Solo Entry Danger: Unknown Completion: Required for Echoborne Class

Jace took a breath.

“No turning back now.”

He stepped forward—

And the world folded around him.

---

The inside of the Gate was pure madness.

He stood in a space that bent in on itself—sky and ground mirrored endlessly, floating ruins suspended in red mist. There was no up or down. Just the throne.

Far ahead, a ruined seat of power sat alone—darkened, cracked, but somehow... waiting.

Then a voice echoed through the dimension.

“So you dare to claim what is mine?”

From the mist, a clone of Jace stepped forward—but not as he was. This version wore black armor etched with ancient runes. His eyes burned red. His aura was pure destruction.

> [Trial Opponent: Monarch Echo – Rampage Form]

“Come,” the echo said, raising its weapon. “Let’s see if you’re worthy of my bloodline.”

Jace drew his daggers. The ground shook. Power buzzed in the air.

“No more running,” he muttered. “Let’s finish this.”

And then they clashed.

---