> [Warning: Opponent Power Level exceeds user by 120%]

[Note: Victory Possible. Difficulty: Absurd.]

Jace coughed, blood on his lip. “Absurd’s my middle name.”

The Echo—his darker self—stood calmly. “Your instincts are sluggish. Your strength is insufficient.”

He vanished.

BOOM!

Jace was caught in the side by a blurred punch that cracked his ribs. He gasped, spinning midair, barely able to land on his feet before—

SLASH!

The echo's blade grazed his cheek. Cold, almost surgical. Toying with him.

Jace staggered.

> [Health: 42%]

[Fatigue: Rising]

[Danger: Critical]

“Not done yet,” he growled, drawing deep from within.

Then—

> [Skill Unlocked: Adrenal Boost]

Temporary strength and speed increase when under 50% HP. Duration: 60 seconds.

The world snapped into sharper focus.

Jace moved.

He ducked a strike and countered with a vicious spin-kick, catching the Echo off guard. Sparks flew from their blades as they clashed again—this time, evenly.

“You’re improving,” the Echo hissed. “But you’re still beneath me.”

Their blades danced like lightning. Each strike from the Echo could kill. Jace had to survive with instinct and grit. The echo was faster, stronger—but not smarter.

> [Skill Activated: Analysis Intel (A-Rank) — Level 2]

Jace’s eyes narrowed. “Your openings are showing.”

He baited a swing and sidestepped, slicing deep into the clone’s side. The Echo stumbled.

Jace flipped back, panting.

> [Bonus: EXP Gained – 7,500]

[Level Up! x3]

[Stats Increased]

He grinned through the blood.

“You feel that?” he said. “I’m catching up.”

> [System Notification: Bloodline Awakening in Progress]

Monarch Resonance Detected… Synchronizing...

Suddenly, energy surged through him like wildfire.

His skin glowed faintly red, veins pulsing with power. Something ancient was waking.

The Echo stopped mid-charge.

“…No,” it growled. “You can’t be synchronizing.”

> [New Skill Gained: Rampage Veil (S-Rank)]

Description: Temporarily enter a heightened state of destruction and instinct. Boosts Strength, Agility, and Perception by +40%. Duration: 90 seconds. Drawback: Post-usage fatigue.

Jace’s eyes glowed a dangerous crimson.

He moved—faster than thought.

He tore into the echo with speed and fury that bent the space around him. Each slash chipped away at the dark clone. Every dodge was perfect. His body moved like a weapon of nature.

He roared as his final strike landed—

SHHHRRRAAAK!

His blade plunged deep into the echo’s chest.

The clone gasped… then smiled.

“Then it’s true… You are the next Monarch…”

The clone shattered into fragments of blood-red light.

> [Trial Complete]

[Class Advancement Unlocked: Echoborne — Heir of the Rampage Monarch]

[Title Gained: "Bloodline Reforged"]

[New Passive: Monarch's Will – Fear resistance + Perception bonus when HP is low]

[Current Level: 27]

Jace dropped to his knees, panting, drained—but victorious.

He looked at his shaking hands, still glowing faintly.

“I’m not just a hunter anymore,” he whispered. “I’m something else.”

The Gate around him shattered.

Light swallowed everything.

---

Back in the real world, the rooftop was quiet again. A gust of wind blew. The city didn’t even know what just happened.

But Jace… had changed.