he vault door groaned shut behind them.
Minwoo and Kinro stood in a corridor carved from obsidian and bone. The walls pulsed with faint light—like veins carrying memory instead of blood.
Kinro sniffed the air. "This place isn't just old. It's angry."
Minwoo gripped the Nexus Blade. "Then let's make it scream."
They moved forward.
Phase One: The Echo Maze
The first chamber was a maze—walls shifting, paths looping, voices whispering.
Minwoo heard Saejin's voice.
Kinro growled. "It's trying to break you."
Minwoo closed his eyes. Shadow surged. The maze froze. He carved a path straight through, ignoring the illusions.
They reached the exit.
Phase Two: The Guardian
A massive creature blocked the next chamber—twisted metal, bone wings, eyes like burning clocks.
Kinro stepped forward. "That's a Sovereign Echo. Not alive. Not dead."
The creature roared.
Minwoo charged.
The battle was brutal—flames, claws, shadow strikes. Kinro shifted into partial dragon form, tearing through the creature's defenses.
Minwoo landed the final blow—Nexus Blade through the core.
The echo shattered.
Phase Three: The Memory Core
At the heart of the vault was a crystal chamber.
Inside: a floating orb of light.
Minwoo approached.
The orb spoke.
"Jin tried to seal me. Failed. You carry his blood. You carry the Fang."
"Unlock me—and learn what he feared."
Minwoo nodded.
Kinro raised a brow. "You sure?"
Minwoo touched the orb.
It flared.