The antique shop was unusually respectful today.
Which was strange.
Because yesterday, people treated the mirror like… well, a mirror.
Today?
Two grown adventurers were bowing to it.
Lee Eunwoo stared at Brock and Taren in complete disbelief.
"…This world is doomed."
Both men kept their heads lowered toward the mirror.
The shop owner Harun stood behind the counter watching them with confusion.
"…What are you two idiots doing?" the old man asked.
Brock straightened awkwardly.
"Nothing!"
Taren nodded nervously.
"Just… greeting something."
Harun frowned.
"You're greeting a mirror?"
Brock immediately shook his head.
"No no!"
Taren whispered urgently, "Don't say it out loud!"
Harun raised an eyebrow.
"…Say what?"
The two adventurers exchanged nervous glances.
Then Brock leaned toward Harun and whispered.
"That mirror…"
"…is alive."
Harun blinked.
Silence filled the shop.
Then the old man burst out laughing.
"HAHAHAHA!"
He slapped the counter.
"You idiots have been drinking again."
Taren protested.
"We're serious!"
Brock pointed dramatically at Eunwoo.
"That thing knocked me across the room yesterday!"
Harun looked at the mirror.
Then at Brock's bruised face.
Then back at the mirror.
"…You tripped."
Brock groaned.
"I didn't trip!"
Eunwoo mentally nodded.
"Actually you did attack me first."
But again—
He was a mirror.
His defense went unheard.
After a few minutes, the two adventurers finally left the shop.
Before leaving, they bowed again.
Harun watched them go with deep concern.
"…I swear adventurers get dumber every year."
The shop fell quiet again.
Eunwoo sighed.
"At least someone here is sane."
Unfortunately, the system had other ideas.
[System Notification.]
Eunwoo focused immediately.
"Oh?"
A new panel appeared.
Universal Reflection System
Host: Lee Eunwoo
Species: Mirror Artifact
Level: 4
Stored Abilities:
• Shadow Dagger Technique
• Heavy Cleave
• Swift Blade Style
• Combat Instinct
Eunwoo looked impressed.
"Four abilities already."
"Not bad."
Then the system displayed something new.
A locked section.
Future Evolution Path Detected
Human Manifestation: Locked
Eunwoo's thoughts froze.
"…Human?"
His excitement exploded.
"WAIT."
"I CAN BECOME HUMAN AGAIN?!"
The system responded calmly.
[Human manifestation becomes available after sufficient reflection energy is accumulated.]
Eunwoo nearly cried tears of joy.
"I CAN WALK AGAIN!"
"I CAN EAT!"
"I CAN SLEEP!"
"I CAN—"
The system continued.
[However, manifestation contains limitations.]
Eunwoo paused.
"…Limitations?"
The screen changed.
Future Form Condition (Preview)
When host manifests human body:
• Vision will be sealed
• Host will be blind
Eunwoo froze.
"…Excuse me?"
He reread the line.
Then again.
Then again.
"BLIND?!"
The system confirmed.
[Human form sacrifices sight in exchange for enhanced reflection ability.]
Eunwoo felt his soul leave his body.
"Oh good."
"I become human again but can't see anything."
"What an upgrade."
But the system continued.
Compensation Ability
While blind:
Host may temporarily borrow abilities from reflected targets.
However—
Host may only borrow abilities already stored in the reflection system.
Eunwoo slowly processed that.
"…Wait."
"So if I fight someone…"
"And they have a skill I already copied…"
"I can use it myself?"
[Correct.]
Eunwoo's mood immediately improved.
"…Oh."
"Oh that's actually cool."
He imagined it.
A blind swordsman using perfect techniques.
Copying abilities he had stored from enemies.
Fighting without even needing sight.
"Okay."
"That sounds pretty badass."
Then he frowned.
"…Still blind though."
Meanwhile, the system added another note.
[Future Combat Style Recommendation:]
Reflection Combat
Enemy abilities → Mirror Copy → Blind Manifestation → Ability Usage
Eunwoo nodded slowly.
"So basically…"
"I collect abilities now."
"And later I become a blind fighter who uses them."
The system confirmed.
[Correct.]
Eunwoo leaned back mentally.
"…This is starting to feel like a real protagonist setup."
For the first time since reincarnating, he felt excited about the future.
"Maybe being a mirror isn't so bad."
Outside the shop, however…
The rumors were growing larger.
In a small tavern across the street, Arin Valcrest sat at a wooden table.
Brock and Taren were with her.
Brock rubbed his bruised ribs.
"I'm telling you."
"That mirror reflected my attack perfectly."
Arin nodded calmly.
"Of course it did."
Taren leaned forward.
"So it's really some ancient master?"
Arin shook her head slowly.
"No."
Her eyes were serious.
"It's something greater."
Brock gulped.
"Greater?"
Arin looked toward the direction of the antique shop.
Her voice lowered.
"That mirror…"
"…is a being that reveals the truth of power."
Taren whispered nervously.
"The Reflected One…"
Arin nodded.
"Yes."
Brock shivered slightly.
"So… what happens if someone stronger appears?"
Arin's expression became thoughtful.
"Then the mirror will simply reflect them."
Her eyes shone with determination.
"And become even stronger."
Back in the shop, Eunwoo was staring at his ability list.
He grinned.
"Come on world."
"Send me stronger people."
"I need more abilities."
And somewhere deep in the system interface…
A hidden message flickered quietly.
Future Title Condition:
When host manifests human form…
Title Unlocked: The Blind Reflection.
The future legend of The Reflected One had only just begun.