Location: Underdeep Vale – Day 57 in Atheria
The road ended in fog.
Beyond a steep gorge shrouded in black mist, there was no sky. No birds. No sound.
Only a deep, crawling stillness that seemed to breathe from within the stone.
"This is the place," Jiwoo whispered. "Underdeep Vale."
His system confirmed:
> [Seventh System Key Detected – Shadow Sector]
[Vault Location: Forgotten Cathedral – 1.2 km Below Surface]
[Guardian Status: Dormant | Memory Layer Active]
"No wind. No magic threads," Yoori said, voice quiet. "This place is... cut off."
"It's not dead," Solace muttered. "It's watching."
---
The Descent
A crumbling stairway led down into the Vale—spiraling into the depths like a broken clock.
Each step they took dimmed the air more.
By the 100th step, their torches flickered unnaturally.
By the 300th, the torches stopped working entirely.
But Jiwoo could still see.
Not through light—but through the system's Shadow Vision—a skill unlocked with the Light Key. It painted the world in gray outlines and memory trails.
"They say the Shadow Vault doesn't show you monsters," Eunsol said. "It shows you moments."
"Moments we'd rather forget," Mirae added.
---
Echoes of the Past
At the base of the stairs, they entered a hollow stone cathedral.
Its roof was cracked. The pillars were chipped. But the shadows moved—whispering.
Then the memories came.
Not dreams. Not illusions.
Echoes of Jiwoo's Earth life.
His sister crying quietly when he pretended to sleep.
The empty rice bowl he always filled for her, but never ate himself.
His first job at a restaurant, where he scrubbed dishes until his hands bled.
His girlfriend's voice, cold and sharp: "I can't live like this. You're holding me back."
Jiwoo froze.
The last one echoed louder than the rest.
> "You're holding me back."
---
The Regret Chamber
At the center of the cathedral was a dark, glassy door. It shimmered like obsidian smoke.
The system pulsed.
> [Final Trial: Enter Alone]
[Note: Companions will not perceive or access this space.]
"Standard," Baek sighed. "Another solo vision?"
But Jiwoo said nothing.
He stepped through the door.
---
Inside the Shadow
There was no room.
No ground.
Just black space… and a table.
And across that table sat…
Jiwoo.
Not the current one.
But the Jiwoo from Earth—skinny, tired, wearing the same cracked shoes, same scuffed jacket.
"You made it," the other Jiwoo said.
Jiwoo didn't answer.
"You got the money. The system. The girls. The floating city. Peace."
"But… did you ever go back?"
Jiwoo flinched.
His voice cracked. "I couldn't."
"You didn't even check if she was okay, did you?"
He clenched his fists. "I gave her peace from me. That's what mattered."
"But was that peace… for her? Or for you?"
---
The Truth
The shadow version of Jiwoo stood and walked to him.
"Look me in the eye," he whispered. "Tell me you're not running from the past—by drowning in a future too big to hold."
Jiwoo trembled.
Then raised his head.
And smiled.
"I am running."
"But not from guilt."
"From the version of me that gave up."
The shadows broke.
---
The Key of Shadow
From the void, a charm floated toward him—a black gem wrapped in silver thread, shaped like a crescent moon.
> [Seventh System Key Acquired – Shadow Sector Unlocked]
2 Remaining.
The voice of the other Jiwoo echoed faintly.
"You didn't forget me."
"No," Jiwoo whispered. "I carried you with me."
The chamber dissolved.
---
Reunion
He emerged into the cathedral again.
Everyone was waiting.
"You alright?" Mirae asked, stepping forward.
Jiwoo nodded.
He held out the charm.
"One step closer."
Yoori smiled. "Even the shadows can't keep up with you."
---
That Night – Under the Open Sky
The group camped just outside the Vale. Stars returned. Wind stirred again.
Solace stared at the horizon. "Only two remain now."
Jiwoo looked at his wrist.
Seven charms. Seven trials.
And a system that had grown silent.
Too silent.
He opened a hidden window.
> [Warning: Observer Traces Detected – 73.2% Proximity]
[Unknown System Entities Are Watching You]
[Proceed With Caution]
But Jiwoo just smiled.
"Let them watch."
---