One piece: Without a system, I have to survive!

The jungle seemed to close in around us as I followed the masked warriors deeper into the unknown. The air grew heavier, the shadows darker, and the only sound was the distant whisper of the wind through the trees.

I could feel eyes on me. Watching. Measuring.

The leader walked ahead, his cloak barely making a sound as he moved.

Shira walked beside me, her grip firm on her sword. "This feels like a trap," she muttered.

Smoker sighed. "Yeah, well… we've walked into worse."

Selene, as usual, looked completely at ease. "Relax," she said. "If they wanted to kill us, they would've tried harder back there."

"Comforting," I muttered.

The leader suddenly stopped.

We had arrived.

A massive stone gateway stood before us, half-buried in the jungle, covered in ancient carvings and glowing symbols.

The masked warriors surrounded us now, their golden eyes flickering in the dim light.

The leader turned to face me. "Step forward."

I hesitated.

Shira touched my arm. "Be careful."

I gave her a small nod before walking toward the entrance.

The leader raised a hand. "This is the Trial of Fire. A test of will, strength, and understanding."

I swallowed hard. "And if I fail?"

"You burn."

Great.

Selene smirked. "Sounds fun."

Ignoring her, I turned back to the leader. "And what happens if I pass?"

He paused. Then, slowly, he said:

"Then you will know what you truly are."

The words sent a chill down my spine.

I had no choice.

Steeling myself, I stepped forward—

And the world exploded in flames.

🔥🔥🔥

I was falling.

The fire roared around me, not burning but consuming, pulling me into something deeper. The jungle, the masked warriors, my friends—everything vanished.

I landed hard on solid stone, the impact knocking the air from my lungs.

When I pushed myself up, I realized I was in an arena.

A vast, circular coliseum, surrounded by walls of raging fire.

And at the center of it—

A figure stood waiting.

Tall. Cloaked in shadow, but outlined by flickering gold light.

And then—

It spoke.

"You do not deserve that power."

I tensed. "Who are you?"

The figure stepped forward.

And when the flames illuminated his face—

My blood froze.

Because I was looking at myself.

A perfect copy—except his eyes burned with endless gold, and his presence felt overwhelming.

My own voice echoed back at me.

"Prove me wrong."

And then he attacked.

⚔🔥🔥

I barely dodged.

He moved like lightning, his fist a blur as it streaked toward me. I ducked, rolling to the side, but before I could recover—

He was already there.

A knee to my gut. A strike to my jaw.

Pain exploded through me, and I stumbled back.

But I refused to fall.

I gritted my teeth, my own fire igniting around my fists.

"If you're me," I growled, wiping blood from my lips, "then you know I don't give up."

He smirked. "Then fight."

I charged.

Our fists clashed, sending golden sparks flying.

We moved as one, mirroring each other—strike for strike, dodge for dodge.

But then—

He changed.

He moved faster. Hit harder.

For every punch I threw, he landed two.

For every step I took, he was already three ahead.

I gasped, struggling to keep up.

And then he drove his fist into my chest—

And my world exploded in gold.

⚡🔥💀

I hit the ground, gasping for air.

He stood over me, looking disappointed.

"You are weak," he said. "You cling to your past. You hesitate. That is why you will fail."

I groaned, forcing myself up.

He watched me for a moment—then raised his hand.

The fire around us rose higher, and suddenly, I was drowning in flames.

The heat was unbearable.

The pain was unreal.

I screamed—

And then a voice echoed in my mind.

Let go.

I gasped.

The flames burned, but… they didn't consume.

They waited.

And in that moment, I understood.

I had been fighting it. Denying it.

But this power…

It wasn't a curse.

It wasn't something I had to suppress.

It was a part of me.

I exhaled.

And then, for the first time—

I embraced the fire.

The flames rushed into me, not as an enemy—

But as an ally.

I stood up, my body now glowing with golden fire, my injuries vanishing.

The other me tilted his head.

"Hmm," he mused. "Maybe you're not so weak after all."

And then, just like that—

He vanished.

⚡🔥🔥🔥

I opened my eyes—

And I was back at the stone gateway.

The jungle was still. The masked warriors were watching me.

Selene raised an eyebrow. "Well?"

I looked down at my hands—where the golden fire still flickered, warm and controlled.

I took a deep breath.

And smiled.

"I passed."

The leader nodded, his voice now reverent.

"Then you are ready for what comes next."

And I had a feeling…

That was only the beginning.