As Ha-jin stood in the aftermath of his brutal attack, another notification erupted in his mind, breaking through the tension that hung heavy in the air. Alert: The three constellations—The Man Who Slayed a Constellation, The Being Who is Feared, and The Man Who Killed a King—are truly one.
A surge of power washed over him, coursing through his veins like wildfire. Ha-jin felt the weight of this revelation settle into his core, and with it came the final gift: You have gained the Stigma of Absolute Silence.
He felt the ability awaken within him, a new power that twisted and coiled like a serpent, eager to be unleashed. Absolute Silence allowed him to create a doppelganger—an echo of himself that could absorb incoming blows. The catch? It had limits. However, every strike absorbed would transform into raw kinetic energy, waiting to be released in a devastating counterattack.
Ha-jin grinned, his heart racing with exhilaration. This ability paired with his Noticed skill was a lethal combination, one that would leave his opponents in the dust before they even knew what hit them.
"Mirae," he said, his voice low and steady, "let's finish this."
With a swift motion, he activated Absolute Silence. In an instant, a second Ha-jin materialized beside him, an ethereal reflection of his true self. The doppelganger mirrored his movements, standing ready for battle. The tension crackled in the air as the two of them faced Mirae, who remained poised, her serpentine form coiled and ready to strike.
Mirae's expression shifted from confidence to concern as she realized the enormity of Ha-jin's newfound power. "What… what is that?" she stammered, eyeing the doppelganger warily.
Before she could respond, the real Ha-jin lunged forward, the steel pipe raised high, his intentions clear. With each step, the energy absorbed from Mirae's earlier attacks coursed through him, amplifying his strength. The world around him faded, and he focused solely on his target.
He swung the steel pipe with all his might, aiming for her heart once more. But instead of relying on brute force, he called upon the energy he had collected through his doppelganger, channeling it into a single, devastating blow.
"This is for testing my limits!" he shouted, and with that declaration, he unleashed the kinetic energy in an explosive arc. The attack surged forward like a tidal wave, striking Mirae head-on.
The impact was immense, the force of the blow shaking the very foundation of the supermarket. Mirae barely had time to react before the energy crashed into her, sending her flying backward. She hit the ground hard, the power of the attack echoing throughout the remains of the store.
Ha-jin stood over her, his expression a mix of triumph and disbelief. The doppelganger faded away, its purpose served, but the thrill of victory surged within him. He had used his new power effectively, demonstrating the lethal potential that came with it.
As Mirae lay on the ground, breathless and dazed, Ha-jin felt a flicker of concern. "Are you okay?" he asked, the competitive edge in his voice softening for a brief moment.
Slowly, she pushed herself up, her eyes still full of fire. "You… you're incredible," she admitted, her voice strained but genuine. "I didn't expect that."
Ha-jin shrugged, a confident smile crossing his face. "I told you I don't hold back. And now you know what I'm capable of."
They exchanged a moment of understanding, the air still charged with the remnants of their fierce battle. The bond between them had deepened, forged through conflict and the thrill of newfound strength. Ha-jin realized that this was not just a fight; it was a turning point in their journey, one that would shape their fates in the days to come.
Mirae got to her feet, brushing off the debris, her expression shifting to one of determination. "Next time, I won't go easy on you."
Ha-jin laughed, the sound echoing in the emptiness of the supermarket. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
As they prepared to move on from the remnants of their confrontation, Ha-jin couldn't shake the feeling that their true challenges were only just beginning. With Mirae at his side, they would face whatever came next, ready to confront the horrors of their new reality together.