[Prepare for appraisal...]
Miguel found himself suspended in a space between dream and reality, floating within an endless black void. The dark emptiness stretched out in every direction, illuminated only by a multitude of stars. They flickered and shimmered like distant lights, too many to count. Among them, countless threads of silver light wove into an intricate and impossibly complex net, forming various nexuses and constellations. The beauty of it was beyond comprehension, a breathtaking sight that seemed to bend the very fabric of existence.
He felt small, insignificant, yet strangely connected to everything around him. It was a paradoxical feeling-like he was both nothing and everything at once.
[You have received a Memory: Aurora's Tear]
A voice echoed through the void, pulling Miguel from his reverie. A memory of Aurora flooded his mind-the fleeting image of her face, her last words lingering in the air.
"If there's an afterlife, I hope we meet again. No manipulations or setups, but with true friendship."
Miguel felt a pang of something he hadn't expected: regret. It wasn't about the trial, the death, or the bloodshed. It was the truth hidden beneath the surface of their brief interaction. She wasn't just a princess caught in her fate. She had dreams, desires, and in the end, she had died for a cause that wasn't even hers to begin with.
The feeling lingered, but it was fleeting-faded quickly as the next announcement came.
[Aspirant! Your trial is over.]
A new voice echoed across the black expanse, this one colder, more impartial.
[A no one with no backstory walked into a gargantuan forest driven by pure curiosity. He showed no mercy to those who crossed his path. He killed a hunter who had never known defeat. He killed a hero who would have helped a princess change the world. He condemned two kingdoms to continue their war, causing millions of lives to fall before the calming embrace of shadows. He was not afraid of even a transcendental being, and in the end, he caused a princess, fated to turn the world upside down, to die a senseless death.]
The words stung, but Miguel couldn't bring himself to care. This was his trial, his path-and the result was what it was. The spell couldn't lie, but it didn't know everything. It didn't know him.
[You have defeated an awakened beast: Dread Tiger.]
[You have defeated 6 dormant monsters: Dread Bear's puppies.]
[You have defeated three dormant humans: Princess Aurora, Auro of the Nine, Hunter William.]
[You have achieved the impossible!]
[Final appraisal: glorious. You really went into a killing spree.]
Miguel grimaced. That final comment wasn't necessary, but he couldn't deny the truth of it. He had wiped the floor with them all, and in doing so, had proven just how capable he was. In the back of his mind, he began to consider his next move. He felt... different. Stronger. And something told him this wasn't just about surviving the trial.
[Dreamer Miguel, receive your boon!]
The void around him seemed to pulse with energy, like the air itself was vibrating in response to the announcement.
Miguel felt something shift within him. His heart quickened. No longer an Aspirant. The word echoed in his mind. He grinned. Finally, no longer a nobody.
[You have been bestowed a True Name: Dark Slayer.]
His jaw dropped. A True Name?
He could hardly believe it. A True Name, granted to him-a no one, a mere trial participant. It was a symbol of power, a mark of distinction. Not even all of the Saints had such a privilege. And yet, here he was, the recipient of one, and in his very first Nightmare to boot.
Miguel laughed softly. His grin widened. This is real.
[Your Aspect is ready to evolve. Evolve Aspect?]
Miguel's eyes widened at the prompt. What the hell kind of question is that?
He didn't need to think twice. The decision was clear. He crossed his fingers and said aloud, "Yes."
[Dormant Aspect: No One is evolving...]
[New Aspect acquired.]
[Aspect Rank: Divine.]
Miguel blinked, staring at the text in disbelief. He couldn't hold back a startled laugh. Divine? His mind was racing, trying to process the significance.
"What the fuck?" he muttered, still not fully believing it. Divine. He had Divine rank now. And this was just the beginning.
[Aspect Name: Dreaded Blue Demon.]
For a moment, Miguel was speechless. His entire being seemed to hum with new power, as if something primal and ancient had been awakened inside him. He was no longer just Miguel. He was something... else. Something far more dangerous.
He stood there, his eyes scanning the information on the screen in front of him, still in shock.
Dreaded Blue Demon.
His true name. His Aspect. This was the beginning of something bigger, far beyond anything he had ever imagined.
He laughed again, but this time, it was filled with more confidence. "I can't believe it. Is this for real?" He paused, grinning wide. "I'm not a nobody anymore, fuckers."
He checked his new Aspect once more.
Aspect: [Dreaded Blue Demon]
Aspect Rank: Divine
Aspect Description: [You are a demonic half-breed born of a legendary warrior and a woman with a strong maternal instinct. You possess a combat ability that surpasses absolutely all. There is nothing that your sword cannot cut, whether it's flesh, mind, soul, spirit, shadows, or even reality itself. Everything will fall before your blade.]
Innate Ability: [Fearsome Demon]
Ability Description: [Fear will never affect you, and you will instigate fear in anyone who has bad intentions toward you.]
Miguel couldn't help but grin wider. This is insane. His combat abilities were beyond anything he had ever dreamed of. And that was just the beginning.
"I guess I'll have to keep a low profile until I can defend myself from supreme or transcendent beings."
For the first time in what felt like forever, Miguel felt the weight of the world lift off his shoulders. He had power now. Real power. The future was bright, and for once, it didn't seem as bleak as it had before.
[The First Seal is broken.]
[Awakening dormant powers...]
Miguel felt something awaken inside him. With a startled cry, he clutched his chest and stared into the darkness, trying to understand what was happening. The sensation wasn't painful or unpleasant-just unfamiliar. It was as if his soul were stirring, infused with a strange, powerful energy. But that energy wasn't coming from an external source. No, it came from within, as if it had always been there... sleeping.
The energy filled every fiber of his being. Miguel felt his emotions becoming clearer, sharper. Then, his body began to change. It felt like a miniature star had ignited at the center of his chest-waves of heat radiating outward, slowly reaching his stomach and shoulders, then his arms and legs, his hands and feet. Beneath that warmth, his bones, muscles, organs, and blood vessels were being rebuilt and revitalized.
Miguel felt reborn. Stronger. Faster. Healthier.
[Awakening Aspect Ability...]
[Aspect Ability acquired.]
[Aspect Ability Name: Miraging Step]
Name: Miguel
True Name: Dark Slayer
Rank: Dreamer
Soul Core: Dormant
Soul Fragments: [17/1000]
Memories: [Killing Spree], [Aurora's Tear]
Echoes: -
Attributes: [Fated], [Mark of Divinity], [Sparda's Kin], [Sword Saint]
Aspect: [Dark Slayer]
Aspect Rank: Divine
Aspect Abilities: [Miraging Step]
Aspect Ability Description: You become a mirage, able to speed yourself up, slow down time, teleport, or become intangible, all depending on your intent.
"Damn... I'm kind of broken for having such an ability. I bet my flaw's gonna suck."
[All power has a price.]
[You have received a Flaw.]
[Your Flaw is: Isolation]
Flaw: [Isolation]
Flaw Description: If you want to achieve something, don't rely on others.
Miguel tilted his head. "That's... not a bad flaw, though. Anyway-wake me up, Spell. Being here is boring."
As if the Spell had heard him:
[Wake up! Dark Slayer]
Miguel opened his eyes.
The armored ceiling of the police station's vault hung above him. No one would call its aesthetics beautiful... but to him, it was the most majestic sight in the world.
Only now did he realize how much he had missed the real world.
"I'm finally back."
He slowly looked down-and froze.
On a cheap plastic chair placed beside his reinforced medical bed sat the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
She had short raven-black hair and icy blue eyes. Her flawless skin was smooth, supple, and as pale as snow.
The woman appeared to be in her late twenties. She wore a dark blue uniform with silver epaulets and black leather boots. Her jacket was casually unbuttoned, revealing a black tank top beneath. At the moment, she was stretching her arms above her head, clearly bored and sleepy. The gesture caused the thin fabric to stretch tightly across her chest, provocatively emphasizing her full breasts.
Mesmerized, Miguel almost missed the insignia on her left shoulder-three stars.
Three stars, huh... he thought, distracted. Three stars means an Ascended... huh... yeah. Wait. An Ascended?!
But before Miguel could fully process the thought, he realized she was staring at him, too.
"Eh... Hi?" he said awkwardly
The woman slowly smiled, a dangerous gleam in her eyes. Then, without warning, she raised her hand and slapped Miguel across the face. Thanks to his dormant ability, he saw the slap coming-but he didn't dodge. He deserved it.
If he hadn't been restrained, he probably would've been launched into the wall.
Meanwhile, the woman cleared her throat and crossed her arms.
"Are you awake now?"
"Yes. Just... don't hit me again, please." Miguel said, rubbing his cheek.
"Good. Let me give you a piece of advice: try look a girl into the eyes, got it?"
"I will," Miguel said, nodding.
She gave him a long, thoughtful look, then added:
"Well... maybe. In any case, since you're awake-welcome back to the land of the living. Congratulations on surviving your First Nightmare, Sleeper Miguel."
The beautiful woman stood up and approached the reinforced medical bed. With practiced movements, she began to undo the restraints holding him in place.
"I'm Ascended Jet. You can call me Master Jet. These past three days, I've been on watch duty during your Nightmare."
Miguel blinked.
Right... before I fell asleep, the policeman said an Awakened would arrive in a few hours to monitor my condition. In case I died... to kill the Nightmare Creature if it tried to escape.