[Sakura Dimension – Fault Core, Day 4, 05:00 AM]
Time warped.
Air trembled.
And standing before them was another Kaito—not an illusion, not a trick, but something the System itself acknowledged: a version of Kaito that should not exist.
A version forged from unmade choices, swallowed regrets, and repressed power.
The real Kaito narrowed his eyes. "You're not part of me."
The double tilted its head. "Aren't I? I am the you who never cared to follow the rules. The you who looked into the abyss and didn't flinch. I am what you would've become if Aya hadn't handed you that lunchbox."
Aya stiffened.
Everyone else watched in stunned silence.
This wasn't just a psychological event.
It was a System judgment.
[System Notification – Global Watch Activated]
> All Awakeners currently linked to Sakura Dimension are now observing this encounter.
This is a foundational divergence. Classification Stabilization at stake.
Kiko's voice was like a blade: "We're witnessing the internal architecture of an Unknown Rank."
"Correction," the echo said, smiling faintly. "You're witnessing the birth of a class that's never been seen before."
Dev stepped forward. "So what, you're some evil Kaito? Shadow clone? Failed future?"
The echo's smile vanished.
"No. I'm the possibility that was erased by kindness. The god-forged ego Kaito refused to become because he loved too much."
The group fell silent.
Aya whispered, "What happens if… he wins?"
The System answered before Kaito could:
[Merge Countdown: 23:49:18]
> [Option 1: Merge with Alternate – Power Surge +10000%, Emotional Detachment 100%]
[Option 2: Reject Merge – Core Fracture Battle Initiated]
[Warning: Losing the battle will result in total memory corruption and de-ranking to NULL.]
Kaito looked around—at his friends, his partner, the people he'd come to care for.
Then he turned to the double.
"I don't need more power," he said. "I need to be me."
The echo chuckled. "Then try to stop me."
[Initiating Internal Battle: Choice of Self]
> [Arena Constructed: Mind Forge Chamber]
[Participants: Kaito Yamada vs. Echo Construct 'Yamada_K1']
[Spectator Mode Enabled: UR-Rank and Above Only]
---
[Mind Forge Chamber – Combat Phase, 05:10 AM]
The chamber formed in real-time—an obsidian arena hovering over an endless ocean of memories, each wave filled with images from Kaito's life: fights, failures, victories, and every quiet moment in between.
The moment the chamber solidified—
The echo struck first.
No warning.
Just speed—inhuman, absolute.
Kaito barely dodged, but not fast enough.
The blow hit his shoulder like a mountain collapsing. He skidded back, arm numb.
"Still slow," the echo taunted. "Still kind."
Kaito didn't answer.
Instead, he summoned his own strength—not system power, but resolve.
The next strike came not with physical force—but with memory.
Kaito reached back and projected it: Aya laughing under falling cherry blossoms. Dev training with a wooden staff. Meera reciting old poems under her breath. Even Xenovia praying before battle.
The echo recoiled. "What is this—?!"
Kaito's voice rang out. "They're my anchors. My proof. You have none."
"You fool," the echo hissed, form flickering. "That makes you weak!"
"It makes me real."
The echo charged again—but this time Kaito met him head-on.
Not with raw might.
But with connection.
With truth.
Every strike the echo landed was returned by memory—a counter-force shaped by Kaito's bonds.
When the echo tried to stab, Aya's face appeared in Kaito's mind and redirected his movement.
When the echo unleashed a sonic scream, the laughter of his friends drowned it out.
And finally—
When the echo went for a killing blow, Kaito whispered:
"I chose love."
And struck his counterpart through the chest.
The arena shattered like glass.
---
[System Alert – Core Decision Registered]
> [Unknown Rank Stability: 100%]
[New Classification Evolved: ??? Rank – Truthwalker]
[Abilities Unlocked – See Full Log in Private Status]
[Global Notice: Suppressed Until Tower Floor 2 Activation]
Kaito collapsed to one knee, gasping.
The echo faded—not with a scream, not with hatred—but with peace.
"Guess… we both made a choice," the echo said, fading into light. "I was just… one path."
Kaito nodded. "And I picked another."
Aya rushed to his side. "Kaito! Are you—?"
He looked up, smiling faintly. "I'm me."
Kiko whispered to herself, "So that's what happens when a mind forges its own class…"
---
[Sakura Dimension – Sakura Lake, 07:00 AM]
The moment Kaito returned to his body, the petals bloomed again.
Not in chaos.
In harmony.
The lake calmed.
The fractures healed.
System messages followed one after the next.
[Sakura Dimension Completed]
> [Mind Merge Event – Cleared]
[All Participants Gain: 30 Stat Points | Unique Memory Fragment Relic]
[Unlock Condition: Global Event Tree Expanded]
[Floor One: Fully Cleared]
Aya exhaled. "It's over."
But Kaito shook his head.
"No," he said, eyes scanning the stars as they shifted above them. "This was just… the first layer of truth."
She squeezed his hand.
And this time—
He squeezed back.
---
End of Chapter 50