> "In the game of fragments, it's not the strongest who wins. It's the one who strikes unseen." —High Enforcer Xevra, Commander of the Black Veil Blades
---
[Location: Shadow Meridian – Black Veil Syndicate Fortress]
Obsidian towers loomed over the blood-lit valley as the Black Veil Council gathered. Veins of dark magic pulsed through the walls, drawing energy from captive souls beneath the fortress.
Seven figures stood in a circle of shifting shadows. Xevra, the Black Veil's enforcer, stepped forward, her aura distorting the light around her.
> "Aric has obtained a Rescript Fragment."
Another council member, known only as Oracle Nine, hissed.
> "Then we execute Protocol Veilburn."
Xevra's blade, the Silent Redeemer, whispered as it slid from its sheath.
> "Send in the Shadow Corps. And initiate the Mirror Clone Program. We'll give Aric a taste of his own tactics."
> New Mechanic Revealed: Mirror Clone Counterforce
Function: Generates temporary doppelgängers using siphoned system data from targets of interest
Weakness: Mirror Clones cannot develop loyalty beyond B-
Triggered via Black Veil's Codex Fragment #5
---
[Meanwhile – Aric's Inner Domain: Nexus Hall]
Aric stood before the Dimensional Forge as the first blade emerged—Mirror Fang—a relic forged using Codex resonance.
His interface chimed with new data:
> Global Anomaly Detected – Doppelgänger Field Activated in Eastern Ridge Sector Threat Classification: High (Linked to Codex Fragment 5)
Kaelis narrowed his eyes. "They've copied your clone system."
Aric smirked. "They copied the template. But not the soul."
He summoned Clone #18 – Strategos Vynn, a tactician clone with S-tier logic.
> "Mobilize recon across the Eastern Ridge. Engage only with proof of Mirror Echoes."
---
[Eastern Ridge Sector – First Clash of Echoes]
The landscape shimmered. A dozen figures clad in near-identical gear to Aric's squad advanced across the ridge. Their movements were crisp—machine-like.
Clone Vynn observed through crystal-eyes and whispered.
> "Disciples of replication. Hollow."
> Combat Initiated: Clone vs. Mirror Clone – Tactical Duel Simulation
While Vynn fought tactically, disabling the Mirror Echoes with psi traps and anti-system glyphs, other areas erupted into chaos. Mirror Kaelis versus the original. Mirror Eira unleashed corrupted spells without cooldown limits—clearly tapping into dark Codex enhancements.
> Trait Unlocked by Eira (Original): Soullink Purge – Erases tethered constructs mimicking original soulprints.
A flash of blue light. The Mirror Eira screamed—and disintegrated.
---
[System Broadcast – Global Network Interruption]
> Codex Surge Event Triggered by External Force All World Builders Alerted Codex Fragment 6 Coordinates Revealed for 12 Minutes
A mad scramble began.
From desert empires to floating citadels, territory lords, lone legends, rogue gods, and awakened ancients turned toward one location:
> The Labyrinth of Hollow Tones
Tier: SS+
Owner: Unknown
First to Enter Bonus: +1 Random Fragment + Personal Territory Upgrade
---
[Back at Black Veil Fortress]
Oracle Nine grinned.
> "And now we watch the game play itself. He who rushes first... bleeds first."
But Xevra's gaze stayed locked on the projected image of Aric.
> "He's not rushing." "He's calculating."
---
[End of Chapter 18]