The gates of the Shadow Citadel loomed ahead as Minwoo returned, his footsteps echoing against the obsidian walls. The air was heavy with lingering shadows, reacting subtly to his presence. Even after the trials of the Ashen Vale, the whispers of the Shadow Domain within him were calm, measured, as if acknowledging his mastery.
Inside the central hall, the Elder Council awaited. They were cloaked in midnight robes, faces hidden in shadow, but their authority filled the room. Every whisper of movement, every subtle glance carried weight.
Elder Kaelen, the senior-most among them, stepped forward first. "Minwoo… you have returned sooner than anticipated."
Minwoo nodded. "The Third Seal is broken. I have absorbed its fragment, and the Domain obeys me without resistance."
A ripple of surprise passed through the council. Elder Liora leaned forward. "The fragment responded… to you? That alone speaks volumes."
Kaelen's eyes glimmered. "You have grown beyond our expectations. Not only have you survived the Domain's trials, but you have also mastered a fragment of its essence. It is time, Minwoo. You have earned the rank of SSS."
The words hung in the air like molten steel. SSS rank—the highest echelon of Shadow Domain operatives—was rarely bestowed, reserved only for those whose power surpassed all known limits.
Elder Kaelen extended a ceremonial staff, black as night, its tip glowing faintly with dark energy. "With this staff, the Domain acknowledges you as its apex warrior. Your abilities are now unmatched among mortals. Your rank is no longer a matter of skill alone—it is a declaration to the world."
Minwoo stepped forward and took the staff. As he did, a wave of power surged through him. Shadows around the hall shifted instinctively, bowing and flowing toward him as if recognizing their master. The Domain's whispers were no longer just voices—they were promises: power, respect, fear, and authority, all intertwined.
Elder Liora spoke softly, her voice carrying a mix of admiration and caution. "Remember, Minwoo, SSS is more than power. It demands judgment, strategy, and restraint. The Domain will obey you… only if your will remains unbroken."
Minwoo's expression was calm, yet sharp. "I understand. My will has been tempered by the trials. And now… I move forward, not just as a wielder of the Domain, but as its master."
Kaelen nodded in approval. "Rest tonight, Minwoo. Tomorrow, you begin the path of an SSS. There are powers and techniques reserved for your rank alone. You are no longer just one among many… you are the Shadow Domain incarnate."
The hall seemed to grow darker, heavier, as shadows coiled and swirled around him in quiet reverence. Minwoo's gaze swept over the council and the disciples present. For the first time, he felt the true weight of his power—and the responsibilities that came with it.
The Shadow Domain has chosen its master.And its master chooses the world.