The Soul Anchor sank into his chest. His body went rigid.
> [Core Accepted. Vital Sync Stabilized. Reclaimer Status: Confirmed.]
Suddenly, he saw more.
Shades weren't mindless. They were bound. Trapped. Their movements weren't just random—they were desperate.
They feared him now.
Liam charged, cutting down three in seconds. The blade sang. His body moved as if remembering something lost.
He wasn't becoming something new.
He was becoming what he used to be.
And the thought scared him more than the monsters.
> [Time Remaining: 30 seconds.]
Blood soaked the platform. His own. Theirs.
He staggered. One more lunged—only to be split in two by a final slash.
The countdown reached zero.
> [Trial Complete. Returning to Eternity Engine.]
Liam collapsed, laughing weakly.
"What the hell did I just survive?"
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