Eldritch Assassin: Reincarnated With An SSS-Rank Devouring System
Chapter 81: Ninth Floor

Chapter 81: Ninth Floor

"Tch."

Of course.

This wasn’t just a stronger version of himself. It was the version he could become. One without hesitation. Without mercy. Without fear.

No weight of guilt. No empathy. Just pure, sharpened will.

They clashed again.

Kael’s attacks were solid—years of training behind each swing. But the mirrored version didn’t react. It anticipated the attack.

Each parry came before Kael finished his motion. Every counterattack forced him back, step by step.

A slash tore across his thigh.

Kael gritted his teeth. No time to check it.

He rolled sideways, breathing heavily, sweat sticking to his neck.

’He knows all my patterns. Even the ones I haven’t used yet.’

Because it was him.

No... worse.

It was him without restraint.

Kael stood again, blade trembling in his hand. Blood dripped down his leg, hot and steady. His illusion spoke for the first time.

"You waste energy protecting those who would fall behind."

Kael didn’t respond.

"You feel pain... for people already dead."

He stayed silent.

"You hold back—because you fear what you’ll become if you stop."

That one... hit. Because it wasn’t wrong.

Kael gritted his teeth. "You might be perfect," he said. "But you’re still just a shadow."

The mirror Kael moved again. No wasted motion. Just that eerie, flowing grace.

Kael ducked under the first slash, blocked the second, and side-stepped the third. But a fourth came from nowhere, angled upward.

A shallow cut ran down his arm.

"Fuck!" He cursed, stepping back.

This wasn’t working. Raw force wouldn’t win this.

He closed his eyes—just for a second—and remembered the earlier fights.

Sera’s rhythm.

Mira’s staff arcs.

Dorian’s reckless but confident push.

His own random footwork.

"I’m not just me anymore." He said, and his eyes snapped open.

The mirrored Kael charged.

Kael shifted sideways—not dodging, but leaning—just enough. The mirrored blade barely grazed him.

Kael used that angle.

He slammed his elbow into the copy’s face. It stumbled.

First opening revealed itself. He didn’t follow with a normal strike.

Instead, he pivoted and struck from an unnatural angle, Sera’s mid-spin feint, then switching grip mid-swing.

His reflection caught the blade—But not the hidden dagger in his left hand.

Kael plunged it into the copy’s side. Light burst outward.

The mirrored Kael stepped back. His expression faltered. For the first time, it looked human.

"You’re... changing," it muttered.

Kael didn’t give him time to recover. He pressed forward—this time, chaotic.

One move after another. Patterns broken, form shattered. No discipline, no grace. Just brutal, raw adaptability.

The mirror couldn’t keep up. Because it was perfect, but fixed.

Kael was imperfect, but ever-changing. That was the difference.

That was why he won.

His blade sank into the copy’s chest—deep, final.

The mirror, Kael didn’t resist. He looked up, smiling softly.

"I hope... we never become the same."

Then he cracked, light spilling through like shattered glass—and vanished.

The corridor darkened. Then, a soft hum sounded.

———

[Bonus Phase Complete: The Mirror Path – 100% Synchronization Achieved.

Perks Earned: Adaptive Combat Trait.

Reward Stored in Inventory: Mirror Core Shard] ———

Kael dropped to one knee, breathing hard. His hand trembled, not from fear, but from relief.

He didn’t need to destroy himself to grow. He just had to keep changing, evolving.

He stood again.

The corridor faded away, replaced by soft white light. A familiar pulse—like the heartbeat of the pagoda itself—echoed around him.

A new message appeared.

———

[Ascension Approved. Proceed to Floor 9: Trial of Temptation.

Warning: Mental and Emotional Distress Imminent. Be Prepared.]

———

Kael let out a dry chuckle. "After all that? What’s left to sever?"

The light wrapped around him. And just like that, he was gone.

The Mirror Path behind him shattered like ice.

*****

Kael materialized in a blaze of crimson light, the pagoda’s aura fading entirely. His boots sank into silk sheets, the air thick with jasmine, musk, and the sharp flavor of spiced wine.

He stood in a vast bedchamber with gold-veined marble floors, jade pillars loosely fitted with velvet, chandeliers casting a sultry glow. Low tables filled with glistening fruits, jeweled goblets, and delicacies that shimmered like molten gold.

The primal energy here was intoxicating, coiling around him like a lover’s caress, probing his mind into a stimulating territory.

———

[System Alert]

[Floor 9: Trial of Temptation – Live a Dream World Where a man’s Deepest Desires Are Real. Objective: Sever Attachments. Surrender, and you will stay forever.

Tests: Emotion, Willpower.

Bonus Reward: +2500 EXP, Mental Cognition +7]

———

Kael’s grip tightened on Abyssal Fang Dagger, its weight grounding him. His Bloodthread Mantle was still in tatters, his wounds almost healed, body relaxed—too relaxed even. His HP was full, but his stamina hovered at 60%, Primal Endurance masking the mental fatigue from the Trial of Illusions.

[Status: HP 100%.

Stamina: 60%.

Mental Fatigue: Moderate]

"Deepest desires?" Kael muttered, silver eyes scanning the chamber. His Night Predator trait sharpened his senses, but no threats emerged—just a seductive feel, like energy refined into desire.

"Heehee..."

A sultry laugh broke the silence, it sounded low and teasing. Kael spun with his dagger raised, but the sound came from everywhere—slipping through the air and brushing his skin.

Shadows danced behind the velvet curtains, detailed curves swaying with deliberate grace. His Devourer Bloodline stirred, sensing no threats, only a primal essence—rich, manipulative, like a cultivator’s energy turned siren.

[System Warning: Trial Influence – Mental Probes Detected. Resist Emotional Manipulation.

Willpower Check: Active]

Kael’s heart thudded, sweat breaking out of his pores. He quickly regained himself and positioned Abyssal Fang in an attacking stance. "Not falling for it," he growled, stepping forward.

The marble was warm under his boots, each step sinking into plush rugs. One of the curtains parted, revealing a woman of unparalleled beauty—raven-haired, skin like porcelain, her sheer pink silk gown slipping off one shoulder, barely concealing full snow-white breasts with pink cherries and curving hips. Her emerald eyes locked onto his, lips curling in a knowing sultry smile.

"Emperor Kael," she purred, voice dripping honey, "your court awaits." She glided closer to him, hips swaying.