chapter 21: Mirror Match — Battle of the Bonded
POV: Zai
The battlefield stretched infinitely—Final Destination: Nightfall Variant.
Flat black terrain. Endless starry nothingness. Purple and blue light flashes danced across the horizon like cosmic waves.
Opposite me, on the other side, was. myself.
Same height. Same stance. Same bounce stance.
Except this one radiated crimson in its eyes and moved with supernatural precision.
My introspection. A perfectly mapped, CPU-driven Zai at Level 6. Built from scratch by me. My own skill set.
And Mac-Zero stood at the edge of the platform, watching in silence as the countdown ticked down.
[CHALLENGE STARTING IN: 3… 2… 1… FIGHT.]
We advanced on each other together.
Fist into fist.
The impact burst out with kinetic energy that rolled across the stage.
My clone ducked under my second follow and charged in with a Basic Punch (Smash Variant) to the ribs. I recoiled, activated Short Dodge Roll, and parried the swing.
My real arm punched in with a Frame-Perfect Parry and counter-punched hard, hitting him right in the chest.
[+0.04 TECHNIQUE CONTROL]
[+0.03 STRENGTH]
But he didn't flinch.
CPU Zai countered with my Flip Jump and dropped down rapidly—faster than I was expecting.
I charged up my Egg Shield, just in time.
BOOM.
Sizzling energy explosion as he came crashing into it, bouncing away.
I charged a Fireball Throw, pretend-cast it, and swapped Ink Bomb instead—painted the platform with slick paint just as he slithered in.
Slipped.
Dashed away.
Boomerang Toss to the back.
Charge Shot to the side.
Paint Dash through the mess to position—
KO COMBO FINISHER — 42% HP LEFT
I puffed hard, hunched low as the copy of me stuttered like an expiring hologram.
He smiled before disappearing. Like he knew.
[CHALLENGE COMPLETE — LEVEL UP: 6 → 7]
[ALL STATS INCREASED SLIGHTLY]
[BOND SYNC MAINTAINED @ 100%]
[MAC-ZERO: Core Unit Registered]
[SYSTEM CPU LINK: BOND SKILL PATHS UNLOCKED]
I opened my eyes.
I was home. My room. My bed. Still panting hard like the fight had been in real life.
Marcus—no, Mac-Zero—stood again in the corner, arms crossed, casual clothes back on.
"You won."
"Yeah," I panted. "Barely. He was like a mind reader. He knew exactly what I was gonna do."
"Because he was you."
Shaking my head, looking over at the still-open System HUD.
"System," I grunted, "walk me through the new stuff. Begin with this:"
[SYSTEM CPU LINK — BOND SKILL PATHS ENABLED]
[EXPLANATION:]
The CPU Link is a new system enhancement enabled by max sync with a Subordinate. It allows the player to create, customize, and assign special Bond Skills—team maneuvers or synchronized fighting skills between you and your Core Unit(s).
Bond Skills are:
– Sync combos
– Combo finishers
– Position switch strategies
– Assist-based counters
– Tag Ultimates (Unlocked at Lv.10)
Bond Skills come with use and timing. You can assign or move skills in the [Bond Tree Menu] found in the main system interface.
I blinked. "So Marcus and I can now tag team like legit duo fighters?"
"Yes," Mac-Zero nodded. "And the more we do, the more accurate we get."
That's insane.
"Okay," I said. "Now explain this."
[MAC-ZERO: V1 ARMOR UNLOCKED (LOCKED UNTIL USER LEVEL 10)]
[EXPLANATION:]
With 100% Sync and completing Level-Up Challenge, Mac-Zero has gained the potential for a full armor evolution: EVO STAGE: V1 ARMOR.
This evolution improves upon:
– Strength
– Defense
– Speed
– Skill Execution
– Reaction Sync
V1 Armor is unavailable until User reaches Level 10. It will become usable during combat missions or dire situations after being unlocked.
V1 Armor appearance and ability loadout will change in line with Subordinate Combat History and Sync Performance.
I glanced over at Mac-Zero. "You've got a literal evolution form now?"
He smiled. "More than a form. A next stage."
".We're gonna break this system some day," I muttered.
Then I referred to the last term:
[MAC-ZERO IS NOW REGARDED AS A CORE UNIT]
[EXPLANATION:]
Core Units are grade-A-grade Subordinates produced through full Sync. Core Units are no longer just dormant allies but full extensions of the user's battle system. They receive system upgrades, system XP, and can evolve on their own.
Core Units are able to receive command protocols, train alone, access small-scale system functions, and ultimately have personal skills.
Single Core Unit allowed up to Level 15.
I leaned back on my bed, eyes wide, mind racing.
"Marcus. you're not just a fighter now. You're me—but stronger."
He walked forward, hands in hoodie pockets.
"I've always been a reflection," he said. "Now I'm something more."