The portal opened within Kazen's system interface—an access gate to his newly unlocked Inner Domain. He stepped through, and the Sea of Code faded behind him.
In an instant, the world reshaped.
> Entered: Inner Domain
> Status: Isolated Realm
> Customization: Active
> Time Flow: x3
> Sync: 43%
The sky here was neutral gray. The ground beneath him was smooth obsidian, infinite in every direction. Empty, silent, and perfect for one purpose—growth.
"System," Kazen said. "Generate training simulation."
> Training Mode Initialized
> Difficulty: Adaptive
> Combat AI: Advanced
> Opponent Class: Rogue Player Echo – Rank B
A figure materialized—a tall swordsman with mismatched armor and a glowing scar across his chest. His eyes held data fire. He moved like lightning.
The battle began instantly.
Kazen blocked a downward slash, but the weight behind it pushed him back. He rolled, activated Code Rewrite.
> Edit: [Enemy Accuracy -15%]
> Duration: 12 seconds
> MP Cost: 22
He countered with a low slash, followed by a blast of Soul Drive energy to the enemy's side. The AI staggered. Kazen launched upward, kicking it into the sky.
Then, it vanished.
> Simulation Complete
> XP Gained: +560
> Level Up: 6 → 7
> Stats Increased
He breathed hard but smiled. The boost was worth it.
He sat down and opened the customization menu. The domain pulsed in response.
"Let's see… terrain: mountain edge. Sky: dusk. Add training dummies and shadow clones."
The world around him restructured into a dramatic red skyline over jagged cliffs. Humanoid training targets appeared—some still, others moving.
Patchling appeared beside him again. "You could lose yourself here, you know."
"I won't," Kazen said. "I'm not training to survive. I'm training to win."
He practiced techniques for hours—blade projections, chain rewrites, and soul burst strikes. He learned to manipulate time slightly within the domain, slow enemy motion, and adapt his Rewrite uses faster.
> New Skill Unlocked: Quantum Step
> Effect: Allows rapid directional shifts with short-range teleport
> Cooldown: 5 seconds
He sparred against himself—literal mirror simulations—and lost, again and again.
Until finally, he stopped losing.
His form was faster, tighter, precise.
He could feel it now: the system wasn't just inside him anymore. He was syncing with it, molding it, commanding it.
> Sync Progress: 50%
> Title Unlocked: Half-Coded
Patchling hovered near, watching quietly. "You're becoming less human."
Kazen nodded. "I have to. To fight what's coming."
Beyond the domain, in the true world, corrupted gods stirred in their broken heavens.
Soon, he would challenge one.