Chapter 57 – Monarch of Regret vs. Ren Kisaragi

Darkness swallowed the chamber.

Ren opened his eyes to a warped reflection of reality—everything tinged with blue, like he was submerged in memory. But it wasn't the world that felt off…

It was him.

Across the obsidian floor, his opponent stood. Same hair. Same eyes. Same scars. But twisted—like a version of Ren that never got back up. A Ren who gave in.

The Monarch of Regret.

“So… this is what I could’ve become,” Ren muttered.

The shadow-Ren smirked, eyes hollow yet brimming with fury.

“No. This is who you are. You just haven't realized it yet.”

Without warning, shadow-Ren raised a hand—void tendrils lashed out, forcing Ren to dodge backward. The attack was identical to his own style… only faster. Meaner. Colder.

[System Alert: Cognitive Clash Detected.]
[Combat Adaptation Engaged.]

Ren's blade shimmered to life.

“If you're the part of me that gave up… then I’ll carve you out right now.”

Their blades clashed—metal against metal, will against will.

Each strike Ren made, the shadow mirrored. But worse, anticipated.

“I know every move,” the Monarch of Regret hissed, blade pushing Ren down. “Every fear. Every hesitation. You fight to prove you're more than nothing… but you are nothing.”

Ren’s vision blurred—memories surged:

The betrayal at the Abyssal Raid.

The day he was left behind.

His comrades’ blood on his hands.

And just as his knees began to buckle—

“You’ve failed everyone,” the shadow growled, sword at Ren’s throat.

But then—Ren smiled.

“No... you forgot one thing.”

He stood tall, eyes burning.

“I always get back up.”

A surge of power erupted from Ren—not the Void Monarch System, but something deeper. Older.

[Trait Unlocked: Indomitable Will]
[Nullifying Psychological Bindings…]

His aura shifted—less corrupted, more resolute. His blade now burned with silver-blue flame.

The Monarch of Regret staggered.

“What is this…?!”

“Hope,” Ren said.

With a final roar, he slashed through the shadow, shattering it like glass.

The realm cracked open.

[Trial 4 Completed.]
[Cognitive Dissonance Purged.]

Ren fell to one knee, breathing heavily. But he smiled.

“I’m not perfect. I’m not even close. But I’m still here.”

And that was enough.

Next: Chapter 58 – Kael’s Trial: The Chain Empress’ Judgement