"The Wastes don't just kill you. They test if you deserve to survive yourself."
---
⚫ System Dead Zone – Blackglass Wastes
The group crossed the boundary into a land stripped of color and mercy.
Gravity twisted. Light bent unnaturally. Even time… felt delayed.
> [System Notification: Entered CLASS-X Hazard Zone – "Blackglass Wastes"]
System Mapping: Disabled
System Presence: Suppressed
Terrain Tag: Forgotten Sovereign Battlefield
Seris steadied herself. "This place feels… wrong."
Thorne kept his blade drawn. "It's not just the terrain. Something ancient is watching."
Kael's eyes locked onto a black obelisk in the distance—radiating waves of heatless static.
Silica stepped ahead of them, her tone unreadable. "That's Judgment's Scar. The next Null Fragment lies at its heart."
---
🧩 Fragment Reaction – Core Resonance
Kael's Shard vibrated violently.
> [NULL FRAGMENT III DETECTED – "Judgment's Scar"]
Status: Locked behind Sovereign Trial
Requirement: Face the version of yourself that surrendered.
Without warning, the world darkened—flashing into a vision of fire and silence.
A city burning.
A battlefield of thousands.
Kael standing motionless, his voice stripped from him as his allies were cut down.
He was the Sovereign… who fell without a word.
---
🕯️ The Trial of Silence
> "You abandoned us," a voice whispered. "You watched us die and said nothing."
A mirror of Kael emerged from the void—dressed in regal armor, but lifeless behind the eyes.
> [Trial Initiated: Echo of the First Silence – Broken King Kael]
Win Condition: Reclaim your voice. Destroy the silence you once accepted.
The fight began.
Steel clashed. Shadows surged.
The Echo used guilt like a blade—reminding Kael of every life lost because he failed to speak.
But this time… Kael shouted back.
> "I will not be silent again."
He roared—and his voice tore the illusion apart.
---
🧠 Fragment Claimed
> [NULL FRAGMENT III: Judgment's Scar – Acquired]
Skill Gained: Voice of Null (Override System Commands within 30m)
Passive Gained: Sovereign Presence (Weak enemies hesitate to act in your presence)
Integration: 42%
Silica stepped forward, wide-eyed. "You beat your own silence... and came out louder."
Kael nodded grimly. "Now I speak for those who were erased."
But before they could breathe—
> [WARNING: System Entity Approaching – "Xehryn, the Lost King"]
ETA: 6 Hours
Threat Level: Class Z – Architect Tier
---
🛡️ And Now... To You, Readers
WE REACHED 3,000 VIEWS! 🎉🔥
Dear reader—you made it to Chapter 25 with us. Whether you joined at Chapter 1 or just jumped into this wild world of Shards, Nulls, and Sovereigns: thank you from the bottom of my heart.
This is my first-ever novel, and your support, comments, and energy have meant everything.
🗨️ Please leave a review if you've been enjoying Talent Engraver.
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We're not just telling a story—we're building a rebellion.
— Your author, Talent Engraver