『Zero: Before the Memory』
Chapter 2 – ⟪Trial of Spiciness: The Firebearer⟫
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The Kingdom of the Tongue—
It was hellfire itself.
Scorching land boiled like molten lava.
The air was crimson, sharp enough to tear flesh.
And at the heart of that inferno,
a massive beast emerged from the thick smoke,
wielding a blazing whip.
The first gatekeeper—Biselga.
> "You must be Zero, the purifier.
Then burn. Learn the agony first."
[Phase 1 – Reconnaissance]
I honed my tail like a spear
and charged straight at Biselga.
But—
Thunk!
My strike bounced off a crimson barrier.
Biselga's body ignited as he swung his whip.
Slaaash! Fwoooosh!!
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[Phase 2 – Pain]
The whip grazed my side.
Flesh sizzled.
Muscle was exposed.
> "Damn…
This isn't simulated pain.
I could really die here…"
Biselga conjured a blazing orb and hurled it down.
BOOOOOM—!!
I dropped to my knees in the fire,
mouth trembling open.
> "Joohee… do you remember?
That day we ate that spicy tteokbokki…
You said it was okay to cry.
Because it was the kind of pain that tasted alive."
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[Phase 3 – Emotional Awakening]
In that instant—
a crimson blade erupted from the tip of my tail.
Emotion Weapon Unlocked – Fragment of Flame
I shot up, charging toward the whip—
SHRAAAK!! FWWOOOOOSH—!!
Our flames collided,
and my counterstrike exploded like a starburst.
Biselga—
consumed by the very fire he wore as armor.
> "Emotions aren't meant to be bottled up.
They're meant to burn…!"
And I drove my blade through his heart.
KRRRAAAACK—!!
Biselga's body exploded,
and the first trial gate opened.
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📍[SYSTEM – Trial of the Tongue, First Gate Cleared]
📍[Next Gate: Sourness – The Path of Regret]