The tall shadow monster roared loud. It had many eyes and long black arms. It ran straight at Kai and the girls.
Kai felt his two Echoes fighting inside him. One wanted to talk fancy. The other wanted to punch everything.
"Stay back!" he shouted in a mix of rich and fighter voice. "This beast is beneath me— I mean, let's smash it!"
Mira laughed. "Your voices are funny! I want that monster's Echo!"
Lira stayed calm. She raised her hand. Thin silver threads appeared in the air. "Its weak point is the big eye in the middle. Aim there."
Kai nodded. He ran forward fast with his new reflexes. The monster swung a long arm at him.
He dodged like Reginald the rich guy and punched like Jax the fighter. His fist hit the monster's chest hard. Black smoke flew out, but the monster did not fall.
"Too weak!" Kai roared. Then his voice changed. "One expects better from such a lowly creature."
Mira threw small glowing cards at the monster. Each card exploded like a bomb. "Take that! And that! Collect time!"
The monster screamed and swung at Mira.
Lira moved quick. Her silver threads wrapped around the monster's legs and slowed it down. "Now, Kai!"
Kai jumped high. He felt stronger than before. "This is for making me sound stupid!" He punched the big eye in the middle with all his power.
The eye exploded. The monster shook, then turned into black smoke and disappeared.
A purple crystal fell to the ground.
Strong Echo detected.
Kai picked it up. Warm power rushed into him.
[New Echo Found!]
Name: Shadow Beast Core
Skills: Dark sight (see in dark), shadow step (move fast and quiet)
Personality: None – just pure monster power
Will you take it? (Y/N)
Kai chose Y without thinking.
[Echo Taken!]
Active Echoes: 3/10
New Skills: Dark sight and Shadow step unlocked.
Side Effect: You may feel like hiding in shadows and acting sneaky.
Kai smiled. "Nice. Now I can see better and move quieter."
But right away, his body felt strange. He stepped into a dark corner and whispered, "Hehehe… perfect for stealing more…"
Mira ran over. "Three Echoes already! You are fast! Can I have a card from it?"
Lira looked at Kai carefully. "Your power grows too quick. Be careful. Too many Echoes and you may forget who you are."
Kai tried to answer normally, but the words came out sneaky and fancy. "Fear not, my dear. I am in full control… mostly."
He shook his head hard. "Sorry. Still mixing."
The street was quiet now. The big cracks in the sky were smaller, but more monsters could come anytime.
Mira clapped her hands. "Let's go to the underground market! Many awakened people there. Lots of fights and dying Echoes. Perfect for you!"
Lira frowned. "It is dangerous. The Echo Hunters control that place."
Kai felt excited. His fighter side wanted action. His rich side wanted to "negotiate" for better loot. His new shadow side wanted to sneak in.
He grinned. "Sounds fun. Let's go. I need more Echoes to get stronger."
The three of them started walking toward the bad part of the city.
On the way, Kai tested his new shadow step. He moved from one dark spot to another in a blink. It felt cool, but he also felt like hiding from everyone.
Mira kept talking. "I collect Echo cards! Each one is special. Your rich guy Echo sounds fancy. Can I trade for it later?"
"No," Kai said quickly. Then he added in a fighter voice, "Mine!"
Lira walked quietly. She sometimes looked at Kai like she saw many futures. "You will bring change. Good or bad, I do not know yet."
Kai laughed. "As long as it is fun and I get stronger, I am okay."
They reached a hidden door in an old building. Mira knocked in a special way. The door opened.
Inside was a big underground hall. Lights were dim. Many people with powers stood around. Some fought in small rings. Others traded strange items. The air smelled like smoke and sweat.
Kai's radar pinged hard. Many dying or hurt people here. Many Echoes waiting.
A big man with tattoos walked up to them. "New faces. You here to fight or watch?"
Kai stepped forward. His voices mixed again. "We are here to collect what is ours, good sir."
The big man laughed. "Funny guy. Okay, if you want to fight in the ring, you can. Winner takes Echo rights from the loser."
Mira's eyes shone. "Yes! Let's do it!"
Lira sighed but nodded.
Kai felt his heart beat fast. Three Echoes already. More were coming.
He stepped into the fighting ring.
"Ready when you are," he said.
But inside, Reginald whispered fancy words, Jax wanted to roar, and the shadow side wanted to cheat.
This underground market was going to be crazy.
And Kai was just getting started.