"In every trade, something is lost… and something is invited."—Unknown Riftborne Saying
The lower chamber of the Hollow Vault pulsed with a low, rhythmic hum. As Jin stepped onto the final platform, a soft vibration passed through his soles—almost like a heartbeat.
The passage behind him sealed shut.
Before him, a large circular gate began to glow. Not a Rift, but a Vault Core—one that pulsed in sync with his system interface.
[Final Vault Room Reached – Core Chamber Unsealed]Threat Level: E+Boss: Vault Echo: Meric Vass
Conditions:– Combat Compulsory– Summoned Entity Hostile– Memory Fragment Influence Active
Special Condition: "He remembers your trade."
Jin blinked.
The name was the same as the ghost he had just bartered with.
Before he could move, light crackled in the center of the chamber—and the figure of Meric Vass stepped forward, his armor reformed and glowing faintly with Rift corruption. The same kind eyes were there—but now, they burned with purpose.
[Vault Echo – Meric Vass]Type: Spirit Guardian (Bound)Class: Elite RemnantAffiliation: Unknown
Behavior: Defensive HostileCombat Signature: Strategic Melee, Trade-Skill Hybrid
Warning: Combat Response Adjusts Based on Previous Trade History.
Jin's First Real Fight
There was no time for hesitation.
Meric moved first—flashing across the chamber with a warhammer made of Rift alloy. Jin dove aside, his gloves instinctively lighting up.
The system kicked in:
🔹 Echo Trade (Passive) Activated➤ Scanning prior trade history…➤ Simulating counter-barter logic…
Jin's gloves emitted a pulse, throwing up a barrier of energy just before the hammer hit. The force was immense—Jin was thrown backward against a pillar.
Pain flared across his ribs.
"Okay," he coughed. "So that's what elite spirits feel like."
But there was a silver lining—Meric paused.
He stared at Jin, blinking once.
And the system flared again:
💬 "You gave me peace. Now I'll test your will."
💥 Special Skill Triggered – "Echo Duel"
Echo Duel Begins
Time slowed.
Jin's interface transformed into a symmetrical trade board—his side empty, Meric's side filled with flickering memories: broken swords, faded photographs, crumbling books.
💡 Objective: Create a "trade" using items, intent, or skill usage that matches the emotional resonance of the opponent.
Jin placed:
– [Scavenged Music Chip]– [Hand-Wrapped Ration]– [Veyna's Token (Unused)]
The scale trembled.
Then balanced.
✅ Trade Matched – Emotional Resonance AchievedVault Echo temporarily stunned.
Meric staggered, the ghost of a smile forming across his cracked face. Jin capitalized—rushing forward, delivering a focused strike using a flare charge embedded in his gloves.
💥 Direct HitCritical: Rift-stabilizing strike
Enemy Stability: 32%
Final Clash
Meric roared, his body splitting with beams of Rift energy. The duel was over—the Vault Echo was returning to pure instinct now, forgetting the man he once was.
"Then I'll remember for you," Jin muttered, dodging a wide arc swing and sliding beneath the echo's blade.
With a quick combo—two feints and a charged burst—Jin slammed both fists into Meric's chest.
The spirit shattered into fragments of light.
🎯 Victory: Vault Cleared
🔑 Rewards:– Core Memory: "Fall of Gate B-09"– Skill Token (Unbound – Trade Affinity Type)– Reputation Boost (Unlisted Observer Faction)
⛓ Rift Signal Detected…
"Mark complete. Candidate observed."
Connection Terminating…
The Hall of Leaving
As Jin exited through the final arch of the Hollow Vault, the weight of the last battle hung heavy on his shoulders. His system pinged softly:
Trader Rank Progress: 42% to Rank 3
🧠 New Feature Unlocked: Core Memories– Stores valuable events from Trader history or dungeon echoes.– Can be traded, absorbed, or offered to special Rift shrines.
📘 Core Memory: "Fall of Gate B-09"
A vision of a major Rift disaster. May unlock forbidden market or vault knowledge.
Outside, the air was no longer quiet.
Veyna was waiting—arms crossed, sunglasses on, but her foot tapping rapidly.
"You were in there thirty real-world minutes. That's five hours Rift time," she said, eyeing him. "And you look like you've seen death twice and traded with it both times."
Jin just handed her the Skill Token.
"Help me unlock this. Then tell me about Gate B-09."
Veyna froze.
Her face darkened.
"…Where the hell did you hear about that?"
Jin didn't smile.
"I didn't hear about it. I saw it."
📌 Author's Note:
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— [RealmVendor]