Zero: Before the Memory
Chapter 4 – ⟪Trial of Sweetness: Illusion of Temptation⟫
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The third gate of the Tongue Trial creaked open.
A wave of sweet fragrance hit my nose, and the world turned pink.
A land glittering like scattered sugar.
Candy trees. Chocolate swamps.
And in the middle—just one bed.
On it lay… Joohee.
Eyes closed. Breath steady.
But I knew her. Every line of that face.
> "...Joohee?"
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My body moved on its own.
This was supposed to be a trial—
but she looked too real. Too warm.
> "It's okay now."
Her voice whispered.
My name. That voice—I could never forget it.
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[Phase 1 – The Lure]
Joohee smiled and reached out.
When our hands touched, warmth flowed into me.
> "You've suffered too much, Zero.
Because of me. You don't have to anymore."
My chest collapsed inward.
> "So come… let's just rest now."
She sat up gently.
Walked to me.
Lips slowly approaching.
> A kiss...?
I closed my eyes.
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[Phase 2 – Emotional Collapse / Shattered Illusion]
Instead of warmth, sharp pain stabbed my lips.
> "Kiiiiiiiek—!"
Her face twisted.
Skin melted.
Eyes warped.
From her mouth came not the scent of candy—but the stench of rotting sugar.
This… wasn't her.
> [HALLUCINATION ENTITY CONFIRMED – "Shulgael," an emotional parasite that feeds on longing and desire]
[EMOTION ALERT: CONFUSION / IDENTITY FRACTURE IMMINENT]
The creature revealed its form.
Wobbling like jelly, emotions dripping from its body.
Those sticky trails wrapped around my feet.
> "You missed her, didn't you?
I'll eat all those feelings for you... every drop."
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[Phase 3 – Emotional Clash / Weapon Awakening]
I struggled—
My emotions were being unraveled.
Anger. Regret. Longing.
All melting into that sweet illusion.
> "That's… not real."
Shulgael laughed.
> "She's dead.
Then why are you still alive?"
That line nearly broke me.
But then—
A red string glowed on my wrist.
The thread bracelet… from Joohee, in the hospital.
Her last gift.
And within it—
A real memory. Her real voice.
> "Even if I don't wake up… remember this.
I believe in you."
That emotion exploded from within.
CRACK—!
A new weapon burst from my hand.
Emotion Weapon: Sugarblade of Truth (당의심검 – "Tang-ui-Sim-Geom")
→ Soft and sweet on the outside, but laced with a hidden blade of doubt and discernment.
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[Final Clash]
Shulgael once again took Joohee's shape.
> "It's me. Really me.
I'll say everything you want to hear..."
I didn't answer.
I simply drew the blade.
> "She would never say things like that."
I drove the blade into her heart.
Her face crumpled.
The illusion shattered—emotions bursting like glass.
Among the fragments,
one fell into my hand.
A glowing shard of truth—
A real memory from Joohee.
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📍[Trial Complete – Emotional Fragment Recovered]
📍[Emotion Weapon Acquired: Sugarblade of Truth]
📍[Next Trial Unlocked – Bitterness Awaits]