The chamber narrowed suddenly, ceiling dropping low. Floor tiles glowed faintly, signaling pressure-sensitive traps. Shadows moved unnaturally fast, almost like whispers of past enemies, testing my timing and anticipation.
Notice instructed: "Integration test. All skills must work together—welding, rhythm, enhanced perception, and moral reasoning. Adapt instantly. Anticipate consequences."
I moved. Welded plates formed shields, sparks flew, and Rhythm dictated timing. Enhanced Perception allowed me to anticipate the rapid triggering of traps, while my mind calculated which path minimized risk to innocents I imagined trapped nearby.
One wrong step could mean points lost—or worse, collateral damage. But I moved with deliberate calm, body and mind synced, pulse guiding every decision.
At the chamber's center, a control mechanism for the traps glimmered. With a final weld and precise timing, I neutralized the hazard without setting it off, watching the glowing tiles dim as the traps disarmed.
Because I was Mizu. Broken once, yes—but integrating, adapting, mastering every skill simultaneously.