"Before one can judge others… they must first survive judgment of the self."
Location: Harmonic Codex – Fragmentation Field: Neutral Zone
The system reshaped itself to contain what was coming.
A new "arena"—not physical, not code, but pure meaning.
[System State: Duel Protocol – Architect Tier]
[Combat Mode: Ideological Manifestation]
[Objective: Prove the viability of your System Design through real-world simulations]
Jiwoon and Ryu Shinwon now stood at opposite ends of a shifting dimension—each representing the logic of their respective systems.
🔹 Simulation 1 – The Unforgivable Child
A 9-year-old child stabs his abusive father.
The court, the city, the witnesses—all polarized.
Ryu speaks first:
"This is a simple case of absolute sin: murder.
All factors are irrelevant."
[Verdict: Guilty – Immediate Correction Required]
Jiwoon responds:
"But the system didn't protect him from trauma.
If it cannot protect, it cannot punish without context."
He modifies the protocol:
[Verdict: Deferred – Emotional context required]
[Child assigned to an emotional rehabilitation unit + monitored care]
"Judgment without protection is oppression in disguise."
🔹 Simulation 2 – The Innocent Terrorist
A man unknowingly delivers a device planted with explosives, believing he's just moving supplies.
It explodes. People die.
Ryu's system responds:
"Intent is meaningless when result is catastrophe.
Unknowing tools must be judged as tools of death."
Jiwoon:
"Then should every tool be judged equally?
Intent is what separates a mistake… from murder."
[Verdict: Conditional Pardon – Must engage in public restitution and victim outreach]
[Reintegration Based on Measured Impact Over Time]
🔹 System Strain Detected
The system begins to fracture under two opposing models.
[Codex Integrity: 73% – Conflict Causing Layer Overlap]
Yura appears—forced into the simulation.
"This… isn't just a trial.
It's reshaping reality itself. If this continues…"
🔹 Ideological Confrontation
Ryu steps closer, eyes glowing with ancient code.
"You changed the system to feel.
But feelings are unstable."
Jiwoon:
"And your version is soulless."
"The world doesn't need perfection.
It needs fairness that can evolve."
Ryu frowns.
"Then prepare your system for collapse.
Because next… we test your sins."
End Scene
[Next Simulation: Jiwoon's Past – Case File #000]
[Verdict: To Be Determined by Ryu Shinwon]
The final test…
is Jiwoon himself.