The warm glow of the exit gate dimmed as a chill swept through the cavern. Rain's instincts screamed—don't turn around. But the sound of slow, deliberate footsteps forced his gaze over his shoulder.
Out of the shadows stepped a tall figure draped in black, its face hidden beneath a mask of bone. The air seemed to distort around them. Even the System interface flickered in their presence.
[Warning: Detection failed. Unknown Entity bypassed scan protocols.]
Rain's knuckles whitened around his blade."You're the one tracking me."
The figure's voice was low, smooth, yet carried an edge sharp enough to cut stone."You carry the Guardian's Soul Core. Hand it over, and I may let you leave alive."
Rain smirked, though his pulse pounded. "If you wanted it, you should have beaten the Guardian yourself."
The masked stranger tilted their head, almost amused."Do you even know what you've taken? That core will awaken the Second Gate—but it also paints a target on your back. The moment you stepped out of the Guardian's shadow, your life stopped being your own."
Before Rain could reply, the stranger blurred—one instant ten paces away, the next a blade pressed to Rain's throat.
System Alert:
[Duel Request Issued: Masked Hunter]Accept? Y/N
Rain didn't hesitate. Yes.
The world tightened into the Duel Realm, isolating them from the outside. Crystalline rings of energy encircled them, pulsing in time with Rain's quickening heartbeat.
The first exchange was a blur—steel against steel, sparks dancing between strikes. The Masked Hunter fought with a style Rain had never seen: unpredictable angles, movements that defied normal human limits. Every blow carried lethal intent.
[HP: 62%][Warning: Enemy is analyzing your combat pattern.]
Rain knew he couldn't win by matching strength. Instead, he baited an overcommitment, slipping into Phantom Step Lv.3 mid-swing. His blade traced a shallow cut across the Hunter's arm.
The Hunter's head tilted again, this time in genuine intrigue."Good. You might last more than a minute."
They vanished again, and Rain felt the killing intent before the strike even came. His body moved on instinct, parrying just in time—but the impact sent him skidding across the stone.
Before the duel could reach its climax, the System shattered the Duel Realm.
[Interruption Detected: External force breaching the instance]
The cavern walls cracked open, light spilling in. Someone—or something—was coming.
The Masked Hunter stepped back, sheathing their weapon."Survive the Second Gate, Rain… and I'll finish what we started."
In the blink of an eye, they were gone.
Teaser Question:Is the Masked Hunter an enemy… or the only ally Rain has against what's waiting beyond the Second Gate?