The light pouring through the cracked cavern wall was not sunlight—it was blinding silver, pulsing in waves like a heartbeat. The air vibrated with a deep hum that set Rain's teeth on edge.
[System Notice: Second Gate Activation in Progress][Warning: Unstable dimensional fissure detected]
Chunks of stone rained down as the wall collapsed entirely, revealing a massive arch of shimmering energy in the distance. Its surface rippled like water, yet deep inside, shapes moved—towering silhouettes and eyes that glowed like molten gold.
Rain's breath caught. "So this is… the Second Gate."
Before he could take a step, the Guardian's Soul Core in his inventory began to glow, lifting into the air. The hum deepened into a resonant tone that reverberated through the chamber. Symbols carved into the Gate ignited, matching the core's light.
[Soul Core Synced: Gate Resonance 12%… 23%…]
Rain's instincts screamed to run, but his feet wouldn't move. The energy wrapped around him like invisible chains. The Gate's pull grew stronger, threatening to drag him inside.
A voice—deep and ancient—echoed not in his ears, but in his mind.
Bearer of the Core… prove your right to pass.
The ground beneath him split into a vast circle, inscribed with runes that blazed brighter than the Gate itself. Shadows began crawling out of the cracks—twisted creatures with blade-like limbs, their bodies glitching in and out of focus.
System Alert:
[Trial of Passage: Survive for 180 seconds]Failure Condition: HP reaches 0%
Rain gritted his teeth, drawing his weapon."No Masked Hunter, no allies… just me. Fine. Let's see what you've got."
The first creature lunged, its movements jerky yet unnervingly fast. Rain dodged, countering with a slash that split it clean in half—only for it to dissolve and reappear behind him.
[HP: 87%][Note: Enemies respawn infinitely until timer expires.]
So it's not about killing them… it's about lasting.
Sweat dripped down his brow as more shadows poured in, each strike forcing him back toward the center. He activated Phantom Step, weaving between blows, the clock in the corner of his vision ticking painfully slow.
[Time Remaining: 121s]
But then the ground shook harder. The Gate's light flared, and a different shape emerged—a colossal, armor-clad figure with a greatsword larger than Rain himself.
The System didn't even give it a name. It just labeled it:
[Threat Level: Catastrophic]
Rain's grip tightened. Three minutes? This is going to feel like an eternity.