00:00:10
The plaza seemed to hold its breath.
Players stopped moving, eyes locked on the colossal gates.
00:00:03
00:00:02
00:00:01
A deep gong shook the air.
The ground trembled — faint at first, then stronger, until the runes on each gate blazed with blinding light.
---
> [System Notice]
Gate Assignment: Ashen → Verdant Expanse (Novice Tier)
Estimated Survival Rate: 37%
Difficulty: Moderate
Objective: Survive for 72 in-world hours.
---
"Thirty-seven percent?!" Ashen muttered, heart pounding.
Before he could react further, the gate before him pulled him forward with invisible force.
[Warp Initiated]
A flash of white.
The world twisted, sound warping like a distant echo, until—
---
The smell hit him first: damp earth, wildflowers, and something faintly metallic.
Then came the sound of leaves rustling overhead, the chirping of unseen creatures.
He stood in a vast clearing, sunlight filtering through towering trees with emerald leaves. In the distance, jagged cliffs rose like teeth against the sky.
A ping sounded in his ear.
---
> [Tutorial – Survival Basics]
Welcome to your first Gate World.
Primary Goals:
1. Locate a water source.
2. Establish shelter.
3. Avoid hostile encounters until equipped.
Tip: The map marks your entry point only. Explore to reveal terrain.
---
He pulled the folded map from his Starter Kit — just as expected, it showed nothing beyond a small circle labeled You Are Here.
Somewhere to the east, faint smoke curled upward through the trees.
Smoke meant fire. Fire meant people… or danger.
---
> [Optional Objective Unlocked]
Investigate the smoke plume.
Reward: Unknown.
Risk Level: Variable.
---
Ashen's grip tightened on the short sword.
He checked the rest of his kit:
Sword (Basic Iron) – Durability: 100%
Rations x3 – Restores 25% stamina
Canteen (Empty)
Map (Uncharted)
No armor. No allies. No backup.
---
He took a step toward the smoke, when a rustle to his left froze him in place.
From the undergrowth, two glowing yellow eyes emerged — followed by the sleek, fur-covered body of a wolf… twice the size of any he had ever seen in real life.
---
> [Tutorial – Combat Basics]
Lock-On: Focus your gaze on the target.
Attack: Swing your weapon physically.
Dodge: Step or roll in any direction to avoid strikes.
Health: Damage reduces HP. If HP reaches 0, Player is ejected from the Gate.
Warning: First death penalty applies — loss of Starter Kit.
---
The wolf's lips curled back, revealing sharp, glistening fangs.
Ashen's first fight had just begun.
---
Information Section – Chapter 3
Gate Worlds are fully simulated environments with survival mechanics.
Novice Tier still contains lethal threats, but enemies are scaled to be beatable with Starter Kits.
Death Penalty in early stages removes your initial equipment, forcing you to survive bare-handed.
Hint for Chapter 4: Ashen's first combat encounter tests whether he can adapt — or die before learning the rules.