The stench of blood and decay hung thick in the air. Bruno's breath came in short gasps as he stood frozen, staring at the grotesque creature before him.
The monster loomed, its form barely human. Pale, sinewy flesh stretched over an elongated frame, its spine arched unnaturally. A long, blackened spear jutted out from its neck, yet it still stood—twitching, snarling.
Its eyes—if they could even be called that—were nothing but deep, spiraling voids, as if the Abyss itself stared back.
Raine clutched his sleeve. "What do we do now?"
Bruno's throat was dry. His mind screamed run, but his body refused to move.
The monster's head snapped toward them. It sensed them now.
Bruno exhaled sharply. "Let's run away before it's too late."
They turned to flee—but the monster moved first.
A blur of movement. The creature lunged, impossibly fast, landing in front of them with a sickening crunch of bone against stone. It blocked their escape.
Bruno gritted his teeth, shifting into a defensive stance. There was no running now.
The monster screeched and pounced.
Bruno shoved Raine to the left and threw himself to the right.
The monster landed where they had stood, dust and debris erupting from the impact. It twisted unnaturally, its head jerking toward Bruno. Then—it lunged again.
Bruno barely had time to react. His body moved on instinct. He raised his leg and—
CRACK.
His foot connected with the creature's head.
The moment of impact sent shockwaves through his body—the creature was flung backward, smashing through the side of a ruined building.
Silence.
Raine's eyes widened in disbelief. "How did you—"
Bruno himself couldn't answer. His foot was still raised, his entire body tingling with residual energy. His gaze dropped to his hand—his ring was glowing faintly with a violet aura.
It saved him.
The monster screeched from within the rubble. A moment later, it tore itself free—rage contorting its already inhuman features.
Bruno had no time to think. It was coming again.
It lunged—he sidestepped.
It struck again—he ducked, rolling to the side.
The monster spun, using its momentum to swipe at him. Bruno barely managed to block with his arm, but the force sent him skidding backward, his boots dragging against the dirt.
It was too strong.
His eyes darted to the spear still lodged in its neck. A weapon. A chance.
The monster lunged for the final strike.
Bruno made his move.
He surged forward—grabbing the spear with both hands.
The creature snarled, clawing at him. He twisted the weapon—a guttural crunch echoed as the spear dug deeper into its throat.
The creature thrashed, its claws slicing across his arm, but Bruno held on—using his entire weight to force the weapon deeper and deeper until—
SCHLICK.
The spear pierced through the back of its throat.
The monster convulsed—then fell limp.
For a long moment, Bruno just stood there, panting. His heart thundered in his chest. His arms trembled as he pulled the spear free, its blade slick with dark ichor.
Raine approached cautiously. "You killed it."
Bruno barely heard her. His eyes were fixed on something beneath the monster's skin—a faint glow pulsing through its flesh.
He knelt, pressing his fingers to the source of the light. With a sharp stone, he carved it out from the decayed tissue. Beneath it, buried deep, was a small, crystalline shard.
It was a red Abyssal crystal.
He gripped it, feeling its warmth pulse against his palm.
Then—
A sharp pain shot through his head.
His vision shattered.
A golden-blue door. Massive. Ornate. Standing alone amidst the slums.
A flickering image of two figures approaching it.
The vision faded as quickly as it came.
Bruno gasped, snapping back to reality. He broke the crystal in his hands without realizing it.
"What… was that?"
Raine was beside him, worry in her gaze. "What happened?"
Bruno exhaled, shaking his head. "I saw something. A door… somewhere in the middle of the district."
He gripped the spear tightly.
"…We need to go there."
The golden-blue door stood untouched amidst the carnage.
The katana wielder arrived first, stepping onto the fractured stone. He gazed at the door for a long moment before plucking the flower from his coat, twirling it between his fingers.
A voice called out.
"So you're here too, huh?"
A massive figure approached—the greatsword user. His weapon rested on his shoulder, the blade still stained with fresh monster blood.
"I thought you died somewhere," the big man grunted.
The katana wielder smirked. "Disappointed?"
The big man snorted. "Not even close."
Before they could exchange further words—
Silas was already there.
He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a scroll in one hand.
"Interesting," Silas mused. "Didn't think someone else would be interested in something like this."
Another voice joined them.
Varen strode forward, a normal sword in hand, his relic blade strapped to his back. His eyes scanned the door, then the others gathered.
"Two more are coming," he said simply.
The katana wielder raised a brow. "Oh?"
Before anyone could respond—
Footsteps.
They turned as a new figure approached.
The golden-armored woman. The archer from the perimeter.
She stopped a few paces away, her piercing gaze sweeping across the gathered warriors before settling on Varen.
Her voice was calm—but firm.
"…I didn't expect you to make it this far."
Varen's lips curled into the slightest smirk. "Neither did I."
The silence stretched. The air grew heavier.
Before them—
The golden-blue door waited.
And whatever lay beyond it…
Would change everything.