I stood there, staring at the artifact I had obtained after defeating the Ancient Guardian. "Shard of the Old Shadow"… Just touching it sent a strange energy coursing through my body. It wasn't just a piece of stone or metal—it had something inside… something alive.
The moment I lifted it to eye level, a new notification appeared before me:
[Warning! The entity trapped within the shard is unknown. Proceed with caution.]
A trapped entity? What did that mean? Was I carrying something living inside this shard?
A shiver ran down my spine, but I didn't have time to dwell on it now. I placed the shard in my bag and took a deep breath before resuming my examination of the room. I knew this place held more secrets than it seemed.
[Updated Tasks!]
• Explore the Secret Library (Updated!)
• Find the Hidden Entrance ✅
• Defeat the Ancient Guardian ✅
• Unlock the Mysterious Gate ⏳
A mysterious gate? I raised my head and began scanning the library walls. If there was another exit from here, it certainly wouldn't be easy to find.
Unveiling the Buried Secret
I moved between the bookshelves, searching for anything unusual. After minutes of searching, I noticed something strange on the back wall—ancient engravings identical to those I had seen on the library's entrance when I first arrived. They were covered in dust, yet they still emitted a faint energy.
I stepped closer, reached out my hand, and then—
[Ancient Lock Mechanism Detected. Use "Shard of the Old Shadow" to unlock?]
I understood now… The shard wasn't just a reward; it was the key.
"Open."
The moment I pulled out the shard and brought it close to the engravings, the walls began to tremble slowly. A dim light emanated from the shard before being absorbed by the symbols on the wall. Suddenly, the heavy stones shifted, revealing a dark passageway leading downward.
I gazed into the passage, then exhaled slowly. I wasn't sure what awaited me down there, but I hadn't come this far just to turn back.
Descending into the Depths
I stepped inside, and the darkness swallowed me completely.
My footsteps echoed faintly in the corridor, and the stone walls around me appeared even older than the library itself. The air here was different—heavier, filled with the scent of age and ancient energy.
A new notification appeared before me:
[You are entering an unexplored area. Unknown dangers may lie ahead.]
I gripped the handle of my sword cautiously. In this place, anything was possible.
I continued walking for about ten minutes, following the faint glow coming from ahead. As I got closer, I started to make out the details of the chamber I was entering—a high ceiling adorned with ancient carvings, walls covered in inscriptions unlike anything I had seen before.
But what stood out the most… was the massive stone gate at the end of the hall.
The Mysterious Gate
I approached carefully, my eyes scanning the symbols engraved on its surface. They weren't just writings but ancient spells, surrounded by an aura of mysterious energy.
A new notification appeared:
[Ancient Gate Reached. To unlock, present the "Shard of the Old Shadow" and sacrifice a portion of your energy.]
I had no choice. If I had made it this far, there was no turning back now.
I took out the shard and placed it on the pedestal before the gate. The moment I did, I felt a powerful force drain part of my energy, as if something was waking from its long slumber.
[Opening Gate…]
The symbols began to glow slowly, and the air filled with the sound of whispering voices I couldn't understand. A strange pressure weighed on me, as if I were standing at the threshold of another world.
Then, suddenly, the door creaked open, revealing a fog-filled passageway leading into the unknown.
I felt my heartbeat quicken. I knew this step would change everything.
I took a step forward, and the journey beyond the gate began.