Fifteen years. That's how long Alex Kim had lived in a world of magic and monsters. Once an ordinary engineer, he had been sent to a place where survival meant mastering sorcery. Over the years, he became one of the most powerful sorcerers, battling dragons and commanding undead armies. Now, he stood victorious, his robes torn but his resolve unbroken, ready for the final spell that would bring him home.
The portal opened with a bright light, and Alex stepped through, feeling the familiar yet forgotten pull of gravity on Earth. He stumbled out into a dark alleyway, the sounds of a bustling city echoing around him. Gone were the medieval castles and enchanted forests; in their place stood towering skyscrapers and neon lights.
"Where… am I?" Alex muttered, looking around. This was Earth, but it felt different. The air was thick with tension, and the people moved quickly, their faces filled with worry.
A sudden movement caught his eye. A shadowy figure lurked at the alley's entrance, eyes glowing red. Alex's instincts kicked in. Before the creature could pounce, Alex raised his hand and cast a barrier spell. "Shield!" he shouted, and a shimmering barrier appeared, stopping the monster.
The creature snarled, showing its twisted, ugly face—a mix of flesh and bone. "Grrrr…"
Alex quickly formed a fireball in his hand. "This isn't the welcome I was expecting," he said, throwing the fireball at the monster. It exploded, turning the creature into ashes.
Standing over the ashes, Alex's mind raced. "If monsters like these are here, Earth is in serious trouble."
He walked out of the alley, his sorcerer robes changing into modern clothes with a simple spell. As he joined the crowd, he noticed large electronic billboards displaying news about recent monster attacks and dungeon appearances.
"Latest: Monsters attack downtown. Dungeon outbreaks continue," the billboards flashed.
Alex stopped, watching the news in disbelief. "Dungeons... just like the ones in the other world."
Determined to understand what had happened, Alex entered a small café and sat at a corner table, pulling out a tablet. The café's TV displayed a news anchor talking about the latest dungeon outbreak.
"The government urges people to stay indoors and avoid the affected areas," the anchor said.
A waitress approached Alex, offering a menu. "What can I get you?"
"Just a coffee, please," Alex replied, focusing on the tablet. He browsed through news articles, trying to piece together the events of the past fifteen years.
"I need to find out more about these dungeons and why they're appearing here," he thought. An article caught his eye: "Top Scientist Dr. Ethan Lee to Speak on Dungeon Phenomena."
"Dr. Ethan Lee... he might have some answers," Alex muttered. He put the tablet away, finishing his coffee. "Time to visit Dr. Lee."
Outside the café, Alex looked up at the skyline, the sun setting and casting a red hue over the city. "Whatever's happening, I'll face it head-on," he vowed. "For Earth, and for the future."
As Alex walked into the distance, blending into the city crowd, a mysterious figure watched him from a rooftop, their face hidden by a hood. "So, the sorcerer has returned," the figure muttered before stepping back into the shadows.
The return of the sorcerer marked the beginning of a new era, one filled with magic, danger, and hope.