---
The air was thick with anticipation as the gates shimmered into view, their presence looming over the city like silent sentinels. Tyranor stood at the edge of the gathering, his hood drawn low over his face as he watched the crowds form. Teams of adventurers, mercenaries, and guild members were assembling, preparing to venture into the unknown once more.
The gates had always been a mystery—portals to other worlds, each connected to realms that had long since been destroyed. Every time they opened, monsters poured through, and those brave or foolish enough to enter had to face the dangers within. The rewards were great—mana stones, rare medicines, and artifacts—but the risks were even greater.
Tyranor's gaze shifted to his own team. Ferran, Lira, Kale, and Varin were all present, though their expressions were guarded. The tension from the previous night still lingered, but for now, they were focused on the task ahead. Even if they no longer fully trusted him, they knew they needed his strength to survive.
The gate in front of them flickered, the shimmering surface rippling like water as it prepared to open fully. Tyranor could feel the dark mana stirring within him, reacting to the energy of the portal. It was as if the gate itself was calling to him, pulling at the shadows that now lived inside him.
---
Status Update
Name: Tyranor Althar, The Tainted
Title: Shadow Reaper
Level: 27
Class: Dark Warrior (Mastered)
Mana Type: Tainted (Dark)
Dark Influence: 12%
Quest Alert:
Survive the next gate opening.
Reward: +500 EXP, New Skill (Undisclosed)
---
The quest reminder flashed before his eyes, but Tyranor dismissed it. He had no intention of failing. Whatever was waiting for him inside the gate, he would face it head-on. He had the power now—the dark mana was his to command.
Ferran approached, his armor gleaming in the morning light. "We're up next," he said, his tone clipped. "You ready?"
Tyranor glanced at him, then back at the gate. "Always."
Ferran didn't respond, but the tension between them was palpable. There was no trust, only necessity. Tyranor would have to be careful—one wrong move, and they could turn on him. But that was a problem for another time. Right now, the gate was all that mattered.
---
The Gate Opens
With a low hum, the gate flared to life, its shimmering surface becoming solid. The light from the portal cast an eerie glow over the gathered adventurers, and for a moment, there was silence. Then, without warning, the first wave of beasts burst through.
A massive, reptilian creature lunged out of the gate, its scales glistening with dark energy. It let out a deafening roar, its eyes glowing red as it charged toward the nearest group of adventurers. Chaos erupted as the teams sprang into action, weapons flashing in the air as they moved to defend themselves.
Tyranor drew his sword, the familiar weight of it grounding him. His team moved into formation around him, their movements practiced and precise. Ferran took point, his shield raised as Lira and Kale moved to flank the creature. Varin was already muttering incantations under his breath, preparing to unleash a barrage of spells.
But Tyranor's attention was elsewhere. He could feel the pull of the gate, the dark energy that seeped through it like a poison. The creatures that came through were just the beginning—there was something far more dangerous waiting on the other side.
"Stay focused!" Ferran shouted, blocking a swipe from the creature's massive claws. "We take this thing down, then move in!"
Tyranor nodded, though his mind was already racing ahead. He had to enter the gate. Whatever was inside, it was calling to him—pulling him deeper into the shadows.
As his team engaged the beast, Tyranor felt the familiar surge of dark mana rising within him. His status screen flickered into view once more, the words pulsing with energy.
---
Status Screen
Name: Tyranor Althar, The Tainted
Title: Shadow Reaper
Level: 27
Class: Dark Warrior (Mastered)
Mana Type: Tainted (Dark)
Health: 900/900
Mana: 620/620
Dark Influence: 12%
Skills:
Dark Slash (Level 3)
Void Step (Level 2)
Mana Drain (Level 3)
Dark Binding (Level 1)
Nightmare Gaze (Level 1)
Corrupted Aura (Passive)
Gate Sense (New): Increases the user's sensitivity to mana fluctuations within gates, allowing for heightened awareness of threats and opportunities.
---
Tyranor's eyes narrowed as he read the new skill. Gate Sense—a direct result of his connection to the dark mana. It wasn't a coincidence. The gate was reacting to him, and now he could feel its energy pulsing through the air, guiding him.
He turned to Ferran. "We need to go in now. The longer we wait, the worse it gets."
Ferran shot him a look. "We can't just leave this thing alive!"
But Tyranor wasn't listening. He stepped forward, raising his hand toward the creature. Dark energy crackled around his fingers as he unleashed a blast of Nightmare Gaze. The creature froze, its glowing red eyes dimming as it let out a low growl. Fear washed over it, the mental assault weakening its resolve.
"Now," Tyranor said, his voice cold. "Finish it."
Lira and Kale didn't hesitate. They lunged forward, their blades flashing as they struck the weakened creature. In moments, it collapsed, its body dissolving into the black mist that all gate creatures left behind.
"Move!" Tyranor ordered, already striding toward the gate.
---
Inside the Gate
The transition was instant. One moment, Tyranor was stepping through the shimmering portal, and the next, he was in a world of darkness.
The sky was a swirling mass of black clouds, and the ground beneath him was cracked and barren, as though the very life had been drained from it. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and in the distance, he could hear the low growl of something massive.
Ferran and the others appeared beside him, their faces grim. "What is this place?" Lira asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Tyranor didn't answer. He could feel the pull again, stronger now. The dark mana within him was reacting to the gate, feeding off the energy around them. It was both exhilarating and terrifying. If he wasn't careful, the corruption could start to spread again.
His Gate Sense was pulsing, warning him of a presence nearby. Something was waiting for them, something far more dangerous than the beast they had faced outside.
"We're not alone," Tyranor said, his voice low.
As if on cue, the ground trembled beneath their feet. In the distance, a massive figure emerged from the shadows, its hulking form towering over them. Its eyes glowed with the same red light as the creature outside, but this one was different—stronger, smarter.
It let out a low, rumbling growl, the sound reverberating through the air. Tyranor could feel its power, the dark energy radiating from it like a storm.
"We fight," Ferran said, his voice steady. "Together."
Tyranor nodded, though his mind was already racing. This wasn't just another gate beast. This creature was something else, something connected to the darkness that was slowly consuming him.
The battle was coming, but this time, it wasn't just about survival.
It was about control.
---
End of Chapter 16
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In this chapter, Tyranor and his team enter the gate, where they face new dangers and discover that the dark mana is affecting both the world around them and Tyranor himself. His new skill, Gate Sense, hints at a deeper connection between him and the gates, setting the stage for future revelations.
Would you like to explore the battle with the gate creature next, or focus on Tyranor's struggle with his dark mana and his team's growing suspicion?