---
Scene: In Front of the Gate, Dusk
The air around the swirling portal felt heavier now, almost suffocating. Mordryn's sharp gaze flicked between the dark vortex and Kang Wo Hu. He could sense the power within—whatever lay beyond that gate was dangerous, but he was no stranger to danger. Still, the faint tingling of his instincts warned him to be cautious.
Kang Wo Hu stood beside him, her eyes fixed on the gate as well, though her expression showed a mix of concern and determination. She pulled out her smartphone once more, checking the readings on the portal.
Mordryn:
calm but curious
"What rank is this portal?"
Kang Wo Hu glanced at her screen, her brow furrowing slightly as she studied the data. She looked up at him, her voice steady but cautious.
Kang Wo Hu:
"It's hard to say exactly, but from what I'm seeing, it's at least an A-rank gate."
Mordryn nodded, though the concept of "ranks" was still new to him. His understanding of strength came from the battlefield—blood, sweat, and raw power—but he had quickly learned that this modern world had its own ways of measuring danger.
Mordryn:
thoughtfully
"A-rank... how powerful are the monsters inside?"
Kang Wo Hu's grip on her smartphone tightened slightly, her gaze shifting to the swirling shadows of the gate.
Kang Wo Hu:
"Strong. Even experienced hunters think twice before entering an A-rank gate. The monsters inside are deadly, and the stronger ones... they're a real threat."
Mordryn's lips curved into a slight smile, the flicker of excitement returning to his eyes.
Mordryn:
with confidence
"Then this is exactly what I need."
Before Kang Wo Hu could respond, Mordryn stepped forward, his figure cutting through the eerie glow of the gate. Without hesitation, he crossed the threshold, his body vanishing into the darkness. Kang Wo Hu hesitated for only a second before following him in.
---
Scene: Inside the Gate
As soon as they entered, the world around them shifted. The vibrant colors of the setting sun were replaced by a cold, dark landscape. The sky above was an unnatural shade of deep violet, and the air felt thick with a strange, oppressive energy. Shadows danced along the ground, twisting and shifting as if alive.
Kang Wo Hu turned back, her breath catching in her throat.
Kang Wo Hu:
alarmed
"The gate... it's gone."
Mordryn turned to where the portal should have been, but she was right. The swirling vortex had vanished, leaving only an empty, silent space behind them. There was no way out.
Mordryn narrowed his eyes, feeling a surge of tension in the air. This was no ordinary gate.
Mordryn:
calmly
"What does this mean?"
Kang Wo Hu's expression tightened. She had heard of this happening before, but it was rare—and incredibly dangerous.
Kang Wo Hu:
"It's a threat gate. Sometimes, gates close behind the hunters, trapping them inside. We have no choice but to fight our way out now."
Mordryn's expression remained steady, unfazed by the sudden turn of events.
Mordryn:
"Then we'll fight."
Kang Wo Hu nodded, her heart pounding but her resolve unshaken. She had been in dangerous situations before, but this felt different. There was something about the air inside this gate—something darker, more dangerous than usual.
They began to move forward, their footsteps echoing on the cold, hard ground. The landscape was barren, filled with jagged rocks and twisted trees that looked like they had been scorched by some ancient fire. It felt like the world itself had been drained of life.
As they ventured deeper into the gate, Mordryn's senses heightened. The magic here was twisted, wild, and dangerous. He could feel it pulsing through the ground beneath his feet, but it wasn't the kind of magic he was used to. This was something more primal, more chaotic.
Mordryn:
quietly
"This world... it feels wrong."
Kang Wo Hu nodded, her eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of movement.
Kang Wo Hu:
"Gates are like that. They're not part of our world—they're connected to something else. No one knows where they come from or why, but once they appear, monsters pour out."
Mordryn's eyes flicked to her, a hint of curiosity in his gaze.
Mordryn:
"You say no one knows. But in my time, there were places like this—rifts between worlds, where creatures beyond our understanding would emerge. The war I fought... it began with one such rift."
Kang Wo Hu looked at him, her brow furrowing.
Kang Wo Hu:
"Do you think these gates are connected to your time?"
Mordryn's gaze hardened as he thought about it. He had no concrete answer, but the feeling in his gut told him that there was a link—something that tied his past to this present.
Mordryn:
"I don't know. But I intend to find out."
They continued forward, the eerie silence only broken by the occasional crackle of energy in the distance. The deeper they went, the more oppressive the air became, as though the very essence of the gate was trying to weigh them down.
Suddenly, Mordryn stopped, his eyes narrowing as he sensed something.
Mordryn:
low and alert
"Something's coming."
Kang Wo Hu tensed, her hand going to the weapon strapped to her back. She could feel it too now—a presence, heavy and dangerous, moving toward them.
The ground trembled beneath their feet, and a deep, guttural growl echoed through the air. From the shadows, a massive creature emerged—its form towering and hulking, covered in thick, dark fur. Its eyes gleamed with a savage hunger, and its claws were as long as swords.
Kang Wo Hu's breath caught in her throat as she recognized it.
Kang Wo Hu:
whispering
"An A-rank... bear monster."
The creature roared, its deafening cry shaking the very ground beneath them.
Mordryn's eyes gleamed with anticipation, his body tensing as he prepared for battle. He could feel the raw energy radiating from the beast—this was exactly what he needed. A challenge worthy of his strength.
But even as he readied himself, a thought nagged at the back of his mind. The gate was closed, and they were trapped inside with no way out. This fight would not be easy.
Mordryn:
under his breath
"Perfect."
Kang Wo Hu glanced at him, her heart pounding as she gripped her weapon tightly. This was going to be a fight unlike any other.
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End of Chapter 15