Jin-Hoo's mind raced, still grappling with the fact that he had been transported into the very world he used to explore behind a screen. The cold reality of his new surroundings contrasted sharply with the safety of his gaming chair back home. The weight of Seric's armor bore down on him, a constant reminder that this was no dream, no glitch. Every clink of metal as he moved felt unnervingly real.
He trailed behind Soo-Min, his eyes darting to every shadow, every flicker of torchlight in the narrow corridor. The dungeon's stone walls seemed to close in on him, the damp air thick with an oppressive silence. He wanted to ask Soo-Min a hundred questions—how had she known? How long had she been here?—but the urgency in her stride told him now was not the time for explanations.
Soo-Min led him through the winding tunnels, her movements swift and confident. Jin-Hoo marveled at her transformation. In school, she had always been distant, aloof. Here, she was a different person entirely—her demeanor sharp, her every action precise. Gone was the quiet girl who sat by the window in class; now she was a warrior of this world, comfortable in her element.
They emerged into a large chamber, its ceiling soaring high above them. The faint sound of dripping water echoed through the cavern, and the walls were lined with cryptic markings, faintly glowing in hues of blue and green. At the far end of the chamber stood an imposing stone door, covered in intricate runes.
"We'll be safe here for a moment," Soo-Min said, her voice low but steady.
Jin-Hoo's heart still pounded in his chest. "What… what is this place? How is this even possible?"
Soo-Min turned to him, her eyes calm but serious. "I told you before, Jin-Hoo. This world—it's more than just a game. For most people, Legends of Valor is nothing but a distraction, a form of entertainment. But for a select few… it's a gateway to something much bigger, much more dangerous."
Jin-Hoo shook his head, trying to make sense of it all. "But why? Why us? Why now?"
Soo-Min leaned against the stone wall, her expression softening just a little. "There's a balance between the worlds—between our world and this one. Most of the time, it remains intact. But sometimes, for reasons I don't fully understand yet, that balance tips. When it does, people like us are drawn in. Gamers who've spent years immersing themselves in this world are suddenly... part of it."
Jin-Hoo felt a chill creep up his spine. "So… we're stuck here? Is there a way out?"
Soo-Min's gaze flickered, betraying a trace of uncertainty. "Maybe. But if there is, it's not simple. This world follows its own rules, its own logic. If we want to survive—and maybe find a way home—you're going to have to treat this like the game it was. You need to level up."
Jin-Hoo swallowed hard, his mind racing back to the mechanics he had spent hours perfecting. Quests, dungeons, skills—those were just pixels and numbers before, something distant and abstract. But now, those systems would decide whether he lived or died.
Soo-Min pushed off the wall, her face resolute once more. "I've been here longer than you, Jin-Hoo. I know the lay of the land, the enemies we'll face. You're starting from scratch, and that means you're more vulnerable than you've ever been. But if you stick with me, I can help you get stronger. Fast."
Jin-Hoo nodded, determination slowly replacing the panic that had gripped him since his arrival. "What do I need to do?"
Soo-Min smirked, a glint of amusement in her eyes. "First, we need to get you some real equipment. That starter gear won't last long. After that, we start hunting."
She led him toward the massive stone door at the far end of the chamber, running her fingers over the glowing runes. With a soft rumble, the door creaked open, revealing a stairway leading down into the unknown.
"Where are we going?" Jin-Hoo asked, his hand instinctively gripping the hilt of his sword.
"To a place where you can gain your first levels quickly," Soo-Min replied. "And, if we're lucky, we might find something valuable."
They descended into the darkness, the air growing colder with every step. As they reached the bottom, the stairway opened into a vast underground expanse. The landscape ahead was eerie and desolate, dotted with jagged rocks and patches of mist that clung to the ground like smoke. In the distance, Jin-Hoo could make out the shapes of large, hulking creatures lumbering through the haze.
"These are low-level enemies," Soo-Min said, drawing her bow and nocking an arrow. "But don't get careless. In this world, even the weakest monsters can kill you if you let your guard down."
Jin-Hoo nodded, his hand tightening around his sword's grip. His nerves were on edge, but there was also a strange thrill coursing through him. He wasn't Seric, the max-level warrior anymore. He was Jin-Hoo, level zero—weak, inexperienced, and in desperate need of growth. But this time, he wasn't playing for fun. This was survival.
They moved through the rocky terrain, Soo-Min effortlessly picking off the smaller creatures that scurried in the shadows. Jin-Hoo followed her lead, swinging his sword at anything that got too close. At first, his strikes were clumsy, his timing off. But with each fight, he could feel himself improving. The weight of the sword became more familiar, the rhythm of combat clearer.
After what felt like hours, Jin-Hoo's breathing was heavy, and his muscles ached. But he had leveled up twice, and a small glimmer of hope began to bloom in his chest.
"Not bad for your first day," Soo-Min said, lowering her bow as the last of the creatures dissolved into mist. "But don't get cocky. This is just the beginning."
Jin-Hoo wiped the sweat from his brow, exhaustion setting in. "What's next?"
Soo-Min glanced around, her eyes narrowing as if sensing something in the distance. "Next, we head to a nearby town. You need better gear, and I have a few contacts who might help us."
As they set off toward the horizon, Jin-Hoo's mind whirled with a thousand questions. This world was dangerous, more than he had ever imagined. But there was also a strange allure to it—a challenge he couldn't walk away from. If this was his new reality, he would face it head-on. He had to.
Because somewhere, deep within this perilous world, was the key to returning home.
And Jin-Hoo was determined to find it.