### **A Visit from the Dungeon Administration**
Kai sat in his hospital bed, the stone fragment still clenched tightly in his hand. The strange inscriptions on his body had stopped glowing, but their presence left him uneasy. His thoughts swirled as he tried to piece together the events that had led him here, and where his team could possibly be.
A sharp knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in," Kai said cautiously.
The door opened to reveal two figures: a man and a woman, both dressed in sharp, tailored suits bearing the insignia of the Dungeon Administration—a silver gate surrounded by nine stars.
The man stepped forward first. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with close-cropped black hair and piercing gray eyes. His expression was stern but composed. The woman, slightly shorter, had auburn hair tied into a neat bun and wore glasses that reflected the room's light. Her gaze was sharp, and she carried a clipboard tucked under her arm.
"Mr. Kai," the man began, his voice firm but professional, "I'm Director Gavin Moore, and this is my colleague, Specialist Elena Hart. We're with the Dungeon Administration. May we have a moment of your time?"
Kai hesitated, his grip tightening on the stone fragment. "Sure... but what's this about?"
Elena stepped closer, her tone softer but no less serious. "We're here regarding your recent dungeon expedition with the Nine Stars Guild. Specifically, the gate anomaly reported at the end of the dungeon."
Kai's heart skipped a beat. He glanced between the two agents, trying to read their expressions. "Anomaly? Do you mean the second gate?"
Gavin nodded. "Precisely. We were notified about the incident after a faint energy signature matching that of an unregistered gate was detected. The guild is missing, and you were found unconscious outside the dungeon. We're here to find out what happened."
Kai frowned, his memories still fragmented. "I... I don't remember everything. We completed the dungeon, but then this second gate appeared. It was different—stronger, darker. We... we went through it."
Elena scribbled on her clipboard, her expression tightening. "You *entered* the unregistered gate? Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?"
Kai shot her a frustrated look. "We didn't know what was on the other side. We just... thought it might be worth exploring. But after that, everything's a blur."
Gavin exchanged a glance with Elena before addressing Kai again. "You said 'we.' Can you confirm the whereabouts of the rest of your team?"
"I don't know," Kai admitted, his voice heavy with guilt. "When I woke up, I was here—alone. No one told me anything about them."
Elena frowned, flipping through her notes. "The dungeon gate was stable when our agents arrived, and there were no signs of the other guild members. Your case is highly unusual, Mr. Kai. Survivors typically retain full memory of their dungeon experiences, even when anomalies are involved."
Kai hesitated, debating whether to tell them about the glowing inscriptions and the fragment. Something in him warned against it. "I wish I could help more, but... my memories are all jumbled."
Gavin sighed, his expression softening slightly. "We understand this might be overwhelming, but any detail, no matter how small, could help us locate your team and understand what happened in that gate."
Kai looked down at the stone fragment in his hand, its faint glow a constant reminder of the unknown. For now, he decided to keep it—and the inscriptions—hidden.
"I'll try to remember more," he said finally. "But I need time."
Gavin nodded, pulling out a card and placing it on the bedside table. "If anything comes to mind, contact us immediately. This is a matter of utmost importance, not just for you, but for the safety of others."
Elena added, her tone less severe, "Take care of yourself, Kai. The effects of unregistered gates can be unpredictable. If you experience anything unusual, let us know right away."
With that, the two agents left, leaving Kai alone with his thoughts. As the door clicked shut, he stared at the glowing fragment in his hand, his resolve hardening.
"This is my problem to solve," he muttered. "I'll find them—no matter what."
### The Mystery of the Gates
For centuries, the appearance of mysterious gates across **Neitheria** had intrigued and alarmed its people. These gates—portals to other worlds—had become both a source of wonder and a harbinger of doom. They would manifest without warning, emitting energies unlike anything native to their world, and often bringing forth hostile forces intent on conquest.
Explorers, scholars, and mages had dedicated generations to understanding these phenomena. Through rigorous study and perilous expeditions, they had uncovered startling truths:
1. **The Nature of the Gates**: Each gate was a conduit connecting Neitheria to another world or dimension. The energies required to maintain such a portal were immense, suggesting advanced knowledge and power beyond what Neitherians possessed.
2. **The Invasion**: Evidence pointed to a coordinated effort by some worlds to invade and conquer others. These worlds would send armies—soldiers, monsters, or constructs—through the gates, attempting to claim territory and resources for themselves.
3. **The Gate Rulers**: The most chilling discovery was that each world had a supreme being—often referred to as a King or Ruler—who possessed the unique ability to open and control these gates. This power allowed them to expand their dominion across dimensions. However, this ability came with strict restrictions, the nature of which remained a mystery.
### **A Forbidden Power**
Research had revealed that while these rulers wielded immense power, they could not use it recklessly. Opening a gate required adherence to certain **laws of balance**, likely enforced by an ancient force or natural law governing the multiverse. Some of these rules included:
- **Permission and Resistance**: A ruler could not simply claim any world they entered. Just as Neitherians fought against invaders, other worlds resisted being overtaken.
- **Resource Limits**: Opening a gate consumed vast resources and left the ruler's own world vulnerable. Misuse of this power could lead to collapse.
- **Sanctuary Protocols**: Gates often led to sanctuaries—neutral zones that served as battlegrounds or meeting places. These sanctuaries followed their own rules, preventing direct domination.
### **The War of Worlds**
Neitheria was not alone in this struggle. Across the multiverse, countless worlds fought to protect their homes from invaders. Alliances were formed, and knowledge was shared among those who had managed to repel invasions.
Over centuries, the explorers and defenders of Neitheria had become adept at identifying and countering threats. They established the **Dungeon Administration**, an organization tasked with monitoring gate activity, investigating anomalies, and neutralizing invading forces.
Despite their efforts, however, the gates remained unpredictable. Some were benign, leading to uninhabited worlds rich with resources or knowledge. Others were lethal, unleashing horrors that left devastation in their wake.
### **A Growing Threat**
Recently, however, the gates had begun appearing more frequently and with greater intensity. This alarming development raised new questions:
- Were the rulers of other worlds growing stronger?
- Was the balance of the multiverse shifting?
- Or was there something—or someone—manipulating the gates from behind the scenes?
The answers remained elusive, but one thing was clear: the stakes had never been higher.
### **Kai's Place in the Puzzle**
Unbeknownst to Kai, his encounter with the unknown gate was more than just an anomaly. It was a ripple in a much larger tide of events. The inscriptions on his body, the glowing stone fragment, and his missing memories were all clues to a greater truth—one that tied him not only to his team but to the very fabric of the multiverse itself.
As the Dungeon Administration investigated the incident, they began to suspect that Kai and the Nine Stars Guild had stumbled upon something extraordinary:
- A gate connected to a sanctuary.
- A gate that should not have been open.
- A gate tied directly to one of the rulers.
The question was not just what had happened to Kai and his team, but why. And as the gates continued to appear across Neitheria, it became clear that their world was on the brink of a new chapter in the war of worlds—one that Kai would play a crucial role in shaping.
### **Kai's Transformation**
After the Dungeon Administration representatives left, Kai spent the next two days in deep rest. Despite his body's initial weakness, he felt an unusual vitality growing within him. His wounds healed rapidly, his muscles no longer ached, and his senses seemed sharper than ever.
When the hospital staff cleared him for discharge, Kai stood before a mirror to dress. He froze, his reflection startling him.
The once-slightly-slouched scholar with wiry limbs and a perpetually tired expression was gone. In his place stood someone he barely recognized—a figure with broad shoulders, a well-defined musculature, and a posture that exuded strength and confidence. His skin had a healthy glow, his movements were fluid and deliberate, and his gaze felt piercing, even to himself.
"This... this isn't me," Kai muttered, running a hand down his arm. His fingers traced the faint glow of the inscriptions hidden beneath his clothing.
Though he couldn't explain it, his body felt as though it had been honed by years of combat training—like that of a seasoned soldier or knight. The reflexes, the strength, the stamina—it was as if his body remembered experiences his mind did not.
### **Stepping Back into the World**
As Kai left the hospital, the bustling streets of the city felt strangely distant, like a scene from a world he no longer belonged to. Every step he took felt deliberate, his senses heightened. He could hear the faint rustling of leaves in the distance, see the tiniest details in the faces of passersby, and feel the subtle vibrations in the ground from nearby traffic.
"Did that gate... do this to me?" he wondered aloud.
The glowing fragment of the singing stone remained in his pocket, pulsing faintly as if resonating with his thoughts. Kai clenched it tightly, a mix of determination and unease washing over him.
"I need answers," he muttered.
### **A New Resolve**
Kai's first destination was his home—a modest apartment where his younger brother and mother awaited him. He needed to see them, to reassure them he was okay, but also to ground himself in the life he had before all of this.
However, deep down, he knew this wasn't over. The gate, his team, the markings on his body—they were all pieces of a puzzle he had yet to solve.
As he walked through the city, the stares of strangers followed him. He wasn't sure if it was his new physique, his confident stride, or something more. Regardless, it only solidified one thing in his mind:
His life had changed forever.
And whatever lay ahead, he would face it. For himself, for his team, and for the truth behind the Unknown Gate.
### **Kai's Discovery at the Training Facility**
After reassuring his family and spending some time with them, Kai made his way to the training facility owned by the Dungeon Administration. This facility was renowned for its state-of-the-art equipment, used by hunters and adventurers to evaluate their skills and enhance their abilities.
Kai's goal was simple: to check his status and understand the changes in his body since the incident at the Unknown Gate.
### **The Status Check**
Kai approached the **Uni Crystal**, a large, glowing orb mounted on a pedestal in the center of the testing area. The crystal was capable of displaying the basic status and abilities of anyone who placed their hand on it.
Placing his palm against the crystal, Kai waited for it to activate. But to his surprise, nothing happened. The crystal remained inert, its glow unchanged.
Confused, Kai turned to the **incharge of testing**, a middle-aged woman with a calm demeanor. "Is there something wrong with the crystal? It's not responding to me."
The woman frowned and approached the Uni Crystal. "It can't be malfunctioning," she said, her tone thoughtful. "The Uni Crystal always responds unless..."
"Unless what?" Kai asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Unless you're already bound to an **Eitr Crystal**," she replied.
Kai shook his head. "I've never bound to an Eitr Crystal before."
The woman's expression turned to disbelief. "That's... strange. Let me check." She placed her hand on the Uni Crystal, and immediately, it responded to her touch, glowing brightly and displaying her basic status.
"The crystal is working perfectly," she confirmed, turning back to Kai. "If it doesn't respond to you, it means you're bound to an Eitr Crystal. Are you sure you've never used one before?"
Kai nodded firmly. "I'm certain."
The woman hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "I can't explain it, but if you are bound to an Eitr Crystal, only that crystal can reveal your full status. Without it, the Uni Crystal won't work for you."
### **Kai's Realization**
Leaving the facility, Kai's mind raced. *Bound to an Eitr Crystal? That's impossible. I've never been issued one.*
As he walked, his hand instinctively reached into his pocket, pulling out the glowing fragment of the **singing stone**. It looked almost like an Eitr Crystal, but with intricate inscriptions covering its surface.
"Could this... be it?" Kai muttered to himself.
He found a quiet spot outside the facility, gripping the stone tightly in his hand. Closing his eyes, he focused his mana, channeling it into the stone. Almost instantly, a surge of energy coursed through him, and a transparent interface appeared before his closed eyes.
### **Kai's Status Before the Gate Incident**
- **Name**: Kai
- **Class**: Explorer / Novice Scholar
- **Level**: 14
- **Attributes**:
- Strength: 7
- Agility: 10
- Intelligence: 18
- Endurance: 8
- Mana: 12
- **Skills**:
- **Trap Identification** (Passive): Automatically detects traps within a certain range.
- **Weakness Analysis** (Active): Identifies a monster's weak points.
- **Mana Control (Basic)**: Allows limited control over mana for basic spells or support.
- **Abilities**:
- **Quick Insight**: Accelerates thinking speed for short periods.
- **Adaptability**: Adjusts to new environments faster than average.
### **Kai's Status Now**
The glowing interface shifted, showing a second set of information:
- **Name**: Kai
- **Class**: Unknown
- **Level**: ???
- **Attributes**:
- Strength: ???
- Agility: ???
- Intelligence: ???
- Endurance: ???
- Mana: ???
- **Skills**:
- **???**
- **???**
- **Abilities**:
- **???**
The inscriptions on his body began to faintly glow, as if resonating with the stone.
Kai's heart raced. *What happened to me in the Unknown Gate?*
The fragment pulsed once more, and for a split second, a new line appeared on the interface:
**"Sealed Potential Detected."**
Before Kai could process it, the interface disappeared, and the stone dimmed in his hand.
Kai stood there, staring at the fragment. "Sealed? My potential is sealed?"
The answers he sought seemed farther away than ever, but one thing was clear: the stone, the inscriptions, and the Unknown Gate were all connected.
### **A New Purpose**
Kai clenched the fragment tightly, his resolve hardening. "If my potential is sealed, then I'll find a way to unlock it. And I'll find out what happened to my team."
With this newfound purpose, Kai left the training facility, ready to delve deeper into the mysteries surrounding his transformation and the Unknown Gate.
### **Kai's Training: Uncovering New Strengths and Restrictions**
With his resolve set, Kai began his training to understand the changes in his body and abilities. The training facility provided various tools and equipment to help adventurers refine their skills, making it the perfect place for Kai to test himself.
### **Revisiting Old Skills**
Kai started by testing his **previous skills**:
- **Trap Identification** worked seamlessly, activating whenever he approached an obstacle or testing ground trap.
- **Weakness Analysis** also functioned without issue, allowing him to analyze the dummy monsters in the training area.
Relieved to find these skills intact, Kai pushed himself further, testing his mana control and physical abilities.
### **Enhanced Physical Strength**
Kai quickly realized his body was far stronger than before. Lifting weights and performing exercises that would have exhausted him before now felt almost effortless. Each punch, kick, or movement carried newfound precision and force.
"I'm stronger," Kai muttered, clenching his fists. "But this strength... it's not just mine. It feels like something—or someone—is guiding it."
### **Mana Control and the Inscription's Influence**
Next, Kai focused on his mana. Drawing from his reservoir, he noticed it felt larger and more refined than ever before. Every flow and channeling attempt was smoother, as though his body instinctively knew how to use it better.
But as he pushed further—trying to use more mana than his previous limits—the **inscriptions on his body** began to glow faintly.
A sharp sensation pulsed through him, like a barrier resisting his efforts. The more mana he tried to use, the brighter the inscriptions became, and the stronger the resistance.
Kai staggered back, holding his head. "This seal... it's blocking me," he muttered. "It's like it's capping my abilities. But why?"
### **The Sword and Unfamiliar Expertise**
As he rested, Kai's gaze fell on a training sword placed nearby. It was a simple weapon, nothing special, but something about it called to him. He reached out and grasped the hilt.
The moment his fingers wrapped around it, a surge of unfamiliar knowledge coursed through him. His stance adjusted automatically, and his grip felt natural, as though he had spent years training with a sword.
Kai swung the blade experimentally, performing basic slashes and thrusts. His movements were fluid, precise, and efficient, but it felt incomplete.
"It's like I know how to fight... but not completely," he said, frowning.
As he continued, the inscriptions on his body began to glow again, acting like a wall, hindering his movements whenever he tried more advanced techniques.
The strain was unbearable, forcing Kai to stop. He dropped the sword, panting.
"This seal isn't just blocking my mana," Kai realized. "It's restricting my body's potential and preventing me from accessing skills and knowledge I don't even remember learning."
### **A Growing Frustration**
Kai sat on the ground, staring at his glowing inscriptions as they slowly faded. The mysteries surrounding his transformation were piling up:
- His newfound strength and instinctive swordsmanship.
- The refined mana control that felt both natural and restricted.
- The inscriptions that acted as both a guide and a prison.
"Whatever happened to me in that gate didn't just change me—it locked me away," Kai muttered.
But despite the frustration, a flicker of determination sparked in his eyes.
"If this seal is blocking me, then it means there's more to me than I know. I'll break through it. I'll figure out what's hidden behind these inscriptions and reclaim whatever I've lost—or gained."
With that resolve, Kai stood and resumed his training, determined to push himself further and uncover the truth about his transformation.
As Kai prepared to leave the training facility, he decided to check his status once more with the **Eitr Crystal**. This time, he focused more intently, imbuing it with his mana.
As the crystal began to react, **the inscriptions on his body lit up**—not fully, but partially. A specific segment of the inscriptions glowed with an intensity that felt distinct, almost alive.
A sudden weight pressed on Kai's mind, and his surroundings blurred. He felt an **unknown presence**, powerful and ancient, and then...
### **A Voice Speaks**
A deep, resonant voice echoed in his mind, its tone both mournful and resolute:
> "They fear you... The moment they laid their hands on you, they sought to seal you in the void, to erase your very existence. But even in their triumph, they failed. You slaughtered them, tore through their legions... yet escape was beyond your reach. Even your own betrayed you."
Kai staggered back, gripping his head as flashes of violent, chaotic images filled his mind—scenes of battle, betrayal, and a towering shadowy figure standing against an army.
The voice continued, softening with a hint of reverence:
> "But I, the loyal ___, refused to abandon you. I vowed to serve you for eternity, to stand by your side through all. Yet I was not strong enough. I failed in my promise... so I offer this as my final act of loyalty."
Kai felt a warmth spread through his chest, the glowing inscriptions pulsing rhythmically with the voice's words.
> "You once gifted me the power of ___ in case I too was sealed. Now, I return it to you, my ____. May it guide you, protect you, and lead you to reclaim what was taken."
### **The Connection Breaks**
The light from the inscriptions dimmed abruptly, and the presence vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Kai fell to his knees, gasping for air, his mind racing to process what had just happened.
"What... was that?" he muttered, his voice trembling. "Who were they talking about? Betrayal? Sealing me in the void?"
Kai clenched his fists, his thoughts swirling with questions:
- Who was the loyal servant that spoke to him?
- What was the gift they returned?
- And most importantly... **who was he before?**
The Eitr Crystal still pulsed faintly, as though resonating with whatever had just occurred. Kai stared at it, his resolve hardening.
"I need answers," he said, his voice firm. "No more running blind. Whatever's hidden in these inscriptions, I'll uncover it—and I'll find out who I am."
With that, Kai left the facility, the weight of the unknown pressing heavily on his shoulders but fueling his determination.
Kai, still shaken by the encounter, decided to check his status one more time before leaving the facility. Holding the **Eitr Crystal**, he focused and imbued mana into it once again.
This time, as the inscriptions glowed faintly, his status screen flickered into view.
Unlike before, when nearly everything was shrouded in **???**, new information began to emerge—faint but visible. It was as though the **"gift"** he had just received had loosened part of the seal on him.
### **Kai's Updated Status**
**Name**: Kai
**Level**: ???
**Class**: ???
**Title**: ???
**Skills**:
1. **[Void Blade Mastery - Tier ???]**: Instinctive mastery of blades and weapons infused with void energy. Allows limited combat intuition and techniques. (Partially unlocked)
2. **[Severance Aura - Tier ???]**: A passive ability that enhances combat presence, intimidating weaker foes and disrupting their focus.
3. **[Echo Sense - Tier ???]**: Allows the detection of entities and energies hidden in nearby dimensions or voids.
4. **[Adaptive Resistance - Tier ???]**: Passively reduces damage from mana-based attacks and adapts to various energy types over time.
**Abilities**:
1. **[Loyal Vow - ???]**: A fragment of the "loyal servant's" power. Unknown effects but appears to bolster Kai's overall strength temporarily.
**Physical Stats**:
- Strength: 200 (+ ???)
- Agility: 180 (+ ???)
- Mana: 250 (+ ???)
- Vitality: ???
**Inscription Status**:
Active. Partial unlock. Further release dependent on conditions.
---
Kai stared at the information, his mind racing. The skills seemed both familiar and foreign, as if they were a part of him but also belonged to someone—or something—else.
"What is this 'Void Blade Mastery'?" he wondered aloud. The mere mention of the void unsettled him, but he felt an odd comfort, as if the power wasn't entirely malevolent.
The **"Loyal Vow"** caught his attention most. It was tied to the voice he'd heard.
"Their last effort to serve me..." Kai muttered, the weight of the words sinking in.
He couldn't make sense of the full picture yet, but one thing was clear: **the seals on him were weakening, and the more he unlocked, the closer he'd get to the truth.**
With his newfound skills and abilities partially revealed, Kai left the facility with a renewed purpose. He needed to test these powers, understand their limits, and prepare for the challenges that awaited him. After a long and grueling training session, Kai's body couldn't handle the strain. The physical state he had—enhanced strength and endurance—was still under the restriction of the seal, limiting his true potential. His energy quickly drained, and he collapsed into a deep sleep, his body demanding rest.
The following morning, Kai woke up feeling sluggish but determined. The exertion from the previous day left him with a lingering fatigue, but his resolve remained unshaken. His mind kept drifting back to his current situation—the seal, the mysterious gift, and the fragment of power he had just unlocked.
His first priority was to find out more about the gates. While E-rank adventurers typically had difficulty dealing with higher-level gates, Kai's unique position—combined with his unknown abilities—made him curious.
He began researching gate entries, hoping to find a manageable one to explore. After a couple of hours of digging through available resources, he came across a C++ rank gate.
The Nitin Guild was listed as the main group handling this gate. They were known for their organized leadership and tactical expertise, typically handling gates that were too dangerous for individual adventurers but still manageable for a guild of their size.
Kai knew that a C++ rank gate was still a significant challenge, but it felt like his best option to test his current strength and abilities. The Nitin Guild's reputation for success in such endeavors was a comfort, but he couldn't ignore the nagging feeling in the back of his mind that something was different about him now.
Determined to prove himself, Kai sent a message to the Nitin Guild, requesting entry to the gate. His heart raced as he prepared for what was to come—he would finally get the opportunity to face a new challenge, but the questions about his true potential remained unanswered.
Would his new abilities allow him to survive and thrive in this new environment, or would the seal continue to hold him back?