Jared turned to Luna, his expression irritated.
"This is not funny," he grumbled, casting a contemptuous glance at Ryan, still lying on the ground. "This guy shows no emotion. What could possibly make him react?"
Luna shrugged, a sly gleam in her eyes. "Maybe we should try something a bit more... extreme."
Jared raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Like what?"
At that moment, a shimmering portal opened in the alley, emitting an eerie light and a dull sound. Both froze, their eyes fixed on the dimensional rift that had just formed.
"A portal..." Jared muttered, on high alert.
Luna, however, seemed fascinated by the new appearance. A devilish smile stretched across her lips. She slowly turned her head toward Jared, a devious idea brewing in her mind.
"What if we threw him into the portal?" she suggested, a sadistic gleam in her eyes.
Jared blinked in surprise at the idea. Then, a similar smile stretched across his face. "That's right. You're a genius, Luna."
They exchanged a knowing look before turning toward Ryan, still motionless, his vacant gaze indifferent to the events unfolding around him.
"Hey, Ryan," Jared called as he leaned toward him. "Ready for a little adventure?"
Ryan didn't respond. His eyes remained fixed on the ground, as if he didn't even notice their presence.
"Perfect," Jared murmured, grabbing Ryan by the shoulders. "You're going to love this."
Luna positioned herself on the other side, helping Jared lift Ryan. They dragged him toward the portal, its light reflecting off their determined faces.
"Want an emotion?" Luna whispered in Ryan's ear. "Here's something that will make you react."
Ryan didn't move, his mind already too shattered to comprehend the magnitude of what was about to happen.
Without another word, Jared and Luna shoved Ryan toward the portal. His body passed through the shimmering light, disappearing into the unknown abyss.
They stood there, staring at the portal as it slowly closed, satisfied with their work.
"That should wake him up," Jared said with a chuckle.
Luna nodded, her smile still stretched across her face. "Now, he's really where he belongs."
They turned and left the alley as if nothing had happened, leaving behind the memory of a ruthless betrayal.
Since their first appearance 500 years ago, portals have always been an enigma to humanity. These dimensional rifts, responsible for the monster invasion, have caused massive destruction worldwide. However, over time and with scientific advancements, humans have managed to learn more about these portals, discovering that they are divided into three distinct types.
Type X portals are the most common. These are portals that humans can explore freely. They allow for entry and exit at will. Once the monsters inside are eliminated, these portals disappear after three hours. However, they pose a risk: if the creatures are not entirely exterminated within seven days, the portal ruptures, releasing the monsters into the outside world. This feature makes them a priority for the Awakened, who must act quickly to avoid a catastrophe.
Next are Type Y portals. Unlike Type X portals, these are unpredictable and much more dangerous. Humans cannot enter these portals, but the monsters inside can emerge at any time. Their appearance is rare, but each manifestation brings palpable tension, as it is impossible to know when or how the monsters will appear. These portals are closely monitored, with intervention teams always ready to react at the slightest sign of activity.
The third type is the X2 portals. They share some similarities with Type X portals, with one key difference: once an individual enters, the portal becomes inaccessible to anyone else until the person inside dies or exits. For a team to enter together, members must hold hands at the time of crossing. This mechanism makes these portals particularly perilous, as the Awakened must prepare carefully before entering, knowing that no outside help can be provided once they are inside.
Beyond these classifications, portals are also evaluated based on their level of danger, which is divided into several classes:
Blue Class: These are the least dangerous portals. The monsters inside are weak, and even F-rank Awakened can survive them.
Yellow Class: A step up, these portals require more experienced Awakened, typically rank E or D, to ensure the safety of the mission.
Red Class: Here, the danger becomes significant. The monsters are powerful, and only C-rank Awakened or higher can hope to escape unscathed.
Black Class: These portals represent a major threat. Rank A and S Awakened are often called to intervene, as the monsters inside are strong enough to cause massive destruction if they were to escape.
Cataclysm Class: The highest level of danger. These portals contain monsters capable of annihilating entire cities. Their appearance is rare, but when a portal of this class manifests, all available resources are mobilized because humanity's extinction could depend on it.
Each portal appearance is a constant reminder of humanity's fragility in the face of these unknown forces. The Awakened, though powerful, know that every mission is a fight for survival, not only for themselves but for the entire world.
For young people like Jared, Ryan, and Luna, who have not yet attended the Protectors Academy, entering any portal, regardless of its class, is considered suicide. The Protectors Academy is supposed to train them, teaching them how to survive and fight against monsters. Without this training, they are vulnerable and unprepared to face the dangers of the portals.
Ryan, unfortunately, had no choice. He was thrown into a Yellow Class X2 portal by Jared and Luna. The shock of the betrayal was still fresh in his mind, but he had no time to dwell on his emotions.
Inside the portal, Ryan lay on the ground. He looked up at the sky, intrigued by the strange vision above him. The sky inside this world was a brilliant pink, an unusual and captivating hue. Two stars illuminated the planet, casting a soft, soothing light.
The environment around him was equally strange. Everywhere he looked, he saw only one type of tree. These trees resembled banana trees, but instead of the usual green, their leaves were a deep purple. The air was cool, slightly scented with an unfamiliar floral aroma.
Ryan slowly rose, taking a moment to examine his surroundings. Despite the desperate situation, he felt no fear. Perhaps it was the emotional numbness he had felt after his confrontation with Jared and Luna.
He began to walk, his steps lightly echoing on the soft ground. Each step brought him closer to the unknown. He had no plan, no clear goal. But something deep inside him urged him to keep moving, to explore this strange world he had been forced into.
The air seemed charged with a subtle energy. Ryan could almost feel it vibrating around him. He wondered what this portal had in store for him. But one thing was certain: he had nothing left to lose.
Ryan continued his exploration through this strange forest. The trees around him, towering over six meters in height, created an unreal landscape. Their purple leaves formed a stark contrast with the pink sky above. As he walked, his mind wandered, and a memory of his sister Rayna came to him.
He remembered her comforting words, her promise to always protect him. This memory gave him a brief moment of clarity. Maybe this situation wasn't as hopeless as he thought. He decided that it was better to try to find the exit of the portal and return home.
However, Ryan still didn't know the true nature of the portal he was in. He didn't realize he was inside an X2 portal, a type of portal where no one could enter or exit until all the monsters inside were eliminated. He walked with the naive hope of finding the portal's entrance and returning to Earth.
As he continued walking, the atmosphere of the forest grew more oppressive. The giant trees seemed to be watching him, and every rustle of leaves kept him on edge. But despite the strangeness of the place, he had yet to encounter any monsters.
After what felt like an hour of walking, Ryan began to question things. Why hadn't he seen any monsters yet? It seemed strange, especially for a Yellow Class portal. He stopped for a moment, thinking about the situation.
Suddenly, a shadow crossed the sky, followed by a sharp whistle. Before he could react, a massive spear came flying toward him. Instinctively, Ryan ducked just in time, the spear grazing his skull and embedding itself violently in the ground behind him. The trees in its path were cut down abruptly, falling with a deafening crash.
Shocked, Ryan turned to see the source of the attack. His eyes fixed on an imposing figure, perched on a hill a hundred meters away. A two-meter-tall humanoid creature stood there, towering and menacing. This monster had four powerful arms and a single glowing eye in the center of its face.
The monster, despite the distance, was clearly visible. It stared at him, a cruel smile stretching across its lips. The gaze of its single eye seemed to pierce Ryan's soul, as if it reveled in his fear and confusion.
Ryan felt a wave of terror rise within him. It was the first time he had faced such a creature. Yet, despite the fear, a strange determination began to settle within him. He no longer had the luxury of being overwhelmed. He had to find a way to survive.
The creature, still smiling, picked up another spear, lifting it with startling ease. Ryan understood that confrontation was inevitable. This portal was not a place where he could simply hide or flee. He had to face this threat or die trying.
Taking a deep breath, Ryan mentally prepared himself. He had never been so determined to survive. His life depended on him now, and he was ready to give everything he had.