The search had begun for everyone in the room as they spread out, each person determined to uncover what lay behind the mysterious doors. At most, two people worked together on one door while others ventured alone, each pursuing their own curiosity.
One by one, they entered the rooms. Some returned with excitement, clutching their newfound gifts and rushing back to Hetan to show their spoils. Others emerged with disappointment, uninterested in what they found, quickly moving on to other doors in the hopes of something more rewarding.
Yuka, however, had yet to enter a single door. His instincts told him to avoid the crowd, so he moved farther down the corridor, distancing himself from the others. Eventually, he stopped in front of a red door.
The door stood out, its surface roughly painted, as though someone had hastily splashed crimson over it. Strangely, it had no knob—only a flat surface that seemed to invite a push.
Placing his hand against it, Yuka tried to push it open, but before he could apply any real force, the door swung inward on its own. A hollow room lay beyond, bathed in dim light.
"Uhm, it looks empty." Yuka hesitated, taking a cautious step forward. Suddenly, a red notification blared before his eyes, accompanied by a deafening alarm in his ears.
[Error]
[You are not compatible with that gift]
[Find another door]
Confused, Yuka stepped back, and the door slammed shut with a thunderous bang, as though angered by his hesitation.
He frowned, his mind racing. "Another door?" he muttered under his breath, staring at the now-sealed entrance. The violent way it had shut unnerved him, but he brushed it off and turned his attention to the others scattered around the corridor.
They moved from door to door, some entering without hesitation, others returning empty-handed. Yuka observed their calm, almost detached expressions. Something felt... off.
'Don't they have a system like mine? If not, why are they going into these doors even after being warned?'
The more he watched, the more their behaviour unsettled him. Their movements were mechanical, devoid of genuine curiosity or hesitation. It was as if they were being controlled.
'I guess I'm the only one with a system, then.' Yuka concluded, a mixture of relief and dread washing over him.
He continued his search, trying door after door, but each time, the same red notification appeared before him, and the sharp alarm rang in his ears.
It was starting to irritate him.
"Are you friggin kidding me!" he yelled, kicking at the air before collapsing in frustration. His back hit the cold floor, and he stared at the endless path of doors stretching before him.
[Please find a suitable door]
Yuka glared at the notification. "That's what I'm trying to do! You're not being any help, are you?!"
He glanced around at the dwindling group. Most of the participants had already found their doors, leaving only a handful still searching. At this rate, he feared he might be left behind entirely.
"Oh, so you have the same mindset."
A calm, authoritative female voice interrupted his thoughts. Yuka turned to see a girl standing nearby, her pink hair cascading over her shoulders. She was around his age, her piercing gaze suggesting she wasn't one to be underestimated.
Her voice carried a weight that demanded respect. "The doors at the earlier stages are nothing but child's play. The further we go, the more valuable the gifts become."
Yuka blinked, her words striking a chord. 'That makes sense… The earlier doors would filter out the majority, leaving the truly extraordinary gifts further ahead. Could that be why my system keeps rejecting the others?'
He straightened up, trying to mask his uncertainty with a confident smile. "That's exactly what I was thinking."
The girl raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "It's good to see not everyone here is a certified idiot."
"I'm Yuka," he said, extending his hand.
"Elsa," she replied, shaking it briefly before the two fell into silence.
They began walking together, their footsteps echoing in the endless corridor. Yuka decided to stop checking every door, believing that if a door was meant for him, it would make itself known.
Elsa, meanwhile, stole glances at him from the corner of her eye. She had been watching him since the gathering earlier, intrigued by the confidence he exuded. Seeing him distance himself from the group confirmed her suspicions—Yuka wasn't just another participant. She was certain he knew more than he let on.
'If I follow him, I'll be fine,' she thought, her resolve strengthening with each step.
Neither realized they were relying on each other, both seeking reassurance in the other's presence despite their lack of familiarity.
The walk felt eternal. Yuka's confidence began to waver as doubt crept in. Had he made a mistake by ignoring the earlier doors? Elsa, too, questioned her decision to follow him.
But then, Yuka froze mid-step, a notification flashing before his eyes.
[Congratulations, you have successfully found the Deity Gates]
Golden light bathed the corridor as several doors around them transformed, their surfaces gleaming like polished metal.
Elsa gasped, unable to contain her excitement. "Haaa! These doors—!" She caught herself, quickly schooling her features into an impassive expression. "I mean... interesting."
Yuka smirked at her reaction before approaching one of the golden doors. As he neared it, a new notification appeared.
[An aura is exhuming from the door next to this]
He stopped, turning to the adjacent door. Unlike the others, this one seemed to call to him, its golden surface pulsating faintly. Without hesitation, he placed his hand on it.
The door opened silently, revealing a small, box-like room bathed in golden light. Yuka stepped inside, his heart pounding.
"State your name."
The deep, resonant voice came from the very walls of the room, filling the air with a sense of authority.
After a moment's hesitation, Yuka replied, "I'm Yuka Hikano."
The voice hummed in acknowledgement. "So, you are the one who received my system. Good. As you may know, each door represents a gift from a deity. Many offer small blessings, but a select few, like myself, grant extraordinary power at a cost. But I assume you're not here to discuss mechanics."
Yuka felt a bead of sweat roll down his temple. 'I have so many questions, but this is a deity. I can't risk offending him.'
The voice continued, "I am Aetherion, the Eternal Nexus. I offer you the Boundless Energy—a gift of unmatched potential but with significant risks. Shall I explain?"
Yuka nodded slowly.
"First, this power cannot be doubted. Second, it must not be misused. And lastly, Boundless Energy is not just a gift but a burden that will grow heavier over time."
The room fell silent, the weight of Aetherion's words sinking in.
Yuka's mind raced. The risks were daunting, but the promise of such power was equally tempting.
'I hope I'm making the right choice here.'
Raising his hand slightly, he said, "As long as this ability brings me friends and peace in life, I'll accept it."
The deity chuckled, the sound reverberating through the room. "Peace? Friends? A rare request. I cannot promise you an easy path, but perhaps, in time, you'll find both."
Yuka nodded, his resolve firm. "If that's the case, I accept."