The world had changed long ago. Gates—mysterious rifts in space—began appearing randomly, leading to unknown dimensions filled with creatures both terrifying and powerful. For those strong enough, these gates were paths to riches, fame, and unimaginable power. But for the weak, they were nothing more than death traps.
Riven Kael was among the weak.
Unlike the elite hunters who ventured into the most dangerous gates for glory, Riven entered out of desperation. His younger brother, his only family, was bedridden with a rare disease. The doctors had told him the surgery would cost a fortune—more than Riven could ever hope to earn with regular jobs. And so, he took the only path left to him: hunting low-level monsters in the gates for whatever meager rewards he could gather.
But it was never enough.
---
That day, after another hospital visit, the weight of his brother's condition bore down on him heavier than ever. The surgery had to happen soon, or there would be no saving him. Riven clenched his fists, the desperation in his heart burning like a fire. He had to make more money. Fast.
Without hesitation, he entered a newly appeared gate.
Inside, the dimension was eerily silent. Towering trees with twisted branches loomed overhead, their shadows stretching like claws. Riven moved carefully, hunting the low-tier creatures he was used to. Goblins, weak beasts—nothing that would give him much trouble. But as he gathered their materials, he knew it wouldn't be enough. A few more days of this, and his brother might not even have that time left.
Gritting his teeth, he made a reckless decision.
"I need to go deeper," he muttered to himself.
He ventured further into the dimension, past the areas he usually hunted in. The deeper he went, the thicker the air felt, charged with something unnatural. His heartbeat pounded in his ears. If he could just kill one mid-tier monster, the reward could cover his brother's operation. Just one.
Then he saw it.
A massive figure stood in the clearing ahead—a Dimension Slasher. A high-level monster feared for its speed and precision. It was said that one swing of its blade could cut through dimensions themselves.
Riven's breath hitched. He knew he had no chance against it. But before he could back away, the monster's head slowly turned toward him. Its eyes gleamed with a predator's amusement.
It had already noticed him.
In an instant, it moved.
The creature blurred from sight, and by the time Riven could react, pain exploded through his body. He didn't even see the attack—only felt the searing agony as his arm was severed from his shoulder. Blood sprayed into the air as he collapsed to the ground, screaming.
The monster loomed over him, raising its blade for the finishing strike. Survival instinct kicked in, and Riven rolled aside at the last second, barely dodging the fatal blow. He had to run.
Ignoring the unbearable pain, he forced himself to his feet and sprinted blindly into the forest. His vision swam, but he pushed forward, fueled by the single thought keeping him alive:
I can't die. My brother needs me.
---
After what felt like an eternity, the sound of pursuit faded. Riven stumbled forward, breathing raggedly. He looked back, but the Dimension Slasher was gone. Relief flooded him—
Until he turned forward and saw the massive orc standing in his path.
The orc sneered, raising its club. Before Riven could react, the weapon crashed into his ribs. A sickening crack echoed through the forest as he was sent flying. Pain—raw and unbearable—flooded his senses. His vision blurred as he hit the ground, unable to move.
The orc stepped closer, savoring his suffering. Another strike shattered his leg. Another broke his ribs. The monster wasn't killing him—it was enjoying this.
Riven lay there, helpless, his entire body broken. Every breath was agony. Every moment dragged him closer to death.
As the orc raised its club for the final blow, Riven did the only thing he could.
He cried out to God.
But no benevolent deity answered.
Instead, the air grew cold. The orc stopped mid-swing, its eyes widening in confusion. A chilling presence seeped into the world, suffocating, ancient, inevitable.
Riven's fading consciousness caught a whisper. It was not a voice of mercy. Not a voice of salvation.
It was the voice of Death itself.
"You are not yet mine... but you will be."
And then, darkness swallowed him whole.