The Gaze of the Unknown

Mark stepped through the portal, his heart still pounding from the fierce battle he had just fought. He expected to feel the familiar ground of the rest area beneath his feet, to hear the system's voice announcing his recovery. But something was wrong.

The space around him was dark, infinite. No walls, no ceiling, nothing but an abyss stretching endlessly in every direction. A strange glow pulsed before him, and when he looked up, he saw it.

A colossal eye floated in the void.

Vast, unfathomable, it was composed of pure light, its pupil a swirling sphere of golden energy. There were no eyelids, no lashes, just this absolute gaze fixed on him, scrutinizing him down to his very essence.

An invisible pressure crushed his shoulders. His legs trembled, his breath grew shallow. It felt as if his entire existence was being dissected, as if his body no longer belonged to him. His will was smothered beneath this emotionless presence.

The void stretched, his mind wavered. Mark tried to avert his gaze, but he was trapped. His thoughts unraveled, blending together. Images without rhyme or reason flashed through his mind: unknown constellations, surreal landscapes, creatures beyond description.

A strange heat surged through his skull, as if information was being imprinted directly into his brain. A searing pain shot through him, and he clenched his teeth to stifle a scream. He didn't understand what he was seeing, but something inside him knew these visions were not meaningless.

Whispers surrounded him, indistinct, as if a multitude of voices spoke at once. Some wept, others screamed, some whispered incomprehensible words. Mark felt his consciousness falter, as if his mind was shattering under the weight of this overwhelming presence.

His body grew numb, a chilling cold seeped into his bones. A violent dizziness washed over him. He lost all sense of time. Was it seconds, minutes, or hours? He had no way of knowing.

Then, the eye blinked.

The light erupted.

Mark woke up with a jolt, gasping. He was lying on the familiar ground of the rest area. His clothes were drenched in sweat, his breath ragged. His body still trembled from what he had just experienced.

[[Recovery in progress...]]

The system's voice echoed, as if nothing unusual had happened.

But he knew it was real. Something had seen him. Something immense. And for the first time since arriving in the D.M.U., he felt a shiver of doubt.

He ran a hand across his burning forehead. The image of the eye still lingered in his memory, inescapable. His gaze fell to his trembling hands. Was he still himself?

A stabbing headache struck him. For a fleeting moment, he thought he heard echoes in his head, an unknown language that vanished the instant he tried to understand it. He staggered slightly before steadying himself against the wall.

His thoughts were muddled. Why was he the only one to see this? Why him? Had he triggered something unknowingly?

A deep-seated fear rose within him. He opened and closed his hand several times, expecting some kind of change. Nothing. Yet a strange feeling lingered, an unnameable sensation he couldn't shake. He straightened up slowly, his breathing gradually calming. One thing was certain—he had to move forward.

He examined his body again, checking for any physical changes. His skin was cold, chills ran down his spine. He pressed a hand to his chest, feeling the erratic beat of his heart. Something was off, but he couldn't pinpoint what.

[[Mark's Status]]

[Physical]

Strength: 25

Agility: 24 (+3 from Silent Boots)

Constitution: 44

Charisma: 2

[Mental]

Intelligence: 10

Perception: 13

Luck: 5

Mental Endurance: 18

[Skills]

Unshakable Stride: Reduces fatigue when traveling long distances.

Iron Mind: Decreases the effects of mental illusions by 30%.

Body Resilience: Reduces physical fatigue by 20%.

Titan's Frenzy: Increases the power of punches by 50% for 30 seconds (cost: 20% endurance).

???? : ????

Mark furrowed his brows. What is this?

The system's silence was unusual. Since his arrival in the D.M.U., he had grown accustomed to receiving immediate responses. This absence felt almost unsettling.

He stared at the enigmatic line beneath his skills. It hadn't been there before. Was it a mistake? Or a new ability he couldn't yet comprehend?

He touched his chest, searching for an abnormal sensation. Nothing. Yet deep down, something told him he had changed.

He took a long breath. He couldn't afford to hesitate now. He had to keep moving forward, seek answers, and, above all, survive. No matter what he had seen or what it meant.

He rose slowly and fixed his gaze on a point beyond sight. His mind felt clearer, as if he had adapted to this trial. He no longer just wanted to survive he wanted to understand.

Mark clenched his fists, his heart pounding wildly. He had just found a way to communicate with his parents through the system, but they were still far away, trapped on lower floors. He tapped on his father's profile and initiated the call.

--- Connection in progress... ---

A crackling sound echoed, followed by a voice he hadn't heard in what felt like an eternity:

— "...Mark? Son, is that you?"

His breath caught. It was his father.

— "Dad! It's me! Where are you? Are you okay?"

A pause, then a shaky breath.

— "I'm on the fourth floor... It's a nightmare here. Monsters are everywhere, we have to hide constantly. But I'm holding on. And you?"

Mark felt his chest tighten.

— "I'm higher up. I've survived several trials... This world is insane."

— "Have you seen any other humans?"

— "No... No one."

His father let out a long sigh.

— "Me neither. We're all alone on our floors."

Mark hesitated before asking the question that haunted him.

— "Mom...?"

— "She's on the third floor. She's okay. We managed to talk. She wanted me to tell you that she loves you and that she's proud of you."

Mark closed his eyes for a moment. A weight lifted from his chest. They were alive. He took a deep breath.

— "We will reunite. I'll reach Zone 10, and from there, we'll be able to talk without restrictions."

His father's voice took on a more serious tone.

— "Be careful. There are rumors... No one knows what's beyond the tenth floor. Some say it's a trap."

Mark clenched his jaw.

— "I don't have a choice."

A silence lingered.

— "I know. Stay alive, son."

— "You too, Dad."

He ended the call and immediately initiated another. His mother answered almost instantly.

— "My love!"

Her voice trembled with emotion. Mark felt a lump form in his throat.

— "Mom... Are you okay?"

— "As well as I can be. I'm alone on my floor, but I found a safe place to hide... And you, sweetheart?"

— "I'm moving forward. I'm about to reach the sixth floor. I'll do everything I can to bring us back together."

— "I know. You're strong, Mark. I believe in you."

He smiled faintly.

— "I love you, Mom. Hang in there."

— "I love you too, sweetheart."

The call ended. Mark clenched his fists. He had to reach Zone 10, no matter what it took.

Just as he was about to close the interface, a new notification popped up.

[[Incoming communication request – Kilian]]

His heart skipped a beat. Kilian. His best friend. He immediately accepted the call.

— "MARK! Bro, holy shit, you're alive!"

Kilian's voice was filled with emotion. Mark felt a wave of relief wash over him.

— "Kilian! Damn, where are you?!"

— "Fifth floor, man. It's complete chaos here... Monsters everywhere, I almost died at least three times. And you?"

— "I'm heading to the sixth..."

A silence stretched between them. Then Kilian spoke in a calmer tone.

— "What weapon are you using? I found this massive sword, dude, you should see it, an absolute beast. I crush everything in my way!"

Mark smirked.

— "I use my fists."

Silence.

— "...Wait, WHAT?!"

Kilian burst into laughter.

— "You're serious, bro?! You have legendary weapons at your disposal and you choose to FIGHT WITH YOUR BARE HANDS?!"

Mark shrugged.

— "It works for me. I'm faster, more efficient."

— "Yeah, yeah, until you run into a monster with a shell as hard as steel! Man, you're insane."

Mark laughed too. It felt good to have a normal conversation, even in this chaotic world.

— "We'll meet at the 10th floor, okay?"

— "Yeah. And until then, try not to get eaten, champion of fists."

The connection ended. Mark stared at the screen for a moment, a slight smile on his lips. Kilian was alive. His parents too. He had a reason to keep going.

He reopened the global chat.

Messages scrolled rapidly.

"Does anyone know if food can be found outside the rest areas?" "The sixth floor seems weird, has anyone reached it yet?" "I'm starting to think the floors aren't random..." "Has no one reached the Safe Zone yet? This is suspicious..."

Mark furrowed his brows. He was starting to have doubts too. If no one had reached the Safe Zone yet, it meant the trials were only getting harder.

[[Teleportation to the sixth floor available.]]

He took a deep breath. He knew that each floor brought him closer to answers... or new dangers.

— "I'm ready."

The light enveloped him.