As the young man stepped forward, the oppressive atmosphere suddenly eased.
He halted before the tightly shut gates of the ancient castle, then flicked his finger. A palm-sized dagger shot forward and struck the doors!
BOOM!
The sound of splintering wood echoed through the air.
The long-sealed gates of the castle burst apart into a storm of shattered wood, and a wave of rot and decay rushed out from within like a foul wind.
The gates had opened.
Everyone's expression grew solemn.
But as their eyes locked on the ancient castle, the faint sound of rustling echoed from within. Then came a raspy voice that drifted out from the darkness.
"So, you've finally come…"
Upon hearing this, everyone present wore a look of confusion.
Who was this eerie voice referring to?
"You've already arrived. Why hesitate to enter?"
The voice continued, stirring an unsettling chill in the crowd.