The gate of No Return

Under the pale moonlight, the group stood before the abandoned spectral gate. A strange aura surrounded it, pulsing with a dim glow that shifted between blue and silver. The air around them was unnaturally cold, as if the place itself rejected their presence.

Hori placed his hand on the stone handle, but the moment he touched it, a sharp electric shock coursed through his body, forcing him to pull back.

"Damn it... It's protected by some kind of magical energy!"

Lyria stepped forward cautiously, her fingers tracing unseen symbols in the air. After a few moments, her eyes widened in shock.

"This isn't just an ordinary gate... It's a seal! If we open it, we might not be able to close it again."

Yoon-Soo, who had been silently observing, finally spoke in a calm but firm voice.

"We don't have a choice. If we stay here, we die."

[Warning: Wraithborn Units Approaching]

Suddenly, whispers echoed from behind them. Dark shadows moved between the ruins, their glowing eyes watching from a distance. There was no time to hesitate.

"Open it, Lyria!" Hori shouted, raising his weapon in preparation for battle.

Lyria closed her eyes for a moment before reaching out toward the gate. A golden energy surged from her fingertips, flowing into the mysterious symbols etched onto the stone. The gate trembled, resisting her efforts, then suddenly—

A burst of light.

The gate split open, revealing a long, spiraling corridor stretching into an endless void. From within, an icy wind blew outward, carrying distant voices as if calling them inside.

Without hesitation, Yoon-Soo was the first to step through. Hori followed quickly, then Lyria. But just before she could enter—

A deafening roar shook the ground behind them.

Hori turned just in time to witness a new nightmare.

[New Entity Detected: The Eternal Shadow]

A towering figure made of pure darkness loomed over them, its form constantly shifting as if composed of living void. Its eyes were empty pits that swallowed all light. It raised a massive hand, releasing a devastating wave of energy directly at Lyria.

"Look out!" Hori shouted, lunging to save her, but before he could reach her, Lyria vanished into the portal—just as it sealed shut behind her.

[Passage Completed]

Hori, Yoon-Soo, and Lyria had successfully crossed over, but… where had they ended up?

And more importantly… who had been left behind in the cursed world?

[To be continued]