JOSHUAS63

Jin-Won Kim and his friends are mysteriously transported to the Forgotten Realm, a ruined world filled with deadly creatures. With only a Shop System to aid them, they must fight to survive while uncovering the dark secrets of this realm. Why were they chosen? And is there a way back home?

Requiem of the Forgotten Realm

As soon as they stepped through the portal, a sensation of falling overwhelmed them, as if gravity itself had ceased to exist. Darkness surrounded them completely—no ground, no sky—just an endless void.

Then, suddenly, they found themselves standing in an ancient stone courtyard, surrounded by crumbling pillars. The place resembled the ruins of a forgotten temple, but the air was charged with an eerie energy.

Hori cautiously scanned the area. "Where are we?"

Before anyone could answer, whispers echoed around them. From the ground, black shadows emerged, taking on disturbingly familiar shapes.

Lyria's breath caught as she stared at the figures before them. "This… this can't be…"

Standing before each of them was a dark replica of themselves, formed entirely of shadow, their eyes glowing with a cold silver light. These copies were them—but twisted, distorted, as if embodying every buried fear and moment of weakness they had ever suppressed.

"The Trial of Shadows begins."

A voice, devoid of emotion, echoed from nowhere.

Yun-Su tightened his grip on his sword, staring down his shadow, which smirked at him with chilling familiarity. "So, this is the challenge they spoke of?"

His dark counterpart spoke in his exact voice, but with a mocking tone. "How will you fight me when you can barely face your own past?"

They moved unnaturally fast, each dark replica mirroring its original's fighting style with terrifying accuracy. Hori threw a punch, but his shadow effortlessly dodged and countered with a strike even faster than his own, sending him stumbling back.

"Damn it! They know all our moves!"

Lyria attempted to cast a spell, but the moment she did, her shadow raised its hand and unleashed the exact same incantation. The energies clashed, perfectly balanced, canceling each other out.

Yun-Su realized the problem. "They're not just copies… They are us—but without fear or hesitation."

Lyria struggled as she fended off her double. "Then how do we defeat ourselves?!"

Before anyone could answer, the shadowy figure of the Guardian reappeared, watching in silence. This was their true test—and if they couldn't find a way to overcome it, they might never leave this place.