The Stone Gate

After clearing the double Dungeon, Zaren found himself alone in the dark corridors of the cave. Determined to find the exit, he wandered through twisting tunnels until he came upon a large stone gate. The gate was enormous—far too big for a human to open by normal means.

"Lumis," Zaren asked softly, "is this the exit?"

The calm voice of his system replied, "Yes, sir, but the gate will not open on its own. You must break it."

A small smile crept over Zaren's face. "Not a big deal," he murmured. With a burst of energy, he ran and leaped high into the air. His jump was so strong that the ground cracked beneath him.

While still in the air, Zaren curled his fist and punched the stone gate. A blue glow surrounded his fist as the punch landed with a mighty force. The blow shook the walls of the Dungeon, and when Zaren landed, the gate had been shattered into pieces.

Soon, a bright light filled his vision. Looking up, Zaren saw a vast forest bathed in sunlight, full of green trees and colorful flowers. "Lumis," he asked with wonder, "is this the world I have been reborn in?"

"Yes, sir," Lumis answered simply.

As he stepped out of the ruins, Zaren felt a spark of hope. This was a place of new beginnings, a chance to leave behind the pain of his old life. He began to run through the forest, his heart light with happiness and excitement. For the first time, he thought, Maybe this will be my best life.

But soon, a different sound reached his ears—a soft clink of armor and hushed voices. Zaren stopped and listened carefully. Two figures in shining armor walked along a forest path. One carried a dagger and the other held a sword. Quickly, Zaren activated his new skill called Phantom Veil (a cool camouflage ability) and melted into the shadows.

He strained to hear their conversation. The first man, whose name was Riven, said in a low voice, "The stone gate is broken. I checked its rank—it is S Rank."

The second man, Korin, replied, "That is strange. Who could have cleared such a strong Dungeon? To clear an S Rank Dungeon, you need at least three S rank hunters and seven A rank fighters. There must be someone very strong."

They moved closer to the ruined gate. Riven added, "Look at this mess. The double Dungeon... its rank must be even higher. I say it is SS Rank."

Korin's voice dropped. "SS Rank? Who would clear a Dungeon with three bosses? Normally, a Dungeon has only one boss. This is impossible!"

Zaren's heart pounded as he listened in secret. His mind raced. I should talk to them, he thought. But he stayed hidden, watching carefully as they examined the shattered gate.

After a while, Riven and Korin stepped back. They spoke again in hushed tones. "We need to report this to the Guild," Riven said. "Someone cleared an SS Rank Dungeon. Who else could do this?"

Korin nodded. "Let's go back to the Kingdom. We will bring monsters heads along. The Guild will know what to do."

Zaren waited behind a cluster of tall ferns. His Phantom Veil skill helped him blend into the greenery. As the two men left the Dungeon area, Zaren followed quietly, careful to stay hidden. When they reached a small clearing, he saw them gather near a large stone gate leading out of the Dungeon.

Taking a deep breath, Zaren stepped out of his hiding place in one swift move. In a flash, he appeared before Riven and Korin.

They both jumped in surprise. Riven blurted, "Hey, who are you?"

Zaren forced a smile that did not quite reach his eyes. "I… I am lost in this forest. I don't remember much, but I think I cleared this Dungeon that was very hard for me."

Korin looked at him, frowning. "You cleared the Dungeon? But the door is SS Rank… That is something only ss rank can do. We must report this."

The two men exchanged a quick look, speaking in low voices. "Should we take him with us?" Riven asked. "Our master will be angry if we leave him here."

Korin sighed, "Yes, we will take him to the Kingdom. He can get a proper ID there—be it a hunter ID or a citizen ID. Then he can live on his own."

Zaren listened, feeling a mix of hope and fear. He remembered the cruelty of his old life, the bullying, and the pain he had suffered. But now, here were two men from the Guild who promised to help. "I want to learn more," Zaren said softly. "I want to grow stronger."

Riven grinned. "Don't worry. I am D Rank and Korin is C Rank, but we will protect you if any monster comes our way."

Korin added, "There are many dangers in this forest. We fight to keep peace in our Kingdom."

They led Zaren along a winding path until they reached the Kingdom. The Kingdom was protected by large stone fences and a big wooden gate. As they approached, a group of soldiers stood at the gate, checking each person's ID.

One soldier stepped forward and said, "Show me your hunter ID or citizen ID."

Zaren's heart pounded. He had no ID. He froze, thinking, Now I'm done for!

Before the soldier could demand more, Riven stepped in quickly. "He is with us. He is new here, and he will get his ID soon," Riven said firmly.

The soldier eyed Zaren carefully. "Very well. But make his ID quickly, or he will not be allowed in," he warned.

The three of them entered the Kingdom. As they walked along the streets, Zaren felt a strange mix of excitement and uncertainty. The Kingdom was alive with activity: vendors calling out their wares, children playing, and guards patrolling the streets. For the first time, Zaren saw that this world was filled with people who fought, worked, and lived their lives with purpose.

While walking, Riven and Korin talked about their own powers and the battles they had fought. Zaren listened, absorbing every word. Though his heart still ached from the past, he felt a strong desire to build a better future.

At the gate, as soldiers took their IDs, Zaren stood quietly. His eyes filled with hope. "Maybe this is the chance I needed," he thought. "I will learn, grow, and fight for my future."

As the sun set behind the high stone walls of the Kingdom, Zaren looked out over the vast, lively land. The bright colors of nature, the warm glow of lanterns, and the sound of bustling streets filled him with a new sense of purpose.

"I am not the boy I once was," he whispered softly to himself. "I will use this chance to change my fate."

And with that promise echoing in his heart, Zaren took his first step toward a new life—a life filled with hope, battle, and the chance to become a true hero.

(Chapter 3 Fin)