The Forgotten Door

Seokhyun and Aine descended into the depths of the dungeon, each step a reminder of the strange and dangerous world they now found themselves in. The air grew heavier as they reached the bottom floor. The stone walls of the cavern were slick with dampness, the faint echo of their footsteps the only sound in the stillness.

They had fulfilled the first condition of the dungeon—reaching the bottom floor. The system chimed in acknowledgment as Seokhyun glanced at his stats.

[Dungeon Objective 1: Reach the Bottom Floor – Completed]

The oppressive silence of the cavern was broken by the occasional growl or rustle in the shadows, as if the dungeon itself was alive, watching them.

"Are you alright?" Seokhyun asked, glancing over at Aine. She had been quiet since the battle with the Elite Demon Wolf, her eyes distant, as though lost in thought.

Aine nodded, though there was a faint tremor in her hands. "I'm fine. Just… a little overwhelmed."

Seokhyun smiled softly, though he could feel his own exhaustion settling in. They had come a long way—he had slain twenty more wolves, and each kill felt like it had taken a piece of his strength. His body ached, but he pushed the fatigue down. The dungeon wasn't done with them yet.

They walked deeper, winding through the dark, narrow passageways. The air grew thick, the scent of decay and something older and more sinister creeping into his nostrils. The walls themselves seemed to shift, as though they had their own secrets to keep.

Then, it happened.

Seokhyun's system beeped, signaling that the second condition was nearing completion.

[MONSTER COUNT: 49/50]

He and Aine paused, scanning the surroundings. There was a flicker in the air—an unnatural calm—and before them, in the distance, another pack of Demon Wolves appeared, their glowing eyes gleaming with menace.

Seokhyun's fists clenched as the final wave of enemies came rushing toward them. The battle was brief but brutal. Aine's power had settled into a steady rhythm now, her magic weaving through the air with deadly accuracy. Seokhyun fought beside her, his strikes faster, stronger, his body moving more fluidly as the mana flowed freely through him. Every blow landed with more precision than the last.

[MONSTER COUNT: 50/50]

The last wolf fell to the ground with a guttural scream, its body twitching before it lay still.

Seokhyun stood still for a moment, his breath coming out in ragged gasps. He wiped the blood from his forehead, the familiar burn of exhaustion settling over him.

[Dungeon Objective 2: Kill 50 Monsters – Completed]

Aine lowered her staff, her hands shaking slightly as she breathed heavily. The tension in the air was thick, but there was still more to the dungeon.

"Is that it?" Aine asked, voice barely above a whisper. "Have we finished?"

Seokhyun scanned the surroundings, his eyes narrowing as he spotted something ahead—a large stone door standing ominously against the far wall. It was different from anything they had seen before, covered in ancient symbols. The door was massive, towering above them, its surface etched with faint, glowing patterns.

The eerie silence stretched as they approached, the air almost vibrating with the weight of the place. The door stood as a barrier between them and whatever lay beyond.

"What do you think this is?" Seokhyun murmured, stepping closer. His eyes fell on the markings.

The symbols seemed foreign to him—strange, angular characters that didn't look like anything he had seen before. They didn't even resemble any common script in the world he'd come to know.

Aine glanced at the door, her brow furrowed in confusion. "I... I can't read this."

Seokhyun frowned. He knew the system would likely help them, but this felt different. He stepped forward, his fingers brushing the cool stone surface of the door. The feeling was faint, but he could sense that the door was sealed with some sort of magic. It didn't look like it could be opened by force.

He closed his eyes, summoning the system's menu in his mind. His class, which had been so confusing at first—an unrecognizable string of symbols and gibberish—flashed before him. He focused on it, willing himself to understand the power behind it.

He spoke the words in his head, and the system recognized them.

[&@62$-]

The string of nonsensical characters resonated with the magic in the air, and, for a moment, everything seemed to still. A low hum filled the room as the door reacted to the activation of his class, responding to the power of the Otherworlder.

Seokhyun felt the system stir within him, the power of his unique class intertwining with the environment. The door began to tremble, the runes on its surface glowing brighter, shifting and reforming as though they were alive.

With a deep, rumbling sound, the door slowly creaked open.

Seokhyun stepped back, eyes wide in awe. Aine's breath caught, and she took a step forward, curiosity sparking in her eyes.

"You did it," she whispered, her voice filled with disbelief.

Seokhyun nodded, but his thoughts were far from settled. The door had opened, but what lay beyond was unknown. The dungeon's true challenge was waiting for them—he could feel it.

He could hear it, too. Something stirring beyond the door.

As the door fully opened, a new section of the dungeon revealed itself—a vast, shadowed chamber, its walls adorned with strange and alien markings. The air was colder here, and a sense of foreboding weighed heavily on his chest.

But Seokhyun wasn't afraid. He had a system now. He had power.

And he would use it to uncover the secrets of the Forgotten Gate.