Beep.
[Level up]
[Level: 09]
[Mana points: 35]
[Skills: Moonpierce]
"Only five levels up after killing all of them," Jinhwan whispered, rolling onto his stomach before pushing himself upright. He stretched his back with a soft groan, then looked down at his tattered clothes slashed from the wooden puppets' attacks, stained with the blood of those wailbats.
He bent down, grabbed his sword, and stood tall again.
Before I go to the boss of this gate, I need to figure out how to send mana into my weapon. If I face him without learning that. I'll be dead in no time.
He stood there silently for a few minutes, then a faint smirk tugged at his lips.
Now that I remember. my Quiet Storm did yap about it once.
With that, he closed his eyes and took a long, deep breath.
If I remember right, she said not to talk... then increase the mana flow to your hands or whatever part is holding the weapon then imagine the weapon getting wrapped in mana. Just keep increasing the flow. Alright, let's try it.
He gripped the sword with both hands, channeling mana steadily into his palms, focusing on the image of the weapon being infused with his energy. Minutes passed.
Then, finally, the sword's crimson handle began to glow, faint at first, then pulsing gently as a blue aura shimmered around the blade.
He opened his eyes, surprised. The handle was glowing, and the blade was cloaked in a faint blue with his mana.
"Huh. That was easier than I thought. it'd take an hour or something," he muttered. "Whatever. let's end this."
He turned, eyes fixed on the path leading toward the gate boss.
He turned, gripping the sword in one hand as he repeated the process of channeling mana into his sword. getting used to the sensation, steadying the flow with each step toward the boss's cave. His heart pounded in his chest, faster with every stride. He knew this fight wouldn't be like the others. This was a boss. One wrong move. and he'd be dead.
Standing before the massive gate, he paused and drew in a long breath, trying to calm the storm inside him. As he stepped forward, the towering doors creaked and slowly began to open on their own.
A cold breeze rushed out to greet him.
Inside, there was only open space quiet, wide, and covered in soft grass. The air was cold, the atmosphere calm. It felt like stepping into a quiet, forgotten meadow on Earth rather than a dungeon. Nothing about this place matched what he'd seen in any gate so far.
So this is what a boss room looks like.
Jinhwan thought, taking slow, cautious steps forward. The strange calm of the grassy field put him on edge, but he pressed on.
After walking for a few moments, his instincts suddenly screamed at him danger. His expression shifted, eyes sharpening. Without thinking, he spun around and slashed his sword through the air.
There was nothing there.
His breath caught in his throat as cold sweat slid down his temple. His eyes darted around the empty field has no movement, just silence the wind brushing over the grass.
Then, a deep, calm voice echoed behind him.
"A mortal.. and alone. What a surprise. But you don't look that strong. So why enter alone unless you have a death wish?"
Jinhwan whirled around, sword raised, ready to strike but froze. Just a few steps away stood something that looked similar to the wooden puppets he had fought earlier. but this one was different.
It had a head shaped like a human's but formed entirely from bark and vines. Its face had carved features, eerie in their almost-human resemblance.
The wood was a deep brown, polished and smooth, with green moss growing around the jaw and temples like hair. At the center of its chest pulsed a glowing green crystal, faintly humming with power. Its body, although wooden, moved with unsettling grace. It felt alive.
Jinhwan's heart pounded like a drum, his grip tightening on his sword.
What the hell? How can it talk? That's impossible.
"H-How can you talk?" he stammered, his voice shaky but firm.
"You.. you're not supposed to be able to. What are you?"
Jinhwan didn't blink. He couldn't. His eyes were locked on the creature, every instinct in his body screaming at him to be ready for anything.
The wooden puppet smirked.
"You're right no beast should be able to talk. Not even this one. Call me the 16th Pillar. I can't give you my real name due to certain rules."
His voice was smooth, calm but something about it sent chills crawling down Jinhwan's spine.
The puppet began to walk slowly in a circle, wooden feet brushing against the grass with each graceful step.
"Tell me, mortal why are you alone? Humans usually hunt in groups, don't they? Are your teammates dead? If so, you should've left this gate. Why do something so foolish. coming in here by yourself?"
The 16th Pillar?
Jinhwan's brows furrowed.
What the hell is he talking about? And why does it sound like he's not even using his own body?
He kept his stance low, sword at the ready, every muscle on edge.
"I entered this gate alone. That was my choice. Now it's my turn why are you talking like this isn't your body? And what's with the '16th Pillar' bullshit?"
The puppet stopped walking and let out a soft chuckle at Jinhwan's response. "Interesting. You came here alone, even though you're this weak you can't even properly keep your sword infused with mana. And yes, you're right this isn't my real body. I've simply taken control of this one. Just for fun. My physical body is resting comfortably in bed right now."
Jinhwan's eyes narrowed.
Taking control? What is he.. a gate creator? Wait....
"You." he began, voice sharp. "Are you one of the ones who connected these gates to Earth? Are you the reason all of this is happening?" he paused. "And if you're so powerful, why are you here possessing the body of a low-rank gate boss?"
[Episode 7 End]