Crossing the threshold felt like stepping into another world.
The smoke, the ruined city, the stench of blood—it all vanished the moment we entered. Inside the dome, the air was clean. The cracked streets gave way to smooth stone paths. The ruined skyline outside was replaced by towering walls of white marble, glowing faintly with runes that pulsed like living veins.
We stood at the center of a plaza too perfect to be real. Lanterns floated in the air like stars caught in glass. Beyond the plaza, neat rows of buildings stretched outward—inns, shops, training grounds—all pristine, as if they had been waiting centuries for someone to arrive.
Kang let out a weak laugh. "A city. It's… a whole damn city."
Hana didn't smile. Her eyes swept the marble towers, the runes, the too-clean streets. "No. It's a cage."
Do-Hyun stepped forward, his rebar slick with dried blood. "Doesn't matter. It's safer than out there. We regroup, rest, and figure out what the hell this 'system' wants."
As if answering him, golden letters flickered into view above the plaza.
> [Welcome to the First Safe Zone.]
[Tutorial Phase Begins.]
[Survivors Remaining: 10.]
[Basic Functions Unlocked.]
The air shimmered, and before us, ten pedestals rose from the ground—one for each of us. On each pedestal lay a different object: a sword, a bow, a spear, a book, a staff, a pair of gauntlets, and more.
> [Select Your Beginner's Gift.]
My throat went dry. Weapons. Tools. Choices.
The others hesitated, exchanging nervous glances. No one wanted to be the first.
Then Do-Hyun stepped forward and grabbed the spear. The pedestal sank back into the ground, vanishing, and words appeared above him:
> [Do-Hyun – Spear-Bearer.]
[Basic Skill Unlocked: Thrust Lv.1]
The sound of a notification chimed faintly in the air, crisp and undeniable.
"Skills…" Hana muttered. She stepped forward next, taking the dagger. A similar message appeared.
One by one, the survivors made their choices. Jin-Ae chose the bow, his hands trembling but his eyes burning with determination. Even Kang picked something—the book, muttering something about "brains over brawn."
Finally, I stepped up to the last pedestal.
There were two items left: a staff, faintly glowing… and a plain, iron pipe.
No one spoke, but I saw the looks they gave. The staff was obvious. Magic. Power. The pipe? Just trash.
But when I reached out, my hand didn't move toward the staff.
Something pulled me.
The pipe was heavy, cold, familiar. Like an extension of myself.
When I lifted it, golden words blazed across my vision:
> [Beginner's Gift Selected: ???]
[Unique Class Awakening Condition Met.]
[Hidden Path Unlocked.]
The air around me shimmered. My vision blurred. And for just a moment, I felt eyes on me—thousands of them, watching from somewhere far beyond the dome.
The others didn't notice. They only saw me holding a rusty pipe while they wielded blades and bows.
Do-Hyun frowned. "You sure about that?"
I tightened my grip. The pipe thrummed in my hand, alive in a way I couldn't explain.
"Yes," I said quietly.
The system chimed again, a whisper only I could hear:
> [A Constellation is Watching You with Interest…]