Blood splashed on the dungeon floor as Kael stumbled back, his sword barely hanging in his hand. His chest burned, his breaths came out ragged, and every step felt heavier than the last.
Behind him, the monsters screeched, but it wasn't the sound that cut deepest. It was the voice of the one person he trusted.
"Pathetic," Darius said, his tone dripping with disgust. "Always slowing us down. Don't worry, Kael, I'll take care of the loot for you."
Kael turned, eyes wide. "Wait, you—"
Before he could finish, the stone walls shifted. The hidden trap burst open, and sharp spikes shot out like fangs. Pain ripped through his body as he was lifted from the ground, pinned like a broken doll.
Blood filled his mouth. His vision blurred.
Darius walked past him without even looking back. "You'll always be weak."
That was the last thing Kael heard before the world went black.
…
His eyes snapped open. He gasped for air like a drowning man dragged to the surface. His wounds were gone. No spikes. No pain.
Instead, he found himself lying on the cracked floor of a ruined temple. The roof above had collapsed in several places, and moonlight poured through the gaps, casting pale silver shadows across the carvings on the walls.
"What… where am I?" he muttered, his voice hoarse. His hands trembled as he pushed himself up. They looked younger—firmer, without the scars he carried for years.
Before panic could set in, a sound echoed in his head.
A cold, mechanical voice.
[System Activated. Welcome, Player Kael.]
He froze. "What the hell was that?"
A blue panel appeared in front of his eyes, glowing faintly in the dark:
Name: Kael
Level: 1
HP: 100/100
Skills: [Locked]
Quest: Survive for 24 hours
He staggered back, nearly tripping over the rubble. "This… this isn't real."
[First Quest: Survive.]
The voice repeated, calm and emotionless.
Kael looked around, desperate for answers. His gaze fell on a broken sword lying near the altar. Its blade was chipped and rusted, but it was the only weapon in sight. He gripped it tightly, his palms sweaty.
The walls of the temple loomed with strange carvings—gods with burning eyes, demons devouring mortals. They almost seemed alive in the flickering shadows.
A low growl snapped him out of his thoughts.
Kael's head whipped around. The sound came again, deeper this time. Not one creature, but many. His pulse quickened.
Then the voice returned.
[Warning: Dungeon Gate Opening in 10… 9… 8…]
His heart slammed against his ribs. The massive doors at the far end of the temple trembled as if something monstrous was forcing its way through.
"No… no, no, no," Kael whispered, stepping back. His grip on the sword tightened.
[7… 6… 5…]
The ground shuddered. Dust fell from the ceiling.
[4… 3… 2… 1.]
With a thunderous crack, the doors swung open. A wave of cold air rushed in, carrying the stench of blood and wet fur.
Dozens of red eyes lit up in the darkness. Wolves—huge, twisted things with black fur and dripping fangs—emerged, their growls shaking the temple walls.
Kael raised the broken sword, his hands trembling but his jaw clenched.
[Quest Initiated: Survive.]
The first wolf stepped forward, lips curling back in a snarl.
And Kael knew, without a doubt, that his second life was beginning with a hunt.