I woke up after hours I couldn't count.
My body felt heavy, as if the shadows had left scars inside my bones.
But the sword… it was still in my hand.
I looked at it.
A black sword, its edge gleaming with silver, vein‑like lines.
It felt alive… breathing with me.
> [ The sword is bound to your soul ]
[ It cannot be abandoned ]
I smiled bitterly.
No escape, then.
I stood, following distant sounds, like a marketplace.
And indeed… minutes later I reached a strange place.
Dozens of people, their faces hidden by masks or scarves, trading bags full of blood, pieces of bone, and torn books.
The stench here was hellish.
But their eyes… all burned with madness.
A voice whispered in my ear:
"Welcome to the Black Market… where souls are sold and bought."
I turned.
A short man in a black cloak, a necklace with a red eye hanging from it.
He smiled a yellow smile and said:
"You're new… I can smell the darkness on you."
I didn't answer.
But the Eye of Darkness flared suddenly.
I saw this man's aura… it was different.
Not entirely black, but a mix of gray and red, as if something inside him was at war.
He came closer and said:
"You're looking for power, aren't you? Every stranger here is."
I stayed silent.
Afraid to say anything that might reveal my weakness.
He laughed and said:
"Don't worry… this market doesn't ask about your past. Only your price."
He pointed to one of the stalls.
I saw a sign that read:
> [ Souls traded = Skills ]
[ Monster blood = Upgrades ]
[ Secrets of the Black Ruler = Rarest commodity ]
My eyes widened.
The Black Ruler?
So that name wasn't just a threat from the man I'd faced… it was real.
I stepped closer, asking carefully:
"And who is the Black Ruler?"
The short man fell silent for a moment, then spoke softly:
"The Ruler is the one who built the City of Shadows. Every power here belongs to him… even your life."
He smirked and added:
"But there's a rumor… whoever gathers the 'Seven Keys' can face him."
My heart trembled.
Keys? Seven?
Is this the path back to my world…?
Before I could ask, the entire market shook.
Someone screamed:
"The Guards are coming!"
Chaos erupted.
People ran, stalls overturned, blood and bones spilling onto the ground.
Then I saw them.
Massive creatures, bodies made of iron and shadow, eyes glowing with a cold blue light.
Each step like thunder.
The short man grabbed my arm and whispered:
"If you want to survive… follow me."
I had no choice.
I ran after him through the collapsing market, shadows closing in from every side.
And inside me… there was no longer any question:
I was trapped in a death game now…
Either I find the "Seven Keys"… or be buried here forever.