The deeper Eren and Lyra walked into the ruins, the colder the air became. Every step echoed through the empty halls, mixing with the distant sound of dripping water. The stone walls were covered with glowing symbols that pulsed faintly whenever Eren passed them.
"This place feels... alive," Eren said quietly.
Lyra nodded without looking back.
"These ruins are older than every kingdom in Valtheris.They existed before the System appeared."
Eren frowned."Before the System?"
"Yes," she replied. "There was a time when people lived without levels, quests, or skills. The System wasn't always part of this world."
Her words stayed in Eren's mind. He had always believed the System was part of Valtheris itself. Hearing that it had been created made him wonder who had built it—and why.
They reached a large stone door covered in cracks. A strange symbol was carved into the center: a star with one point broken off.
Eren stopped.
"The Broken Star..."
It was the same symbol Riel had mentioned through the flames.
Lyra noticed his expression. "You've seen this symbol before?"
Eren nodded slowly. "Riel told me to find the gate with the broken star."
Lyra's eyes widened.
"So the connection between you is becoming stronger." She placed both hands against the door. Ancient blue light spread through the cracks, and the heavy stone doors slowly opened with a deep rumble.
A huge chamber appeared before them.
At its center stood an enormous stone arch covered with silver chains. The chains glowed with strange blue light, wrapping around the gate as though they were holding something inside.
The air around the gate shook gently.
Eren felt the mark on his arm begin to burn.
[Warning.]
[Unknown energy detected.]
[Sync Rate: 4.8%]
His vision blurred for a second.
He saw Riel standing in another place, surrounded by endless white threads stretching across the sky. Riel looked frightened but determined.
Then the vision disappeared.
"Eren!"
Lyra caught his shoulder before he fell.
"I'm fine," he said, taking a deep breath.
"No," Lyra answered seriously. "The gate is reacting to you."
Before Eren could reply, the silver chains around the arch started rattling.
One chain snapped.
The loud crack echoed across the chamber.
Another chain broke.
Then another.
The ground trembled beneath their feet.
A cold voice echoed from inside the gate.
"So... the Player has finally arrived."
Dark mist poured from the archway.
It slowly gathered into the shape of a tall man wearing black armor covered in glowing cracks. His silver eyes stared directly at Eren.
Lyra immediately drew her dagger.
"Get back!" she shouted.
The man smiled.
"I have waited a very long time."
Eren stepped forward, gripping his sword.
"Who are you?"
"My name has been forgotten," the man replied calmly. "Long ago, I was called... the First Guardian."
The title alone made Lyra freeze.
"It can't be..."
The Guardian looked at her.
"So there are still Guardians alive."
Lyra's face became pale.
"Eren," she whispered, "don't fight him."
"Why not?"
"Because no one has ever defeated the First Guardian."
The Guardian laughed softly.
"A wise girl."
His eyes returned to Eren.
"You carry the System."
Then his gaze shifted to the glowing mark on Eren's arm.
"But you also carry the mark of the Unbound."
Eren's heart skipped.
"What do you know about my brother?"
The Guardian became silent.
Finally he answered.
"The boy you seek walks a road that no System can control. Every moment he grows stronger, the balance of this world weakens."
Eren tightened his grip on his sword.
"Then tell me where he is."
"I cannot."
"Won't... or can't?"
The Guardian smiled.
"The gate itself hides him."
Suddenly, he raised one hand.
A wave of dark energy exploded across the chamber.
Eren and Lyra jumped back just before the blast shattered the floor where they had been standing.
Pieces of stone flew through the air.
[Combat Mode Activated.]
[Boss Encounter.]
[Enemy: First Guardian.]
[Level: ???]
Eren's eyes widened.
"Three question marks..."
He had never seen an enemy without a visible level before.
The Guardian slowly drew a long black sword.
"You are too weak."
His voice echoed through the chamber.
"But perhaps..."
"...you can become worthy."
He disappeared.
Eren barely had time to react before a sharp pain exploded across his shoulder.
The Guardian had already appeared behind him.
Blood fell onto the cold stone floor.
Lyra rushed forward, her dagger shining with blue light.
"Eren!"
The Guardian stepped back, watching them with calm eyes.
"This is only a test."
He pointed his sword toward Eren.
"Survive... and I may answer your questions."
The chamber shook violently.
Outside, thunder rolled across the sky as if the heavens themselves had sensed the battle.
And somewhere far away, Riel suddenly stopped walking.
He placed a hand over his chest.
"Eren..."
For the first time since they were separated...
He could feel his brother fighting.