Location: Global / N.D.A.I. Safe Zones
Date & Time: February 15, 2025 | 12:00 PM (IST)
Every clock across the globe struck exactly twelve noon.
The world held its collective breath. Humanity expected a violent storm or a sudden cataclysm from the skies, but instead, there was only a chilling, heavy silence. Suddenly, without a single sound, the fabric of space distorted, and the gates of hell—the Hell Gates—manifested upon the earth.
They opened in Mumbai's Dharavi, New Delhi's Connaught Place, New York's Times Square, and the heart of Tokyo. However, their numbers were far fewer than anticipated; even in massive cities, only four or five gates appeared.
The structure of these gates stood like physical doorways upon the ground. Their borders were not made of metal or stone, but of jagged, solidified Essence crystals. The center of the doorway was completely devoid of physical matter, filled only with a deep, swirling mixture of purple and red that sat as still as a dark liquid. It was impossible to see through them. These gates were static, showing no motion or rotation, yet they continuously leaked a heavy, suffocating aura into the surrounding air.
Location: N.D.A.I. Command Center, New Delhi
Scanners immediately began measuring the mana density of the newly opened portals.
"Sir, the energy readings for all gates are stable," an operator reported. "These are strictly E and D-Rank Hell Gates. No high-level threats have been detected yet."
The Commander exhaled a long breath of relief, but his calculations remained cold. "Keep all A and B-Rank Dungers on stand-by in their safe zones. We cannot afford to exhaust our heavy hitters on these minor gates. If a massive gate opens suddenly tomorrow and our best are tired, the entire city will fall. Send squads of E and D-Rankers to clear these, led by C-Rank commanders."
Location: Outside the Dharavi Hell Gate, Mumbai
The terrifying purple-red aura of the gate made the surrounding air feel thick and heavy. A heavily armed squad of fifty Dungers stood before the abyss, their knuckles white as they gripped their newly issued Magitech weapons.
The C-Rank leader stood at the front, delivering a final, sharp briefing.
"Listen up!" his voice was stern and unforgiving. "According to the Scouts, E and D-Rank dungeons are Cave-type structures—a maze. But don't let the dark intimidate you. The walls are naturally covered in Glowshards that illuminate the entire cave. You need both hands free for your weapons and shields; do not carry torches."
He paused, glancing at the swirling portal. "Our mission isn't just to kill the Boss. A.W.A.K.E. needs resources. Collect every universal material you find—Mana Stones, Infused Ore, Essence Dust, and specifically, Hardened Bone Marrow from any C-Rank monsters. This is the fuel for our future weapons. Do not leave anything behind. Understood?"
"Yes, Sir!" fifty voices roared in unison. Fear was visible in their eyes, but their resolve was anchored by the weapons in their hands.
Location: A Ruined Rooftop, 100 Meters Away
Rudra stood perfectly still in the shadows, his Scavenger's Skin hoodie pulled low. His 14,920 MP was coiled like a spring within his core, perfectly stable. His sharp gaze was locked on the fifty-man squad and the pulsing purple-red doorway.
"This is a D-Rank gate," Ruin Soul's icy voice resonated in his mind. "The D-Rank trash inside will still only grant you 1% to 5% MP. But they are not your objective. Your target is the Boss's Core and the rare materials on the walls. Let these pawns clear the path; you will do your harvesting from the shadows."
"I can't just walk past fifty armed men," Rudra calculated silently.
"You don't have to," Ruin Soul explained. "The aura of these Hell Gates acts as a natural jammer. When those fifty Dungers pass through that mana-dense portal together, their combined energy will create a massive disturbance in the aura. It will be a blind spot."
Rudra understood. He channeled his C-Rank speed, focusing the muscle tension in his legs.
Below, the C-Rank leader took a final step forward and vanished into the swirling purple-red liquid. One by one, the squad began to step in.
As the 49th Dunger entered and the final guard moved forward, Rudra made his move. He leaped from the rooftop, his movement silent, cutting through the air like a ghost. His Scavenger's Skin armor made him nothing more than a passing shadow.
He glided across the ground, reaching the entrance just as the last guard stepped through. Before the portal's aura could stabilize and settle, Rudra stepped into the deep purple and red abyss.
The light of the world vanished behind him, and Rudra was swallowed whole by the labyrinthine hell within.
Chapter Summary
World Event: The Hell Gates officially open globally at 12:00 PM on February 15, 2025. They are static, liquid-like portals bordered by Essence crystals.
Strategic Play: The N.D.A.I. holds its high-rank Dungers in reserve, sending E and D-Rank squads led by C-Rankers to clear the initial low-level gates.
The Dungeon Environment: D-Rank gates are revealed to be Cave-type mazes illuminated by natural Glowshards. Key materials like Mana Stones and Essence Dust are high-priority targets.
Rudra's Entry: Using the energy disturbance caused by the fifty-man squad's entry, Rudra successfully sneaks into the Dharavi Hell Gate as an unregistered participant.
Current Status:
Location: Inside the Dharavi D-Rank Hell Gate (Cave Maze).
MP: 14,920 (C-Rank).
Goal: Shadow the squad, collect rare materials, and devour the Boss's Core.