Ep 5: Darkness.

Jinhwan entered the gate, everything was swallowed in darkness. he couldn’t even see his own hands. The suffocating blackness sent a chill down his spine.

Reaching into his left pocket, he pulled out a small torch. The moment he switched it on, it burst with an intense light that cut through the gloom.

"What the hell is this." he whispered.

As he looked up, his breath hitched. Countless black shapes were hanging from the ceiling, each one around his own size. The sight froze him.

He quickly turned off the torch. His breathing grew heavier.

Should I go back? It would've been better if I came with Uncle Joon.

He took a step back, about to turn around then stopped.

I’ve come this far. I’ve finally awakened. I can grow stronger now. If I back off here, how will I ever take revenge. against whoever’s behind connecting these gates to Earth? I'll kill them. I swear I will.

Tightening his grip, he raised the sword with both hands. Rage surged through him, and he swung blindly at the ceiling.

"HIAAAAAAAAAA!"

But nothing happened. No mana slash. Nothing.

He stared at the blade in disbelief. Then he smacked his own forehead with his palm.

Fuck. I don’t even know how to pour mana into something. I don’t even know how to use mana. I’m stupid.

Suddenly, a soft flutter echoed through the space. Wings. These creatures wake up because of his scream just now. The silence shattered as dozens of those creatures began to stir.

"Fuck."

He turned and bolted toward where he thought the gate was, but in the darkness, he’d lost all sense of direction. Desperate, he switched the torch back on and spun around

Only to find a flat, empty ground stretching all around him.

He spotted a small cave far off in the distance. Without thinking, he sprinted toward it. But the light had already done its damage.

Every single one of the creatures was now flying after him.

He turned his head while sprinting and saw them bats. But not normal ones.

These things had no eyes, no faces.

Only a giant, gaping mouth.

"Shit!" he cursed, still running.

Suddenly, the ground vanished beneath him one of the bats had snatched him in mid-air. Its claws gripped his body tight as it brought him closer to that monstrous mouth.

He dropped both the torch and the sword in panick. With a surge of fear, he covered his ears with both hands.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!

The bat screamed directly at him.

Even through his hands, the sound pierced deep. Blood leaked between his fingers. His head throbbed his ears ringing, splitting his vision blurred.

His body went limp.

His eyes started to close.

And then

Through the fading light, a woman appeared.

Her long purple hair swayed gently, hiding most of her face. But her voice was soft and warm, like sunlight after winter.

"Live happily, my sunshine."

His eyes flew open.

He gasped.

Still in mid air, still in the bat's grip but something had changed.

His blue eyes gleamed like fire.

Blue veins lit up beneath his skin, glowing softly, pulsing with new power.

With a growl, he reached up and grabbed the bat’s legs tightly.

"HIAAAAAAAAAAAA!!"

He threw his body downward, yanking the creature with him.

CRASH!

They slammed into the ground, the ground cracking slightly under the impact.

Jinhwan lay on the ground, panting hard, chest rising and falling rapidly.

Then Beep.

[Quest: Hunt in an E Rank Gate.]

[Complete.]

[Reward: Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level: 02]

[Mana Points: 14]

His eyes flicked to the watch on his wrist, still catching his breath. A smile slowly formed on his face.

Beep.

[Quest: Hunt more.]

[Reward: Level Up]

Jinhwan was lying beside the dead creature on the ground, breathing heavily in the darkness. His veins, which were glowing blue moments ago, were now back to normal. his blue eyes still shone faintly.

He reached into his left pocket and pulled out a pen-sized stick. It was made of glass, and inside was a glowing blue liquid. He raised his hand and thrust the tip into his right arm. As the liquid entered his bloodstream, his wounds began to heal and his breathing slowly stabilized.

It’s good that I brought healing potions with me. Only three left now, so I have to use them wisely.

He looked around cautiously.

These damn Wailbats. It’s good they’re blind, but what can I do in this darkness. they have the hearing advantage and if I make a noise now I’m dead.

He stayed still breathing lightly.

I can feel something in my body. maybe this is mana flowing. I just have to remember this feeling and keep going. But what should I do about this darkness.

Still lying on the ground, he kept looking upward.

Hmmm yeah senses. I do remember that topic when it was explained in school. As I remember, I need to stay calm and try to control my mana, let it flow through my whole body freely. Well, I’m already doing that, so the next step was..

Yeah I have to flow mana to my auditory cortex, brainstem, amygdala, motor cortex, cerebellum. That way I can enhance my hearing, reflexes, and instincts. Movement and reaction speed. Let’s try.

He closed his eyes and focused on his mana flow, trying to feel it travel through the veins around his brain. As the mana slowly reached those regions, he began to sense the changes in his body. He stayed on the ground for a few minutes, repeating the process over and over, trying to get used to it and make it feel natural.

This was easy. It looked difficult when studying.

He sat up slightly,

Eyes narrowed. Now I need a weapon.

He looked around, then spotted his sword. Lying beside the torch.

Luckily, the torch was still lit, its soft flame making the sword barely visible in the surrounding darkness. But it was too far from him.

If I run, they’ll catch me because of the noise. but that’s the only weapon I brought. I can’t kill them without it.

He stood up slowly, careful not to make a sound, then took a deep breath and positioned himself in the direction of the torch. Then he moved.

He ran as fast as he could. He was fast.

When did I become this fast.

he thought as he sprinted toward the torch. It was close now. So this is what it feels like. when you have mana.

Suddenly, he felt something behind him. He didn’t stop. Instead, he tightened the muscles in his legs and leapt toward the torch. As he grabbed it, he turned two Wailbats were rushing at him, their mouths wide open.

He bit down on the torch, holding it in his mouth, and as one of the creatures lunged in front of him, he swung his right fist straight into its open mouth. His punch tore through the Wailbat’s mouth, creating a hole and killing it instantly.

In the same breath, he spun on the spot and delivered a brutal kick to the other Wailbat’s head, sending it flying. That one was dead too.

Breathless, he stood up and grabbed the torch in his hand again. He looked at his right hand now covered in the Wailbat’s blood. Ahh, shit. I need to wash my hand.

He turned and looked around. The rest of the Wailbats were distracted, drawn to the crashing sound made by the one he had just kicked. I have to get that sword before they come here.

He spotted it. just a few steps away. He moved quickly, picked it up with his right hand, then stood still, calming himself with a few deep breaths.

Then he shouted.

"COME HERE, YOU BLIND BITCHES." The Wailbats immediately reacted to the sound, flying toward him at full speed. He took another deep breath, clenched the torch in his mouth, gripped the sword with both hands, and waited.

As the first one came close, he slashed it clean in half. Then he spun, slicing the second one’s head off in a single fluid motion.

And then he twisted his entire body in a full 360° screaming.

"HIAAAAAAAAAA!"

The shout echoed in the darkness, drawing more Wailbats to him. One by one, they flew into the direction of the noise, only to be shredded by his blade.

[Episode 5 end]

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