GATE ZERO

The rooftops of Blackridge weren't made for rest. They were made for escape. For watching. For staying out of reach when the world below tried to drag you down.

I lay flat on the cold metal, still gasping, my body buzzing from the Voidstep. My head spun—always did after a jump. The more I used it, the clearer it became: this power came at a price.

But who was paying?

[Skill Usage Limit Reached – Voidstep Disabled for 12 hours]

"Twelve hours," I muttered, watching the notification fade.

Below, the city coughed up smoke and sirens. Footsteps and bursts of magic echoed from a patrolling guild team.

The Virelian Hunter Guild would be scouring the district. I'd embarrassed them again—an unregistered Hunter saving lives while their own squad showed up late.

They wouldn't let it slide.

Not when they found out I'd gone through a Gate—and come back alive

I returned home just before dawn.

Slipping through the alley behind our block, I climbed the cracked drainpipe and entered the apartment through the kitchen window, like when I was skipping school.

Lily was asleep on the floor mattress, hugging a teddy missing an ear. Mom wasn't home—probably already working a double shift to make up for my 'absence.'

I sat at the table, heavy with exhaustion.

The power was out again. Of course.

As I reached for the leftover rice, the System chimed.

[Hidden Quest Unlocked: Prove Your Worth]

Objective: Reach Level 20 before the next Gatefall.

Time Limit: 72 Hours.

Reward: Class Awakening (Locked)

Failure: System Access Revoked.

"Seventy-two hours?" I whispered.

I was barely level 12. It had taken a week to get this far—fighting rats, shadows, and collapsing dungeons. Now I had to double my level in three days?

Was this a test? Or a trap?

No choice. I had to try.

First step: find a Gate.

Not just any Gate. A small, solo one—dangerous enough for XP but not deadly in minutes.

There was one near the shattered district border. A C-rank site the Guild had abandoned months ago due to instability. Scavengers still went in—most never came out.

Perfect.

I left a note for Mom and Lily—"Working late. Back soon."

And I went hunting.

The Gate pulsed like an open wound.

Rust-colored mist oozed from its edges against a burned-out stadium backdrop. Vines wrapped around broken bleachers. Rain pooled in shattered concrete.

I stepped closer.

[Gate Detected – Difficulty: Moderate (C+)]

Recommended Level: 18+

Proceed?

I wasn't ready.

But I didn't care.

I stepped through.

The world folded.

Suddenly I was underground—not a cave, but a massive sewer twisted by magic. Arches lined with glowing runes. Corridors echoed with dripping water and distant snarls.

[Dungeon Objective: Eliminate the Brood Queen]

I drew my blade.

The first wave attacked—crawlers, spiderlike creatures with glassy eyes and sharp teeth. I slid under one, slashing as the System highlighted weak points.

Another leapt. I grabbed its leg midair, twisted, slammed it into the wall.

[+175 XP]

[Skill Proficiency Increased: Blade Instinct Lv.2 → Lv.3]

More came. Four, six, ten.

I fought like a man possessed.

The System guided, but every strike was mine—every dodge, every grunt. Sweat dripped. Arms trembled. I didn't stop.

I couldn't.

The XP bar crept upward.

Level 13.

Then 14.

The deeper I went, the stranger the dungeon. Webs like steel wire. Walls pulsing. Whispers in a language I almost understood.

Then the mid-boss.

A chimera with crooked legs, a lion's head, and a snake's tail dripping venom.

It roared.

I charged.

Ducking under claws, slashing ribs, rolling as the tail struck—too late. It grazed my side.

Pain flared like fire.

[Status Effect: Poisoned]

[System Countermeasure Initiated – Toxin Purged]

My vision blurred.

Then cleared.

The chimera charged again.

I jumped.

Used the wall to kick off.

Came down hard.

Blade plunged into its skull.

It thrashed.

Then stilled.

[+2,750 XP – Level Up x2]

Level 16.

The Brood Queen's lair was a cathedral of rot.

Pillars of bone. Eggs clumped like tumors. A smell that could kill.

She hung blind from the ceiling, surrounded by twitching guards.

I didn't hesitate.

Voidstep recharged.

I activated it mid-run—blinked behind a guardian—decapitated it before it screamed.

They swarmed.

I danced through them.

Blood sprayed the walls.

I felt alive.

The Queen shrieked, a sound like tearing metal, and dropped from her web.

I ran straight at her.

It took everything.

Every potion, dodge, and skill.

I nearly died twice.

But I fought on.

Used her children as cover. Her webbing against her. Her bulk against the ceiling.

When she lunged for the final strike, I jumped—blade reversed—and drove it through her head.

She collapsed.

[Boss Defeated – +6,800 XP – Level Up x3]

Level 19.

I collapsed beside her.

Bloodied, shaking, smiling.

[Class Awakening Available – Proceed?]

"Yes," I whispered.

The world vanished.

I fell into light.