Shadow Devourer

Chapter 1: Gate A – The Beginning of the Unknown

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Scene One: The Selection and Departure

Rin stood before Gate A, surrounded by a group of mercenaries handpicked by the Association for this dangerous mission. The air was thick with tension. Being an A-rank gate meant that whatever awaited them inside would be deadly.

The mission leader, Haruto, an experienced A-rank fighter, scanned the group with a cold expression before speaking in a firm tone:

> Haruto: "You're all here because you chose to enter this gate. Remember—this is not a game. Either you make it out alive, or you die inside. There's no place for the weak in this world."

The team consisted of:

Rin, the only A-rank in the group.

Seven B-rank mercenaries, all seasoned fighters with prior gate experience.

Two C-rank mercenaries, rookies who had never entered a gate before.

Sayoko, a skilled healer who refused to be classified as an S-rank out of fear of dying in high-level gates.

No one knew the truth about Rin's power. To them, he was just another capable fighter.

> One of the B-rank mercenaries: "Why do we only have one A-rank? Does the Association think we don't need backup?"

Another mercenary smirked.

> Another mercenary: "If this kid is an A-rank, he must be strong. Don't underestimate him before you see what he can do."

With that, the gate operator activated the portal, and the team stepped inside.

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Scene Two: Inside the Gate – The Shadow Wolves' Domain

As soon as they entered, they found themselves in a dense, eerie forest. The trees loomed overhead, the air was unnaturally cold, and distant howls echoed through the darkness. The two C-rank mercenaries looked uneasy.

> C-rank mercenary (nervous): "Why does this place... feel alive?"

> Rin (calmly): "Because it isn't just a place. It's another world entirely."

Within minutes, the first threat appeared—Shadow Wolves, creatures faster than ordinary wolves, with claws as hard as steel, capable of shredding armor like paper.

> Haruto: "Prepare for battle!"

The team immediately engaged in combat.

The B-rank mercenaries fought skillfully, using their past experiences.

The C-rank mercenaries struggled, moving clumsily and becoming easy prey.

Rin stood back, observing the battle before deciding to step in.

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Scene Three: Rin's First Stolen Ability

During the chaos, one of the C-rank mercenaries was ambushed by a Shadow Wolf. He screamed as the beast lunged at him, fangs bared.

In an instant, Rin moved. With blinding speed, he severed the wolf's claws with his bare hands before plunging a dagger into its heart, ending its life in a single stroke.

> Haruto (impressed): "That was... fast."

A sudden rush of energy coursed through Rin's body—the wolf's power was now his.

His hands became more durable, resembling the wolf's hardened claws.

His speed slightly increased.

Unlike human abilities, monster powers did not require mastery—they became usable immediately.

In that moment, Rin realized something:

The more monsters he killed inside the gate, the stronger he would become.

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Scene Four: The Boss – A Talking Beast

After several hours of traveling deeper into the gate, the team arrived at a clearing. Standing before them was a towering beast, a humanoid Shadow Wolf, over two meters tall. Unlike the others, it radiated a terrifying presence.

Then, it spoke.

> Shadow Wolf Boss: "So, you've finally arrived, humans..."

> B-rank mercenary (shocked): "It... it talks?! That's impossible!"

> Haruto: "Everyone, fall back! This is not an ordinary monster!"

Before they could react, the beast lunged, tearing apart one of the C-rank mercenaries in an instant. Blood splattered across the clearing.

> Rin (coldly): "The weak always die first."

The remaining mercenaries flinched at his emotionless words. But one of the B-ranks, Kazuya, clenched his fists in anger.

> Kazuya: "Why are you just standing there?! Why are you stronger while we're dying?!"

Consumed by jealousy, Kazuya turned and attacked Rin.

But before his strike could land, the boss beast moved faster—its clawed hand sliced Kazuya's head clean off.

> Another mercenary (voice shaking): "W-we can't win this fight..."

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Scene Five: Rin vs. The Boss

As the others hesitated, only Rin stepped forward.

Rather than drawing his sword, he extended his new claws, ready to test his stolen power.

> Shadow Wolf Boss (grinning): "That energy… it's mine. You stole my pack's abilities!"

Rin's eyes narrowed.

How did the beast know about his ability?

> Rin: "What do you mean?"

The wolf laughed darkly.

> Shadow Wolf Boss: "You are the child of prophecy. It was written centuries ago... Surely you've noticed by now, haven't you? The more you kill, the stronger you become... But in return, you lose something."

Before Rin could question further, the beast pulled out an ancient scroll, written in archaic Japanese characters.

> Shadow Wolf Boss: "I won't tell you everything... but soon, you will understand why you exist. You will either die, or become stronger than everyone else. There is no third option."

With those final words, the beast pierced its own heart, collapsing to the ground. The scroll dropped beside its lifeless body.

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Scene Six: Betrayal and Fear

As the dust settled, the remaining mercenaries turned their attention to Rin.

Their expressions had changed—from respect to fear and hatred.

> B-rank mercenary (angrily): "You've been deceiving us this whole time! You're stealing powers!"

> Another mercenary: "He's just like those monsters! We have to kill him before he gets stronger!"

They attacked.

The first mercenary charged, only for Rin to slice his head off instantly.

The second fired an arrow—Rin caught it with his bare hands.

The third swung a sword—Rin snapped the blade in half before slitting his throat.

One by one, they all fell.

Only Sayoko remained, trembling in the corner.

> Rin (coldly): "You're worse than them. Don't beg for mercy."

Without hesitation, he killed her, absorbing her healing ability—not to help others, but to ensure his own survival.

Finally, Rin picked up the ancient scroll.

As he read its contents, a single realization sank in:

This knowledge would change the fate of all three worlds.

(To be continued...)