The flickering flames of the campfire cast long shadows on the moss-covered stones, painting the dungeon walls in hues of orange and gold. Deep within the B-rank gate, the ARM Guild team had set up camp around a strange, obsidian-black gateway embedded in the earth. It loomed silently, its surface etched with pulsing crimson runes that shimmered like blood under moonlight.
Arjun sat quietly near the fire, his blade resting across his lap as he stared at the unfamiliar gate. Beside him, Tara—one of the younger F-rank warriors—nursed a lukewarm cup of rationed coffee.
"It doesn't feel right," she said softly, her voice barely audible over the crackle of flames. "That thing… it's not like the rest of the dungeon."
Arjun didn't take his eyes off the gate. "It's too quiet," he muttered. "No mana fluctuations, no ambient hum. Just… emptiness. But not peaceful. More like something's waiting."
Tara nodded slowly. "You think we'll have to go inside?"
Before he could answer, a sharp voice called out from the shadows. "Everyone—gather up."
Vikram stood near the edge of the campsite, his black armor stained with battle and travel. Leena was beside him, arms crossed, her usual smirk replaced by a grim expression. Within seconds, the team assembled—eleven warriors of mixed ranks, tense and alert.
Vikram's eyes swept over them. "Here's the situation. That gate—we've confirmed it's what's called an 'Abnormal Gate.'" He glanced at the pulsing portal. "And we can't leave until we clear this dungeon. We've already tried to send a signal, but time flows differently in here. Every twenty-three hours inside equals only thirty minutes outside."
Murmurs spread like wildfire. A few of the F-ranks shifted nervously.
"Which means," Vikram continued, "it'll take four full days inside here before anyone even begins to suspect something's wrong."
"That's… insane," one of the younger warriors whispered.
Leena added, "This kind of phenomenon—it matches what's described in older gate reports. When an 'Abnormal Gate' appears inside a dungeon, it's usually weaker than the dungeon itself. That's the good news."
"So what's the plan?" someone asked.
Vikram took a deep breath. "We go inside, investigate, and clear whatever's there. That's the only way out. But I won't force anyone. If you're not comfortable going in, you can wait here and conserve mana."
A heavy silence followed.
Then one voice cut through it.
"I'll go," Arjun said firmly.
The others followed, one by one, until the entire team stood united.
Vikram smiled, pride flickering in his eyes. "Good. We move in five."
---
The moment they stepped through the abnormal gate, the world around them shifted. Cold air rushed past, carrying with it the scent of old stone and death.
Before them stood a colossal stone gate—twice the height of any building Arjun had ever seen. It was covered in ancient carvings, each rune glowing faintly with a bluish light that seemed to breathe. Time-worn statues flanked its sides, their faces eroded into smooth, faceless forms. As the last member stepped through, the abnormal gate behind them vanished with a whisper, sealing them in.
Suddenly, the abnormal gate behind them vanished without a trace.
"What the hell is this place…?" someone murmured.
Riya stepped forward, her silver eyes shimmering. "Wait," she said, raising a hand. "These runes… I can read them."
The group turned to her.
"My skill—The All-Knowing—it lets me interpret any ancient language."
She traced a symbol on the stone gate and spoke the words aloud:
"Garden of Shadow."
The moment the words left her mouth, the temperature plummeted. A dark mist began to swirl from the base of the ancient gate, creeping upward like smoke. The mist thickened, coiling, twisting—until it formed a humanoid figure cloaked in shadow, standing silently before them.
No face. No eyes. Just darkness.
"Form up!" Vikram barked, already charging forward.
His blade slashed through the figure—but the shadow didn't react. The sword passed through like it was cutting through fog.
"It's not solid!"
Leena launched a spear of flame. Tara fired off wind projectiles. Still, the shadow remained untouched.
Then it moved.
A blur of black smoke flashed across the group. One of the F-rankers cried out as claws raked across her chest, sending her crashing into the dirt.
"It's an S-rank monster!" Vikram shouted. "Physical attacks are useless!"
"Riya—light magic! Now!"
Riya's hands glowed as she chanted, her voice desperate but steady. A golden orb formed above her head, casting light across the ruins.
The shadow shrieked—its first reaction to anything. The light burned into its body, forcing it to take a more tangible form: a tall, gaunt creature with twisted limbs and smoke-like tendrils trailing from its body.
"Hit it now!" Vikram roared.
The team surged forward. Light magic pierced the creature's defenses, allowing their weapons to strike. Fire, lightning, and steel clashed with darkness. The battle descended into chaos.
Arjun weaved between attacks, eyes locked on the creature. Every movement was precise, honed by years of surviving weaker gates. He wasn't the strongest—but he knew how to survive. And now, something deeper stirred within him, as if the shadows were watching.
The creature howled, striking Vikram and sending him flying into a wall. Riya screamed, her barrier flickering.
"We're running out of time!" she cried. "I can't hold the light!"
"Then use it on me," Arjun said suddenly.
"What?"
"Use the light on me. I'll distract it. You keep me lit."
She hesitated—but his eyes were calm. Determined.
"Fine. Don't die!"
The light wrapped around Arjun like a second skin. He darted forward, the monster turning to meet him. For a second, their eyes locked—human and shadow.
And then it charged.
Arjun ducked, rolled, and struck. Each time the creature neared, the light burned it. He kept moving, breathing hard, drawing its fury.
"Now!" Vikram shouted, driving his sword into the creature's chest.
With a final scream, the shadow creature exploded into black mist, evaporating into the air.
Silence.
Everyone stood there, panting, bleeding, exhausted. The victory felt hollow. Too sudden. Too easy.
Vikram turned slowly, eyes narrowed.
Something wasn't right.
"Everyone... look."
And then, behind him, the air began to shimmer.
Behind him, the air shimmered—and tore.
One gate opened.
Then another.
Then ten more.
Twenty in total.
Each one a different color, swirling with unstable mana. And from each, monsters began to emerge. Not ordinary dungeon beasts—but majestic, terrible creatures with glowing eyes, armored hides, and elemental auras.
Mystical monsters.
No one moved. No one even breathed.
Vikram clenched his fists, his voice rising with panic. "Damn it! This isn't a normal dungeon anymore!" he snapped, glaring at the gate. "It's a Mystical-Rank Dungeon—we were never supposed to be here!"
And for the first time since entering, the entire team was frozen in fear.
---
To be continued...