"Geon."
The goblin stirred, and something shifted. A thick aura of shadow pulsed from its body. The ground trembled under Donghyun's feet.
[Geon Goblin Lv.2]
"It reacted differently."
He turned to the two remaining goblins shadows. Their blank eyes waited in silence.
"Jor," he said to one.
"Eron," to the other.
As the last name left his mouth, a sharp pain shot through his chest, knees buckled, breath came short, vision blurred. He collapsed onto the dusty floor.
The pain faded as quickly as it came. A new message blinked above him.
He watched in silence as the shadow soldiers began to dissolve, fading into black mist.
"They vanished, I guess I can't keep them out for long."
Donghyun turned toward the broken window, the wind was still cold but calm. He murmured
"If I'm right five minutes, until they disappear."
Donghyun slowly sat on the floor, staring at the weed-grown ceiling. He closed his eyes, then suddenly, the sound of footsteps. Someone coming up the stairs.
He stood up, gripping his walking stick like a weapon, using the wall for support. The old man from the grave yard he met before appeared in the doorway, his presence felt heavy. Donghyun gasped, but his face showed no emotion only his heart raced.
The old man grinned, looking at Donghyun.
"Don't be scared. I just came to see the Soul-Link shadow system."
Donghyun's face paled.
"Who are you?"
The old man sighed. "Is it important to know? I just came to warn you be careful with the system."
He tossed something on the ground a blue ball that shone faintly in the dim room.
"Eat this. Your wounds will heal. But remember after you use this, potions or other magic won't work on you."
His grin turned creepy.
"Don't die."
Then he turned and slowly walked away. Donghyun watched him leave through the window, still confused, his heart still pounding.
He slowly picked up the glowing blue ball. Hesitation filled him,closed his eyes and swallowed it.
His wounds felt lighter. His body felt better, he slowly peeled back his bandages the wound was healed, no scar not even the most expensive potion could erase scars like this.
Donghyun didn't know who the old man was or what he truly wanted, but something about didn't sit right.
Slowly, he stood up and stepped out of the abandoned house, blending into the bustling streets. Above the crowd, a giant screen flashed with the image of Sejin, delivering a speech. Raising his hand, Sejin's confident yet chilling voice echoed through the city:
"We Awakeners will save humanity. This time, we will conquer the Tower and bring peace."
Behind Donghyun, two girls whispered excitedly.
"Oh my gosh, he's so handsome"
Donghyun glanced at them with a cold stare. The girls noticed and took a sneaky step back, their smiles fading into wary glances.
"Why is he staring at us like that?"
Donghyun kept walking, the chatter of people around him swirling talk about Awakeners, their powers, who passed the first floor, who barely made it past the second floor entrance. He didn't know where to go or what to do.
Then a familiar voice called out, "Hey"
Jae-min waved from a distance and came bolting over, gasping for breath.
"I went to your apartment," he said, "but it's already destroyed."
Donghyun stared at him. "How did you know my address?"
Jae-min gave an awkward smile. "Ehh.. just from your ID."
"That doesn't matter. If you don't have a place to stay, you can stay at my dad's hotel."
Donghyun glared and kept walking.
Jae-min fell into step beside him.
"I don't have money," Donghyun said quietly.
Jae-min sighed, "I'm not asking for money."
"Why would you help?" Donghyun asked, his voice low.
Jae-min smiled faintly. "Remember, we're teammates." His grin faded a little. "I promised those two I'd protect them, I couldn't."
Donghyun studied his face for a long moment, then he nodded."Okay."
Jae-min's grin returned as they walked toward a huge building. At the entrance, a man greeted Jae-min by name.
Donghyun followed quietly, silent as the elevator rose from the glass walls, houses looked like tiny ants below. Jae-min pressed the button for the 12th floor.
They reached a spacious room. Plush sofas, a big TV, the scent of fresh flowers.
"This is your room," Jae-min said, gesturing. "Make yourself at home."
Donghyun gave a small bow.
Jae-min left, bouncing like a kid who just got his wish.
Donghyun stayed by the window, watching the people below, feeling both distant and small.
He sat down, eyes fixed on the faint glow of the system notification that suddenly appeared before him.
[Side Quest Available Soul-Link Shadow System]
[Whispering Plains Danger Level: Low]
[Objective: Kill the Goblin King]
[Rewards: Rare Item Drops, Healing Orbs]
[Accept / Decline]
Donghyun's gaze hardened, knowing he was weak too to climb the Tower if he stayed like this. Hesitating for a moment, and slowly touch [Accept] button.
bright blue portal flickered to life before him, its edges crackling with unstable energy. But instead of warmth or light, an eerie chill seeped from it, like the breath of something ancient and hungry shadows writhed just beyond the glowing veil, twisting and pulsing with silent menace.
Donghyun's heart tightened. The air around the portal grew colder, heavier, as if the darkness itself was reaching out to swallow him whole taking a hesitant step forward, he felt the cold grip of fear curling in his stomach, but he forced himself onward.
His breath caught as he stepped inside. The sky above was dark, the moon already high, half-hidden behind thick clouds that gusted over the distant plains.
Far off, goblins scuttled through the shadows, their low chatter carrying on the wind , a wolf's howl broke the silence, sharp and chilling. Goblins screeched as they rushed toward him crude weapons raised, yellow eyes glinting in the dark. Their snarls filled the night air, wild and sharp.
Donghyun stood still.
"Five, ten, no it's more."
The ground trembled beneath their feet. His breath came slow, steady, a low roar echoed from deeper within the field.The goblins stopped, their heads snapped back then they turned and ran.
From the black horizon, something massive stirred, coming towards him.