Sirens echoed through the streets as Xiao Li sprinted.
Along the way, he saw hunters forming teams, guild members shouting orders, and civilians evacuating in panic.
So this is how it works, he thought.
Not heroes.
Organizations.
Profit. Survival. Priority.
He remembered what the receptionist had said earlier:
"Unregistered Gates are dangerous. No reward guarantee. No protection."
Meaning—
If you die, no one cares.
Xiao Li slowed near the restricted zone.
A faint distortion shimmered between two apartment buildings.
The Gate was small.
Too small.
But the pressure in the air made his skin prickle.
[System Warning]
[Distorted Gate detected]
[Internal energy unstable]
"This thing shouldn't exist…" Xiao Li whispered.
Footsteps approached.
Two F-rank hunters arrived behind him.
"Hey kid! Step back!" one shouted.
"This isn't a school test!"
Xiao Li didn't turn around.
"You felt it too, didn't you?" he asked quietly.
The hunters hesitated.
"…Yeah."
The Gate pulsed.
Something inside moved.
Xiao Li clenched his fists.
If he waited for backup—
People would die.
[System Prompt]
Entering Gate early increases risk
Also increases growth efficiency
He smiled faintly.
"Figures."
Xiao Li stepped forward.
The world twisted—
And swallowed him whole.
Inside the Gate
Darkness.
Then a ruined underground space filled with broken concrete and web-like structures.
Skittering sounds echoed everywhere.
Xiao Li's breath slowed.
Calm. Observe.
Red eyes lit up in the dark.
Mutant insects—but different.
They didn't rush him.
They surrounded him.
"Coordinated…" Xiao Li muttered.
[System Alert]
Monster behavior exceeds expected parameters
The first attack came from behind.
Xiao Li twisted and struck.
Crunch.
The creature died—but another replaced it instantly.
His movements became sharper.
Cleaner.
Faster.
[Predator Instinct Activated]
He felt it.
The shift.
Fear disappeared.
Only intent remained.
But then—
A voice echoed through the Gate.
"So… you are the variable."
Xiao Li froze.
Monsters didn't speak.
Slowly, something large descended from above.
Bone-like armor.
Multiple limbs.
A skull-shaped face.
[Name Identified]
Skull Weaver (Elite – Evolving)
The creature tilted its head.
"Let us see… how you adapt."
Xiao Li raised his weapon.
Heart pounding.
"This world…"
"…is getting interesting."