Arin kept walking deeper into the ancient stone path. The torches lit by themselves as he passed, reacting to his presence. The dungeon felt alive… watching him… judging him.
His heart was still heavy from the wolf baby's death.Every time he blinked, he saw its small body… the blood… the goblin's grin.
"If I was stronger… this wouldn't have happened."
His fist tightened.
Suddenly—
THUMP… THUMP… THUMP…
The ground began to vibrate.
Arin stopped, eyes widening.
Then the voice echoed in his head again—the same one from before he woke with the system.
A calm, deep, emotionless voice.
"You seek strength."
Arin spun around."Who are you!? Why are you in my mind!?"
No answer. Only silence.
But then…
A black mist gathered behind him.
It took the shape of a tall humanoid figure.No face.No eyes.Only a dark shadow with a faint grey aura.
Arin slowly stepped back, but the shadow did not move.
It only stood there… observing him.
Then the voice returned.
"You entered My Gate.""To proceed… you must prove your worth."
Arin swallowed."M-Master of this dungeon…? What do you want?"
The shadow raised one finger.
The dungeon rumbled.
Suddenly, a giant stone ring formed around the area, trapping Arin in a circular arena.
A notification flashed:
[ Dungeon Trial Activated ]
Trial 1 – Face Your WeaknessDefeat the Manifestation of Your Fear.
Arin's breath caught.
A second shadow slowly emerged… but this one had glowing red eyes.
When Arin saw it clearly—his heart froze.
It was himself.
A perfect shadow version of Arin, same size, same shape… but stronger, darker, twisted.
It grinned.
Arin stuttered, "T-That's… me…?"
The dungeon voice spoke again:
"Your greatest enemy is not the monsters outside……but the weakness inside you."
Shadow Arin picked up a dark, smoke-like sword.Arin summoned his katana automatically, his hand trembling.
"Let's end this quickly…" Shadow Arin whispered in a distorted tone.
Arin's eyes widened.
It could speak.
And worse—It sounded like a version of him who had already given up on everything.
The trial had begun.
Arin charged.
His shadow charged too.
Their blades clashed—
CLANG!!!
The impact threw Arin back several meters.
Shadow Arin tilted its head."So slow… So weak… No wonder the wolf died."
Arin's eyes shot open in rage.
"You—shut up!"
He rushed again, aura flickering weakly.The shadow dodged every strike easily.
"You couldn't protect a baby wolf.""What makes you think you can survive in this world?"
Arin's chest tightened.His vision blurred.
The shadow pointed its sword at him.
"You are unworthy."
Something snapped inside Arin.
He roared—
"I WON'T RUN ANYMORE!"
For the first time, Arin's aura burst out—Grey, unstable, but real.
Shadow Arin smirked.
"Good. Now fight like someone who wants to live."
Both dashed forward at full speed—
CLASH!!!
The trial continued…