[System Notification]
—New Feature Unlocked: Hunter's Market
Suho stared at the floating system message as he walked through the quiet streets of Seoul.
The Association let him go after a lengthy interrogation, but that didn't mean he was in the clear. He could tell from Yoo Jin-Seok's gaze—they would keep watching him.
If he wanted to stay ahead of them, he needed to grow stronger. Faster.
And now, the system had given him the perfect opportunity.
"Hunter's Market…"
With a thought, a new menu appeared before his eyes.
[Hunter's Market]
An exclusive shop available only to the System's user. Exchange SP (System Points) for items, skills, and equipment.
The list of items was extensive:
Skill Books – Grants abilities upon use.
Weapons – Ranging from E-rank to high-tier enchanted gear.
Consumables – Healing potions, stamina recovery items, even temporary buffs.
Special Items – ???
Suho's gaze lingered on the Special Items category. Unlike the others, it wasn't a simple list of purchasable goods—he had to search for what he wanted.
"…Let's see if I can find anything about that key."
The Forgotten Key
Suho navigated to his inventory.
There, among his potions and loot from previous dungeons, was an item he had obtained weeks ago but never understood.
[Item: White-Silver Key]
A mysterious key, glowing faintly with an unknown power. Its true purpose is yet to be revealed.
When he first received it, he assumed it was a simple quest item. But no matter how many dungeons he cleared, the system never told him what it was for.
But now—now he had a way to check.
Typing "White-Silver Key" into the Hunter's Market search bar, Suho expected to find some explanation. Instead, only one result appeared.
[Lock of Eternity – 2,500 SP]
A lock that binds to a key of the same essence. Unlocking it will reveal an unknown path.
His brows furrowed.
A matching lock?
Glancing at his available SP—4,200—he made a quick decision.
[Purchase successful.]
A small, ornate silver lock appeared in his inventory. Unlike normal locks, this one didn't have a keyhole. Instead, it had faint golden markings, almost like an ancient script.
And the moment it materialized, the White-Silver Key reacted.
The key pulsed with light.
[Key and Lock recognized.]
[Would you like to activate the Gate of Radiance?]
A gate?
Suho had entered dungeons through portals before, but this felt different. The system's phrasing wasn't calling it a dungeon.
This was something else.
His heartbeat quickened.
"...I should check what I'm getting into first."
He tapped the Gate of Radiance text, hoping for more information.
[System Message]
>>The Gate of Radiance is a path untouched by time. It exists beyond recorded dungeons.
>> Entry is restricted to the System's user. Once entered, there is no turning back until the trial is complete.
>> Warning: Failure to clear the trial may result in death.
Suho exhaled slowly.
A trial.
The system wasn't giving him an easy power-up. This wasn't some low-risk dungeon where he could grind stats and leave if things got too difficult.
If he entered, he had to see it through to the end.
His grip tightened around the key.
"...No hesitation."
He pressed Yes.
The Gate Opens
The key in his inventory vanished.
At the same time, the lock in his hands disintegrated into golden particles, weaving through the air until they merged into space itself.
Then—the world split open.
A blinding white rift materialized in front of Suho, crackling with energy. Unlike the usual dungeon gates, which had an eerie, ominous hue, this one felt… pure.
It wasn't darkness trying to consume everything.
It was light—piercing, overwhelming, absolute.
Suho's breath hitched.
The radiant energy was unlike anything he had felt before. Even without stepping inside, he could feel something waiting beyond.
A presence.
It wasn't malevolent like the Specter from before. But it wasn't comforting either.
It was testing him.
Suho clenched his fists.
He had no idea where this would lead.
But there was only one way to find out.
He took a deep breath—
And stepped forward.
Into the Unknown
The moment Suho crossed the threshold, a rush of energy engulfed him.
The blinding white turned into an endless void of shimmering light. Weightlessness. Silence.
Then—
The world shifted.
Suho found himself standing on solid ground.
No, not ground—a bridge.
It stretched endlessly in both directions, suspended in an expanse of radiant mist. Beneath his feet, ancient symbols glowed softly, forming patterns he didn't recognize.
"…Where am I?"
[System Message]
>> You have entered the Gate of Radiance.
>> Trial Initiated – The Path of Light.
>> Objective: Walk the path and prove your worth.
Suho frowned.
Prove my worth?
Before he could think further, a sudden force pressed against him.
A crushing, suffocating weight.
His knees buckled.
It was as if the very air was trying to push him down.
[Warning: The trial rejects the unworthy.]
A burning pain surged through his body. His muscles screamed. His bones felt like they were grinding against each other.
What the hell is this…?!
Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to move.
One step.
Another.
With every step forward, the pressure intensified.
But he didn't stop.
Because deep inside, Suho knew—
This was an opportunity.
And he wouldn't let it slip away.
Got it! I'll add another 2,000 words continuing from where Suho steps onto the bridge.
---
The Weight of the Trial
Every step forward was a battle.
Suho's breathing was ragged, his muscles trembling as the crushing force bore down on him. It wasn't just weight—it was something deeper.
It felt like the air itself was trying to judge him.
To reject him.
[System Message]
>> The Path of Light rejects those unworthy.
[Warning]
The failure to complete the quest will lead to a Death Penalty
Erased?
His instincts screamed at him—this wasn't an idle threat. If he stopped moving, he would be wiped out of existence.
Then I just have to keep walking.
He clenched his fists and forced another step forward.
But as he did—
CRACK.
Pain shot up his leg as if something had fractured inside him. His entire body shook, but he refused to collapse.
He looked at his status window—
[Status: Internal Strain (Severe)]
His health was steadily dropping. Whatever this force was, it wasn't just pressure—it was actively breaking him.
I need to resist it.
The problem was, he had no idea how.
His stats were higher than an E-rank's, but compared to high-level Hunters, he was still weak. This trial, this bridge—it demanded strength far beyond what he currently had.
And yet, the system had sent him here.
That meant there was a way forward.
There had to be.
He gritted his teeth and took another step.
And another.
The air around him began to hum.
The pressure suddenly doubled—
And then—
Something appeared ahead.
The Guardians of the Path
Figures emerged from the glowing mist.
They weren't human.
Golden knights.
They stood in a line across the bridge, their armor radiating a soft but overwhelming light. Each one carried a different weapon—a greatsword, a spear, a bow, twin daggers.
Their eyes, glowing orbs of white, locked onto him.
[System Message]
>> Trial Stage 1: Face the Guardians of the Path.
>> Only those who withstand their judgment may proceed.
Suho exhaled, steadying his stance.
"They're not going to let me just walk through, huh?"
He drew his dagger, but he could already tell—a dagger wasn't enough.
His eyes darted to the bridge itself. The glowing patterns beneath his feet… Could they be connected to the trial?
No time to think.
The first guardian moved.
It vanished—
Then reappeared right in front of him.
A massive spear thrust forward at an impossible speed.
Too fast!
Suho barely twisted his body in time, the spear grazing his side. Even that small touch ripped through his jacket and left a stinging cut.
He had faced monsters before, but this—this was on another level.
He spun to counterattack, aiming for the knight's exposed flank—
But before his dagger could connect, the second knight moved.
A bowman.
A golden arrow flashed through the air.
Suho barely had time to react before—
BANG!
The arrow didn't just pierce the bridge—it detonated on impact, sending shockwaves that nearly knocked him off balance.
Shit—!
He forced himself to roll away, but the third knight was already charging at him.
Twin daggers.
Fast. Precise. Relentless.
Suho barely managed to parry one strike before the second dagger slashed across his shoulder. Blood sprayed into the air.
The pain barely registered—his adrenaline was too high.
He jumped back, breathing hard.
The three knights stood in formation again, unmoving.
Observing.
They're testing me.
It wasn't just about fighting. They weren't attacking all at once. They were watching his reactions, his choices.
Like they were waiting for him to figure something out.
Suho's gaze dropped to the glowing patterns beneath him.
And suddenly—he understood.
The Bridge's Power
The moment he focused on the bridge, something changed.
The patterns beneath his feet shifted.
[System Message]
>> The Trial recognizes your awareness.
>> Access to the Bridge's Blessing unlocked.
A surge of energy coursed through him.
For a brief second, the weight crushing his body lessened.
Suho's eyes widened.
This bridge… wasn't just a path.
It was a tool.
And right now, it was offering him power.
But there was a catch—he had to earn it.
The knights charged again.
This time, Suho didn't just dodge—he moved with the bridge.
He felt the energy beneath him, adjusting his footwork accordingly.
When the spear knight lunged—Suho's body reacted before his mind did.
He twisted, flowing with the bridge's rhythm—and for the first time, he wasn't just dodging.
He was moving as if the trial itself was guiding him.
The golden arrow flew toward him again—
But instead of rolling away, he stepped onto a glowing rune.
And at that moment—
The pressure reversed.
It launched him forward at an impossible speed—straight toward the archer.
Before the bowman could react—
Suho slammed his dagger into its chest.
CRACK!
The knight staggered back, its armor fracturing. Light leaked from the wound like molten energy.
Suho's heart pounded.
He had never moved like that before.
But now he understood.
This trial wasn't just about fighting.
It was about synchronization.
The bridge had a rhythm, a flow of energy that only those worthy could harness.
If he could fully grasp it—
Then this wasn't a test of strength.
It was a chance to become stronger.
And Suho had every intention of passing.
He gripped his dagger tighter.
The remaining knights raised their weapons again.
This time, Suho welcomed the challenge.
Because he wasn't just walking this path anymore.
He was becoming part of it.
Then he looked up upon the endless castles upstairs. A Massive army of Angels, Valkyries, Archangels Looks at him in silence
"... What the Duck..?"