Marvin stood before the West Wing door, arms crossed, staring at the glowing symbol.
"…Alright," he muttered. "Let's get this over with."
The symbol pulsed faintly, as if reacting to his presence. Not hostile. Not welcoming. Just… aware.
DING!
> Objective: Unlock the Sealed Chamber.
Hint: The key is not a key.
Marvin blinked. "…That's not helpful."
Behind him, the Whispering Shadow spoke softly.
"A door that does not open… waits for something already inside."
Marvin turned. "Inside what? The room? Me? The house?!"
No answer.
Of course.
He sighed and stepped closer to the door.
The moment his hand hovered near it—the symbol flared.
A wave of energy rushed outward.
Marvin staggered back.
Images flashed in his mind.
A broken sky.
A burning structure.
A voice—distant, echoing—
"Prove you can hold what lies beyond."
The vision vanished.
Marvin gasped. "…Yeah, that's definitely not normal."
DING!
> Condition Updated: Host must reach Stability Threshold (80%) to unlock the West Wing.
Marvin stared at the panel.
"…So I need to grow stronger first."
The door went silent again.
Waiting.