Chapter 8 - Ice Gate: Northern Black Forest

Syura walked northward, the fresh morning air and the gentle blowing wind.

"Wooose" — the sound of the calm wind.

From a distance, Syura began to see a forest that was pitch black, unlike the usual lush green forests.

"The trees are pitch black like darkness," Syura muttered.

Syura kept walking along the path toward the forest.

Then, a few minutes later, Syura arrived in front of the forest.

The atmosphere suddenly turned a bit cold, the air unpleasant to breathe through the nose.

"It feels cold here."

"The air stings the nose," Syura muttered.

Syura took a step further into the forest.

The forest atmosphere was very dark, with light only coming from the direction Syura entered and from the glow of fireflies.

From a distance, Syura saw a blue light. The deeper he went, the clearer it became. There was an old door covered in ice.

"So this is it? That Ice Gate?"

"It could’ve just been closed," Syura said casually.

Syura stepped closer to the door and tried to close it.

But...

As Syura was about to close the door, suddenly his body felt like it was being pulled inside.

"Tapp.. tapp.. tapp..." — the sound of Syura’s footsteps approaching the old door.

"Kreek..." — the sound of the door nearly closing.

Suddenly, the door forcefully reopened.

"Dreggggg!" — Syura’s body was flung inside.

Syura was shocked and confused.

"Wha..what just happened?"

"My body was suddenly pulled inside," Syura said.

"Krekkk..." — the sound of the door locking.

Suddenly, a hologram notification appeared in front of Syura's face.

[Mission: Ice Gate - Northern Black Forest Begins]
[No Time Limit]
[Threat Level: Continental]
[Recommended Rank: SSS+ and G+]

Syura’s face turned serious, and his body trembled.

"Th-this mission..."

"It’s not for beginners..."

"But for final-level adventurers," Syura said quietly.

Syura slowly stood up, pulling out both his daggers from his back.

He gave a faint smile, with an intensely sharp gaze.

"I will surpass you, Gyuta..."

"Surpass my limits," Syura said firmly.

Syura walked deeper. To his right and left were only ice-covered walls, and there was only a narrow path ahead.

Syura arrived at a very sturdy gate, covered in moss and engraved with ancient carvings.

"This gate is solid and very old."

"What awaits me inside?" Syura said.

Slowly, the gate opened.

"Kreek..." — the sound of the gate opening.

As Syura entered, the atmosphere resembled a royal hall, and there was a figure seated on a throne.

A tall, large figure clad in blue armor, red eyes, wielding a huge long sword, with a surging, intimidating aura.

Suddenly, a hologram panel appeared in front of Syura's face.

[Ice King: Kravon]
[Threat Level: Continental]

Then...

"My opponent... is just a boy?" Kravon’s heavy and terrifying voice echoed.

Kravon stood up from his throne.

"Come, boy. I’m ready anytime," Kravon said, his voice stabbing into the chest.

Without warning, Syura threw one of his daggers at Kravon.

"Sringgg" — the sound of the dagger flying at high speed toward Kravon.

As the dagger reached Kravon's face—

[Skill: Speed Dash Activated]

Not teleportation, but a lightning-fast movement unseen to the eye, performed by Syura.

Syura suddenly appeared right in front of Kravon's face, already holding the dagger he had thrown earlier.

Just as Syura was about to strike Kravon—

"Wooose!" — Kravon vanished.

Suddenly, Kravon was behind Syura, his back facing him.

"Too slow," Kravon said.

Then Kravon released a bright blue aura, and the room suddenly froze over.

Kravon turned to face Syura.

"This is the beginning... and the end of our meeting," Kravon said, his voice piercing to the bone.