The silence around Seo Jun Xin grew heavier as he walked slowly through the cavern. Each step echoed faintly, a haunting reminder of how alone he truly was. The red glow from the walls cast eerie shadows, barely enough light to move forward, while the air felt thick and cold, pressing against his skin.

His fingers clenched tightly around the sharp metal piece he had salvaged earlier. His arms ached from his last fight, but he kept moving. Fear gripped his chest, but he refused to stop.

"This place isn’t normal," he muttered, his voice low. "It feels like it’s watching me, testing me."

The cavern widened, revealing a small chamber. At its center there was a stone table, faintly glowing with red light. Strange carvings covered its surface, twisting in patterns that made his eyes hurt if he stared too long. Jun Xin’s footsteps faltered as unease prickled his skin.

"What’s this?" he whispered, edging closer. The air around the table seemed sharp, almost alive. He reached out cautiously, but as his fingers neared the carvings, an invisible force pushed back, sharp like needles pricking his hand. He pulled back quickly, narrowing his eyes.

Before he could think further, a low rumble shook the chamber. His heart jumped as the ground beneath his feet cracked slightly. The red light flickered ominously, and dust rained down from the ceiling. The stone table dimmed, as if it had lost its power.

Then, with a sudden crash, a section of the wall collapsed. A tunnel appeared, jagged rocks framing its entrance. From the shadows emerged a creature—small and fast, its yellow eyes glowing with hunger. The wolf-like beast snarled as it crept closer, claws scraping the ground.

Jun Xin’s pulse quickened. He stepped back, pressing himself against the cold wall. The creature lunged, and he barely dodged in time. Its claws tore through the air, missing his shoulder by inches. Panic surged, but he forced himself to focus.

"It’s smaller than the last one," he thought, breathing hard. "But it’s faster."

When the beast lunged again, he swung his makeshift weapon, grazing its side. The creature yelped but didn’t back down. Instead, it circled him, eyes fixed, waiting for another opening. Jun Xin’s grip tightened. His mind raced as he scanned the area for something—anything—he could use.

The beast lunged a third time, and this time Jun Xin sidestepped, slashing at its legs. The move worked; the creature stumbled, letting out a growl of pain. Seizing the chance, Jun Xin struck again, this time landing a solid hit on its neck. The beast collapsed, twitching once before falling still.

Jun Xin stood there, panting, his arms trembling. "That was too close," he muttered, his voice shaking. He wiped sweat from his forehead and forced himself to move. He couldn’t stop now. The creatures inside the Gate wouldn’t allow it.

The tunnel ahead was narrow and rough, its walls jagged and uneven. Jun Xin’s footsteps were careful, his senses sharp. At one point, the ground shifted under his weight, almost sending him into a pit hidden by shadows. His heart pounded as he caught himself just in time.

"This isn’t just a place," he whispered to himself. "It’s a living hell."

Deeper he went, the air growing colder with each step. The faint red glow from the walls dimmed further, making it harder to see. His breathing echoed in the stillness, the sound unnervingly loud. Then, out of the silence, came a distant growl. Jun Xin froze. His pulse quickened as the sound grew louder, closer.

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A hulking figure emerged from the darkness. The beast was massive, its red eyes glowing with malice. Its claws scraped the ground, leaving deep gouges as it advanced. Jun Xin’s hands tightened around his weapon, but his palms were slick with sweat.

"I can’t fight this head-on," he thought, fear gripping his chest. "I have to think."

The creature lunged, its massive claws swiping at him. Jun Xin dove to the side, rolling to his feet. His eyes darted around the chamber, searching desperately. Then he saw them: jagged stalactites hanging above the beast. An idea formed, shaky but his only option.

Grabbing a loose rock, he hurled it at the creature, aiming to draw its attention. The beast snarled and charged at him. Jun Xin led it toward the stalactites, weaving through the narrow space. At the right moment, he swung his weapon at a loose rock near the ceiling. The blow caused a chain reaction. The stalactites came crashing down, pinning the creature beneath their weight.

Jun Xin stumbled back, breathing hard. His body ached, and his legs felt like they might give out. He stared at the fallen beast, its growls muffled under the rubble. "That won’t hold it for long," he muttered, forcing himself to move. Exhaustion clawed at him, but he couldn’t stop. Not here. Not now.

The tunnel opened into a vast chamber. A strange black mist swirled across the floor, cold and thick. At the center stood a pedestal, glowing faintly. Jun Xin hesitated, every instinct telling him to turn back. But something about the pedestal drew him in, a pull he couldn’t ignore.

As he stepped closer, pain exploded in his head. He cried out, falling to his knees. The mist thickened, curling around him like living shadows. Whispers filled the air, low and menacing. They spoke words he couldn’t understand, but their intent was clear: to break him.

Memories flooded his mind—his failures, his fears, his struggles. They weighed on him, pulling him down into despair. He clenched his fists, trembling. "No," he said through gritted teeth. "I won’t give up."

The whispers grew louder, the pain more intense. But beneath the noise, a spark of defiance burned within him. He forced himself to his feet, his body shaking. "I’m not done yet," he thought. With a roar, he reached for the glowing orb embedded in the pedestal.

The moment his hand touched it, the world exploded in light. Heat surged through his chest, overwhelming and blinding. He gasped, falling back as a mechanical voice echoed in his mind.

"Analysis Protocol: Limitless... activated. Do you wish to accept or deny?"

Jun Xin gasped, his thoughts racing. "What? What the hell is this?" His voice was filled with confusion and desperation.

"Failure to accept will result in immediate termination. Do you wish to accept?"

"Immediate… termination?" Jun Xin whispered, his pulse pounding. Sweat dripped down his face as the realization sank in. "I don’t have a choice, do I?"

"Final confirmation required. Do you wish to accept the Analysis Protocol?"

"Yes!" he shouted, desperation laced in his tone. "I accept! Just do it already!"

The light around him exploded, and the pain abruptly stopped. Jun Xin fell to his knees, gasping for air. His heart hammered in his chest as the voice returned, calmer now:

"Protocol fully integrated. Analysis capabilities unlocked."

Jun Xin stared at his trembling hands, a strange energy surging through his veins. Everything around him felt sharper, clearer. The pedestal no longer glowed, its purpose fulfilled.

"What… what is this?" he murmured, his voice tinged with awe and fear.

The voice responded without emotion:

"Analysis Protocol allows the user to break down and interpret all forms of data within range. Immediate threat detected. Initializing combat assessment."

The ground trembled violently as a monstrous figure emerged from the shadows. It was massive, its claws glinting like steel, and its eyes burned with raw hatred. Jun Xin’s knees nearly buckled, but the system’s voice cut through his fear:

"Threat level: A-Class Monster. Weakness detected. Strategic suggestions available."

Jun Xin’s lips twisted into a shaky grin as clarity replaced panic. "Huh, being trapped in this hell isn’t too bad after all," he said, his voice gaining strength. He clenched his fists, feeling the power coursing through him. "It’s like a blessing in disguise. Let’s see just how far this thing can take me."

He turned to face the monster, a determined glint in his eyes. "Bring it on. I’m ready."