Meeting

"That's it? I don't even know what the meeting is about. How is this confidential information?" Hae muttered to himself, his voice echoing in the quiet room. His question hung in the air, unanswered. "Wait, what is the date today?" he asked out loud, breaking the silence.

"Um, it's the 22nd," Mingyu replied, pulling out his phone to confirm before stuffing it back into his pocket.

"So, it's tomorrow. It's dark out, let's go to sleep. Long day ahead," Hae instructed, placing the empty plate on the table. As if by magic, the plate disappeared. One by one, everyone got into their beds and drifted off to sleep, the room falling into a peaceful silence.

(The next day)

"Shit, why didn't anyone wake me up?" Hae complained, looking around at the empty room. The room was all decorated, the decorations casting long shadows in the morning light. He held his hand out, materializing his phone, and checked the time. It was 11:38. "Oh, still some time left. I can get ready by then," Hae said, jumping off the bed and quickly getting ready.

Minutes later, Hae was dressed in a black turtleneck and red blazer. He checked his appearance one more time before a screen appeared.

The screen displayed the location of the meeting: Castle Of The 3rd Level Inferno located in Salem. It also mentioned that further information would be given later and instructed him to choose a weapon from his inventory.

"My inventory? I don't even know what I have in there. Let's check," Hae muttered, bringing up the inventory window and inspecting it. "4 rare daggers, 1 legendary, and 30 broken and used swords…and a scythe," Hae read out loud, his voice filled with surprise.

"When did I get a Scythe? Hmm, it might've been a level award," He thought to himself before selecting the scythe.

'You have chosen Scythe. This will be your protection in case of danger. Now, portal appearing,' the screen said before vanishing.

Soon enough, a portal appeared. Hae-Yun hesitated for a moment, his heart pounding in his chest, before stepping in. The adventure was just beginning.

(Hae-Yun's perspective)

A gust of wind swept over me, its cool touch sending a shiver down my spine. Suddenly, a sharp pain erupted in my stomach, so intense that it nearly made me double over and retch. I felt a strange sensation, as if my legs were floating, and then, in the next instant, I was standing firmly on the ground. Slowly, I lifted my eyes, blinking against the bright light, to reveal a magnificent castle standing tall in front of me.

The castle was a grand spectacle, bathed in the soft glow of decorated lights that twinkled like stars against the darkening sky. Its towering spires reached towards the heavens, while its sturdy stone walls, weathered by time, stood as a testament to its enduring strength. Intricate carvings adorned its facade, each telling a story of its rich history. The castle was surrounded by a sea of people, their numbers far exceeding my expectations.

"What is this, a party?" I questioned myself, taking slow steps forward. I looked around awkwardly, feeling out of place amidst the crowd. Everyone seemed to be paired up, engaged in hushed conversations or shared laughter, and I was the only one alone. I gazed at the castle in awe, its majestic beauty leaving me speechless.

Suddenly, a voice rang out, "Oh wait, look there! Isn't that the famous Hae-Yun?" Someone pointed in my direction, and before I knew it, all eyes were on me. The crowd's attention was now focused on me, their gazes filled with curiosity and recognition. I could feel the weight of their stares, but I held my head high.

"Wow didn't know his eyes were red, "someone said making me wonder "Wait my eyes aren't red what the" I thought then opened out my status window and gazed into it checking out my reflection. "But how?"I questioned closing the window.

I quickened my pace, leaving behind the murmurs and whispers that filled the air. "He defeated that monster once in the dome contest, remember?" someone murmured, their voice barely audible over the din. Another voice chimed in, "Lucky being the son of the ruler of this state." The murmurs continued, each voice adding a new layer to the growing buzz of conversation.

"Wait, actually…" a voice trailed off, only to be picked up by another, "Yes, you didn't know that? And he also possesses every power there is, that's what everyone says." The whispers grew louder, the awe and admiration in their voices unmistakable.

"Wow, cool. Not going to lie, he's handsome," a voice commented, eliciting a round of hushed agreement from the others.

"Shit, what the fuck," I cursed under my breath, the whispers and stares becoming too much. I entered the castle, where it was less crowded, but the gazes followed me, and the whispers didn't stop. I made my way to a corner, seeking solace in the relative solitude. I leaned against the cool stone wall, pulling out my phone to distract myself from the prying eyes and incessant whispers. 

Suddenly, a voice echoed through the castle, seemingly coming from nowhere. "Hope everyone is enjoying their stay. In 2 minutes, please everyone make their way to the hall," the voice announced, its tone polite yet authoritative.

"I still don't understand," I mumbled to myself, the confusion evident in my voice. I slipped my phone back into my pocket and started walking towards the hall. The hall was located behind the grand doors that stood majestically at the entrance of the castle. The doors were intricately carved, their polished surface reflecting the soft glow of the lights.

As I was about to reach the doors, I felt a sudden tap on my shoulder. I turned around, my heart pounding in my chest.