Arya and 99 stood before a massive golden door, its surface gleaming brilliantly under the dim light. Unlike the others, this door was different—grander, more imposing. Intricate carvings adorned its surface, and at the center, strange symbols were etched, glowing faintly.
Arya's eyes narrowed. This writing… it looks like the language in the notebook. His heart pounded. If this is the final door, then what lies beyond…?
Neither of them spoke. There was no need for words. They both knew—behind this door was the boss monster. The strongest enemy they would face.
Arya clenched his fists. He had barely survived up to this point, dodging death by luck and instinct. But now… if the monster's soldiers were that strong, how terrifying would their leader be? Just imagining its power sent a shiver down his spine. I can't stand against something like that…
99 stepped forward, placing his hands on the door. He pushed. Nothing. He tried again, harder this time. Still, the door didn't budge.
Frustration flashed across his face. His yellow aura flared wildly as he stepped back, gathering power. With a fierce glare, he kicked the door with everything he had—BOOM! The impact echoed through the corridor.
But the door didn't move. Not even an inch.
Silence followed.
99 gritted his teeth. What kind of door is this?
A few minutes passed in tense silence. Then, to their shock, the massive golden door began opening on its own. A strange energy hummed through the air as the heavy doors creaked apart, revealing a vast, dimly lit hall beyond.
Cautiously, Arya and 99 stepped inside. As they moved forward, the darkness slowly retreated—lights flickering on one by one, illuminating their path. The hall was enormous, its high ceiling lost in shadows. Every step echoed eerily, making the silence even more unsettling.
Then, at the far end, another door came into view.
99 clicked his tongue in frustration. "What the fuck?! Another door?!" His voice echoed through the chamber. He clenched his fists and shouted, "Come out, you coward! Face me!"
His voice faded into silence.
But Arya heard something—a whisper. Faint yet chilling.
"Come… come closer…"
His body tensed. He turned to 99. "Did you hear that?"
99 frowned. "Hear what?"
"Come… come…" The whisper came again.
Arya swallowed hard. "That voice. It's coming from inside that room."
99 scowled. "Are you losing it? I don't hear a damn thing."
Before Arya could respond, the air shifted. A deep, guttural growl echoed through the hall.
Then—four massive figures emerged from the darkness.
Shadow Orcs.
Each one stood over three meters tall, their bodies wreathed in dark energy. Their glowing red eyes locked onto them like predators spotting prey.
99 cursed and turned to the door behind them. It had shut.
He clenched his jaw. "Arya, go! Try to open the door! I'll handle these bastards!"
Without waiting for a response, he charged forward, his aura flaring as he swung his sword at the nearest Shadow Orc.
CRACK!
His sword snapped in half on impact.
99's eyes widened in shock. Before he could react, one of the Shadow Orcs grabbed his head with a single massive hand and lifted him off the ground effortlessly.
99 struggled, kicking and punching, but the orc's grip was like iron chains. He was completely helpless.
Arya's heart pounded. He had to do something—fast! He lunged forward, slashing at the Shadow Orc's side to distract it.
The blade did nothing.
The orc didn't even flinch.
Desperate, Arya dodged its next attack and aimed for its eye.
His sword pierced through.
The Shadow Orc let out a furious roar, clutching its bleeding eye as it released 99.
"Run!" Arya shouted.
99 staggered backward, breathing heavily. The other three Shadow Orcs charged at them.
Arya bolted for the door, trying to pry it open. It wouldn't budge. Come on, come on!
99 barely dodged an attack, then reached out his hand to Arya. Arya grabbed it, pulling with all his strength.
But instead of Arya pulling 99 through…
99 pulled Arya forward with brute force.
Instead, with a sudden, brutal yank, Arya was thrown backward—toward the Shadow Orc.
His body hit the ground hard. His breath caught in his throat as the massive door began to close.
Through the shrinking gap, he saw 99.
For a split second, their eyes met.
Arya's mind raced—why?
But 99… he just stood there.
No panic. No hesitation. No regret.
And then—
The door slammed shut.
Arya was alone.
The only sound was his ragged breathing… and the heavy footsteps of the Shadow Orc looming over him.
His fingers clenched the cold stone floor. His heart pounded.
He betrayed me.
Arya finally understood.
28 was dead.
And 99… 99 was the one who killed him.
Now, he had done the same to Arya—trapping him here to die.
It wasn't a mistake. It wasn't a coincidence.
It was planned.
But why?
Why would 99 betray them like this?
Arya's heart pounded as he turned his head—
A massive shadow engulfed him.
Arya turned—just in time to see the Orc's foot crashing down.
Arya's breath hitched.
This was it.
This was how it would end.
Arya tried to dodge, but his luck ran out.
Before he could move, a Shadow Orc grabbed his right hand—the same hand holding his sword.
With a sickening crack, the Orc snapped his wrist.
Arya's sword clattered to the ground.
Pain shot through his arm like fire, but before he could even react—
Another Shadow Orc seized his left hand.
A moment of silence.
Then—
RIP.
A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the hall.
Arya's right arm was torn clean from his body.
His vision blurred from the sheer agony, but the nightmare wasn't over.
Another rip.
His left arm followed.
Blood poured from his wounds, staining the cold floor beneath him. His body swayed, barely able to stay upright.
He gasped for air, his mind screaming in denial.
I don't want to die.
Somewhere beyond the pain, he could hear 99 moving deeper into the room.
Through the haze, Arya caught a glimpse—
99 stood before an ancient box.
He opened it, revealing a black mask.
For a second, 99 stared at it.
Then, with a shrug, he dropped the box and the mask—like it meant nothing—and kept walking.
Meanwhile, Arya's knees gave out.
His body collapsed to the floor, trembling.
He didn't want to die.
His sister was waiting for him.
"Please…" he choked out. "God… help me…"
Before he could say another word, a Shadow Orc grabbed his head, lifting him effortlessly.
CRACK.
The Orc tightened its grip.
Arya's mask splintered apart.
And then—it fell.
His bloodied face was exposed.
For the first time in his life, someone saw him.
His breath hitched.
Then—
The Shadow Orc threw him.
With inhuman force, Arya's body hurtled through the air, crashing into the massive door with a shattering impact.
The door broke apart.
Arya's body slammed to the ground, skidding across the stone floor—
Coming to a stop right where the black mask had fallen.
Silence.
His vision dimmed. His body refused to move.
The only thing he could see was the black mask, lying just within reach.