The young man burst through the crimson light gate and emerged into a strange and wondrous world. A yellow ocean floated upside down in the sky. A green moon loomed over a forest of distorted trees that looked like dancing humans. But the most striking sight was a colossal stone altar, rising near the clouds, carved by something inhuman.
Its surface was slick and cold, not as though it had been carved from rock, but as if it had grown from some nameless, forbidden entity. Its shape defied description. It appeared alive, but not with any recognizable form of life.
Its head was neither human nor any beast Fethan had ever known. Tentacles protruded from it like living appendages, though they were carved of stone. Its elongated limbs reached beyond any natural proportion, with fingers unnaturally long, grasping something invisible. Its dark, twisted wings unfurled from its back—not like those of a bird or bat, but more like a tangible shadow.
The sensation emanating from the relief was beyond words. Fethan hallucinated the tentacles writhing, the wings flapping, the sealed eyes staring directly at him. He clawed at his own face with bloodied nails to stay sane. He knew if he looked a moment longer, he would go mad.
[Welcome to the Nameless Forgotten City]
[The land where the sane never return]
Fethan had never imagined that tonight's events would drag him into a battle against horrors no human should confront—battles with no hope of victory.
A few hours earlier—
Fethan exhaled a plume of white breath, his mismatched gold and silver eyes watching couple after couple walk by, arm in arm. The young man wore a long black coat and scarf, bracing against the December chill. The screech of brakes rang out from the skytrain station, followed by the clamor of rushing commuters.
Amid the crowd, he noticed an odd splash of color—a girl in a skirt and white coat, with rabbit-shaped headphones over her ears. Her long legs were wrapped in winter tights and brown leather boots. On her back was a bag that resembled a cartoon-covered baseball bat.
She hopped toward him and stopped in front, her ruby-red eyes beaming with a sunflower-bright smile.
"Hey handsome, are you free? If you don't have a date, wanna catch a movie with me?" Luminus teased.
"Not a bad offer. I've been waiting on my date for half an hour and haven't seen even her shadow. She probably forgot. I was just thinking, if a cute girl asked me out, I might just follow her around."
"Perfect! Forget that awful girl—let's go have a blast!" Luminus grabbed his arm and turned toward the bustling mall. But despite her tugging, Fethan didn't budge. Sweat beaded on her forehead and her smile faltered. She looked up and met a piercing gaze that bored straight into her soul.
"Nice try. I waited half an hour, called you, and got nothing. You're making this up to me." Fethan pulled her close, both arms wrapping around her. He lifted a strand of her pink hair and sniffed it lightly. Beneath the too-strong perfume and fruity shampoo, he caught the faint scent of a monster. The creases in her collar told of a rushed outfit change. His anger faded, replaced with heated affection.
"Half an hour late means I get a half-hour hug."
"Eh? Is that okay?" Luminus lit up like a kid handed candy. What was meant as punishment now felt like a reward.
"On second thought, forget it." Fethan let her go, but she stepped forward and hugged him tight. Her head pressed against his chest, unmoving like a doll. People glanced at them with curious, judging eyes. Fethan gently stroked her back.
"Good girl."
After the movie and a detour at the toy store, Fethan brought Luminus back to his place. On the way, they stopped at a convenience store. Fethan picked up a soda, a bag of snacks, and a rectangular box at the counter. The cashier glanced at him with dead-fish eyes full of despair.
Just then, Luminus's phone rang. She pulled it from her bag, her eyes narrowing at the familiar number. She answered with clear annoyance.
"Hello?"
"Sorry, Agent Luminus. A purple Hollow Gate just appeared in a residential zone. You're the closest. We need backup."
"Ugh. I was on a date!" she whined, crouching in frustration. Apologies flooded from the other side. Fethan overheard, sympathy filling his gaze.
"Lumi, you got called in again?"
"Sorry, Fethan. Even on our day off, I get dragged away."
"It's fine. What did I expect, dating the top exorcist of our time—Lady Luminus Sterling. I'm generous enough to share you with the world."
"Ahh... can you say that again? That was so dreamy." Her heart pounded. She couldn't get enough of his words. Fethan turned away, pretending not to hear. Luminus unzipped her backpack, revealing not a bat, but a white sword etched with fox motifs.
"Wait at home. I won't take long." Her soft red eyes turned sharp with determination. She was no longer Fethan's sweet girlfriend—she was a national hero. She launched down the road and vanished from view.
Hollow Gates were unpredictable disasters, like earthquakes or floods. Within them lay surreal worlds filled with monsters, lost cities, and civilizations from other dimensions. If left unchecked, they exploded and rendered the area uninhabitable, like a nuclear blast.
Humanity had coexisted with Hollow Gates for 200 years, always refining their response systems. Special individuals with powers fought the monsters—they were exorcists. Luminus Sterling was the youngest S-Rank exorcist in the country, and Fethan's beloved.
'She'll be so happy if I'm waiting for her when she gets back.' Fethan stood before the purple gate, ready to surprise her. His house was only five kilometers away. He prayed she'd succeed—otherwise, his property value would tank worse than a market crash.
The snow grew heavier. Fethan waited, hoping to see her tearful, overjoyed face. But after two hours, dread crept in. The ring on his left hand grew hot. He raised it—its light blinking.
It was a gift from Luminus on their anniversary, linked to her matching ring. If the other wearer was in danger, it lit up. She gave it to him to track him inside a Hollow Gate. Now it was flashing—she was in danger.
'Lumi...' Cold sweat dripped despite the chill. He saw a shape descend from the sky—a hooded figure cloaked in green fire. Its face was a skull with hollow eyes. It entered the purple gate unnoticed by anyone.
Fethan rubbed his eyes. The gate was now red. Panic gripped him. He'd seen this once before, as a child. The fear of loss rose from deep inside.
'No...' Blood pumped in his veins. Before he knew it, he was running. The golden ring flashed and warped him through the red gate, homing in on the other ring bearer.
Fethan emerged into a world beyond human comprehension. The sight of the statue nearly broke his mind. But then he saw it—the stone plaza ahead, paved seamlessly with limestone.
The moist black soil reeked of salt. Green moss and unfamiliar symbols formed a ritual circle. His heterochromatic eyes widened.
A body lay in a pool of blood beside a white sword.
"Lumi! LUMI!!" Fethan rushed forward, slipping on moss and smashing his forehead. Blood trickled down, but he scrambled up. He dropped to his knees beside her and examined her body.
Her ruby eyes had turned white. Her creamy skin was now gray-black, like burnt coal. Scales and membranes covered her hands and feet—no longer human. Trembling, he stroked her paper-white face.
"F-Fethan..."
"Hang on, Lumi. Help's coming." He clutched her lifeless hand. Her senses were gone—sight, temperature, smell—all dead, save hearing, the first sense humans develop. His grip tightened, terrified she'd slip away.
'Why? That form... just like back then.' He knew this affliction. It was a curse. A dark magus had done this—one who killed through vile sorcery.
He had seen this once, fourteen years ago, when his mother died. Her body, too, had twisted. From then on, Fethan studied defense against the dark arts. He knew there was no saving Luminus now. She knew it too.
"Fethan... I'm sorry. I won't be your bride after all."
"No... Lumi..." He shook his head. Tears fell onto her pale face. Their rings glowed faintly—and then dimmed, second by second.
"Come back, Lumi. Don't leave me! Don't go! LUMINUS STERLING!" he screamed as her pulse faded. The cloaked figure appeared again, scythe raised. Its eyeless gaze fell upon the dying girl.
Fethan stared up at the cursed being, reeking of incense and candle wax, of wet soil. The scythe rose to claim her. Instinct screamed—if it landed, he'd lose her forever.
"NO! YOU MONSTER! GET OUT! GO BACK TO HELL! LEAVE HER ALONE!" Fethan hurled stones at it. They passed through, as if it didn't exist. He prayed it was just a hallucination, a delusion.
Maybe Luminus, the reaper, and that statue—none of them were real.
"Please don't take her from me... I can't live without her." Fethan wept, begging. But death answers no one. The scythe came down.
Time slowed.
He looked up at the relief above.
'Anything... I'll become anything.'
'I'll do whatever it takes.'
'Just give me power.'
A surge of power flooded into his mind.
[Connection established... scanning attributes. Congratulations. You have been chosen by the System.]
[Based on birth, talent, and total potential, a special power is being created... Congratulations. You have received the Impossible Offer: Eternal Dominion (SSS)]
[Everland Dominion (SSS): User gains access to a personal realm. Develop and expand it to greatness. Kill enemies to turn them into citizens. Your power grows with your dominion's success. Become the undying king.]
Skills granted:
Deathseer Eyes (C) [Passive]: See spirits, curses, death, and the supernatural.
Gate to Everland (B) [Active]: Open the gate to your realm. Usable anywhere except Hollow Zones, Hollow Gates, and Dark Dungeons.
Soul Harvest (A) [Passive]: Souls of slain creatures do not move on. They become your citizens.
Soul Fusion (S) [Active]: Merge with a servant's soul. Gain their skills and experiences proportionally.
Emperor of Spirit Magic (SS) [Passive]: Mana equals 10x soul power. Holy power equals 1% soul power.
God of Death's Descent (SSS): ...............
[To accept this power, change class to Dark Magus. Accept?]
Time was frozen. Fethan read it all.
'Souls become citizens, huh...'
A twisted smile formed. A raspy laugh escaped his throat. Sanity faded into shadow. Rage, grief, and despair mixed into bitter fire. He'd always longed for power—to protect Luminus, to take revenge.
But this offer meant becoming what he hated most.
'Binding the dead as servants—that's what dark magi do. If I use this, I'm scum. What would Lumi think of me? I can't forgive myself.'
He hesitated. Time resumed. The scythe neared Luminus's chest. Fethan realized—there was no time to choose.
'I'm sorry, Mom. I'm sorry, Lumi. I'm... selfish.'
He grabbed the white sword, gold-silver eyes brimming with red tears. He aimed the blade at the woman he loved.
[You have accepted the System's power.]
[Class changed to Dark Magus. All Eternal Dominion skills granted.]
"I love you, Lumi." Fethan smiled a twisted smile. Luminus, stripped of all senses, smiled faintly. He closed his eyes, shouted from his soul:
"I love you!" Her lips curved. That was the final straw. Eyes closed, he plunged the sword into her heart—killing her with his own hand.
[You have obtained a Purple-Grade Soul: Luminus Sterling. From now on, she is your eternal, loyal servant.]
[Welcome to the path of Dark Magus.] The system's words felt like mockery.
Fethan pulled the blade free and looked up. The sky had not changed—but he could never see the world the same again.
"Twice... You've taken my loved ones twice." His eyes burned with fury. This wasn't the first time curses stole someone dear. He almost moved on from his past with Luminus's love.
But now, the urge to kill burned hotter than ever. He swore never to forget this pain. No matter who was responsible—he would find them, and make them pay.
[Fethan Bloodstar]
[Level: 20]
[Class: Dark Magus]
[Titles: Lord of the Everland, Cursed Son, Dark Magus's Heir, Manaless Mage, Erudite Oracle]
[HP: 70/70]
[Stamina: 55/60]
[Holy Power: 0.5/0.5]
[Magic Power: 5/5]
[Soul Power: 50/50]
[Divine Authority: 0] [Arcane Authority: 10] [Dark Authority: 0]
[Magic Resistance: 0] [Curse Resistance: 20]
[Strength: 9] [Endurance: 8] [Agility: 9] [Perception: 8] [Intelligence: 17]
Skills:
Lord of The Everland:
Deathseer Eyes (C) LV.1Gate to Eternal Dominion (B) LV.MAXSoul Harvest (A) LV.MAXSoul Fusion (S) LV.1Emperor of Spirit Magic (SS) LV.1God of Death's Descent (SSS) LV.0
General:
Basic Mana Control (E) LV.6
Swordsmanship:
Eastern Guardian Sword Style (D) LV.2
Spells:
Basic Magic Arrow (F) LV.5Magic Shield (E) LV.3Magic Bullet (F) LV.6Basic Physical Enhancement (E) LV.2