Daniel launched himself like a missile toward the armored giant. His usually calm and intelligent face shifted into a look of pure combat madness! With the skill of a master thief, he grabbed one of the giant's armor plates and, with a roar that shook the entire hall, pulled it down with all his might.
BOOM!
The giant collapsed like a falling mountain. The ground didn't just shake; it felt as if the floor itself was apologizing for what was happening! Exploiting the chaos, Daniel performed an acrobatic flip out of the System interface, shouting a threat: "I'm going to make your death my next anatomy lesson, big guy!"
He lunged like lightning toward the giant's neck, but no luck! With a single swing of a palm the size of a small house, the giant sent Daniel flying through the air. Fortunately—or perhaps thanks to his sharp wit—Daniel summoned an "Ice Shield" in a split second. The ice shattered, absorbing the impact, but Daniel used the momentum to slam against the wall and spring back like a hungry beast.
In the blink of an eye, his blade sliced through the giant's massive hand.
"GHAHHHHHH!" the giant roared in agony.
Daniel replied with a cold, mocking smile: "Stop barking, your voice is giving me a headache. This is just the beginning, 'darling,' so don't worry!"
With a demonic grin on his face, his hand glowed with the "Flame Blade"—a terrifying skill from the Gates of the Dead that devours blood and energy. With a spectacular circular motion, he sliced through five layers of armor at once!
Backing away, Daniel quickly stored his axe and scythe into the System inventory and pulled out a sleek black pistol. He aimed it at the head of the giant charging toward him and whispered with a comedic plea: "Please, beautiful, be accurate this time. Don't embarrass me!"
He charged the bullet with every bit of energy he had left and pulled the trigger.
BANG!
The blast sent Daniel reeling back into the wall, but the bullet had done its job. It pierced the giant's skull like a hot knife through butter, exiting the other side and leaving a massive crater in the floor.
The giant crashed down, destroying the ceiling and the floor together in a scene of cinematic destruction.
BOOOOOOMMMM!
That was the last thing Daniel heard before silence fell, except for the sound of his own heavy breathing. His body was screaming from exhaustion and injuries he hadn't had time to heal.
Suddenly, the blue System screen appeared before his eyes:
[Congratulations! You have successfully cleared the first stage of the Gate of the Dead.]
Daniel laughed with bitter irony: "I feel like you enjoy watching me suffer, don't you?"
The System replied by sending a mocking "smiley face" emoji!
"You lucky bastard!" Daniel yelled.
He stood up, leaning against the walls, walked over to the giant's corpse, and kicked it hard. "Damn you, you really made me struggle!"
But the System interrupted him with a new notification:
[You have obtained a new follower.]
Daniel stopped, blinking stupidly. "A follower? What do you mean...?"
Before he could finish, the giant's corpse began to move! Daniel jumped back in terror. "Aren't you dead yet, you jerk?!"
But the shock was even greater; the giant began to shrink until he was the size of a mature man. His features shifted, reforming into someone incredibly handsome. He bowed to Daniel with full dignity, like a knight swearing loyalty to his king.
Question marks appeared over Daniel's head as if they were real. "What is happening here?!"
[System: "Mickvan" has become your follower, along with 100 healer soldiers.]
Daniel was stunned. "I didn't even do anything! And you... stand up! A moment ago, you were trying to crush me!"
When Mickvan stood up, Daniel froze. He had crystal-clear skin, glowing blue eyes, and white hair flowing down his back next to golden wings that looked like they were woven from sunlight.
Daniel covered his eyes. "Damn you... you're too handsome! Please, cover your face, you're going to give me a heart attack from jealousy!"
A mocking notification appeared: [Are you shy around handsome people? He is much better looking than you!]
Daniel's face turned red with anger. "Shut up! You don't understand, this goes against all the laws! He's dead... he's just an object!"
The System replied coldly: [Stupid!] with a mocking face.
Daniel groaned and scratched the back of his head. "Fine, fine... what now?"
[System: There are 10 floors remaining. This was only the beginning.]
Daniel sighed. "So it's a long road and I'm still this weak. I'll head back to the human world to see if there are other missions. Open the gate!"
Then he paused, worried. "But wait... what do I do with Mr. Handsome here? People will lose their minds if they see him!"
Suddenly, Mickvan and the world around Daniel transformed into a glowing "playing card" in his hand.
[System: This is a "Likin" card (Manipulation Card). You can control followers and enter worlds through these cards. No one can see or touch them except you.]
Daniel placed the card into his secret storage and walked out into the city streets toward the "Guild." He no longer felt hunger or thirst; his body was now sustained by the energy of death itself.
As he was lost in thought, a familiar, nauseating voice broke the silence. He turned to find his father and his older brother.
Daniel muttered in disgust, "Damn it... Girdan is here again."
His father stepped forward with a condescending look. "You vanished into the gate, boy... where did you get this power?"
Daniel turned with icy coldness and looked his father straight in the eyes. "That is none of your business. Don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong; it'll be better for your health."
The blood froze in the veins of everyone watching. No one in the history of the kingdom had dared to speak to this powerful man this way! But Daniel didn't care anymore; he was disgusted just by looking at their faces.
Rage flared in his father's eyes. In one swift motion, he drew his sword and swung it with terrifying speed toward Daniel's neck. The blade cut through the air with a sharp hiss—death was closing in once again!