Chapter 29: The Nightmare Gate
The forest remained silent after the battle.
The remains of the Shadow Abomination slowly faded into black smoke. The air still felt heavy, and the ground was covered in deep cracks from the intense fight.
Arif stood quietly, breathing heavily.
His body ached.
The Shadow Domain had consumed a lot of his energy.
Lina walked toward him, her expression worried.
"You pushed yourself too hard."
Arif gave a small smile.
"We didn't have a choice."
The system suddenly appeared.
[Warning]
[New Gate Detected]
[Threat Level: Extreme]
Arif's expression instantly turned serious.
"So soon?"
A red mark appeared on the map.
But this time—
It was different.
The red mark was larger than all the previous ones.
Lina looked at the screen.
"That doesn't look good…"
Arif nodded slowly.
"This one… might be dangerous."
Suddenly—
The ground shook again.
But this time…
It wasn't coming from nearby.
It was coming from far away.
A deep rumbling echoed across the land.
Birds flew out of the forest in panic.
The sky slowly darkened.
Lina whispered quietly.
"Something big is happening..."
Meanwhile…
Far away from the forest…
A massive gate began to open.
The sky cracked apart.
Dark lightning flashed.
The ground split open.
Villagers nearby screamed and ran.
Guards rushed forward.
But the moment they saw the gate—
They froze.
It was enormous.
Much bigger than anything seen before.
Dark energy poured out like a storm.
One guard trembled.
"This… this isn't normal…"
Suddenly—
A roar echoed from inside.
A massive claw slowly emerged.
Then—
A giant monster stepped out.
Its body was covered in black armor.
Its eyes glowed red.
Nightmare Beast
The ground trembled with every step.
Guards attacked immediately.
But—
The monster swung its arm.
BOOM!
Several guards were thrown away instantly.
Chaos erupted.
More monsters followed behind it.
Shadow wolves.
Flying creatures.
Dark warriors.
The town began to fall into chaos.
Back in the forest…
Arif suddenly froze.
He could feel it.
"This energy…"
Lina looked at him.
"You feel it too?"
Arif nodded.
"This one… is stronger than before."
Without hesitation, Arif activated Shadow Step.
"I'm heading there."
Lina followed.
"I'm coming too."
They moved quickly through the forest.
Minutes later…
They reached the nearby town.
And what they saw—
Shocked them.
Buildings destroyed.
People running.
Monsters everywhere.
And in the center—
The Nightmare Beast.
Arif narrowed his eyes.
"That's the main one."
The beast roared loudly.
The sound shook the entire town.
Lina gripped her sword.
"Let's stop it."
Arif nodded.
They rushed forward.
Shadow wolves attacked first.
Arif used Shadow Blade.
One slash.
Two.
Three.
The wolves fell instantly.
Lina handled the flying monsters.
Her sword flashed repeatedly.
But suddenly—
The Nightmare Beast charged.
Its massive fist slammed toward them.
Arif pushed Lina aside.
BOOM!
The ground shattered.
Arif jumped back.
"This thing is huge…"
The beast roared again.
Dark energy gathered in its mouth.
Arif's eyes widened.
"Move!"
A dark beam fired.
Buildings were destroyed instantly.
Smoke filled the air.
Arif clenched his fists.
"We need to end this fast."
He activated Shadow Armor.
Dark energy surrounded him.
Then—
He rushed forward.
He jumped high.
"Shadow Strike!"
He attacked the beast's head.
But—
The beast blocked.
Its armor was extremely tough.
Arif landed.
"This isn't easy…"
Suddenly—
The beast roared again.
More monsters began pouring out of the gate.
Lina shouted.
"They keep coming!"
Arif realized.
"We must close the gate."
He looked toward the massive portal.
Dark lightning flashed around it.
"This is the source…"
But the Nightmare Beast stood in front of it.
Guarding it.
Arif took a deep breath.
"I'll hold it."
Lina nodded.
"I'll go for the gate."
The beast attacked again.
Arif blocked.
The impact pushed him back.
He gritted his teeth.
"So strong…"
But he didn't give up.
He activated Shadow Domain again.
Darkness spread across the battlefield.
The Nightmare Beast slowed down.
Arif rushed forward.
He attacked repeatedly.
Meanwhile—
Lina reached the gate.
She raised her sword.
But suddenly—
A dark figure emerged from the portal.
A tall warrior made of shadows.
Lina froze.
Another elite monster.
Arif saw it.
"Damn!"
The battle intensified.
Two powerful enemies.
The Nightmare Beast.
And the Shadow Warrior.
The fight had just begun.
The sky turned darker.
Lightning flashed.
And somewhere…
Far away…
The Shadow King watched silently.
"This is only the beginning…"
His smile widened.
"Show me… how strong you've become."
The war between shadows continued.
To Be Continued…