Chapter 36: Path to the Naga Realm
The wind blew softly across the destroyed mountain.
Arif stood quietly, staring at the place where Lina disappeared.
The silence felt heavy.
Too heavy.
His chest tightened every time he remembered her final scream.
"Arif…"
He clenched his fists.
"I'm coming… Lina."
The system screen appeared again.
[New Objective: Travel to Naga Realm]
[Requirement: Find the Hidden Gate]
[Location: Serpent Forest]
Arif frowned.
"Serpent Forest…"
The map appeared.
It was far.
Very far.
Several dangerous zones lay in between.
But Arif didn't hesitate.
He started walking.
Three days later…
Arif reached the edge of a dark forest.
The trees were massive.
Thick fog covered the ground.
Strange hissing sounds echoed from deep inside.
"This must be it…"
The Serpent Forest.
Arif stepped forward.
The moment he entered—
He felt it.
Eyes.
Watching him.
From every direction.
Arif slowed his pace.
"Show yourselves."
The bushes rustled.
Suddenly—
A giant snake lunged forward.
Arif reacted instantly.
"Shadow Step!"
He dodged.
The snake crashed into a tree.
More snakes appeared.
Small ones.
Large ones.
Dozens of them.
"So this is the welcome…"
Arif raised his blade.
The snakes attacked together.
Arif moved quickly.
His blade flashed.
Several snakes fell instantly.
But more kept coming.
One snake wrapped around his leg.
Arif cut it off.
Another lunged at his neck.
He blocked.
The battle continued for several minutes.
Finally—
The last snake fell.
Arif exhaled slowly.
"This place is dangerous."
Suddenly—
A voice echoed.
"You're strong… human."
Arif turned.
A figure stepped out from the shadows.
Half human.
Half snake.
Golden eyes.
Long black hair.
A Naga warrior.
Arif narrowed his eyes.
"Naga…"
The warrior smiled slightly.
"You've entered Naga territory."
Arif relaxed slightly.
"I'm not here to fight."
The Naga warrior tilted his head.
"Then why are you here?"
Arif answered calmly.
"I'm looking for the gate to the Naga Realm."
The warrior's expression changed.
"Why?"
Arif looked serious.
"I need to save someone."
The warrior studied him carefully.
After a moment—
She spoke.
"My name is Sera."
Arif nodded.
"Arif."
Sera crossed her arms.
"The Naga Realm is not open to humans."
Arif didn't move.
"I still need to go."
Sera sighed.
"You're stubborn."
Suddenly—
The ground shook.
Sera's expression changed.
"Something's coming."
A loud roar echoed.
The trees trembled.
Arif looked ahead.
A massive snake appeared.
Much larger than the others.
Its eyes glowed red.
"Damn…" Sera whispered.
"That's a Guardian Beast."
The monster charged.
Arif stepped forward.
"I'll handle it."
Sera looked surprised.
"You can't fight it alone—"
But Arif had already moved.
"Shadow Strike!"
His blade hit the beast.
But—
The monster barely moved.
"So tough…"
The beast attacked.
Arif dodged.
The ground cracked.
Sera joined the fight.
"Poison Fang!"
Green energy struck the beast.
It hissed angrily.
The battle intensified.
Arif created Shadow Clone.
Together—
They attacked from both sides.
The beast roared.
It slammed its tail.
Arif blocked.
He slid backward.
"So strong…"
Sera attacked again.
Arif gathered energy.
"Shadow Domain!"
Darkness spread.
The beast slowed down.
Arif jumped high.
"Shadow Strike!"
He attacked the monster's head.
The beast staggered.
Sera finished it.
"Poison Blade!"
The Guardian Beast collapsed.
Silence returned.
Sera exhaled.
"You really are strong."
Arif nodded.
"I have to be."
Sera looked at him carefully.
"You really care about the person you're saving… don't you?"
Arif's expression softened.
"Yeah."
Sera turned.
"Follow me."
Arif looked surprised.
"You're helping me?"
Sera nodded.
"I'll take you to the gate."
They walked deeper into the forest.
After an hour—
They reached a hidden cave.
"This is it," Sera said.
Inside—
A glowing symbol appeared.
Snake patterns covered the walls.
Ancient energy filled the air.
"The gate to Naga Realm."
Arif stepped forward.
But suddenly—
Several Naga warriors appeared.
"Stop!"
They surrounded Arif.
Sera frowned.
"Wait—"
A tall figure stepped forward.
A male Naga.
Cold eyes.
"Naga territory is not for humans."
Arif stood calmly.
"I need to enter."
The warrior shook his head.
"No."
Arif clenched his fists.
"I don't have time."
The warrior raised his weapon.
"Then prove your strength."
Arif nodded.
"Fine."
The battle began.
The Naga warrior was fast.
Very fast.
He attacked repeatedly.
Arif blocked.
They exchanged blows.
Sera watched silently.
Arif activated Shadow Step.
He moved behind the warrior.
The warrior blocked.
"So fast…"
The battle intensified.
Finally—
Arif disarmed him.
The warrior stepped back.
Silence.
Then—
He smiled.
"You passed."
The other warriors stepped aside.
Sera smiled.
"Told you."
The warrior stepped forward.
"You may enter."
The gate began glowing.
A portal appeared.
Green light filled the cave.
Arif looked at Sera.
"Thank you."
Sera nodded.
"Be careful."
Arif stepped forward.
The portal pulled him in.
Light flashed.
The world changed.
Arif opened his eyes.
He froze.
Before him—
A massive underground kingdom.
Giant glowing crystals.
Snake-like buildings.
Thousands of Naga citizens.
"The Naga Realm…"
But suddenly—
He felt something strange.
A powerful aura.
Someone strong.
Very strong.
A voice echoed.
"So… you're the human."
Arif looked up.
At the top of the palace—
A beautiful woman stood.
Golden crown.
Cold eyes.
"Naga Princess."
She looked down at him.
"You seek the girl taken by darkness…"
Arif's eyes widened.
"You know about Lina?"
She smiled slightly.
"Yes…"
Then her expression turned serious.
"But saving her…"
"Won't be easy."
To Be Continued…