I pushed my hands against the worn-out mattress, using the momentum to spring myself up. As the dizziness subsided, I began to scan my surroundings. It was a strange space. Many people were here, but the air was thick with the scent of despair. Some sat clutching their knees in terror, while others collapsed onto the stone floor, sobbing uncontrollably.
Amidst the chaotic crowd, a girl approached me. I observed her: she had shimmering sky-blue hair that stood out sharply against the gray, bleak scenery. Her features were delicate, exuding a gentle and approachable grace. She gave a small wave, a faint smile playing on her lips:
-"My name is Qing Yashu. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Seeing her goodwill, I forced myself up and returned the gesture with a polite, social smile:
-"Hello, I'm Zhao Tianxia."
-"That's quite a cool name," Qing Yashu remarked, her eyes showing a hint of surprise at my calm demeanor.
Yashu thought to herself: ( This one seems like a newcomer, but he's remarkably composed. )
I didn't pay much attention to her reaction. My eyes were busy darting between the people around us as I lowered my voice:
-"Can you tell me... where exactly is this place?"
Yashu hesitated for a moment, looking at me with sympathetic eyes:
-"This is the Demon Gate."
-"The Demon Gate?" I repeated. That name. It didn't sound like anything good.
-"Exactly. To put it simply, we've all been swept into this Anomalous world for unknown reasons. This place consists of 'Demon Gates' - they are like life-or-death missions that every Transmigrator is forced to undertake. If you fail to complete a Demon Gate within five months, the price you pay is... total erasure."
Yashu paused, watching my reaction. Perhaps she expected me to panic or freeze up from the information overload, so she spoke softly to comfort me:
-"It sounds insane, but it's the truth. This is already my second Demon Gate."
Contrary to her expectations, a strange sensation welled up inside me.
( A Demon Gate, huh? Sounds just like those survival movies I used to watch... A bit terrifying, yet truly exhilarating. )
However, a point of suspicion arose. This girl in front of me... isn't she a bit too enthusiastic? No matter the question, she answers. Could she be trying to use me for something?
Carrying these thoughts, I continued to dig for information:
-"So, are there any rules within these gates?"
-"Of course. Every Demon Gate is guarded by Anomalies, Wraiths, and Eldritch Horrors. Each type has its own rules. If you violate their 'hidden laws,' death will come very quickly."
-"Is there a difference between Anomalies, Wraiths, and Eldritch Horrors?"
-"In terms of danger levels, Anomalies are the weakest, followed by Wraiths, and the most terrifying are the Eldritch Horrors," Yashu explained thoroughly.
I gave a slight nod. I understood then - this would likely be the first Demon Gate challenge I had to face.
-"If we overcome it, do we get to return to the real world?"
-"No. We go to the Anomaly World to rest. There, you can do whatever you like; it's quite similar to our modern world."
I silently thanked Yashu for the useful information. Looking around once more, it was clear she was the only "normal" person here. The others all wore gloomy expressions; some even had dried bloodstains on their shirts, their eyes etched with extreme wariness as if they wanted to swallow anyone who came near alive. It was best not to disturb them.
My gaze was drawn to a colossal door situated right in the center of the hall. It stood towering and imposing, with jagged spikes protruding around its rim like the teeth of a monster.
( I wonder what it feels like to step through those doors? ) - An ill-timed curiosity rose within my heart.
Suddenly, the murmurs of a group of people echoed from afar:
-"I swear to God, I personally sliced that female Demon's head off!"
-"Stop bluffing. Without that Gemstone's blessing, you'd be a corpse by now."
-"Yue Nhi is right. Next time, use the Gemstone more wisely. It's a rare item, not trash you find on the street."
Gemstone? - I caught the important keyword. Perhaps those were the weapons used to combat those supernatural entities.
Seeing my curiosity, Yashu immediately explained as if reading my mind:
-"Ah, what they're talking about are the crystals collected within the Demon Gates. They are rare items, each with its own function: some are used for suppression, others for direct attacks. You should find a way to obtain them if you want to survive for long."
I silently committed it to memory, but as I looked into Yashu's clear eyes, another question surfaced in my mind: Why did she choose me - a complete newcomer to explain everything in such meticulous detail?