Arin Solis slowly opened his eyes.
The hospital ceiling greeted him once again, cold and silent. For a moment, he wondered if everything that had happened—the gate, the beasts, the voice—was just a dream.
But deep inside…
He knew it wasn't.
The door opened softly.
A nurse walked in, checking his condition.
Arin sat up slightly, his mind still restless.
"Is there… a place to walk here?" he asked.
The nurse looked at him for a moment, then nodded.
"Yes. There's a public walking track just below the building."
A few minutes later—
Arin stepped outside.
Fresh air hit his face.
For the first time in days, he felt… alive.
The track stretched far ahead.
Long.
Endless.
Almost overwhelming.
"How long is this?" Arin asked.
"About one kilometer," the nurse replied.
Arin looked at it silently.
Then… he started walking.
Step by step.
At first, it was easy.
But his thoughts weren't.
Who am I… really?
What was that place?
That throne… those beasts…
Why did they call me… Master?
His pace increased.
From walking—
To jogging.
Who was that figure?
What is… Aethros?
His breathing became heavier.
But he didn't stop.
Why did they bow to me?
His legs started to ache.
His body wasn't ready.
Not after being unconscious for weeks.
But something inside him pushed forward.
He ran.
One lap.
Then another.
Sweat dripped down his face.
His vision blurred slightly.
Still—
He didn't stop.
If that power is real…
If all of that was real…
Then I can't stay weak.
By the time he crossed the second kilometer—
His body gave in.
Arin collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily.
Every muscle screamed in pain.
His chest rose and fell rapidly.
"…I can't… yet…" he whispered.
But even as he lay there—
He tried to move again.
He forced himself up.
Took a few steps.
Then—
Darkness.
Arin opened his eyes again.
Back in the hospital bed.
The nurse stood nearby, slightly worried.
"You pushed too hard," she said.
But Arin didn't respond.
His gaze was fixed… somewhere else.
Then—
A faint sound echoed.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
A timer appeared before his eyes.
Glowing.
Unreal.
[Daily Task: incomplete]
Arin's breath stopped.
Before he could react—
The world around him distorted.
Light twisted.
Space bent.
And in the next moment—
He vanished.