Morning arrived slowly, but the skies above the Broken Star Ruins remained dark. Thick clouds covered the sun, and a cold wind swept through the broken walls. After the battle with the Shadow Dwellers, silence returned to the ancient chamber.
Pieces of shattered stone lay scattered across the floor, while the Broken Star Gate continued to glow with a faint crimson light.
Eren sat against a broken pillar, wrapping a clean cloth around his injured shoulder. The cut still hurt, but it had stopped bleeding. His System had restored some of his health, though not enough to fully heal him.
[HP Restored: 78%]
[New Passive Skill Acquired: Iron Will Lv.1]
Effect: Increases resistance to fear and pain.
Eren smiled weakly. "At least something good came out of that fight."
A few steps away, Lyra cleaned her dagger before placing it back into its sheath. She glanced at Eren and gave a small nod.
"You fought well."
"I nearly died."
"You survived," she replied.
"That's what matters."
Before Eren could answer, the First Guardian walked toward the Broken Star Gate. His long black cloak moved gently in the cold breeze. He looked at the glowing gate with eyes filled with sadness.
"For hundreds of years," he said quietly, "I have stood here to stop what sleeps beyond this gate."
Eren stood up.
"What is inside?"
The Guardian remained silent for a long moment.
"Not what..."
He slowly turned around.
"Who."
Eren frowned.
"You mean someone is sealed in there?"
"Yes."
"Who?"
The Guardian closed his eyes.
"The first Unbound."
Those words echoed through the chamber.
Lyra's face became pale.
"I thought... that was only a legend."
"It is no legend," the Guardian answered.
"Long before the System ruled this world, there were people who could shape reality itself. They were called the Unbound. They needed no levels, no quests, and no skills. Their power came from their own souls."
Eren immediately thought of Riel.
"So... my brother is becoming one of them?"
The Guardian nodded slowly.
"If he survives."
Eren felt his heart tighten.
"What do you mean?"
"The power of the Unbound is difficult to control. Many lose themselves before they master it."
Silence filled the chamber again.
Eren lowered his head for a moment before raising it with determination.
"Then I'll help him."
The Guardian looked directly into Eren's eyes.
"You still do not understand."
Eren frowned.
"The greatest enemy your brother will face..."
"...is not the System."
"It is himself."
Those words stayed in Eren's mind.
Suddenly, a loud horn echoed from outside the ruins.
Lyra rushed toward the entrance.
"There are people coming."
Eren followed her outside.
A group of nearly twenty adventurers had surrounded the ruins. Their armor carried the symbol of the Adventurers' Guild. At the front stood Kairn, his sword resting on his shoulder.
"Eren!" he shouted with relief.
"We've been looking everywhere for you."
Eren walked toward him.
"What happened?"
Kairn pointed toward the distant mountains.
"Monsters are attacking villages across the eastern region. Gates are opening where they've never appeared before."
Another adventurer stepped forward.
"The Guild believes someone is causing it."
Eren exchanged a quick glance with Lyra.
They already knew.
The Broken Star Gate had begun to awaken.
Kairn lowered his voice.
"The Guild Master wants every available adventurer back in Valtheris City immediately."
Eren hesitated.
If he returned now, he might learn more about the strange gates appearing across the kingdom.
But if he stayed, he could continue searching for Riel.
His thoughts were interrupted when his System suddenly flashed.
[Emergency Quest Received.]
Quest: Protect the Village of Ashbrook.
Difficulty: B Rank
Time Limit: 24 Hours
Reward: ???
Another message appeared immediately after.
[Hidden Quest Updated.]
Find the Unbound.
Progress: 12%
Eren stared at the glowing words.
Ashbrook...
The name felt strangely familiar.
The First Guardian stepped beside him.
"You should go."
Eren looked surprised.
"I thought you wanted me to stay away from the gate."
"The gate will not open today."
The Guardian looked toward the horizon.
"But the one hunting your brother..."
"...has already begun moving."
A chill ran down Eren's spine.
"Who is it?"
The Guardian's expression grew serious.
"The Hunter of the Unbound."
"The strongest servant the System has ever created."
Far away, in a deep forest, Riel and Mira were walking along a narrow path when the glowing threads around Riel suddenly became tense.
He stopped.
Mira looked at him.
"What's wrong?"
Riel stared into the trees.
"We're not alone."
A slow clap echoed through the forest.
A tall man wearing white armor stepped out from the shadows. His eyes glowed with cold blue light, and a silver mask covered the upper half of his face.
He smiled.
"So..."
"I finally found the Unbound."