He crept forward cautiously, eyes fixed on the swirling vortex pulsing in the lot.

The B-Rank Gate loomed, a vortex of distorted light and howling energy. No guards. No barrier.

“Why the hell is it unsealed?” Jace whispered.

Then—it happened.

The wind shifted.

The Gate pulsed once—then exploded open.

With a guttural roar, a wave of low-tier monsters spilled out like insects from a nest—spined wolves, feral shades, and scaled beasts with crimson eyes.

Jace barely had time to draw his dagger.

“Alright then…” He rolled his shoulders. “Let’s see if I can really fight.”

---

He launched forward, adrenaline igniting his veins.

The first beast lunged—he ducked, slashing upward.

CLINK!

The dagger grazed its hide, not deep—but enough to hurt.

Another came. He twisted, kicked off a wall, and brought his blade down hard.

The wolf let out a screech as it dissolved into blue light.

“Hah… that’s one.”

More came—he danced between them, each move sharper, more instinctive. Every dodge fed his confidence.

Sweat dripped from his brow as he carved through the swarm.

“I could get used to this,” he muttered with a grin.

---

But then the air died.

A monstrous aura flooded the scene like a crushing tide.

The remaining beasts whimpered—and scattered.

Jace turned slowly toward the Gate.

From within the vortex… something stepped out.

No. Someone.

A man-shaped figure, but cloaked entirely in shadow. Red eyes gleamed beneath the darkness like dying stars.

It didn’t walk.

It floated.

“W-What the hell…?”

The figure vanished in a blur.

WHAM!

Jace was sent flying into a concrete barrier, the impact stealing his breath.

"Gah!" he gasped, sliding to the ground, his ribs screaming.

He looked up just in time to see the shadowy figure appear before him.

No aura. No sound. Just… presence.

"You're not worth the effort," it said, its voice echoing like a thousand whispers.

Jace charged forward, reckless, dagger raised.

The figure didn't move.

In one motion—CRACK!—Jace’s blade shattered.

He stumbled back, eyes wide.

“You’re joking…”

"Pitiful," the shadow said, tilting its head mockingly.

It began to raise its arm.

A spike of dark energy formed above its hand, crackling like a dying sun.

---

Then—DING.

A golden notification exploded in front of Jace’s vision.

---

[Level Up Achieved! Current Level: 2]

> Stats Increased:

Strength: +2

Agility: +2

Intelligence: +1

Mentality: +1

Stamina: +3

Bonus: +1 Unassigned Point

Another notification immediately followed.

---

[New Skill Available: "Analysis Intell"]

> Grade: A-Rank

Level: 1/3

Do you wish to learn this skill?

Y/N

Jace barely hesitated.

“Yes. Yes, damn it—yes!”

---

[Skill Acquired: Analysis Intell Lv. 1]

> Analyze living and non-living entities.

Gain insight into abilities, status, and weaknesses.

Cooldown: 20 seconds

---

He activated it.

A stream of data rushed into his eyes as a new window opened in his vision:

---

TARGET: UNKNOWN

> Race: Hybrid Class

Estimated Rank: S-Rank or Higher

Threat Level: Catastrophic

Status: ???

Abilities Detected: Temporal Shift, Void Binding, Monarch Resonance

Weakness: None Registered

Affiliation: [REDACTED]

NOTE: This entity is not a dungeon monster.

This is a Monarch Vessel.

---

Jace’s blood turned to ice.

“Monarch…? Vessel?”

Before he could process, the shadow flared with light.

It moved.

Faster than sound.

Straight at Jace.

“No—!”

---

SHHK!

A new blur shot in from the rooftop—cloaked in midnight black. A streak of silver light intercepted the blow and yanked Jace out of harm’s way at the last second.

They landed hard on another rooftop.

Jace rolled, gasping for breath. His body ached. His mind screamed.

The man beside him stood tall—lean, masked, and cloaked in guild armor bearing the insignia of the Black Fang Guild.

A single curved dagger rested at his side.

“A Sub-Commander…?” Jace muttered, stunned.

The man turned slightly, his voice low, calm, and sharp like broken glass.

“You’re lucky I was nearby, rookie.”

He stared at the Gate below.

The Monarch Vessel turned, but made no move to follow.

The Sub-Commander narrowed his eyes.

“That… is not something you fight. That’s something you run from.”

Jace coughed, blood on his lip.

“But… it knew me. It talked to me…”

The man looked down at him.

“Then you’re already in deeper than you realize.”

---