Unique Gate [3]
1409 Words
Before stepping into the Gate, every Gifted must meet two crucial requirements: team size and role distribution.
The number of Gifted required depends on the Gate's rank, as determined by the Gates Association’s Standard Regulations:
D-Rank: 12 or more Gifted
C-Rank: 15 or more Gifted
B-Rank and A-Rank: 20 or more Gifted
S-Rank: 10 or more Gifted (Only S-Rank individuals are allowed)
Additionally, all five combat roles must be filled before a raid can proceed:
[ Vanguard ] – The main fighters, leading the charge into battle.
[ Ranger ] – Scouts responsible for surveying the battlefield, detecting weaknesses, and protecting the backline from surprise attacks.
[ Mage ] – Offensive spellcasters who support the Vanguards with powerful magic.
[ Tank ] – The frontline defenders, absorbing damage, using crowd control, and protecting the Vanguards.
[ Support ] – Healers and defensive specialists who sustain the team with barriers, resistance buffs, or countering enemy abilities.
The Iron Fangs raid team had been assembled accordingly. With 12 members present, all roles were covered, and they stood ready before the D-Rank Gate.
The energy surrounding the portal crackled with power. It pulsed, shifting like a swirling vortex, as if sensing their presence. The moment had arrived.
Darius, the Raid Captain, stepped forward, scanning the group with a sharp gaze.
“No unnecessary risks. Stay in formation and stick to your roles,” he instructed firmly. “Once inside, Rangers take the lead.”
Zenon adjusted his grip on his dagger, his heart pounding. This was it. His first real step into the unknown.
Lysara, the lead Ranger, turned to him. “Stay close and keep your eyes sharp. We’re going in first.”
With that, she strode forward and, without hesitation, stepped into the swirling Gate. One by one, the others followed, disappearing into the abyss.
Zenon exhaled slowly, then stepped forward. As he passed through the portal, a strange sensation enveloped him—like being pulled into a cold, weightless void.
And then—
The world changed.
[ You have entered a D-Rank Gate ]
As they step foot on the Gate, their eyes were greeted by a vast forest, tall trees and foggy atmosphere.
[ Rootman Territory ]
The team consisted of twelve Gifted: three Rangers, four Vanguards, two Tanks, one Mage, and two Supports—exactly meeting the minimum requirements set by the Gates Association.
As they moved forward, the loose soil beneath their boots shifted slightly, a sign that this terrain could be treacherous.
"Alright, let’s move," Lysara commanded.
The Rangers, including Zenon, quickly spread out, moving ahead to scout the area while the Tanks took their positions around the rest of the team, forming a protective perimeter.
This was a standard tactic upon entering a Gate. While the Rangers scouted ahead, the Vanguards and Tanks would take defensive positions, covering all four cardinal directions. The team would remain stationed in a designated area, awaiting the Rangers’ report before making any further moves.
Zenon adjusted his stance, his senses on high alert. This was his first time inside a Gate, and though his past life had honed his instincts for battle, this body was still new to him.
Stay focused. One mistake in here, and you’re dead.
Moving swiftly and silently, he followed Lysara's lead, scanning the forest for any signs of movement. The real test was about to begin.
They moved at incredible speed, their footsteps barely disturbing the forest floor. To an ordinary person, it would seem as if they were nothing but blurs, darting through the dense mist.
Zenon could clearly see the difference between his speed and Lysara’s—she was faster, more fluid, her movements refined from years of experience.
He kept his focus on her, studying her technique, knowing that understanding the role of a Ranger firsthand was crucial.
Her head shifted constantly from left to right, her sharp eyes scanning every direction. She wasn't just looking—she was processing information through both her central and peripheral vision, analyzing every detail of the environment.
Watching her work, Zenon thought to himself, She’s using both her head and eyes to gather information. Back in my past life, I relied on sensing energy to perceive everything around me. But now that I'm still training, I can't do that yet. I'm learning a lot just by watching her.
He tightened his grip on his dagger, his resolve firm. For now, he would rely on observation and instinct. But in time, he would regain what he had lost.
Suddenly, Lysara stopped.
Her abrupt halt sent a ripple of tension through the group. Instinctively, the others tightened their grip on the weapons sheathed at their waists, ready for whatever had caught her attention.
“What is it, Lysara?” one of the other Rangers murmured.
“Shush!” she hissed, her eyes narrowing as she focused on the surroundings.
A brief silence followed. Then, her expression shifted.
“Up to the branches! Now!”
Without hesitation, everyone leaped into the trees, swiftly finding stable footing among the thick branches.
Lysara reached for a dagger from her belt and, with practiced precision, hurled it toward the ground below.
An underground enemy? Zenon thought, his gaze locked onto the spot where the blade had landed.
Then, the ground trembled ever so slightly. Their eyes remained fixated on the dagger as something began to emerge—a humanoid figure, its entire body composed of twisting, gnarled roots.
“Don’t intervene—just watch. I’ll show you one of the Ranger’s duties.”
Without another word, Lysara leaped from the branch, dashing forward with incredible speed. In one fluid motion, she slashed her dagger across the monster’s neck.
Instead of blood, a thick, muddy liquid oozed from the wound. The creature convulsed briefly before collapsing lifelessly to the ground.
“You guys saw that?” she asked, turning back to them.
“Yes,” they both affirmed and jump back to the ground.
“I did that to test whether we can cut through this monster without using magic. And as you can see, it worked.” She wiped her dagger clean before continuing. “So in future raids, if you encounter a new type of enemy and you have a safe way to test its weaknesses, take the chance.”
“Isn’t that a bit reckless?” Zenon asked, frowning.
Lysara chuckled. “That’s the danger of being a Ranger. We’re the first ones to test what these monsters are capable of.”
Zenon furrowed his brows. “But what if the next monster isn’t as easy to kill? What if it has resistance to physical attacks?”
Lysara smirked. “That’s exactly why Rangers exist. We take the risk first, so the rest of the team doesn’t have to.”
She knelt beside the fallen Rootman, inspecting the muddy liquid seeping from its neck. “Its body is made of plant matter, but the consistency of its insides suggests it isn’t just wood—it’s partially fluid. That means cutting works, but fire or drying magic might be even more effective.”
Callen crossed his arms. “So if we encounter a stronger one, Mages can burn them, and we don’t have to waste stamina hacking away.”
Lysara nodded. “That’s the idea.”
Zenon glanced at his own dagger, then at the corpse. He had always fought based on instinct, raw power, and overwhelming force in his past life. But this—this was different. Every move was calculated. Every decision was made to minimize risk.
“Alright,” Lysara said, standing up. “Now that we know they die from simple cuts, let’s test something else.”
Without warning, she grabbed a handful of loose soil and tossed it over the monster’s remains. The moment the dirt covered its body, the severed roots twitched violently before going still.
Zenon’s eyes widened. “It reacted…”
“Which means they have some kind of connection to the soil,” Lysara muttered. “Maybe they regenerate if left alone too long.”
Callen cursed under his breath. “Damn. We better make sure every kill is final.”
Zenon tightened his grip on his weapon. For the first time, he understood—the role of a Ranger wasn’t just about scouting. It was about learning, adapting, and staying one step ahead of death.
“Let's go back and report to Darius.” Lysara commanded them.
- Writer
