Ascension: Shackles of Eternity

The first thing Jin-Seok noticed was the cold. It gnawed at his skin, slipping through his thin clothing and chilling him to the bone. When he opened his eyes, the world around him was shrouded in a dim, gray light, as if the sky itself had forgotten how to shine. The air carried a strange stillness, broken only by the distant rustle of unseen movement.

Jin-Seok pushed himself upright, his fingers sinking into the damp ground beneath him. The earth was soft and uneven, covered in patches of dying grass that gave way to cracked, black soil. Around him stood ancient, gnarled trees, their bark warped and blackened as though scorched by fire.

"Where am I?" he muttered, his voice hoarse and scratchy, as though he hadn't used it in years.

He searched his mind for answers but found only fragments. His name—Jin-Seok—floated to the surface like a lone buoy in a sea of darkness. Beyond that? Nothing. No memories of a family, friends, or even how he had come to be here.

The realization sent a wave of unease through him, and he scrambled to his feet, his muscles stiff and protesting with each movement. His surroundings offered no comfort. The trees loomed over him like silent sentinels, their branches twisting toward the sky like skeletal fingers.

Then, the voice came.

[System Activated.]

Welcome, Challenger. You have entered the Tower's domain.

Jin-Seok froze. The voice wasn't coming from anywhere around him—it echoed directly in his mind, calm and mechanical. Before he could process the strange phenomenon, a translucent window blinked into existence before his eyes, its glowing text stark against the dim backdrop of the forest.

[Status Window]

Name: Jin-Seok

Level: 1

Class: Undefined

Attributes:

Strength: 5 Agility: 5 Intelligence: 5 Luck: 5

Skills: None

Jin-Seok stared at the screen, his heart pounding. "What… what is this?" he whispered, his voice trembling. His hand moved instinctively, trying to touch the window, but his fingers passed through it as though it wasn't there.

Before he could ask more questions, the voice returned.

[Tutorial Phase Initiated.]

Objective: Survive the Initiation Trial.

Defeat the Shadow Wolves: (0/5).

A cold dread settled over Jin-Seok. "Shadow Wolves?" he repeated, his breath hitching. The name alone sent a shiver down his spine.

As if on cue, the forest grew deathly silent. The faint rustle of leaves ceased, and the already dim light seemed to fade further. A low, guttural growl broke the stillness, and Jin-Seok's head snapped toward the sound.

Out of the shadows, a pair of glowing red eyes emerged, burning like embers in the darkness. The creature stepped forward, revealing itself under the faint light filtering through the forest canopy. It was a wolf, but unlike any Jin-Seok had ever seen. Its fur was black as pitch, rippling like liquid smoke. Its body was lean and muscular, every movement fluid and predatory.

Then another set of eyes appeared. And another.

In moments, five wolves surrounded him, their growls harmonizing into a menacing chorus. Jin-Seok's body froze, every muscle locked in place as primal fear overtook him.

The largest of the pack let out a piercing howl, and the others followed suit. The sound reverberated through Jin-Seok's chest, shaking him to his core.

[System Alert: Shadow Wolves detected.]

Warning: Failure to complete the Initiation Trial will result in immediate termination.

"Termination?" Jin-Seok muttered, his voice barely audible. "What does that mean?"

But there was no time to dwell on the ominous message. The first wolf lunged at him, its jaws snapping inches from his face. Jin-Seok stumbled backward, his foot catching on a root, and he crashed to the ground.

Pain flared in his back, but adrenaline surged through him, pushing the discomfort aside. He scrambled to his feet, his eyes darting around for anything he could use as a weapon. His gaze landed on a thick branch lying nearby, its surface jagged and splintered.

Grabbing it with both hands, he turned to face the wolves, his grip tightening until his knuckles turned white. The largest wolf growled, its eyes locked onto him as it stalked closer.

"Stay back!" Jin-Seok shouted, though his voice betrayed his fear.

The wolf ignored his warning, its body coiling like a spring. When it leaped, Jin-Seok swung the branch with every ounce of strength he could muster. The makeshift weapon struck the wolf's side, eliciting a sharp yelp as it tumbled to the ground.

Before Jin-Seok could breathe a sigh of relief, another wolf attacked. He sidestepped just in time, the creature's claws raking the air where his chest had been moments ago. He swung the branch again, catching the wolf's leg and knocking it off balance.

[System Alert: Combat Engaged.]

New Skill Unlocked: Improvised Weapon (Level 1).

A strange warmth coursed through Jin-Seok's body as the words appeared. His grip on the branch steadied, and his movements felt more fluid, as though the skill had been hardwired into his muscles.

The fight continued, each moment a desperate struggle for survival. Jin-Seok's breath came in ragged gasps, and his arms ached from the effort of wielding the branch. But with each strike, he grew more confident, his fear replaced by a fierce determination.

One by one, the wolves fell, their bodies dissolving into black smoke that dissipated into the air.

System Alert: Shadow Wolf defeated. (1/5)]

Reward: +2 Strength, +1 Agility.

[System Alert: Shadow Wolf defeated. (2/5)]

Reward: +2 Strength, +1 Intelligence.

By the time Jin-Seok faced the final wolf, his body was screaming in protest. His arms felt like lead, and his vision blurred from exhaustion. The wolf snarled, baring its teeth as it lunged at him.

With a guttural roar, Jin-Seok swung the branch one last time. The impact was enough to break the wolf's neck, and it collapsed to the ground before dissolving into smoke.

[System Alert: Shadow Wolf defeated. (5/5)]

Tutorial Phase Completed. Level Up!

Jin-Seok dropped the branch, his chest heaving as he collapsed to his knees. His body trembled with exhaustion, but a small, flickering sense of accomplishment began to take root.

"I did it…" he whispered, though his voice was barely audible over the pounding of his heart.

The forest grew silent once more, the oppressive atmosphere lifting as though a storm had passed. Jin-Seok sat back, staring up at the sky, which had begun to brighten ever so slightly.

But before he could fully catch his breath, the ground beneath him began to shake. A low rumble echoed through the forest, growing louder with each passing second. Jin-Seok scrambled to his feet, his body tense as he scanned his surroundings.

In the distance, a massive structure began to materialize, its form shimmering like a mirage. As it solidified, Jin-Seok's breath caught in his throat.

The Tower of Eternity.

It was a monolith of impossible proportions, its black surface smooth and unbroken, save for the glowing runes that pulsed with an eerie light. The top of the Tower vanished into the clouds, its height immeasurable.

[System Notification: Tutorial Phase Complete.]

The Tower awaits. Climb, or perish.

Jin-Seok stared at the Tower, a mixture of awe and dread swirling in his chest. The words echoed in his mind: Climb, or perish.

With trembling hands, he clenched his fists and took a deep breath. Whatever lay ahead, he would face it. He had no choice.