Later That Day — Eclipse Dominion University
In the distance, the massive iron gates of Eclipse Dominion University came into view.
Thousands of students passed through them every year.
Only a few survived graduation.
Jin threw the empty cup in the trash and crushed the cigarette under his shoe.
At that moment, a black luxury car pulled up near the gate.
The driver stepped out and opened the back door.
A girl stepped out.
Long silver hair. Sharp blue eyes. Elegant posture.
She moved like someone trained to stay calm under pressure.
Jin noticed her briefly—then looked away.
But he'd see her again soon.
Administration Office
Inside the administration office, she stood at the front desk, speaking softly to an employee.
"Another new student?" the man asked as Jin approached.
"Yes."
She handed over her ID.
Typing filled the silence.
Two cards were returned.
"Department C-52. Down the hallway."
As Jin turned, the girl moved too.
He stepped aside slightly to let her pass.
She glanced at him—just once.
Then walked out without a word.
Classroom C-52
Already half full.
Jin took a seat by the window. From there, he could see most of the room.
The girl from earlier sat in the middle row.
Other students trickled in—some nervous, some excited, some pretending to be confident.
The door opened. A tall, middle-aged man entered.
His presence silenced the room.
"Good morning," he said.
"My name is Professor Adrian Cole."
He turned toward the large screen behind him.
"Welcome to Eclipse Dominion University."
The lights dimmed. The screen lit up. At its center—a massive black abyss, floating in the middle of a city.
"Fifty years ago," the professor said, "these appeared."
The screen changed. Bodycam footage played.
A man was screaming, falling from the sky. The camera shook—impact. Heavy breathing. Dust. Then… something moved in the fog. Huge. A shadow.
The video cut to static. The room fell silent.
"You may die before you even touch the ground," the professor said.
The screen changed again—floating islands, suspended in a vast void.
"Each Abyss is a gateway to an island in another world."
He paused. "When someone enters one of them…"
The screen showed a figure falling through clouds.
"…he begins by falling."
Uneasy murmurs spread through the room.
"Each island contains monsters—hostile to all life. You must kill every single one. Only then will the exit appear. You'll have thirty minutes to leave."
More images—creatures of all shapes and sizes. Some monstrous. Some strangely human.
"Our mission," the professor continued, "is to train individuals capable of surviving these environments… and conquering them."
The screen changed again. A QR code appeared.
"Scan this to activate your student accounts."
Phones went up. Jin scanned his.
Room Assignment: 217
"Now," the professor said, "introduce yourselves."
A tall, athletic boy stood first.
"My name's Daniel Brooks. I'm a professional boxer."
He smiled confidently.
"Looking forward to working with you all."
Jin glanced at him. Our class leader, he thought.
Next—
"Emily Turner. I want to become a powerful Descender."
Bright smile. Pink hair. A few boys started whispering.
She'll be popular, Jin noted.
Then the girl from earlier stood.
"My name is Seo Mira. I enjoy playing chess."
"Korean heritage?" Professor Cole asked.
"Yes. My parents are Korean. I grew up here."
At that word—Korean—a shadow passed through Jin's eyes.
A memory. A sharp one.
But it vanished just as fast.
Then Jin stood.
"My name is Jin."
The room waited.
"My goal is to live a normal life."
Confused looks. A few chuckles.
"I don't have any special talent," he continued.
"But I hope to be useful."
The chuckles faded.
Then another student stood.
"I'm Veron Walker."
Evening
The sky burned orange.
Jin walked alone across the quiet campus.
He reopened his student account. Room 217.
Then—a notification. From the university.
Before he could open it—Thud.
He bumped into someone.
Emily stepped back, annoyed.
"Watch where you're going."
His phone vibrated again.
Jin looked down. A message appeared.
[We will meet again.]
[Be ready.]
Emily waved a hand in front of his face.
"Hello?"
Jin didn't respond. His eyes hardened.
Another message appeared.
[Find my man inside the Abyss.]
Then the final line.
[If he finds you first—]
[You die.]