Wolf-like creatures with metal jaws and claws—some had two eyes, others more—emerged from the shadows before Eren. No more than three of them.
They slowly began approaching him, growling, their presence intimidating. Eren's heartbeat quickened. This wasn't just a battle; it was survival.
Eren's eyes locked onto the creatures as he prepared for the fight—alone, dagger in hand.
Eren: Here they come!
The first creature charged, jaws open, aiming to strike with its sharp metallic teeth.
Eren dodged. Before he could regain his stance, the second one leapt at him.
He turned right—unexpectedly, the third mirrored the move. The creatures collided mid-air, stunned for a moment, giving Eren a brief window to breathe.
Eren: I haven't hit them yet!
The first creature regained its bearings and reappeared, launching another attack.
It jumped, claws swiping in relentless motion.
Eren dodged, until—clink!—his dagger struck its metallic claws.
Eren: First hit!
The creature backed off, momentarily reconsidering its strategy. The two others now faced Eren, preparing to strike as one.
Eren stood in a vast room, large enough to run freely. Crystals glowing like torches bathed the space in light, casting eerie shadows. It resembled an arena—empty, vast, and ready for battle.
Eren's heart raced. He needed to think quickly. He started running from two of the creatures, while the third, still enraged from their earlier fight, chased him.
He weighed his options, calculating his next move.
Eren: The room's big...
His mind clicked into place. He ran another 10 meters before slowing down, deliberately letting the creatures close in.
Eren: Now's my chance!
As the third creature nearly caught him, Eren turned, nimbly evading its strike. In an instant, his dagger found its mark. A shallow cut appeared, and black blood spilled from the wounded creature.
Eren: That's my first strike!
The other two creatures paused, seemingly calculating. After a tense few seconds, they lunged at him.
Eren dodged, but one's claws grazed his arm, leaving a wound. Blood seeped through his hoodie.
Eren: Damn it!
Eren took his first strike, but it wasn't enough. It wasn't fatal, but the pain from the fresh wound was undeniable. Even though the attack didn't deal significant damage, it meant everything to Eren—his body was weak. Each strike took a toll.
This time, though, Eren didn't hesitate. He ran again, the creatures chasing him, the one he'd wounded earlier now slower from its injury.
Eren had the same plan. Run through the vast room, slow down just enough to strike back. He did it again—this time, two strikes landed on two creatures.
Eren: That one seems injured!
The first creature he hit was limping, a clear disadvantage now. Without hesitation, Eren moved toward it. It raised its claws, ready to strike.
Eren: Here I go!
The creature lunged, claws swinging, jaws snapping. Eren dodged—but one strike landed on his chest, leaving a cut.
Eren: Tch!
But he didn't stop. This was it. The chance to finish one of them. His focus sharpened, the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
He aimed for its neck.
Slash!
That was the moment—his first true kill in the dark dimension. The wolf-like creature's head dropped to the ground, severed cleanly.
Eren: My first kill... finally.
Eren had made his first kill. He wasn't terrified because he had saved himself, but because the creature he killed was no insect. Killing mosquitoes or insects was common for someone like Eren. But this... was different. It was far bigger. It was his first true kill, and it terrified him.
Eren: I saved myself from killing these beasts... but I can't dwell on it.
He forced himself to focus. His gaze locked onto the two wounded creatures, their movements slower. Both Eren and the creatures were injured. His right hand trembled, blood seeping through his hoodie from the wound caused by the first creature's attack.
Eren: Time to strike back!
The two creatures advanced slowly, Eren matching their pace. They closed the distance, and combat began once again. The creatures sought to end him, to slaughter him. But Eren had only one goal: to clear this trial. The first phase—to kill these creatures.
"RAAAHHHH!"
Eren charged recklessly toward them. The creatures lunged at him, intent on ending it.
Centimeters apart, their claws slashed at him. Eren's pace quickened as he dodged, but not without consequence—his hoodie tore in several places, blood leaking from the cuts.
It didn't stop him. He fought back, landing strikes on the creatures.
His hoodie, soaked in blood—only where it had been cut. The creatures bled too, black blood spilling from their wounds.
A sharp slash tore through the air.
Eren swung his dagger at one of them— The creature dodged.
Another lunged in. Its claws raked across his chest. Blood burst from Eren's mouth as he staggered back.
The first creature, having evaded before, now slashed again—this time hitting his right leg. Eren collapsed.
A third attack struck him, hurling his body across the room.
Massive injuries bled across his body. Ribs possibly broken, breath ragged. He didn't move.
The creature advanced slowly—claws gleaming, preparing for the final blow.
Just like Jack's last moment in the dark dimension— But this time, it was Eren.
The creature raised its arm—metallic claws charging up.
Eren: I HAVEN'T LOST YET!
His body shot forward. Dagger in hand, he crashed into the creature, slamming it against the wall with a force that cracked stone.
In that moment—he drove the blade into its neck.
The head fell, separated.
Hahh... Hahh...
Breathing hard, Eren stood over the corpse.
Eren: That's two down...
He turned— The third one was missing.
Eren: Where did it g—
He ducked. An instant later, claws swiped over his head.
Reflexes kicked in. He twisted and slashed the attacker's midsection.
One clean cut— The wolf-like beast was sliced in two.
Eren: That's all of them...
He leaned against the wall, beside the corpse he just decapitated.
The three bodies began to fade like dust.
Eren: They're disappearing now...? Why didn't the first one fade the moment I killed it?
Then it clicked.
The notification from the mysterious app—
This was a trial.
These beasts were just obstacles to overcome.
He looked at the dagger—bloodstained, but solid in his hand.
Eren: Maybe I've gained strength... after killing them.
He remembered Jack—how during the goblin battle, a strange aura had surrounded him. Eren had seen it. And when it appeared, Jack's speed, his defense—everything improved.
Eren: I might not have seen mine... but...
His eyes landed on a door.
It hadn't been there before.
Eren: So the app is testing me, huh?
Etched in the air, the words burned:
"PASS THE TRIAL OR GET EATEN"
Eren: I don't know what this trial really is... but it's survive or die.
He raised his hand.
"Equip."
A command. The phone appeared in his left hand, glowing.
The app was open.
> Stage 1: Cleared Head towards the door to enter Stage 2
Questions swirled in Eren's mind.
Eren: Why are these portals appearing in this world...? And what's their purpose?
Earlier, when he stayed at the Amanei household, he'd seen news reports. The portal he'd been trapped in wasn't the only one—others had surfaced around the world.
Something bigger was happening.
And then—there was that Lich. The one who confronted him inside that dark room, the moment he'd downloaded the mysterious app.
Its appearance still haunted him—tall, robed in shadows, hollow eyes that bore into his soul. That thing was terrifying. But more than that... disturbing.
Eren: He said I wasn't the only one who entered that room. Others were taken there too. But none made it out. They all died by that Lich's hand.
So why was he spared?
Why did that monster tell him to utilize the app?
There was no logical answer. Just more questions.
The app—it was unlike anything he'd ever seen. A dimension anchor, visible only to him. Unreachable. Untouchable. Yet tied to his very survival.
Eren: What even is this app...? Why can only I use it?
Was it giving him strength? Was it choosing him? Was it using him?
He didn't know. But he was starting to understand one thing:
"If it gives me power... then I'll use it."
For now, that was enough.
He turned his gaze to the mysterious door ahead—the one that appeared after he passed the first trial.
Whatever was behind it, it was his next step.
Eren: I am a lot curious now...
"Very well then... I guess."
He tightened his grip on the dagger. His body still ached, blood still trickled—but his resolve had never been sharper.
I'm Moving In.