Ascensional Protocol

"I promise I won't let you die" 

Jin Tae-min knelt beside the frail figure of his sister, Ji-a, who lay motionless on the hospital bed. Her chest rose and fell weakly, each breath a struggle against the sickness consuming her. He gripped her cold, delicate hand tightly, his voice trembling with emotion. "You won't die. I swear it."

A tear slid down his cheek and landed softly on the blanket. Ji-a didn't respond. Her once-bright, lively eyes were closed, her world trapped in an endless silence. Tae-min's heart clenched as he stared at her face, a shadow of the cheerful little girl she used to be.

With a shaky breath, he forced himself to stand. His legs felt heavy, his chest tight. He hated this—the helplessness, the waiting, the constant reminder that her time was running out. But as long as there was even the faintest chance to save her, he wouldn't stop.

"I'll find a way, Ji-a," he whispered. "I promise."

The buzz of his phone jolted him out of his thoughts. Pulling it from his pocket, he saw Ga-young's name on the screen.

"Hey," he answered, his voice hollow.

"Tae-min," Ga-young said briskly, skipping any pleasantries. "We've got a Gate job tonight. We need a D-Class healer, and you're the only one I could think of."

"How much?" he asked bluntly.

"10,000 won. Barely enough for dinner, but it's better than nothing. And if you want to help your sister, you'll take it."

Tae-min sighed. "Fine. Where?"

She rattled off the location. "Be there in thirty. And Tae-min? Don't screw this up."

"I'll be there," he muttered and hung up.

The city's neon lights reflected off puddles as Tae-min jogged to the meeting point, his mismatched armor clinking with every step. At the edge of a dark alley, a swirling green portal shimmered, casting an eerie glow.

Five figures stood in front of it, their weapons and gear far superior to his own. Tae-min approached quietly, their conversation cutting off as they noticed him.

"This is him?" Do-hyun, the group's leader, asked, his arms crossed. He was broad and imposing, his heavy armor gleaming under the portal's light.

"Yeah," Ga-young replied with a shrug. "He's a healer. That's all we need."

A wiry man named Jae-sik sneered. "Great. A bottom-tier awakener. What's he gonna do? Patch us up with bandages?"

"Shut it," Ga-young snapped. "He was cheap, and we need someone in the backline. Just focus on the job."

Tae-min ignored their stares, used to the insults by now. He wasn't here to impress them. He was here for Ji-a.

Without further discussion, the group stepped into the Gate. Tae-min hesitated for a moment before following.

The air inside the Gate was frigid, the atmosphere oppressive. Towering obsidian pillars stretched into a pitch-black sky. Strange shadows flickered across the jagged terrain.

"We move together," Do-Hyun said, drawing his sword. "Stay alert."

The group advanced cautiously, weapons at the ready. Tae-min trailed behind, his heart pounding. He hated this—the fear, the danger—but he had no choice.

A guttural roar echoed through the cavern, making everyone freeze. From the shadows, a massive creature emerged—a towering Archfiend with glowing red eyes and claws like scythes.

"Spread out!" Do-hyun yelled.

The Archfiend charged with terrifying speed, its claws slashing through the air. Tae-min barely had time to react as chaos erupted around him.

Do-hyun lunged at the creature, his blade glowing with energy. "Focus on its weak points!"

Jae-sik flanked it, his daggers flashing, while Ga-young unleashed a barrage of firebolts. The others joined the fray, their attacks landing but barely leaving a mark on the Archfiend's hardened skin.

Then, it retaliated.

With a single, devastating swipe of its claws, Do-hyun was sent flying into a pillar, his body crumpling lifelessly to the ground.

"Do-hyun!" Ga-young screamed, but she barely had time to react before the Archfiend's claws ripped through her as well. Blood sprayed across the cavern, and her firebolts extinguished.

Panic set in as the creature tore through the party one by one. Jae-sik's screams echoed as the Archfiend's massive jaws closed around him. The last fighter managed to land a desperate blow before being impaled by one of the creature's claws.

In less than a minute, they were all dead.

Tae-min stood frozen, his legs refusing to move. The bodies of his party members lay scattered around him, their blood pooling on the dark stone.

The Archfiend's glowing eyes locked onto him. It roared, shaking the cavern, and lunged.

Suddenly, a glowing notification appeared before him.

[ERROR DETECTED: Subject Jin Tae-min incompatible with the existing system.]

[Initiating Override Protocol…]

[Do you accept the terms of Ascension? Y/N]

"What…?" Tae-min whispered, his voice trembling. The Archfiend's claws were inches away.

[Do you accept the terms of Ascension? Y/N]

Tae-min had no choice. "Yes! I accept!" he shouted.

The world exploded into light, and his body felt like it was being ripped apart and reassembled. Voices and symbols flooded his mind as he fell into a white void.

A figure appeared before him—a man clad in ancient, garments with rune symbols on the garment, his face obscured by light.

"You have been chosen," the figure intoned.

"Chosen for what?" Tae-min asked, his voice shaking.

"To wield the Protocol of Ascension," the figure replied. "Rise beyond mortality, or perish in the abyss."

Before Tae-min could speak, the void shattered, and he was back in the dungeon.

But everything had changed.

His dagger was gone, replaced by a sleek, obsidian blade that pulsed with energy. His weak mana surged, coursing through his body with overwhelming force.

The Archfiend lunged again, but this time, Tae-min didn't freeze. His body moved on its own, faster and sharper than he thought possible. He sidestepped the attack and slashed at the creature, the blade consuming its dark energy.

For the first time in his life, Tae-min wasn't running. He wasn't afraid.

He was fighting.

And it seemed like he was winning.

As the Archfiend disintegrated into ash, a notification appeared before him:

[Congratulations. You have unlocked Tier 0 of the Ascension Protocol. Prepare for integration.]

Tae-min dropped to his knees, gasping for breath. Around him, the bodies of his fallen party members lay in silence.

To be continued…