《The Last Gate: Rise of the Analyst》
The Day the Gates Opened
¡°Congratulations, Seo Jun Xin! Senior Analyst at last!¡±
Jun Xin turned around to see his colleague, Min Su, walking toward him with an excited grin. She held a cup of coffee in one hand and gestured toward the large conference room where the company was hosting a celebration. "Senior Analyst, huh? You''ve been working so hard for this!"
Jun Xin gave a polite smile, though his heart wasn''t as light as Min Su''s tone. "Thank you, Min Su. It''s been a long time coming."
"Long time? You¡¯re one of the youngest to ever reach this position in the company! Don¡¯t be so humble," Min Su said, nudging him playfully. "Come on, the CEO¡¯s going to make the announcement soon. You better be front and center."
The office was buzzing with excitement. Colleagues gathered in small groups, laughing and chatting about the upcoming event. Jun Xin¡¯s promotion had been the worst-kept secret of the week. As one of the top analysts in the company, he had consistently outperformed his peers, earning a reputation for his sharp mind and ability to solve problems no one else could. Yet, despite his professional achievements, there was a hollow feeling in his chest¡ªa weight he carried silently.
As the crowd filed into the conference room, Jun Xin followed. The room was decorated with banners and balloons. A long table at the front held drinks and snacks, but all eyes were on the stage where the CEO, Mr. Kang, stood with a microphone in hand.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us today," Mr. Kang began, his voice commanding yet warm. "We are here to celebrate not only the success of our company but also the achievements of one of our brightest minds."
Jun Xin¡¯s heart began to race. He felt Min Su elbow him lightly, whispering, "This is it!"
"Today," Mr. Kang continued, "we recognize someone who has shown exceptional dedication, intelligence, and leadership. Someone who has¡ª"
Before he could finish, a loud sound erupted from outside. The ground shook violently, and gasps filled the room. Jun Xin instinctively grabbed the edge of a nearby table to steady himself.
"What was that?" someone shouted, panic creeping into their voice.
The large windows lining the room offered a clear view of the city skyline, but now, something was different. Massive, glowing portals¡ªtowering and circular¡ªhad appeared in the distance. Their ominous presence cast an eerie light over the city, pulsing with a strange, otherworldly energy.
"Oh my god... What is that?" Min Su whispered, her voice trembling.
Jun Xin¡¯s analytical mind kicked into overdrive. His eyes scanned the scene, taking in every detail of the Portals. They radiated an energy that made his skin crawl, but it was their sheer size and the way they distorted the air around them that shocked him the most.
Suddenly, chaos erupted. The news feed on the large screen in the conference room switched to a live broadcast. A reporter stood amidst the chaos, her voice shaky as she spoke.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
"Breaking news! Unidentified Portals has appeared simultaneously across the globe. Reports are coming in of strange creatures emerging from these Portals, attacking civilians and causing widespread destruction."
As if on cue, the Portals outside began to ripple. Dark, monstrous figures emerged, their forms unlike anything Jun Xin had ever seen. Some were hideous¡ªhulking beasts with razor-sharp claws and glowing red eyes. Others were smaller but no less terrifying, moving with unnatural speed.
Screams filled the air as the creatures descended upon the city. Cars were overturned, buildings were torn apart, and people ran in every direction, desperate to escape.
"Everyone, stay calm!" Mr. Kang shouted, though his own fear was evident. "We need to¡ª"
The words were cut short as one of the creatures leaped onto the building, its claws raking against the glass. The room descended into panic. People screamed and ran for the exits, pushing and shoving in their desperation to flee.
Jun Xin grabbed Min Su¡¯s arm. "We need to get out of here. Now."
They joined the desperate crowd, making their way down the emergency stairs. The building shook with each impact from the creatures outside, and Jun Xin could hear their deep growls and the sound of glass shattering. By the time they reached the ground floor, the streets were unrecognizable. Smoke and debris filled the air, and the cries of the injured were drowned out by the roars of the monsters.
Jun Xin¡¯s thoughts raced. He needed to find his family. His father had gone out that morning, and his mother was at home resting. "Min Su, get to safety. I have to go," he said urgently.
"Jun Xin, wait! You can¡¯t go out there alone!" she protested, but he was already running toward the chaos.
The streets were a war zone. Military vehicles rolled in, soldiers firing at the creatures with little success. The monsters seemed impenetrable to traditional weapons, shrugging off bullets as if they were mere nuisances. Jun Xin ducked behind a car, his heart pounding as he watched the scene unfold.
In the distance, a news helicopter hovered, broadcasting the devastation live. The reporter¡¯s voice crackled through nearby speakers. "Governments around the world are holding emergency conferences to address the situation. Military forces have been deployed, but casualties are increasing. The origins of the Portals and the creatures remain unknown."
Jun Xin clenched his fists. His analytical mind struggled to make sense of the situation, but there were too many variables. The creatures, the Portals, the suddenness of it all¡ªnone of it added up.
He pushed forward, weaving through the chaos. His home was only a few blocks away. The closer he got, the more destruction he encountered. By the time he reached his apartment building, it was barely standing. A massive creature¡ªa serpent-like beast with glowing scales¡ªcoiled around the structure, crushing it with its immense weight.
"No..." Jun Xin whispered, horror washing over him. He sprinted toward the building, but a hand grabbed his arm, stopping him.
"Don¡¯t! You¡¯ll get yourself killed!" a soldier shouted, pulling him back.
"My mother¡¯s in there! I have to¡ª"
The serpent let out a loud roar, its tail smashing into the ground just meters away. The force of the impact sent Jun Xin and the soldier sprawling. When Jun Xin looked up, the building was gone, reduced to rubble.
Jun Xin¡¯s knees buckled, and he fell to the ground. The world around him blurred as tears filled his eyes. The soldier placed a hand on his shoulder, but no words could comfort him.
The Portals had brought the end of normalcy. Across the globe, cities crumbled, and millions of lives were lost. The monsters that emerged were relentless, pushing humanity to the brink. Governments struggled to maintain order, and society teetered on collapse. Jun Xin, like so many others, was left to pick up the pieces of a shattered world.
But even in the face of despair, a trace of determination burned within him. The Portals had taken everything from him, but he refused to let them win. He would survive. He would find answers.
And one day, he would fight back.
Shattered Lives
The sound of sirens filled the air as emergency broadcasts crackled through radios and televisions across the city. Streets once filled with life were now engulfed in chaos. Fires burned uncontrollably, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky, and the cries of the injured echoed like a haunting melody.
Seo Jun Xin wandered aimlessly through the wreckage, his mind reeling from the destruction he had witnessed. The ruins of his apartment building remained in his thoughts. The loss of his mother felt like a sharp dagger twisting in his chest, and the weight of his father¡¯s absence made it worse. He had no answers, only a gnawing emptiness and a resolve to stay alive.
He found himself in the company of strangers, all gathered in an abandoned convenience store. The space was dimly lit, the flashing overhead light casting weird shadows on the walls. People whispered nervously, clinging to each other for comfort. Some cried quietly, others stared blankly ahead, their faces pale and drained of emotions.
Min Su was among them, sitting by the window with her knees pulled to her chest. When Jun Xin entered, her eyes lit up, and she rushed to his side. ¡°Jun Xin! You made it!¡± she exclaimed, gripping his arm tightly. ¡°I thought¡ I thought you might not¡¡±
He gave a faint nod, ¡°I¡¯m here.¡±
¡°What happened? Did you find¡¡± Min Su stopped herself, her expression softening as if she already knew the answer. Instead of pressing, she simply held his hand. ¡°We¡¯ll get through this. Somehow.¡±
Jun Xin didn¡¯t respond. He dropped to the floor, leaning against a shelf stocked with half-empty water bottles. His mind was a whirlwind of memories and unanswered questions. The image of the portals, those glowing rips in reality, played on an endless loop. What were they? Where did they come from? And why now?
Hours turned into days as the survivors adapted to their harsh new reality. The government¡¯s response was swift but inadequate. Military forces were deployed to major cities, engaging the monsters with every weapon at their disposal. Yet, the creatures were unlike anything humanity had ever faced. Conventional weapons were largely ineffective, and the casualties continued to increase.
In a makeshift shelter set up in an underground parking lot, Jun Xin listened intently to a government broadcast. The speaker¡¯s voice was calm but heavy with urgency.
¡°We are advising all citizens to remain indoors or take refuge in designated shelters. Do not engage with the¡ entities. Emergency services are working tirelessly to address the situation. Stay strong. We will prevail.¡±
A bitter laugh escaped Jun Xin¡¯s lips. ¡°Prevail? Against those things?¡± he muttered under his breath.
¡°Hey, keep it down,¡± someone whispered sharply. ¡°We¡¯re all scared, but don¡¯t make it worse.¡±
Jun Xin glanced at the speaker, a middle-aged man with a tired face and a trembling hand clutching a flashlight. He didn¡¯t argue. Instead, he looked back at Min Su, who sat nearby, hugging a thin blanket around her shoulders.
¡°How long do you think this will last?¡± she asked softly.
Jun Xin shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know. But I do know this¡ we can¡¯t rely on the government to fix it.¡±
On the fifth day after the portals appeared, Jun Xin ventured out for supplies. The streets were quiet, the once lively city now a graveyard of twisted metal and collapsed buildings. He carried a backpack, moving cautiously as he scanned his surroundings. Every shadow felt like a threat, every noise a potential danger.
As he approached a small pharmacy, the sound of footsteps made him freeze. He ducked behind a car, looking out cautiously. A group of soldiers marched down the street, their faces fierce. They were escorting a scientist in a lab coat, her arms clutching a tablet tightly to her chest. Jun Xin strained to hear their conversation.
¡°¡ still no idea what these things are,¡± one soldier said. ¡°All we know is they¡¯re spreading. The portals¡ or whatever they are¡ keep appearing in random locations.¡±
The scientist nodded, her voice shaky. ¡°The energy readings are off the charts. It¡¯s unlike anything we¡¯ve ever seen. It¡¯s¡ not natural.¡±Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Jun Xin¡¯s mind raced as he processed their words. Energy readings? Not natural? He thought back to his time as an analyst, where he had spent countless hours decoding data and solving complex problems. If only he had access to the information they were discussing. Maybe then he could make sense of this nightmare.
The group disappeared around a corner, and Jun Xin continued toward the pharmacy. Inside, the shelves were mostly empty, but he managed to find a few basic supplies¡ªbandages, painkillers, and bottled water. As he stuffed them into his bag, a low growl made him freeze.
Turning slowly, he saw a creature emerge from the shadows. It was smaller than the others he had seen but no less menacing. Its black body moved with an unnatural fluidity, and its glowing yellow eyes locked onto him.
Jun Xin¡¯s heart pounded. He grabbed a metal pipe from the floor, gripping it tightly as the creature advanced. It growled, its claws clicking against the tiled floor.
¡°Stay back,¡± he whispered, though he knew it wouldn¡¯t listen.
The creature lunged, and Jun Xin swung the pipe with all his strength. The impact sent a jolt up his arms, but the creature barely flinched. It swiped at him, its claws grazing his side and tearing through his jacket. Pain shot through him, but he didn¡¯t stop. He swung again, this time aiming for its head.
The pipe connected with a sickening crack, and the creature let out a pained screech. It staggered but didn¡¯t fall. Jun Xin backed away, his breathing uneven. The creature¡¯s glowing eyes narrowed, and it prepared to attack again.
Just as it leaped, a gunshot rang out. The creature collapsed mid-air, landing lifelessly on the floor. Jun Xin turned to see Min Su standing in the doorway, holding a pistol with trembling hands.
¡°Min Su?! What are you doing here?¡± he asked, his voice a mix of relief and anger.
She lowered the gun, her eyes wide with fear. ¡°I followed you. I couldn¡¯t just sit there and do nothing.¡±
Jun Xin sighed, his initial anger fading. ¡°Thank you. You probably just saved my life.¡±
Min Su managed a small smile, but her hands still trembled as she holstered the pistol. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here before more of those things show up.¡±
Back at the shelter, Jun Xin and Min Su shared the supplies with the others. The small victory brought a brief moment of hope, but it was quickly outweighed by the grim reality they faced. The portals continued to appear, and the creatures showed no signs of stopping.
Jun Xin couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. He thought of the scientist¡¯s words and the strange energy readings. There was more to this than anyone realized, and if humanity had any chance of survival, they would need answers¡ªanswers that no one seemed to have.
As he lay on the cold concrete floor that night, Jun Xin stared at the ceiling, his mind racing. He had always been good at solving problems, but this¡ this was unlike anything he had ever faced. Yet, deep down, he knew he couldn¡¯t give up.
The portals had taken everything from him. They had turned his world upside down and robbed him of his family. But they had also ignited something within him¡ªa determination to fight back, to discover the truth, and to survive.
No matter what it took.
The days turned into weeks, and the world began to change. Governments struggled to maintain control, and society fractured under the weight of fear and uncertainty. Yet, even in the darkest moments, humanity¡¯s resilience shone through. People banded together, forming small communities and fighting to protect what little they had left.
Jun Xin found himself in such a community. Though he had no weapons training or combat skills, his analytical mind and quick thinking made him an invaluable asset. He helped organize supply runs, plan defenses, and strategize ways to avoid the creatures.
One evening, as the group gathered around a small fire, Min Su turned to Jun Xin. ¡°What do you think caused all this?¡± she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jun Xin stared into the flames, his expression thoughtful, then answered, "I don''t know for sure, but I have a theory. The scientist I overheard mentioned energy readings that were off the charts, unlike anything they''d ever seen. That means these portals and the creatures might not be random. There¡¯s a pattern¡ a purpose. We just haven¡¯t figured it out yet."
The others fell silent, their eyes fixed on him. He felt the weight of their hope and fear. "If we can understand the energy behind these portals, we might find a way to stop them. Or at least predict where they¡¯ll appear next."
"How would you even do that?" Min Su asked, her brows furrowing. "We don¡¯t have any equipment or data."
Jun Xin gave a faint smile. "That¡¯s true, but I know how to start. We need to gather whatever we can¡ªreports, witness accounts, anything that might give us a clue. If we can piece it together, maybe we can figure out what''s really going on."
The group exchanged uncertain glances. It was a long shot, but it was the first real plan anyone had suggested since the disaster began.
"We¡¯ll help," Min Su said firmly. "Whatever it takes."
Her resolve bolstered Jun Xin¡¯s own. For the first time since the portals appeared, he felt a hint of purpose¡ªa reason to keep fighting. As he stared into the flickering flames, he silently vowed to uncover the truth behind the chaos, no matter how impossible it seemed.
Because the world didn¡¯t need another fighter. It needed someone who could think ahead, someone who could analyze the unseen. And Seo Jun Xin was ready to become exactly that.