Whir.

The gate began to vibrate. Everyone in the area tensed as they stared at Gi-Gyu and the gate. The gate could break at any moment now, but suddenly, it stopped vibrating. And then…

The gate swallowed Gi-Gyu whole. 

“W-what the?!” Both the manager and Sung-Hoon gasped in shock. They clearly saw that Gi-Gyu didn’t enter the gate on his own two feet. Instead, the gate swallowed him as if it was a living creature. Slowly but surely, the gate changed back to its original color as if nothing had happened.

***

Gi-Gyu was just as shocked after being devoured by the gate. He muttered, “I knew syncing with it wouldn’t be easy, but this…” 

To sync with Lou, all Gi-Gyu had to do was name him in that weird dimension. So, he wished for this gate to be as easy as Lou; sadly, his wish was left unanswered. 

“Well, I prepared for the worst-case scenario, so I should be fine,” Gi-Gyu murmured as he looked around. A dark, dry land and a dead forest were all that met his eyes. 

[You will now be tested to see if you’re qualified.]

“Huh?” 

While Gi-Gyu was looking around to plan his next move, a...