Gate Hunters

The creature emerging from the water resembled the one that had been flying above me.

The creature lunged at me, its arms morphing into blades as it advanced. I evaded each attack with agility and countered with a forceful punch to its chest.

The force of my punch was so powerful that it completely obliterated the creature's upper body.

My overconfidence became my downfall because I mistakenly thought it was already conquered.

Suddenly, I was caught off guard by a rogue column of water that shot me into the sky. In an instant, it loomed over me, its hand morphing into the shape of a mace.

It spiked me towards the water.

As I attempted to recover from the attack, something seized me by the neck and pulled me through the water.

Moments later, I felt a massive punch that sent me skidding across the watery floor. There was something distinctly unusual about this particular Gate.

Despite being engulfed within the waters, it felt as though I remained on solid ground. What kind of dysfunctional gate could cause such a sensation?

Felt like I was in a mirror, or some sought.

Once I regained my footing and turned my attention back to the creature, I realized that this time there were more than two. An entire army lay concealed beneath the surface.

All emitting the same terrifying cry that caused my ears to bleed.

I needed to create some distance between us.

Swiftly, I pressed my hand against the watery surface, conjuring a tall tree to serve as a hiding spot.

Those creatures were one step ahead of me. Just as the tree was on the brink of full bloom, a colossal aquatic hand emerged and swatted me away with a splash that would make a whale jealous.

This time dozens of them ran towards me.

This time, I couldn't run; there was simply no way to escape. I must confront them all; I need to endure and survive this challenge.

In response, I unleashed my roar and charged directly towards them.

The first one who came to my path was punched so hard that its entire body exploded, the next couple suffer massive damage.

Even though I was surrounded more than what twenty-five to one.

I was surprised that I was holding my own.

Using every boxing skill, earth base attack and plant fusion in my deposited.

My body was getting weaker by the constant fighting that after one full hour.

I dropped to ground.

Wearied, heaving breaths like a creature facing its final moments.

Suddenly, I was pulled through the watery floor and returned to my original location.

Underneath that blue moon.

The one that pulled me was that white creature.

Holding my leg like a trophy. I was far to weaken to even do anything.

I believe I finally understand it's plan, it wanted me to be tired and weak as humanly possible so I couldn't fight it one on one.

"Sorry mom-" those two words were meant to be my final words that I remember when I die.

A figure clad in a white raiding uniform strode through the Gate, unmistakably a hunter by appearance.

I was saved... until I notice their mask.

A white mask adorned with a bleeding eye and a crimson smile, with the word 'sinner' inscribed across the forehead.

This mysterious person was a Rejected.