Reincarnated As A Character In My Own Manga

[Scene: Fortress Hall – Just Before the Doors Open]

A hush fell over the fortress.

All heads turned.

Sixteen doors towered before crowd — arranged in an arc like judgment seats of the gods.

And then—

A single echo.

Not from the ground.

Not from the doors.

From above.

It sounded less like a voice and more like an announcement thundered from the heavens.

Voice (deep, resonant):

"All candidates, now we will explain the rules for Application Submission."

The weight in the air shifted.

No one whispered. No one moved.

Voice:

"The sixteen doors will open shortly."

"Each one will accept your application forms."

"But—"

A pause.

As if the next words carried a blade.

"No guild mates may enter the same door."

A slow murmur rippled across the crowd.

Voice:

"Each member of a guild must choose a different gate."

"You will have ten minutes from the moment the doors open."

"Failure to enter within that time... will result in immediate disqualification."

[Scene: Among the Crowd]

Rifleman (grimacing):

"Knew it."

His jaw tightened. His guildmates behind him exchanged stiff glances.

[Scene: Front of the Hall – The Doors Begin to Shift]

CRRRRK.

The sound of ancient stone.

Sixteen gates trembled — not outward, but inward, open just enough to let out their gatekeepers.

From within each door emerged a single armored figure.

They looked like knights forged from war.

Each wore enchanted full-plate — obsidian black or burnished silver, with the A.L.E insignias etched in subtle arcane script across the chest. Their faces hidden beneath angular helms. Halberds. Greatswords. Twin-axes. No two the same.

Solis (internal, narrowing his eyes):

"Each one... looks as built as Ryven."

[Scene: Clock Starts]

Voice from Above:

"Candidates...

Your ten minutes start now."

The air cracked with energy.

As if time itself had gained weight.

[Scene: Immediate Reactions]

Some panicked.

Others bolted.

Several people rushed toward the nearest gate without discussion — pushing, elbowing, desperate to get their form submitted.

Others huddled with guildmates. Fast strategy talk. Whispers. Frowns.

[Scene: Whisper's Light]

Kael turned to his team — grinning like he'd waited for this moment forever.

Kael:

"See ya suckers."

He gave a mock salute, spun, and darted toward Gate 9.

Katrina (folding her arms):

"Of course he'd pick randomly."

Rhask:

"Wouldn't be Kael otherwise."

Arjun (calmly, watching the flow):

"Let's observe which gates are getting crowded first. Less people might mean easier processing."

Eron:

"I doubt it'll be that simple… but I like the optimism."

They remained still — the five of them — as dozens of candidates scrambled past.

[Scene: Nearby Guilds]

A group of adventurers in sleek robes — spread out wordlessly and moved toward separate gates.

Their leader gave a subtle nod as each departed.

Another guild of spear-wielders burst into a heated argument.

"I wanted 4!"

"You always take the one I call!"

"Guys—shut up and go before we all get kicked out!"