The Reader of the Beginning and Climax

Chapter 10: The Throne's Gaze

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Jihwan's footsteps echoed through the corridor, his mind replaying the shadowy entity's final words.

"Then the Throne will be waiting for you."

The phrase wasn't a threat, nor a warning. It was a statement of fact.

Jihwan had no reason to believe this entity, yet something deep inside told him—it was the truth.

The system had failed to identify the entity. The system had failed to analyze its presence. Something beyond its grasp was interfering.

And now, as Jihwan walked deeper into this unknown space, he felt the weight of unseen eyes upon him.

He wasn't alone.

A tension filled the air. It was subtle but undeniable. Like a silent whisper in the dark, a presence that refused to reveal itself yet refused to leave.

Jihwan exhaled softly, steadying his thoughts.

[System Notification: "Irregular energy detected. Attempting recalibration…"]

The system had detected it too. That meant whatever was watching him was no mere illusion.

He kept moving.

The corridor stretched on, the walls shifting from the ancient carvings of past trials into something new—something untouched by the system's presence. The runes dimmed, their glow fading as if unwilling to guide him further.

Then—

He saw it.

A massive stone door stood before him, unlike anything he had encountered before.

It was ancient. More ancient than anything in this place.

The carvings on its surface were intricate yet chaotic, as if they had been made by many different hands over countless ages. And unlike the rest of the corridors, this door was not waiting for him to open it.

It was watching him.

[System Warning: "Unregistered structure ahead. Proceed at your own risk."]

Jihwan's expression didn't change, but his thoughts raced.

Unregistered. That meant this door was not part of the system's trials.

Yet it was here.

He extended his hand, placing it against the cold surface.

The moment his fingers made contact—

The world shattered.

Not physically. Not like a collapsing building or a breaking mirror.

This was different.

This was reality itself tearing at the seams.

For a brief second, he saw something beyond the limits of this world.

A throne of obsidian and gold.

It stood alone, resting in a void where time did not move.

And upon it sat a figure draped in shadows.

Jihwan could not see its face. But he could feel its gaze.

It saw him.

And then—

It spoke.

"Why do you seek the Beginning when you are destined for the Climax?"

The words sent a shiver through Jihwan's entire being.

The voice was deep. Ancient. Absolute.

It was not a question. It was a revelation.

Before Jihwan could react—

The vision ended.

He was back in the corridor.

The massive door still stood before him. The stone was cold against his fingertips.

But something had changed.

He looked down at his hand.

A single golden sigil had appeared on his skin, glowing faintly.

[System Alert: "Unknown Mark Acquired. Status: Unidentified."]

Jihwan stared at it, his mind calculating the implications.

Something had changed.

Something beyond the system had taken notice of him.

And whatever sat upon that Throne… had marked him.

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End of Chapter 10