The Reader of the Beginning and Climax

Chapter 7: The Unseen Watcher

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The corridor stabilized, but Jihwan didn't move immediately. His heart was still beating in a steady rhythm—calm, controlled—but his mind remained sharp. The trial was over, yet something felt wrong.

The whispers had faded. The walls had stopped shifting. The abyss had sealed. Everything was quiet.

Too quiet.

[System Notification: "Trial cleared. Proceed to the next stage."]

Jihwan exhaled slowly. The Path of No Return had been a mental trap, designed to erase challengers through misdirection. If he had hesitated or panicked, he would've been swallowed by the void like the others before him.

He took a step forward. The ground held firm. Another step. Still safe.

Then—

A presence.

His instincts flared. Something was watching him.

Not a system function. Not a pre-recorded challenge. Something real.

Jihwan's hand curled into a fist. He turned his head slightly, scanning the darkness.

Nothing.

And yet—

The feeling didn't go away.

[System Notification: "Unknown entity detected. Analysis in progress…"]

His eyes narrowed. An unknown entity? That was new.

Then, another message.

[System Warning: "Analysis failed. The entity is beyond system recognition."]

For the first time, the system couldn't define what it was. That meant only one thing—it wasn't supposed to be here.

Jihwan remained still. His breathing was measured, his posture relaxed, but his mind was racing.

Should he move? Attack? Test if it was hostile?

The presence didn't attack, nor did it retreat. It simply watched.

A chill crept down his spine. He didn't like this.

Jihwan took another step forward. The air shifted. The weight of the presence followed him.

It was observing. Studying him.

And for the first time since he had arrived in this place, Jihwan felt something close to unease.

[System Notification: "Proceed to the next trial. Timer: 10 minutes."]

The presence remained. Silent. Unmoving.

Jihwan exhaled softly.

This wasn't the time to deal with it. If it wasn't attacking, then it wasn't an immediate threat. He had to focus on the next trial.

But he wouldn't forget.

Because whatever it was…

It knew he was here.

And it was watching.

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End of Chapter 7