[ 4. Hidden Key. ]
[ Description: A key to another world where the host can train. To open the gate of another world the host needs to hold the key himself and say "Open." Only the host can use the key. ]
Johan froze, his mouth hanging open. His heartbeat quickened. "A-Another world!"
The words echoed in his head, too surreal to fully grasp. He swallowed hard, then straightened, forcing himself to focus.
"Open the inventory."
DING!
The panel shimmered, and another glowing window slid open in front of him. Inside, two shimmering icons pulsed with faint light:
—[ Oblivion Mask ]
—[ Hidden Key ]
Johan's lips curved into a grin. "It totally feels like a game."
His finger hovered, then tapped the key. A brilliant flash lit up the room as the item materialized in his hand. Cold, metallic, yet strangely weightless—the key glowed faintly blue, humming as if alive.
Without hesitation, Johan tightened his grip.
"Open."
WHOOOOSH!
Instantly, the air trembled. Sparks of glowing azure light erupted, swirling before him like fireflies caught in a storm. They gathered, spun, and stretched, until a perfect circle of radiant blue formed, floating in midair.
BZZZHHHH!
The circle solidified into a gate, its surface rippling like liquid glass, framed in glowing runes that shimmered with otherworldly energy. The sterile hospital room was now bathed in its eerie, dreamlike glow.
Johan's eyes widened, reflecting the shining gate.
"What the—?"
But then he remembered the endless blue void, the voice, the system panel. Compared to that bizarre place he had experienced after the accident, this wasn't all that shocking.
Taking a deep breath, Johan pushed the blanket aside and carefully swung his legs off the hospital bed. His bare feet touched the cold floor with a soft tap… tap…. He stood shakily, the key glowing faintly in his hand.
Without giving himself time to hesitate, he stepped forward into the light.
WHOOOOSH!
The hospital room vanished.
—
When Johan opened his eyes again, he was standing inside a small wooden house. The faint scent of polished timber filled the air. Sunlight filtered through narrow windows, illuminating the interior. The place was simple yet elegant—beautiful carvings adorned the walls, and a warm golden glow spilled across smooth wooden floors.
"…This is…" Johan whispered, his voice trembling in awe.
He pushed the door open. Creak…
And then he froze.
The sight outside stole his breath.
Stretching before him was a vast green forest. Towering trees reached into the sky, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze. Flowers of colors he had never seen before bloomed in the underbrush, their petals shimmering like jewels. Birds with radiant feathers fluttered between branches, their distant calls echoing through the stillness.
The house stood within a wide clearing, encircled by a boundary wall made of ancient stone. Between the house and the wall lay open space dotted with different trees—some tall and proud, others small and delicate, each one alive with vibrance. The air itself felt pure, fresh, almost otherworldly.
Johan's jaw dropped. He could do nothing but stare. "It's… so beautiful."
But then—
THUD! THUD! THUD!
The ground trembled. Leaves shook. From beyond the boundary wall, something massive charged forward.
Johan's head snapped toward the sound. His eyes widened.
A hulking figure burst through the trees, its heavy footsteps pounding like drums. Thick green skin glistened in the sunlight, muscles bulging beneath its armor of crude leather. Tusks jutted out from its snarling mouth.
An Orc.
It slammed against the outer boundary with a guttural roar.
BOOOM!
Johan immediately squeezed his eyes shut and lowered his head in fear, bracing for the end. But nothing happened. After a moment, he slowly peeked and realized the stones of the boundary wall were perfectly intact. The Orc was still thrashing and roaring, but it couldn't break through. Something invisible and powerful was keeping it outside.
"Huh? What the hell? The monster can't enter the place?" Johan muttered, blinking in disbelief. He let out a shaky laugh. "I thought I was gonna die for a moment."
Just then, a glowing notification appeared before his eyes.
[Training Quest.]
[50 push-ups.]
[50 sit-ups.]
[Run 10 km around the house.]
Johan stared blankly. "…Huh? Training exercise? Didn't that voice in the void tell me I'd become strong? Why the hell is it giving me… gym class?"
[Ding!]
[Time limit: 2 Hours.]
[If the host doesn't fulfill the quest before the finishing time…]
[The host will die.]
Johan nearly fell over. "HUH? Die?! Are you kidding me?!"
[Nope.]
Johan's jaw dropped. "Wow… it can even sass me now."
Another ding! flashed in front of him.
[Time limit: 1 Hour 30 Minutes.]
His eyes bulged. "WHAT?! It was two hours just now! Only one minute passed!"
[Correction: If the host doesn't start the training or tries to rest, every minute will count as thirty minutes.]
"YOU'VE GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!" Johan screamed, his face twisting in fury.