The room remained silent after the video ended.
The red-eyed creature that had emerged from the black hole was still vividly imprinted in Ryan's mind. His heart was beating faster than usual.
The dungeon was real.
Or… at least, they wanted everyone to believe it was real.
The man in the suit on stage spoke again.
"For those who wish to withdraw, the exit is at the back. There is no obligation."
A few people exchanged glances.
No one stood up.
Ryan looked around. Tense faces. Some pale. Some excited. Others wearing indifferent expressions.
"Good," the suited man continued. "In that case, we will begin the first stage."
He raised his hand.
"Please proceed to the changing room. Wear the clothes we have prepared. Store all personal belongings in your assigned lockers."
Several staff members dressed in black entered and began directing the participants out of the hall.
Ryan stood along with the others.
His steps felt slightly heavy.
This was no longer just a job application.
It felt like stepping into something he did not fully understand.
The changing room was located down a long corridor on the right side of the building.
Inside were rows of metal lockers and long benches. Above each locker was a participant number.
Ryan looked at the number pinned to his chest.
Number 32.
He found his locker and opened it. Inside was a set of plain black sportswear, training shoes, and a small gray bracelet with a thin chip embedded inside.
Some people had already started changing.
The changing room filled with conversation.
"You think this dungeon thing is real?" a tall man asked.
"No way. That was definitely CGI," another replied. "It's easy to make videos like that now."
"Yeah, I thought so too. The effects were good though."
"If this is some massive prank, that'd be messed up."
A few laughed nervously.
Others looked serious.
A muscular man in the corner spoke quietly. "If it's just CGI, why rent a building this big?"
The room fell silent for a moment.
Ryan changed his clothes without saying much.
He himself still found it hard to believe.
Dungeon.
Monsters.
Things like that only existed in games or movies.
He often saw kids at the construction site playing games on their phones, fighting monsters, leveling up. A fantasy world that felt far removed from his harsh life as a construction worker.
But the video earlier…
It felt too real.
Or maybe he just wanted to believe.
A man beside him turned.
"Bro, do you actually believe in that dungeon stuff?"
Ryan shrugged. "I don't know. But if it's just CGI… why is this test so serious?"
The man nodded slowly.
After everyone finished changing, the staff appeared again.
"Please follow us to the physical testing room."
The physical testing room was enormous.
The floor was covered with thick mats. On one side were various weightlifting equipment. On the other side, treadmills were lined up neatly. A large digital screen on the wall displayed participant numbers.
Ryan swallowed.
This wasn't an ordinary test.
It felt like a professional athlete selection.
The man in the suit stood near the digital board.
"First test: muscle strength. Maximum one lift. The data will be recorded automatically."
Participants were called one by one according to their numbers.
Number 01 stepped forward.
He tried lifting the barbell.
Failed at 90 kilograms.
Number 02.
100 kilograms.
Numbers began appearing on the screen.
Some participants looked nervous.
Some confident.
Ryan watched carefully.
When number 06 was called, the atmosphere shifted slightly.
The female participant stepped forward calmly. Her body was lean but muscular. Her gaze was focused.
She loaded the weights.
140 kilograms.
With one breath, she lifted it.
Easily.
The room murmured.
She added more weight.
160 kilograms.
Still successful.
She finally stopped at 170 kilograms.
Small cheers erupted.
"Damn…"
"She's crazy strong…"
Number 11, a large-built man, stepped up next.
He immediately loaded 180 kilograms.
Lift.
Success.
He added more.
190 kilograms.
Still successful.
His face turned red, veins bulging in his neck, but he managed to lift it.
Applause followed.
Numbers 23 and 46 also recorded high numbers, averaging above 180 kilograms.
Ryan stared at the screen.
Those numbers felt far away.
Number 32.
His number appeared.
His heart pounded.
He stepped forward.
His hands were slightly sweaty.
He loaded 120 kilograms first.
Deep breath.
Lift.
Success.
He added more.
130 kilograms.
Success, though it felt heavy.
He stared at the bar.
140 kilograms.
He gripped it tightly.
Long breath.
Lift!
His arm muscles tightened. His back felt like it was being pulled apart. His teeth clenched.
The barbell rose.
Only for a moment.
Then he dropped it back onto the rack.
The screen displayed:
No. 32 – 140 kg
Ryan panted.
He knew he wasn't as strong as number 11 or 23.
But for a construction worker… he wasn't bad.
He returned to the line.
The test continued.
Some participants failed at 80 kilograms.
Some gave up early.
A few sustained minor injuries from pushing themselves too hard.
After everyone finished, the suited man spoke again.
"Second test: stamina."
The lights beside the treadmills lit up.
"You will run. Speed and endurance will be recorded. Last as long as possible."
A few participants complained quietly.
Ryan stared at the treadmill.
He rarely ran.
His job involved more lifting and walking.
But he had no choice.
Participants were divided into groups.
Ryan was in the second wave.
He stepped onto the treadmill.
The gray bracelet he had received earlier connected to the small monitor in front of the machine.
Heart rate.
Speed.
Time.
Everything would be recorded.
"Start!"
The machine began moving.
Slow at first.
Ryan adjusted his steps.
Then the speed gradually increased.
Some participants beside him were already gasping within the first five minutes.
Ryan regulated his breathing.
Inhale… exhale…
Don't panic.
Don't go too fast.
Focus on rhythm.
Ten minutes.
Twenty minutes.
Thirty minutes.
Some participants stepped off the treadmill, giving up.
Number 06 was still running calmly.
Number 11 looked strained but endured.
Ryan felt his legs begin to ache.
Sweat poured down his face.
Forty-five minutes.
One hour.
His breathing grew heavier.
His chest burned.
He was tempted to speed up, but he knew he wouldn't last if he did.
He chose consistency.
Endure.
One hour fifteen minutes.
Only a few participants remained.
Number 23 finally stepped down.
Number 46 followed.
One hour thirty minutes.
Ryan felt the world beginning to spin.
His legs no longer felt like his own.
His breath came in broken gasps.
"Just a little more…" he muttered to himself.
He imagined Nenek Tia's face.
The image gave him a small push.
One hour thirty minutes and thirty seconds.
His legs wobbled.
He pressed the stop button.
The machine slowed.
Ryan stepped down unsteadily and nearly fell, but managed to catch himself.
He panted heavily, hands on his knees.
The screen displayed his data.
He didn't know if it was good or not.
One by one, the remaining participants stopped.
The room filled with the sound of heavy breathing.
Some sat on the floor.
Some lay down.
After everyone finished, the door opened.
The suited man entered again.
He stood in front of them.
"Thank you for your effort."
His voice was calm, but this time more serious.
"You have completed the first stage."
Some participants looked relieved.
Others were still catching their breath.
"But understand this… physical strength and stamina are only the foundation."
He walked slowly along the line of participants.
"Dungeon exploration is not only about muscle."
Ryan straightened up.
"Now, please follow us to the next room."
Some participants exchanged glances.
The next room?
There's more?
Ryan swallowed.
The physical test alone had drained him.
What else was waiting ahead?
Still, he kept walking.
Because from the very beginning, he knew—
This would not be an easy path.
And he had not come this far to quit halfway.