The Eclipsed Order

Chapter 170: Chapter 170: The Worst Possible Outcome

The black Gate had already attracted the attention of everyone stationed around the hunting zone.

The security perimeter had been expanded several times, forcing the remaining Awakeners and civilians farther away from the entrance. Government vehicles had arrived one after another, while several members of the Korean Awakening Administration moved between the security teams, gathering information and making sure nobody approached the abnormal Gate.

Then another vehicle arrived.

It was a long black administrative vehicle with reinforced windows and a subdued silver insignia of the Korean Awakening Administration displayed near the rear doors. It was clearly designed for transporting high-ranking officials rather than ordinary personnel, and the moment it stopped near the newly established security perimeter, several officers immediately straightened.

The rear door opened.

Director Han Seung-ho stepped out.

His dark-blue hair was neatly arranged, with several strands falling naturally around his forehead while the rest was swept slightly backward. His sharp features and calm blue-gray eyes gave him an appearance that seemed almost too composed for someone arriving at the scene of a potential dungeon disaster.

He wore the formal black uniform of the Gate Management Bureau, the insignia clearly displayed on his shoulder.

Another man stepped out after him.

He was the same age as him, dressed in a fitted black suit beneath a long dark coat, with a communication device attached to his ear and a compact case secured beneath one arm. Unlike Seung-ho, his clothing lacked any obvious rank insignia beyond the small identification badge clipped near his chest.

He was a field response officer assigned to accompany the Director.

The moment Seung-ho entered the restricted area, several security personnel approached.

"Director Han."

One of the senior security officers bowed.

"Welcome."

Seung-ho nodded.

"Report."

The officer immediately straightened.

"Sir."

He glanced toward the black Gate.

"The Gate changed approximately twelve minutes ago."

Seung-ho’s eyes moved toward it.

The blue surface that had previously marked the entrance was completely gone.

In its place was a perfectly black surface that seemed to absorb the surrounding light rather than reflect it.

Even from several dozen meters away, the Gate looked wrong.

Not unstable.

Not collapsing.

Simply... abnormal.

Seung-ho’s expression became serious.

"What happened?"

The security officer took a breath.

"The Gate began showing abnormal activity while two independent Awakeners were inside."

"Abnormal activity?"

"Yes, sir. The internal mana density increased rapidly, and the Gate’s surface gradually changed from blue to black."

He paused.

"We believe it is a confirmed Dungeon Shift."

Seung-ho’s eyes narrowed.

"How long after the two entered did the shift begin?"

"Only a few minutes."

Seung-ho’s expression changed slightly.

"Names?"

The officer checked the tablet in his hands.

"Han Ji Won and Yoon Tae Ho."

He continued.

"Both are registered independent Awakeners."

Seung-ho’s gaze sharpened.

"Ranks?"

The officer swallowed.

"Both are E-Rank."

Silence.

Seung-ho stared at the black Gate.

"E-Rank?"

"Yes, sir."

For the first time since arriving, his expression visibly changed.

The field officer standing beside him looked toward Seung-ho.

"Director..."

Seung-ho didn’t answer immediately.

He walked toward the Gate.

The surrounding security personnel immediately moved aside.

Han Seung-ho stopped in front of the black Gate.

The change was unmistakable.

The blue surface that had once marked an ordinary D-Rank Gate had become completely black, its surface no longer behaving like a conventional dimensional entrance. Faint distortions moved across it, but there was no visible passage beyond the darkness.

Seung-ho’s expression hardened.

"How long since the transformation began?"

"Twelve minutes."

The accompanying officer checked the readings from the reinforced analyzer in his hand.

"The Gate completed the first structural transition approximately three minutes ago."

Seung-ho nodded.

"So it’s already entered the second phase."

"Yes."

The officer turned the display toward him.

"The internal dimensional structure has been completely rewritten. The original dungeon no longer exists in its previous configuration."

Seung-ho studied the readings.

"Current classification?"

"A-Rank."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"Any sign of the original entrance?"

"None."

Seung-ho didn’t appear surprised.

"Then the internal exit has already been severed."

He looked toward the black Gate.

"Once a Dungeon Shift reaches this stage, the original connection cannot be restored from outside."

The officer nodded.

Seung-ho’s gaze remained fixed on the Gate.

"Even an S-Rank Awakener won’t be able to force an entry without risking structural collapse."

"The Gate is actively rejecting external interference. Any attempt to forcibly breach the dimensional barrier would cause a severe reaction."

"There is no point in testing something we already know."

His voice remained calm.

"Keep the Gate untouched."

The officer immediately recorded the order.

"Understood."

Seung-ho looked toward the security perimeter.

For the first time, a trace of concern appeared in his expression.

"How unfortunate."

"Dungeon Shift has escalated exactly as the previous records predicted."

He looked toward the black Gate.

"The original D-Rank environment has been replaced by an A-Rank dungeon, and the final-stage energy signature is consistent with an S-Rank boss."

The officer nodded.

"Yes.

Seung-ho remained silent for several seconds.

Then he raised his communication device.

"Connect me to Chairman Kang."

The secure channel opened almost immediately.

"Kang speaking."

"Chairman, we’ve confirmed a Dungeon Shift."

There was no surprise in Kang’s voice.

"Location?"

"The D-Rank hunting zone on the eastern outskirts of Seoul."

Seung-ho looked toward the black Gate.

"The transformation has progressed beyond the initial phase. The original dungeon structure has been completely replaced, and the internal entrance has already been severed."

Kang was silent for a moment.

"Current classification?"

"A-Rank."

Seung-ho continued without waiting.

"The internal mana density is still rising, and the energy pattern indicates an S-Rank boss."

Kang’s voice became more serious.

"How many people were inside when the shift occurred?"

"Two."

Seung-ho glanced at the entry records.

"Han Ji Won and Yoon Tae Ho. Both are registered E-Rank Awakeners."

There was a brief silence.

"That’s unfortunate."

"Yes."

Seung-ho looked back toward the Gate.

"The sealed phase has already begun. As you know, external dimensional interference is impossible at this stage."

"I know."

Kang’s response was immediate.

"Even an S-Rank attempting to force entry would risk destabilizing the entire Gate."

"Yes."

Seung-ho’s eyes remained fixed on the black surface.

"Keep every Awakener away from the Gate. I don’t want anyone attempting to interfere with the structure."

"Already done."

Seung-ho turned slightly as security personnel continued expanding the restricted perimeter.

"The hunting zone is being evacuated. The second perimeter is already in place, and the response units are moving into position."

"Good."

Another silence followed.

Then Kang spoke.

"What about the people inside?"

Seung-ho’s gaze remained on the black Gate.

"At this point, we can’t assist them directly."

"I understand."

"If the internal structure follows the normal progression, the only way for them to return is to defeat the boss."

"Then their chances of survival are extremely low."

Seung-ho’s voice remained steady.

"Two E-Rank Awakeners have been trapped inside an A-Rank dungeon whose projected boss is S-Rank. They have almost no chance of surviving inside the dungeon."

"The hunting zone is to be closed immediately."

The officer beside him began recording the order.

"Every Gate within the zone?"

"Every Gate."

Seung-ho’s tone left no room for ambiguity.

"The three D-Rank Gates and four E-Rank Gates are all to be placed under emergency closure. Terminate every active expedition and evacuate everyone currently inside."

The officer nodded and immediately began relaying the orders.

"All independent Awakeners and guild parties are to be removed from the area as well."

Seung-ho looked toward the roads surrounding the hunting zone.

"Expand the perimeter far enough that no civilian or unauthorized Awakener can approach the affected Gate."

The officer moved toward the security teams.

"I’ll have the additional checkpoints established."

"Do it."

Seung-ho returned his attention to the black Gate.

"And maintain continuous monitoring of its dimensional output. I want every fluctuation recorded, no matter how insignificant it appears."

"Understood."

Kang spoke again.

"Notify the research division. I want every existing record on Dungeon Shift incidents brought together and compared against the current readings."

Seung-ho nodded.

"I’ll have the data transferred to them immediately."

"This isn’t simply a matter of the two people trapped inside."

Kang’s voice remained calm, but the weight behind it was unmistakable.

"If the phenomenon spreads to the surrounding Gates, we could have multiple dungeons undergoing structural changes simultaneously."

"Which is why we’re shutting the entire zone down."

Seung-ho glanced toward the black surface.

"We can’t afford to give the phenomenon another opportunity to spread."

Kang paused briefly.

"Prepare the emergency response network."

Seung-ho’s expression hardened.

"The S-Rank Awakeners?"

"All available S-Rank Awakeners personnel."

Kang continued before Seung-ho could respond.

"Put the A-Rank and B-Rank response units on standby as well. They aren’t to approach the Gate unless the situation changes, but I want them ready for immediate deployment."

"Understood."

"Medical teams should be positioned outside the evacuation perimeter."

"They’re already being dispatched."

"Good."

Seung-ho checked the latest evacuation report.

"The first perimeter is almost clear. The remaining civilians and Awakeners are being moved out now."

"Keep the evacuation orderly."

"Yes."

Kang fell silent for several seconds.

When he spoke again, his tone had become quieter.

"And the two people inside?"

Seung-ho looked toward the black Gate.

There was no uncertainty in his expression.

"The Association will continue monitoring the Gate for any change that could create an opportunity for intervention."

He paused.

"But until the dimensional structure changes, we cannot safely reach them."

Kang understood the implication.

"They’re on their own."

"For now."

Neither man said anything for several seconds.

There was no need.

Both understood what an A-Rank dungeon meant.

Both understood what an S-Rank boss meant.

And both understood what two E-Rank Awakeners were facing inside.

Kang finally spoke.

"Notify their families."

Seung-ho’s expression softened slightly.

"We’ll handle it discreetly."

"No details beyond what is necessary."

"Understood."

"The public doesn’t need to know that two people are trapped inside an abnormal dungeon until we understand the situation."

Seung-ho nodded.

"We’ll issue a temporary closure notice citing an unidentified Gate abnormality."

"Keep the official explanation simple."

"We will."

Kang paused.

"And Seung-ho."

"Yes?"

"Do not allow anyone to enter that zone."

Seung-ho looked toward the black Gate.

"Even if someone claims they can enter?"

"Especially then."

The Chairman’s voice became firm.

"We don’t know whether this phenomenon is isolated, whether the Gate is still changing, or what would happen if another person attempted to interfere with it."

Seung-ho’s gaze hardened.

"I’ll make sure the order is enforced."

The communication ended.

Seung-ho lowered the device.

Around him, the emergency response was already moving into full operation.

Security personnel sealed the roads leading toward the hunting zone.

Additional barriers were erected around the outer perimeter, while government vehicles blocked access from the surrounding streets.

Awakeners who had been preparing to enter the remaining Gates were ordered to withdraw.

Those already inside were instructed to terminate their hunts immediately and return to the surface.

The three D-Rank Gates and four E-Rank Gates scattered throughout the hunting zone were all placed under emergency closure.

No independent Awakener, guild party, or hunting team would be permitted to enter until further notice.

Research personnel established monitoring stations at a safe distance from the black Gate, recording every fluctuation in its dimensional structure.

Medical teams assembled outside the perimeter.

Emergency response units began taking their assigned positions.

And throughout it all, the black Gate remained motionless.

Its surface no longer resembled the blue dimensional entrance that had stood there earlier that morning.

It was simply a wall of darkness.

Somewhere beyond it, two E-Rank Awakeners were trapped inside an A-Rank dungeon.

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