Chapter 1

Gaia was resting peacefully in a small hut deep within the forest when a sudden, powerful pounding erupted in her chest. It was an uneasy feeling she couldn’t ignore, as though something dreadful was about to happen. She quickly got to her feet and searched for something to cover her face. A piece of cloth hung over the back of a bamboo chair. She grabbed it, wrapped it around her face, and stepped outside.

She headed straight toward the Hell Entrance—a gateway that would open today. That was the source of the relentless pounding in her chest. Somehow, she felt inexplicably connected to that place.

Moments later, Gaia arrived at the entrance. Even from a distance, she could feel the violent winds raging around it. The furious crash of waves against the cliffs echoed through the air. She gripped the trunk of a nearby tree to steady herself, waiting for nature’s fury to subside. Only then would she make her move.

It was her duty to ensure that no one entering the Kingdom of Forbideria posed a threat. As the Premier Guard of the Dooms Gate—the barrier that protected the kingdom from intruders—that responsibility belonged to her alone.

When the winds finally calmed, Gaia spotted a ship floating near the gateway. It appeared to be deserted. She guessed it had been swept into the Hell Entrance by the raging sea.

Without hesitation, she dove into the water to search for survivors.

Her efforts were not in vain.

She found a man drifting beneath the surface, unconscious and slowly sinking. She swam toward him as fast as she could, caught hold of him, and pulled him up. Just as she thought he was the only survivor, she noticed another man nearby. He, too, was unconscious, sinking deeper into the water.

Gaia carried the first man to shore before plunging back into the sea to rescue the second stranger.

Where did he go?

Finding the second man proved much harder. She surfaced repeatedly for air before diving again and again until she finally spotted him lying motionless beneath the water.

There you are. You certainly made me work for it, stranger.

She swam toward him at full speed, grabbed his hand, and pulled him upward. She had assumed he was completely unconscious, but to her surprise, she felt his fingers weakly tighten around hers. His eyes fluttered open for a brief moment before his grip loosened, and he slipped back into unconsciousness.

Once both men were safely on shore, Gaia checked their pulses. They were stable and no longer in immediate danger.

“Where in the world did these two come from?” she murmured in confusion.

Their clothing was unlike anything she had ever seen in Forbideria. The white-and-blue outfits resembled military uniforms, making it obvious they were not from the kingdom. She searched them carefully until she found identification badges attached to their uniforms.

“Now I know why they’re here,” she whispered. “They’ve come to Forbideria with a purpose.”

Just then, she noticed the hand of the second man twitch ever so slightly. Thinking he was about to wake up, Gaia quickly hid behind a large boulder.

Before he could regain consciousness, hurried footsteps approached.

“There are trespassers inside Forbideria!” shouted Trey, the captain leading the patrol. “Inform the Premier Guard immediately! Hurry!”

“Yes, sir!” the other guards answered before rushing off.

“Arrest those two and throw them into prison until the Premier Guard gives further orders.”

The guards lifted the unconscious men and carried them away. Gaia silently watched until they disappeared from sight.

She returned to her hut, changed into different clothes, and stepped outside once more. Sitting on the roots of a nearby tree, she didn’t have to wait long before a young woman approached.

The woman looked exactly like her.

It was Tana—her twin sister.

That was why Gaia always concealed her face whenever Tana was outside. Twins were forbidden in Forbideria, and if anyone discovered Tana’s existence, both of them would be in grave danger.

“How was your day, Tana?” Gaia asked. “Which part of the kingdom did you visit this time?”

Tana sighed as she sat beside her. She folded her hands behind her head and leaned comfortably against the tree.

“I went to the last division of Forbideria and saw how terrible the conditions in Atar have become. But something confused me. The people kept avoiding me the moment they saw my face. Some even said I was the bad omen responsible for Atar’s suffering.” She turned toward Gaia with a puzzled look. “Were they talking about you? Why do they think you’re cursed? You’re the Premier Guard who’s helping Atar recover, aren’t you? Why would they treat you that way?”

Gaia looked away.

She couldn’t bring herself to tell her sister the truth.

The reason people considered her cursed was a secret she had carried for years. Even now, she had found no way to rid herself of it, and it continued to torment her.

“Don’t worry about it, Tana,” Gaia replied softly. “I have to leave now. Stay inside the hut until I return. It’s dangerous outside. If someone sees us together, you’ll be in danger. Just wait for me before you go out again.”

“All right, Gaia. I’ll remember.”

Gaia smiled faintly before saying goodbye.

She had barely gotten far from the hut when an unbearable pain suddenly engulfed her body.

She collapsed to her knees, clutching herself as waves of agony coursed through every muscle.

“P-Please... not now,” she pleaded in a trembling whisper.

It felt as though the air was being ripped from her lungs. She had no idea where she would find the strength to stand again. Her vision blurred, yet she fought with everything she had to stay conscious. She drew several deep breaths, and little by little, the pain eased.

When she finally regained enough strength, Gaia stood and returned to the Dooms Gate to resume her duties as Premier Guard.

Before reaching her command tent, she encountered Trey.

“Premier,” he greeted respectfully.

She acknowledged him with a nod before entering the tent.

“What happened while I was away?” she asked as she took her seat.

“Premier, two strangers entered the Dooms Gate earlier today. Their clothing is suspicious. We believe they may have been sent by our enemies as spies.”

“Where are they now?” she asked, despite already knowing the answer.

“We imprisoned them while awaiting your orders. What should we do with them? Throw them into the Black Hole... or leave them to rot in prison?”

“Neither,” Gaia answered firmly. “Bring them before me. I’ll decide their fate myself.”

“As you command, Premier.”

Trey turned to leave but suddenly stopped.

“I almost forgot. A letter arrived from the castle earlier today.” He handed her a sealed envelope.

“Thank you. You may go.”

After Trey left, Gaia broke the seal and unfolded the letter.

The moment she read its contents, her hands clenched into tight fists. Rage boiled inside her.

It was a threat.

You don’t have to show off just to climb higher. None of it will matter when you die. You’ll always remain beneath everyone else’s eyes. Run while you still have the chance.