CHAPTER 49: CHAPTER 49 – GATE CAPITAL (PART 3)

Chapter 49 – Gate Capital (Part 3)

The rest of the evening passed without incident, just as the conductor had promised. No more monsters, no sudden disasters—just the rhythmic clatter of the train’s wheels cutting through the quiet of the Lower Earth wilderness.

Zane, however, remained alert. Even if the threat had passed, he kept a constant watch on the landscape flashing by outside, his sharp eyes scanning the distance for anything unusual. That caution, honed through hardship and experience, never truly relaxed.

Still, he didn’t waste the downtime. As the hours ticked by, he used the opportunity to practice his Energy control. With his eyes closed, he sat cross-legged, channeling the flow of power through his body again and again. He’d condense it in his limbs, hold it in his core, then disperse it with precision—repeating the cycle over and over.

This particular training method had been taught to him by Fiora. Her instructions had been clear: constant repetition, precise control, and focus on smooth transitions. Zane had taken her words to heart. And now, after several hours of rigorous practice, he could feel it—his control was getting sharper. His channeling was faster, smoother. The changes were subtle but unmistakable.

Small gains, maybe. But on the longer run, those gains will snowball into something really significant.

"Zane, Zane..."

A soft voice tugged him out of his focus. He opened his eyes slowly, blinking as Elizabeth leaned closer.

"Yes?" he asked, his voice calm but curious.

"L-Look... Look out the window." She pointed eagerly to the side.

Zane turned his head, shifting his gaze to where she was directing—and then he saw it.

Rising out of the distant mist like a structure torn from another world, a colossal tower loomed against the horizon. Even from this far away, its scale was overwhelming. It was cylindrical in shape, attached to the side of a massive mountain, and built from an impossibly dark material—shimmering black like polished obsidian, but somehow more radiant, more alien.

The center of the tower was hollowed out, revealing a wide open space that cut clean through the mountain. Around the base of the mountain sprawled an enormous city, protected by towering walls that ringed it in like a fortress.

"Is that..." Zane’s eyes narrowed, voice caught between awe and disbelief.

"T-The Gate... That’s the Gate!" Elizabeth said, practically breathless.

Zane didn’t reply. He just stared, taking it all in.

’I’ve seen pictures... but seeing it with my own eyes is something else entirely. Just how did they build that into the side of a damn mountain?’

The Gate Capital.

As the name suggested, it was the city that housed the legendary Dimensional Portal—the only known passage between Lower Earth and the world above. That portal had been constructed long ago, during the age when the first Dimensional Knights arrived and claimed this world.

The city had grown around it like armor. Layer after layer of steel and stone. Today, it stood as the largest and most advanced city in the world—both a fortress and a beacon. The heart of Lower Earth.

’The only "safe" way out of this world...’ Zane mused. His eyes remained fixed on the Gate as the train gradually slowed down, descending into a tunnel cut into the mountain’s protective walls.

Inside, everything dimmed.

Then, with a soft hiss, the train eased to a halt at the underground station.

"We’re here!" Elizabeth chirped, practically hopping in place.

"This trip was boring as hell. My back’s killing me." Emilio stomped toward the doors, muttering curses under his breath. "I swear, if I sit for another damn minute, I’ll throw someone out the window."

Zane ignored him. He slung his bag over his shoulder and stepped off the train. A deep breath filled his lungs—cool, slightly metallic air. The station was eerily quiet, just like the one they’d departed from, but this one was even larger. Sleek steel walls, glowing panels, and mechanical sounds echoed in the distance.

The conductor soon appeared, approaching them with his usual calm demeanor.

"Dear candidates," he began, "I am pleased to see you’ve arrived safely. An assigned staff member will soon escort you to your lodging for the evening. The remainder of the candidates are expected to arrive either later today or by tomorrow morning. Once everyone is accounted for, you shall proceed through the portal and depart from Lower Earth."

Zane raised a brow. That detail caught his attention.

’Why the delay? Unless... the candidates are arriving from multiple countries?’

If it were a small number of people, scheduling wouldn’t be this difficult. But if they were staggering arrivals over two days, that meant the number of candidates was bigger than usual.

’More candidates than usual... That explains a lot. I shouldn’t be surprised anymore, not after what I’ve seen. An S-Rank talent. My System. Elizabeth’s mind-reading Stigma. This year is different—far too different to be normal.’

"Now then," the conductor continued, his tone ceremonial, "I bid you good luck. May your journey be long, and may the Dimensions prolong your path."

With those final words, he bowed slightly and departed, leaving the three alone.

A brief silence followed before Zane turned and started walking toward the exit.

"H-Hey! Wait up, Zane!" Elizabeth rushed after him, throwing a brief look over her shoulder at Emilio. The latter watched them with a flicker of something dark behind his eyes.

A thin smirk curved Emilio’s lips.

’They’re getting close... Heh. I think I’m going to enjoy what’s coming next.’ He licked his lips absently before following them out.

As Zane stepped out of the tunnel and into the open city, the world exploded into motion.

The streets were alive.

Cars zipped past in organized chaos, honking and swerving. Massive buildings stretched toward the sky, glowing with electric light. Giant billboards danced with animated ads—flashing weapons, portals, armor, and smiling faces selling things he couldn’t begin to understand.

People filled the sidewalks, a flood of life moving in all directions. It was like stepping into the heart of a storm. Zane could immediately feel the shift in the atmosphere the moment he took a step into this place. It was faster, more urgent, and obviously more active with more people doing more things.

Zane paused, letting the overwhelming sight wash over him.

’The rumors didn’t do this place justice...’

Even as the sun dipped low, the city lit up like it was just getting started. Neon lights flickered across glass towers, painting the streets in shifting colors.

Above it all, in the distance, the Gate itself loomed—silent, immense, and otherworldly. From here, Zane could see more details. The material it was made from shimmered unnaturally, almost as if it were absorbing the light around it.

’That structure... It doesn’t belong here. It doesn’t even look like something this world could create.’

"Z-Zane, look..." Elizabeth nudged him gently, pointing ahead.

A sleek black car glided to a stop in front of them.

Its surface was polished to a mirror sheen, and faint blue lights ran along the edges. The rear door opened with a soft hiss.

Their escort had arrived.

Zane’s eyes narrowed slightly. He exchanged a quick glance with Elizabeth before stepping forward.