The first sign that something was wrong was when the family cat refused to be held.

Eric Bennett noticed that everything around him was starting to feel out of place.

Then one day, when he opened the door to his home, he found that the familiar stairwell had turned into a long corridor.

At both ends of the corridor were twelve identical iron doors.

This is where the story begins.

Henry Cooper said to Eric Bennett, when you gaze into the abyss, the abyss is also gazing into you.

After hearing this, Eric Bennett fell into deep thought, then unzipped his pants in front of the abyss...

Henry Cooper: "...Put your pants back on properly!"

Chapter 1: First Entry Through the Door

　　It was a small mountain village, hidden away by layers upon layers of lush trees.

　　There was only one path leading to the village. Since it had just rained, the path was muddy and treacherous, requiring extra care to walk on.

　　Eric Bennett and a tall young woman were walking along the path. The woman seemed to be of mixed heritage, with deep-set eyes and striking features. She was very tall, even a bit taller than Eric Bennett, and wore a long dress that seemed out of place. Her eyes were brimming with tears, and she sobbed softly, whispering, "Where exactly is this place?"

　　Eric Bennett said, "Where were you before?"

　　The woman replied, "In my bathroom at home."

　　Eric Bennett: "I was in my hallway at home."

　　The woman: "Hallway...?"

　　Eric Bennett looked up at the gloomy sky. "Did you open a door?"

　　The woman seemed to recall something, her expression changing slightly. She said, "Yes."

　　Eric Bennett turned to look at her. "Me too."

　　A gust of wind rustled the leaves on the treetops, making the atmosphere even more silent. Suddenly, light snow began to fall from the sky, as if urging them to hurry, to reach the village ahead—wrapped in dense trees—before nightfall.

　　Through their conversation, Eric Bennett learned that the woman's surname was Ruan, and her name was Grace Cooper.

　　When Eric Bennett heard the name, he was stunned for three seconds, then forced a compliment: "Nice name."

　　Grace Cooper glared at him with her teary eyes and said, "Men are all liars."

　　Eric Bennett: "Huh?"

　　Grace Cooper: "Don't think I haven't read smutty novels."

　　Eric Bennett: "..." It seemed this woman wasn't as delicate as he had imagined. As they walked toward the village, the two exchanged information and learned that both had suddenly appeared in this remote wilderness after opening a door.

　　Grace Cooper had opened the one in her bathroom, Eric Bennett the one in his hallway.

　　"It was a black iron door," Grace Cooper said softly. "No decorations at all. I was still wondering why there was suddenly such a door in my house, but I didn't think much of it and just opened it..."

　　The next second after opening it, they found themselves in this desolate place.

　　Eric Bennett said, "Mine was a black iron door too..." He had just said this when he saw a vague figure appear on the path ahead—a tall figure, probably an adult man.

　　"Hey, brother up ahead!!!" Eric Bennett called out from a distance.

　　The man's steps paused, as if he had heard Eric Bennett's voice.

　　Eric Bennett hurried forward and patted him on the shoulder. "Hello, do you know where this is?"

　　The man turned around, revealing a face full of a thick beard. With his tall, sturdy build, he looked almost like a bear at first glance. "Are you new here?"

　　Eric Bennett: "New... what?"

　　The man said nothing, looking at him, then at the somewhat frightened Grace Cooper behind him. "Come on, I'll explain when we get to the village."

　　Eric Bennett agreed, and the three of them walked toward the village together.

　　It seemed to be winter here. Night fell especially early. Just before arriving, the setting sun had still been hanging in the sky, but in the blink of an eye, only dark clouds and falling snowflakes remained.