"When countless stars fall into a single sky, chaos births opportunity."
— Nexus System Broadcast
[Location: Grand Nexus Lobby – Interdimensional Hub]
The Grand Nexus Lobby was a place unlike any other—a boundless convergence point where beings from billions of worlds gathered. It was a circular platform the size of a small continent, floating within a spiraling cosmos of drifting cities, glowing constellations, and shifting gateways.
At its center stood the Nexus Pillar, a living tower of light and system code, constantly adapting to the entities interacting with it. Holograms of trading booths, guild recruitment banners, classified mission boards, and auction houses danced through the air.
System Notice:
"Welcome to the Grand Nexus Lobby. All races, factions, and systems are granted temporary equilibrium. Hostile actions are disabled. Communication, trade, organization, and exploration are encouraged."
This lobby acted as a neutral ground—a cosmic marketplace, headquarters, and conference center. Every participant in the Ascension Realms had access to it, but the degree of interaction and privilege depended on their World Rank, Authority Level, and Lobby Access Tier.
[Lobby Features & System Mechanics]
1. Universal Trading Hall
Uses a universal currency called Nex Credits (NXC)
Exchange rates based on a player's influence, faction rank, and system power
Allows safe, cross-world trades of items, skill books, territory blueprints, and summon contracts
2. Cross-World Communication Hub
Users can create communication tags
Public Channels, Private Rooms, Guild Broadcasts
Messaging via thought-linked interface (mental whispers)
3. Event Dome
Random system-wide events occur here:
Limited Dungeon Portals
PvP Exhibition Matches
Territory Showcase Battles
System Announcements (World-Ending Threats, Global Quests)
4. Organization Registry
Allows faction/guild creation and registration
Options to form alliances, vassal states, or merchant routes
Hierarchy Board shows top 100 factions per category: Military, Trade, Research, Expansion
5. Memory Archives
Purchase simulations of past events, legendary fights, and world creation blueprints
Some require puzzle-solving or secret currency: Forgotten Shards
6. Lobby Rifts
Hidden portals only visible to EX-tier talents or special keys
Lead to side realms, forgotten domains, or Origin Sigil trials
[Mystery: The Infinite Door]
At the edge of the Grand Nexus Lobby floated a massive door made of starlight and stone. No one had opened it.
"He who walks through the Infinite Door must trade a world for a question."
Rumors claimed it connected to the Architect of Systems, the original creator of all realms. Others whispered that walking through the door removed you from the system entirely—granting freedom, or oblivion.
Only three individuals had ever been recognized by the door. Two disappeared forever. The third became a System Error, hunted by all realms.
Aric's [Nexus Core] pulsed when he neared it.
System Alert:
"You are not yet eligible. Seek your second Origin Sigil."
[Player Interactions & Lobby Dynamics]
Aric used this opportunity to:
Trade skill tomes for summoning crystals
Recruit two new allies via an allied House
Observe a mock battle between two Kingdom-tier guilds
Leave a clone stationed in the Guild Registry to monitor rankings
He also learned that:
The Syndicate faction known as Crimson Veil had started mass-bribing emerging territories
The mysterious entity 'Null Crown' had recruited 3 SSS-tier summon bearers
A continent-sized domain named Sanctum Obelisk was actively hunting Sigil bearers
[Closing Scene]
As Aric left the Event Dome, a fragment of data struck his mind—
A System Ghost, a remnant of a player long deleted, whispered a warning.
"When the Lobby burns, the Infinite Door opens. Beware the fifth trial."
The stars shimmered above, and a new global event flashed across the sky:
System Global Alert:
"Nexus War Phase I Begins in 36 Hours. All factions must declare allegiance or neutrality."
And the countdown began.
End of Chapter 12