The trial platform dissolved beneath my feet like smoke caught in the wind. I didn't fall—I drifted, pulled by some invisible force. The world turned inside out. The last thing I saw before everything faded was the blade in my hand—Azure Fang, humming with untamed lightning.
When my feet finally touched solid ground again, I stood in the middle of an open field.
But it wasn't Earth.
It wasn't anything like Earth.
Vanterra.
The sky above stretched wide and endless, dyed in strange hues—blues, violets, streaks of aurora dancing across the heavens. Twin moons hung in the sky, one cracked like a shattered marble. Massive creatures—winged beasts, too far to be real—soared across the atmosphere, leaving trails of fire in their wake.
I stood in awe.
Beneath me, the field stretched far and wide, dotted with ancient ruins and spires. Trees taller than skyscrapers rustled softly, glowing slightly under the strange sunlight. Floating islands shimmered on the horizon. And beyond all of that, at the farthest edge of the land, was a black tower that scraped the clouds—ominous and silent.
[Welcome, Aiden Kuro. You have entered the Region of Elaris: The First Frontier.]Current Zone: Beginner's Plains – Danger Level: LowQuests Available: 3New Objective: Reach a Settlement – 0/1
I had barely recovered from the trials, and the System already had its claws in me again. But strangely, I wasn't afraid anymore.
I was curious.
"Okay, Vanterra…" I muttered, gripping Azure Fang as it hung at my side. "Let's see what you've got."
A Few Hours Later
I'd walked for miles through a forest of crystal-laced trees. Nothing attacked me—yet. But I saw signs. Claw marks in tree trunks. Burned patches of grass. Bones. The world was beautiful, yes, but it hunted the weak.
Occasionally, I caught flickers of other players—or people like me. Some sprinted past in armor, their weapons gleaming. Others moved in groups, carefully managing food and gear. I was alone, but I wasn't the only one chosen.
Somewhere ahead, I saw smoke.
And beyond that—civilization.
The Outpost of Emberfall
The settlement wasn't what I expected.
A tall wooden wall surrounded it, with armed guards on the towers. Not medieval—more like high-fantasy-tech. Their armor shimmered with mana runes, and the gates opened with a mechanical hiss. There were shops built from smooth stone and glowing wood, strange creatures tied like horses outside inns, and people everywhere—NPCs and players alike.
I passed a group of adventurers arguing over loot. A vendor was selling low-tier potions, yelling about a discount. A little girl walked by with a floating orb carrying her groceries.
It was chaotic.
And alive.
[New Location Discovered: Emberfall Outpost]Population: 310 (64 Players | 246 Locals)Faction Control: NeutralDanger Level: None
I was still reading the data when someone shoved me from behind.
"Watch it, newbie," a guy growled, walking past in full armor, sword on his back. His party laughed as they followed him.
I ignored them—but not because I was scared.
Because I knew something they didn't.
I was built for more than just surviving.
I was here to ascend.
The Adventurer's Guild
Inside Emberfall's largest building, the Guild Hall buzzed with activity. Quests scrolled across glowing boards. A huge, scarred man stood behind the counter, arms crossed.
"You're new," he said the moment I stepped up.
"Just arrived," I replied.
He eyed me. "You've got the mark. Chosen type. System-bonded."
"Yeah."
He nodded slowly. "You'll die fast if you don't learn the rules. Here's your starter packet."
[Item Acquired: Beginner's Guild License][Quest Log Unlocked][Guild Support Access Granted]
"First quest's easy," the man added. "Scout the southern ruins. Kill any wild fauna you find. Return before dusk."
[Quest Received: Echoes of the Past – Rank F]Objective: Eliminate 5 Wild Echo HoundsReward: 80 XP | 10 Silver | Healing Vial (Tier I)
I accepted the quest.
It was time to take my first real step.
South of Emberfall
The ruins were quiet at first. Crumbling stone walls, broken columns, overgrown with vines. But the moment I entered the heart of the ruin, I heard them—howls. Sharp. Echoing.
The Echo Hounds came in fast.
Glowing eyes. Distorted voices. Their barks sounded like twisted whispers.
I readied Azure Fang.
They lunged.
The first one got close—I slashed through it with Arc Flash, and lightning surged through its form. It exploded in a burst of static.
Another leapt from behind—I spun and struck low, severing its limbs.
Three more charged. I activated Shock Pulse, knocking them back, then finished with a blade spin through the two closest.
I was moving like I had trained for this all my life.
But I hadn't.
The System was teaching me as I moved. Letting my instincts adjust in real-time. I wasn't just learning—I was evolving.
[+80 XP][Quest Complete: Echoes of the Past][Azure Fang Leveled Up: Arc Flash (Lv. 2)][Level Up – Level 3 Reached]
Back at Emberfall
The sun was setting when I returned. I handed in the quest. Got my first silver. Even bought a mana potion.
But what stuck with me most… was what I saw as I left the Guild Hall.
A group of new arrivals, bloodied and terrified, arguing over who let a monster kill their teammate.
Not everyone made it back.
And this was just the beginner zone.
Vanterra was no game. It didn't care who you were.
But I wasn't here to play safe.
I was here to climb.
To rise.
To ascend.