Ding.
[Rolling…]
The sound was clean—too clean. For a moment, it all felt familiar.
Then—
[Error!]
A jarring crack split across Damien's interface like a digital fracture. The glow around the ticket flared, stuttered, and then pulsed violently as the entire display began to distort.
[System Alert: Authority Interference Detected.]
[Host is currently outside permitted access tier. Error 301-K: Plane Enforcement Breach.]
[Attempting to stabilize reward channel…]
Damien's eyes narrowed.
"…Here we go again."
The lights in the room flickered. Not physically—just perceptually, like reality itself was trying to sync with a different rhythm and failing. He sat up, slowly, and the edges of his vision swam.
The system interface twisted, locking up mid-reel. Static bled through the golden script. Then—
[Reward Rejected by Plane Authorities.]
[Skill Registration Denied.]
[Non-Awakened Entity Cannot Receive Advanced Skill—]
The air shifted.
He didn't breathe. He didn't move.