Point of View: Sylvanas
My office inside the barracks wasn't very large, but it was well furnished. On one of the walls hung a map with the city of Arcadia at its center, the surrounding areas marked with precision. After the congressional meeting, I had intensified the soldiers' training and increased exploration missions.
I hoped I was just being paranoid, but it was better to be cautious than to be caught off guard by an unexpected disaster.
"Commander Sylvanas!" a voice shouted from the hallway.
"Commander Sylvanas!"
Before I could step outside, a soldier burst into my office. He was panting, his uniform disheveled, his face pale, and his eyes wide with panic.
"Apologies for entering without permission, ma'am… but I have something urgent to report."
A bad feeling crawled up my spine.
"What is it, soldier? Speak freely."
"Commander… Arcadia may be in danger."
The words struck me like lightning.
"Repeat what you just said, soldier. And do not exaggerate."
"Commander, I misspoke earlier… Arcadia could be in danger."
I fixed him with a sharp stare.
"Explain yourself."
"To the south, several scouts have discovered strange structures only a few kilometers from the city. They also reported unfamiliar beasts…" His voice trembled.
I stood up and walked toward the map.
"Show me where these structures are."
As I watched him point at the marked locations, I bit my lip.
"That's far too close."
"You're dismissed. Go rest, soldier. I'll handle this."
Before leaving, I ordered that Thistram and the leader be informed. The barracks were close to Arcadia's gates, and I didn't stop to greet anyone. My objective was clear: investigate the nearest location.
As I made my way out, I sensed something following me. What I saw left me unsettled. It wasn't a beast—I was certain of that. It stood on two legs, similar to us in height and shape, yet it was not a Primordial.
Its presence radiated malice.
"Evaluation."
[Abomination: Servant Level]
[Note: The lowest-ranked creature among abominations]
It didn't seem very strong. I decided to test its power.
We stared at each other for a few seconds. Then it let out a guttural roar and charged at me. Its speed was impressive.
I dodged and assessed it quickly. Its blows were heavy, but predictable. It didn't seem to feel pain. No matter how many hits it took, it kept getting back up and attacking again.
"I think that's enough."
I gathered Origin Energy into my bow and released an arrow. The abomination was struck—and instead of falling, it disintegrated without leaving a trace.
The system activated.
[Congratulations. You have destroyed a Servant-level Abomination.]
[Proceeding to grant reward.]
After hesitating for a moment, I accepted. Origin Energy flooded my body, filling every cell. Upon examining myself, I noticed my cultivation had increased slightly.
"How is this possible, system?"
[Reward for eliminating an abomination. A being from an ancient era, when death and horrors roamed freely across the planet.]
I decided to continue forward. A few minutes later, I came across a circular structure supported by pillars covered in strange symbols. From a distance, it looked like a painting, yet something about it felt far too real. Inside the circle, I could see a beautiful landscape.
A desert stretched out beneath an unmoving blue sky, dunes fading into the distance where a golden wall sealed the horizon. Lizards and serpents slithered across the sand, accompanied by sparse vegetation.
Curious, I tossed a stone at the surface. To my astonishment, it passed straight through. I tried with my hand—it went through without resistance. Taking a deep breath, I cautiously stepped inside.
The moment I crossed over, I realized it wasn't a painting at all. It was a completely real world. Hot sand crunched beneath my boots, and a warm wind brushed against my face. In the distance, lizards moved among hardened shrubs and cacti bearing glowing fruits. Origin Energy was palpable in every plant and creature.
[You have entered a Grade Zero Dungeon.]
[Overflow Time: 29 days, 21 hours, 30 seconds.]
[Warning: As an individual above the permitted level, your cultivation will be partially sealed.]
I stood there in silence for a few seconds, staring at the strange world before me. With every step I took, my heart beat faster. One question gnawed at my mind.
"Is this… real?"