The apartment felt quiet, but not the good kind of quiet. It was the kind that made every small sound stand out. The ticking clock on the wall, the low hum of the fridge, and the sound of Uncle Welp turning the pages of a book all pressed against my ears. I sat on the couch, staring at nothing, letting my thoughts drift the way they always did.
Uncle Welp suddenly closed his book and looked at me. His eyes were calm, but sharp, like he was already thinking ten steps ahead.
"Nixxin," he said, "do you have many friends at school?"
The question hit me harder than I expected. I didn't answer right away. My fingers tightened against the fabric of my pants, and I felt my chest grow a little heavy. Friends. That word felt strange, like something that didn't really belong to me.
"…No," I finally said. "Not really."
Uncle Welp didn't laugh, didn't sigh, didn't tell me that was sad. He just nodded slowly.
"I see," he replied.
That was it. No lecture. No pity. Somehow, that made it worse.
I stood up soon after and told him I was going out for a walk. He didn't stop me. The moment I stepped outside, the noise of the city rushed toward me like a wave. Cars passed by in the distance, their engines growling low. People talked as they walked, their voices mixing together until none of the words made sense. Even though the streets weren't crowded and traffic wasn't heavy, the sound never really stopped.
It felt like the world refused to be silent.
I walked without thinking much, my hands in my pockets, my eyes drifting from building to building. After some time, I found myself at the train station. The smell of metal and oil filled the air, and the ground vibrated as a train arrived. I bought a ticket without hesitation.
Destination: Vasora, Region 11.
The train ride was long. Buildings slowly disappeared, replaced by empty land, hills, and thick trees. The sound of the train moving along the tracks echoed inside the cabin, steady and dull. I leaned my head against the window and watched the world change.
When I arrived, the air felt different. Cooler. Heavier. Vasora Region 11 was nothing like Nova Terra. No tall buildings. No bright signs. Just forest. Dense, endless forest that stretched in every direction.
Tall trees blocked most of the light, and the ground was covered with roots and fallen leaves. The forest was quiet, but not peaceful. It felt like it was watching me.
There was a reason I came here.
I think I'm special.
The thought came again, crawling into my mind like it always did. When I looked at the stars, they seemed to shine brighter for me. When I was younger, things came easily to me, too easily. Strength, skill, understanding. People noticed. People whispered.
Maybe I really am the main character or I just have a main character syndrome.
As soon as the thought formed, another voice answered it.
"You're thinking about it again," Datora said, their voice calm but firm. "You should stop."
I kept walking, stepping over roots and broken branches.
"If I wasn't important," I said quietly, "why would all of this happen to me?"
"The gates. The altar. The power," Datora replied. "Those things don't mean you're above others. They mean you're involved. There's a difference."
I clenched my teeth.
"One day," Datora continued, "this pride will make you fall."
I didn't answer. I didn't want to hear it.
Then I felt something wrong.
The ground felt disturbed. The air carried strange sounds—metal hitting stone, low voices, machines running. My steps slowed as my eyes narrowed.
Mining.
Illegal mining.
This region was known for Olivine and Quartz, rare and valuable minerals hidden deep underground. Mining here was forbidden. Uncle Welp had said it clearly. Still, people came anyway. And the government did nothing. They didn't ask why so many miners entered Region 11. They didn't care that many never returned.
If no one stops this… then I will.
I moved faster. The forest was thick, almost impossible to move through normally, but my body responded without thought. I jumped over fallen trees, pushed off rocks, and cleared wide gaps in the ground. Leaves rustled loudly beneath me, branches snapping as I passed.
When I reached an open area, I stopped.
I raised my hand and focused.
Light gathered in my palm, forming the Blessed Eye Key. Its shape became clear as energy flowed into it. Without hesitation, I turned it forward and opened Datora's Gate.
The gate appeared in midair, tearing open space itself. It didn't matter that there was nothing there before. It always answered me.
Ardent stepped through.
Their presence alone made the air feel heavy.
"What do you want?" Ardent asked.
I met their eyes. "Search the entire region. If you see people mining, take them to the Land of Diligence."
Ardent nodded once. "Understood."
They vanished into the forest, moving faster than I could follow.
I exhaled and sat down on a large rock. My body relaxed, but my mind didn't. Time passed slowly. I stared at the sky through gaps in the trees, watching clouds drift by. Eventually, a maid from the Land of Diligence appeared quietly and handed me fruits. I ate without speaking, listening to the forest breathe.
Then—
BOOM.
The explosion shook the ground, sending birds flying into the sky. I jumped up and rushed toward the sound, my heart pounding. By the time I arrived, it was already over.
Miners lay unconscious on the ground. Their machines were broken, scattered everywhere. Ardent stood in the center, untouched, calm. One by one, the miners were sent through the gate and vanished.
I stood there, staring.
They're strong… way stronger than I thought.
Something twisted in my chest. Pride. Shock. Maybe fear.
After everything was done, I returned home. That night, I played games to distract myself, but boredom crept in fast. My fingers moved on their own, but my mind was empty.
"This place is boring," I said. "There's nothing challenging here."
The room went silent.
Then Grandpa slammed his hand on the table.
The sound echoed sharply.
He was angry. I could see it in his face, in the tight jaw, in the way his eyes avoided mine. He thought I was being arrogant. Maybe I was. He didn't say anything, but the tension filled the room.
Uncle Welp finally spoke.
"After you graduate high school," he said, "we'll leave this place."
I looked up. "This is my last year, right?"
"Yes," he replied. "It is."
I didn't ask where we were going. But I trusted him.