The Sanak Empire is a nation whose territory stretches across the vast plains southwest of the Leum Mountains. It borders the northern Kingdom of Riaze and the southeastern sands of the Scorch Desert.
At its center sits its capital, a bustling city governed by Emperor Lucius Aurelian Valerius, who is renowned for his strategic mind and unwavering rule.
To the west of its capital lies Kanor, a thriving city known as the Explorer Hub. Explorers from all corners gather here, drawn by the promise of riches and strength.
Kanor, however, is not only an Explorer hub—it also serves as a vital fortress city.
Guarding its entrance is a towering wall, stretching over one hundred kilometers. This grand wall, built through a great expenditure of time and resources, is a testament to the city’s role as both a sanctuary for Explorers and a bulwark against the dangers of the rift beyond.
Like the Sanak Empire, many nations boast their own Explorer Hub, and thanks to this they encourage expeditions to the unknown.
* * *
Outside the city of Kanor, a lone woman roamed. Her short, raven-black hair framed her face and was tied back in a ponytail, accentuating her sharp features—like the edge of a sharp blade.
Dressed in a fitting leather tunic reinforced with metal plating, she moved with the grace of a seasoned warrior, each step purposeful and fluid.
“Finally,” she muttered, arriving at her destination.
Mel stood at the threshold of the massive rift before her, its swirling darkness beckoning ominously. The portal shimmered with an eerie blue light, casting long shadows on the ground. She could feel the weight of the eyes of those behind her, fellow Explorers and the like, all itching to step through and conquer the unknown.
Mel wasn’t new to this. No. She had faced the otherworld before but was always stopped by the sheer demand of the first floor, unable to further advance. The creatures she encountered were powerful, and the otherworld’s vast network of tunnels and traps required not just stamina but wit to properly navigate.
Yet despite that, today she felt as though maybe just maybe she might make some progress and finally advance to the next floor. It might just be wishful thinking on her part, but even so, she could only move forward.
* * *
Mel’s heart pounded in her chest, a mixture of fear and anticipation coursing through her veins.
She took a deep breath before tightening her grip on her short sword, getting a feel for the familiar comfort of its hilt. The leather-bound handle was worn from years of use, a testament to the countless battles she survived.
“Nervous?” a voice called from behind.
Mel turned to see Miria, her friend and party member, approaching with a calm expression.
Miria’s short brown hair was as messy as ever. Her features were delicate as they framed her androgynous face. Despite her features and expressive blue eyes—which often caused people to mistake her for someone younger—there was a keen intelligence in her gaze that marked her as the group’s strategist.
Along with her features, Miria dressed in a simple gray robe laced with black, which was practical for rift exploration, with chain-mail underneath to guard her vitals. In her hand, she held a long, curved wooden curved staff.
“I have to be,” Mel smiled and nodded. “This rift won’t wait for us. Besides, rift hunting pays well.”
Miria sighed but nodded in agreement. While the last comment was unnecessary, it spoke volumes about Mel’s situation and why she always worked so hard.
In a silent gesture of support, Miria placed her hand on Mel’s shoulder.
“Let’s do this, okay? Just don’t push yourself too hard.”
Mel offered a small, reassuring smile back. “I will try.”
The rest of their party soon arrived after.
Moore, with his tousled brown hair and earthy attire, was the first to approach, his rough hands gripping his metal-tipped staff.
Elara, the team’s ranger, followed closely behind, her purple braided hair and brown leather armor matching her class.
Last was Audin, the stalwart tank, his massive form encased in armor—a mix of clerical robes and plated protection that bore the marks of countless battles.
“We’re all set with the preparations,” Moore said, his voice steady. “Just give the word.”
“All right,” Mel nodded, her confidence bolstered by the presence of her comrades. “Let’s move out.”
Being one of the last of the Explorer groups to enter the rift. The group advanced forward with the ease of professionals, their expressions calm and focused.
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With a deep breath, Mel stepped through, her short sword in hand. The air around the rift crackled with energy around her.
She could feel the pull of the rift, an almost physical force tugging at her. She took one last look at the outside world; the once bright sky and green scenery disappeared as she stepped through.
The transition was instantaneous and jarring. One moment she was near the rift entrance, surrounded by Explorers and soldiers, and the next, nothing. As if she were enveloped in darkness.
《You have entered the first floor of the Otherworld.》
* * *
Mel’s eyes adjusted to the dim blue light that lit the inside of the rift ahead.
The inside of the rift was a narrow, winding tunnel, and the walls were lined with veins of dim light. Some thicker, some thinner, spread out in a random pattern, lighting up the corridor. The air was damp and musty, filled with a stale scent.
Mel had heard from Miria about the veins of light in rifts and how they acted as carriers to move mana from one place to the next. A strange phenomenon, she thought.
“Stay close and stay quiet,” Mel instructed as she took the lead beside Elara. The rest of the group quickly fell into formation, their movements silent and efficient.
The party navigated through the initial tunnels with caution, moving from tunnel to tunnel, every sound echoing ominously. Elara led the way, with Mel and the rest of the group behind.
Mel’s senses were on high alert, and her grip on her sword tightened with every step. Moore and Miria took up the rear, their eyes scanning any shift in the concentration of mana.
Suddenly, a growl echoed through a wider tunnel section. The ground beneath their feet trembled, and from the shadows emerged a massive beast, its eyes glowing red and its teeth bared in a feral snarl.
It was easily twice the size of the average explorer, perhaps even larger. Its body was covered in thick, matted brown fur with razor-sharp claws. The strangest part about this beast was the fact that it had two heads.
With a loud, deafening roar, it charged.
The group immediately sprang into action. Moore took in pure mana from within himself and converted it into a spell shaping the ground below the beast, liquefying it into mud.
“O Mother of all soil and stone, Thou who cradle the foundation of life, I beseech thee, open thy heart and soften thy form. Under my hand, let the ground bend and flow—[Liquefying Earth] !”
Once he finished his spell, the beast sank, and almost immediately the rest of the party attacked, releasing a flurry of spells and arrows that rained down on the massive beast.
The beast thrashed furiously, using its fearsome strength to forcibly escape the liquid earth that it was partially submerged in.
“Here we go,” Mel muttered, releasing her sword from its sheath.
Upon freeing itself, the beast charged forward. Audin raised his shield and began to chant.
“By the sacred forces of the heavens, Grant me thy shield of divine light, Form a wall that none shall breach, By my faith, let all be repelled—[Physical Shield] !”
A barrier formed over his shield, creating a pseudo-defensive wall.
The ground trembled with each step, its sheer power intimidating those around it. The beast swiped with a massive paw, sending Audin flying into corridor walls with bone-crushing force.
“Audin! Are you okay?” Elara asked, her voice filled with concern as she glanced back at her fallen comrade.
Audin groaned, his short and blonde beard covered in dust as he struggled to rise. “I’ll live. Just a bit shaken.”
Mel gritted her teeth, stepping forward to cover Audin as he regained his footing.
Mel, with her grip tightening on her sword, darted around the beast, her movements quick and agile.
The two-headed monster roared, turning one head towards her while the other snapped at Elara. Mel used this to her advantage as she nimbly slashed at its exposed flanks with precision using the art of the flowing veil. The blade bit into the beast’s thick hide, eliciting a roar of pain.
“Tch, it’s shallow.” Mel cursed.
Elara, using this chance when the beast was in pain, nocked an arrow and aimed carefully. Her dark brown armor blended seamlessly with the shadows, making her nearly invisible.
“I’ve got your back, Mel,” she called out, releasing the arrow. It flew straight and true, embedding itself in the beast’s right eye.
The monster howled in agony, momentarily blind.
“Nice shot, Elara!” Mel shouted.
The beast, furious, retaliated. It used one head to construct and materialize spears made of stone, while the other unleashed flames and launched an attack.
Behind the front line, Audin began to chant again in an attempt to protect the group.
“By the decree of the heavens, Let divine light spread and shield all before me, Let no force breach this sacred veil! Enshroud and protect—[Mass Barrier] !”
Mana gathered around him, dancing around them like wisps of light, as a semi-transparent barrier formed to serve as a shield to protect the entire group.
Then the attack hit, showering the area with bits of rubble, followed by a change in temperature likely due to a beast’s flame attack.
Miria extended her hands and began to chant, summoning multiple spears of searing flame.
“O flame that dances in the air, Forge thyself into a lance of wrath, Pierce the sky and strike my foe—[Fire Spear] !”
Beside her, Moore, wasted no time and began to chant at the same speed.
“From beneath, the ground awakens, Sharpen thy stone, pierce the heavens, Strike with fury and impale them all—[Earth Spike] !”
The ground bent to his will as the earth beneath the beast erupted in jagged spikes, impaling its legs and impending its movements.
“Now, Miria!” Mel shouted.
Miria, with her spell ready, hurled the fire spears with all her might.
Streaking through the air like blazing shards, it exploded against the bear’s flank. The beast howled in agony, its fur catching fire. Taking advantage of the distraction, Mel and her remaining group pressed the attack with their blades and arrows.
The beast, despite its injuries, fought back with feral intensity. It snapped at the warriors with its massive paws, and with another powerful swipe, it knocked Mel’s shield aside, claws raking across her armor.
“Miria, we need more fire power!” Mel shouted, her voice strained but unyielding.
Miria nodded, sweat pouring down her face as she summoned yet another spell.
Soon, spears of flame launched at the beast, piercing it from all sides. Some remnants of flame dissipated while the rest left burns on its sides. The beast thrashed wildly, its roars echoing through the corridor, but the group pressed their advantage.
“Now, together! Strike it down!”
Audin charged forward, his shield raised. He bashed the beast with all his might, knocking it off balance. As it stumbled, Mel saw her chance. With a powerful leap, she drove her sword deep into the creature’s chest, aiming for the heart. The beast let out a final, deafening roar before collapsing to the ground, its massive body shaking the cavern one last time.
Soon a voice rang, as if congratulating them.
《You have slain a Rank 3 Beast: Twin-head Bear.》
The group stood panting, their breaths visible in the cold air. Ignoring the voice ringing in the air, which soon came with a mysterious energizing feeling, Mel pulled her sword free, its blade slick with dark blood. She wiped it clean before sheathing it again.
“Is everyone okay?” she asked, looking around at her companions.
Audin, now back on his feet, nodded. “I’ll be sore for a while, but I’ll manage.”
Elara laughed, her hearty voice echoing through the tunnel. “Let’s hope the next monster that we encounter is weaker than what we faced. Otherwise, great job, everyone.”
Mel smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over her. “Let’s take a moment to catch our breath and then move on.”