The high moon illuminated the deserted road leading to Caelum's Manor. After meeting Caelum’s elite group, he had invited Seun-mi Ho to accompany him home to discuss his future among high-ranking adventurers. Caelum's Manor was located on the outskirts of the city, away from the bustle, near cliffs overlooking the ocean.

As they walked side by side, Seun-mi Ho couldn't help but think about the Dragon Quest. Since he first heard about this mission, it had haunted his mind. This quest was known to be one of the most dangerous, yet also one of the most glorious. Killing an ancient dragon was a feat few adventurers could boast of. And yet, Seun-mi Ho knew that this quest embodied the ultimate ambition for any adventurer aspiring to reach legendary status.

"Here we are," Caelum said, stopping in front of a large stone building. Caelum's Manor was imposing but modest. Built with sturdy materials and adorned with a few simple carvings, it reflected the personality of its owner: powerful but unpretentious.

"Come in," Caelum added, opening the massive door. Seun-mi Ho entered, impressed by the size of the place. The interior was spacious, lit by magical torches floating in the air, casting a soft, soothing glow. The atmosphere was serene, almost in contrast to Caelum’s warrior persona.

"Sit down. We'll have time to talk more," Caelum said, leading Seun-mi Ho to the living room, where a massive wooden table stood at the center. They took their seats, and Caelum poured two glasses of amber liquid.

Though impressed by Caelum’s hospitality, Seun-mi Ho couldn’t stop reflecting on his own ambitions. He knew that the Dragon Quest wasn’t for the faint-hearted, but something inside him pushed him to believe he could overcome it.

"Caelum," he began after taking a sip of his drink, "I have a question... Do you think I could participate in the Dragon Quest with my current level?"

Caelum, who had just set down his glass, paused. His piercing eyes locked onto Seun-mi Ho, as if reassessing him, this time from a different perspective. He let a silence fall before answering.

"Seun-mi Ho, I respect you, you know that. You've shown exceptional abilities for someone of your level, and you’re progressing quickly. But…" He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "The Dragon Quest is not an ordinary mission. Even within our elite group, very few of us are capable of facing an ancient dragon. These creatures are forces of nature. They are not only powerful; they are intelligent, ancient, and capable of destroying entire cities with a single wingbeat."

Seun-mi Ho listened intently, but he couldn't help feeling a touch of frustration. He understood the risks, but he wanted to prove his worth.

"I understand it’s dangerous," he replied calmly, "but I’m willing to take risks. I really want to face this kind of challenge. Even if I’m not S-rank yet, I believe I could contribute to the team."

Caelum shook his head, his gaze softening slightly. "I have no doubt about your worth, but… it’s not a matter of courage or will. It’s about raw power, strategic preparation. At your level 21, you don’t yet have the strength to face a dragon, either alone or in a group. Even S-rank adventurers hesitate before embarking on such a quest."

He paused, then continued, "It’s not that I doubt you, but you’re not ready yet. Even with all the courage in the world, your body, your skills, and even your magic are simply not developed enough to face such a force."

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

Seun-mi Ho looked down, trying to hide his disappointment. He respected Caelum's opinion, but he couldn’t help feeling a pressing need to prove he was more than just a level 21 adventurer. Yet, he knew insisting further would be pointless.

"I understand," he replied finally. "I’ll continue training and strengthening myself. When I’m ready, I’ll come back to you for this quest."

Caelum nodded, satisfied with Seun-mi Ho's response. "That’s all I ask of you. Keep progressing. The path to S-rank is long, but I believe you have the potential to reach it. For now, rest. Tomorrow, you’ll have other missions to prepare for these future challenges."

Caelum stood up and guided Seun-mi Ho to a room upstairs. The room was simple but comfortable, with a large bed covered in thick sheets, a window overlooking the sea, and a small wooden dresser. The soothing atmosphere of the manor seemed to resonate with Seun-mi Ho’s state of mind: calm on the surface, but brimming with ambition inside.

"Rest here tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll discuss your next missions. If you need anything, let me know." Caelum was about to leave, but he turned back to add, "And don’t worry. Your moment will come, Seun-mi Ho. All it takes is patience and hard work."

With those words, Caelum left the room, leaving Seun-mi Ho alone.

[Notification: Information]

As Seun-mi Ho sat on the bed, thinking about all that Caelum had told him, the interface suddenly appeared before his eyes, projecting a new notification.

[Notification Interface: Information]

Heaven Realm is a world made of data. Although concepts of breathing, sleeping, and eating exist in this world, they are not actually necessary for the beings that inhabit it. These needs are illusions created by the system to maintain a semblance of reality, but in truth, every being in Heaven Realm is composed of data, including the soul.

Breathing: Unnecessary for beings of data. This need is an illusion.

Sleeping: Not required. Sleep primarily serves to stabilize the mind, but it’s not vital.

Eating: Not needed for survival. The data body can function indefinitely without real food.

Seun-mi Ho frowned as he read this information. The beings of Heaven Realm did not need to breathe, sleep, or eat? This challenged much of what he had experienced so far. He had always believed these needs were essential, but the interface suggested otherwise.

"So… it’s all just an illusion?" he murmured to himself, thoughtful. If everything in this world was made of data, did that mean his body, his skills, even his emotions, were manipulated by a larger system?

The interface seemed to respond to his thoughts by displaying a new line.

[Additional Note]

The interface exists to satisfy these three factors (breathing, sleeping, eating) without you having to worry about them. Your data body is self-sufficient.

Even your soul is made of data, though it is more complex and harder to understand. The link between body and soul in Heaven Realm is maintained by advanced data structures.

Seun-mi Ho stayed silent, absorbing this new information. The idea that everything was made of data wasn’t entirely new to him. He had already suspected that Heaven Realm was no ordinary world, but these revelations went far beyond what he had anticipated.

"If all of this is true," he thought, "then maybe my physical limits are less real than I thought. Maybe I could surpass them if I learn to understand this system better."

He lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind racing. The interface had shaken his perception of the world, but it also gave him new hope. If he could understand the mechanics of this data-driven world, maybe he could reach levels of power that seemed impossible until now.

The silence of the night gently settled in Caelum’s Manor. Seun-mi Ho closed his eyes, but this time, he wasn’t looking to sleep. He was meditating on these new insights, on what they meant for his future as an adventurer.

"If I am made of data," he thought, "then perhaps I can reprogram some of my limits. I can become stronger, faster, smarter. I just need to understand how..."

Before drifting into a kind of semi-conscious state, he made a promise to himself: he would uncover the secrets of this data-driven world, and with time, he would reach not only S-rank, but perhaps even beyond. He would not be content to follow the world’s rules. He would transcend them.

End of Chapter 28