Without hesitation, Aster pressed Log In.
Around him, the white began to fragment, dissolving into a whirlwind of numbers, data, and symbols dancing in the air like phosphorescent lights. Every digit and every letter transformed into a fragment of something greater: wooden walls, stone floors, stained-glass windows. The white gradually gave way to warm colors, and the digital chaos turned into order. In the end, he found himself in a small rustic-looking room, clearly an inn.
The walls were made of rough wood, with sturdy beams supporting the ceiling. On one side, a square window framed a glimpse of morning light, filtered through linen curtains embroidered with floral patterns. A simple yet comfortable bed, with woven wool blankets and a feather-stuffed pillow, occupied the center of the room. A small bedside table held a nearly burnt-out candle, next to a glass of water and a worn-out book. On the floor, a rug decorated with geometric symbols added a touch of color.
Aster got up from the bed, stretching. “So this is where you end up when you respawn…” he thought as he approached the window. He pulled the curtains aside with one hand, letting the morning light flood in, and what he saw took his breath away.
Before him stretched a majestic and lively city, a masterpiece of architecture. The streets, paved with white stone, wound in harmonious curves among buildings of all shapes and sizes. Houses with sloping roofs and balconies overflowing with colorful flowers alternated with towering spires whose pinnacles reflected the sunlight. Everywhere, fantastic details caught the eye: statues of mythical creatures, shimmering fountains gushing crystal-clear water, and open-air markets teeming with merchants and adventurers.
The city was alive with vibrant energy. Carriages drawn by horses with golden manes moved along the main streets, while groups of children played, chasing each other through the alleys. In the distance, the song of a bard accompanied by the sound of a lute could be heard. Stalls of all kinds displayed exotic goods: magical stones glowing with their own light, scrolls engraved with mysterious runes, and weapons adorned with gems.
But what caught his attention the most was a structure that towered above everything else. A colossal tower, so high that its peak disappeared into the clouds. It was an engineering marvel: built from a silvery stone that seemed to pulse with its own light, the tower was adorned with intertwined arches and circular windows that reflected the sun like mirrors. Golden inlays ran along its entire surface, forming intricate patterns that seemed to tell ancient stories.
Aster stood there, mouth agape, fascinated by the majesty of the structure.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
“That must be the Tower of the Celestial Veil…” he murmured, vaguely recalling having read something about it in the guides. That tower was not just a symbol of power and knowledge; it was also a landmark indicating his position.
“I’m in Lirisfont.”
Lirisfont, one of the twelve chief towns of the Farindale Peninsula, also known as the Peninsula of Beginners, because that’s where all new players started. However, Aster had no intention of staying at the inn for long. His only thought was finding Gelsomina.
With his heart filled with determination, he turned away from the window and began preparing for what he knew would be a long and arduous search.
As soon as Aster stepped out of the inn, he found himself immersed in the bustling streets of Lirisfont. Every corner was filled with people and creatures of all kinds: merchants shouting special offers, bards playing enchanting melodies, and adventurers laden with equipment. Aster decided to ask for directions, and his eyes fell on an elderly elf seated on a carved bench beside a shimmering fountain.
The elf had a majestic presence despite his advanced age. His long white hair, tied back in a braided ponytail, gleamed under the sunlight, and his amber-colored eyes radiated ancient wisdom. He wore a linen tunic adorned with golden embroidery that told stories of past eras, and in his hand, he held a wooden staff entwined with small embedded crystals. He was not a player but rather an NPC, as indicated by the label "NPC" floating above his head—one of those characters who populated the world of Encrypted with their stories and knowledge.
Aster approached, inclining his head slightly in a sign of respect. “Good morning, sir. Could you tell me where to find a… um… ‘crystal booth’? I need to contact someone urgently.”
The elf lifted his gaze, studying Aster for a moment, then replied in a deep and melodious voice: “A crystal booth, you say? There’s one not far from here. Follow the main road until you reach the Twin Dragon Fountain, then turn left. You’ll see a transparent cylindrical structure that glows in the sunlight. You can’t miss it.”
“Thank you very much!” Aster replied, smiling as he bid farewell.
Following the directions, he quickly reached the crystal booth. It was a fascinating structure: a transparent crystal column, at least two meters tall, with golden runes etched along its entire surface. At its center, a smaller crystal pulsed slowly with a blue light, almost as if it were alive. Aster stepped into the booth and found himself facing a floating panel with glowing symbols.
With an uncertain hand, he entered Valantz’s Player ID—the equivalent of a phone number in the world of Encrypted—which Laura had given him. He pressed the central symbol to initiate the call, and the crystal began pulsing faster. After a few moments, however, there was no response.
“Maybe he’s busy…” he murmured to himself and tried again. Then once more. Finally, a deep male voice answered on the other end: “Hello?”
Aster cleared his throat, both excited and nervous. “Hi, sorry to bother you. My name is Aster; I’m a friend of Laura’s. She told me you might be able to help me.”
“Laura?” There was a brief silence on the other side, then Valantz’s tone became more relaxed: “Ah, Laura… Yes, I can help you. What do you need?”