The horses continued their slow pace, giving me a chance to observe the town in more detail. It was a place untouched by the modern world, where life moved at a manual, almost primitive rhythm. People worked with their hands, using wooden carts, hand tools, and pulleys. It felt like stepping back into one of the fantasy books I used to read. No sign of any complex machinery or science here. That should have been obvious enough—after all, no genius scientists were likely to be summoned to a world like this.

"The king has forbidden any technological advancements in his kingdom to ensure no weapons of mass destruction are ever made," the messenger suddenly clarified, clearly having picked up on my thoughts. It made sense. While progress could benefit them, it could also lead down a much darker path. The people seemed content enough, though, with no need for such things.

Few even noticed me as I passed through. The villagers were busy with their daily lives—some carrying water from a nearby well, others mending clothes, while a group of children played barefoot in the dirt. A woman in a simple dress handed out bread, smiling warmly at the passersby. It was a simple, slow-moving life, one they seemed to embrace without complaint.

The castle loomed ahead, standing tall on rocky terrain. It was grand, its stone walls gleaming under the sun, solid and unshakable. A fortress that had stood the test of time, and likely wouldn't crumble anytime soon.

As we rode, the guard next to me finally spoke. "Did the outsiders offer you anything?" he asked, his voice low and cautious.

"An old man offered food and drink," I replied. "That's all."

"Did you accept?" he pressed.

"No."

"A wise choice," he nodded approvingly. "They come from a generation of war prisoners the king captured. He offered them no place within the kingdom itself but gave them land to cultivate. They may still hold a grudge. They have no rights over the river, and whatever assistance they need is provided by the kingdom in exchange for their produce."

I realized I'd dodged a potential trap. And maybe, just maybe, the king wasn't as harsh as I'd thought. All the suspicions and doubts swirling in my mind started to settle. Perhaps I had been overthinking things after all.

I asked the question that had been lingering in my mind for what felt like ages. "Are you a player?" I said, directing it at the guard riding the horse beside me.

He didn't respond right away. The silence stretched on, and I didn't push him for an answer. After a while, he spoke, his voice low and steady. "I come from the family of Lord Borus, one of the first king's sworn followers. And yes, I am not immortal. When I pass, my son will take up this duty." He gestured briefly behind us. "It's the same for the one behind us as well."

"So... are there any players here?" I ventured, careful not to press too hard.

"Yes, there are," he replied, without much hesitation this time. "They're mostly nobles, residing comfortably in their mansions."

"Do the-"

"Quiet," he ordered, his tone sharp, leaving no room for further inquiry.

We stopped in front of a sprawling building, its sheer width more impressive than its height. Despite having only two floors, the structure stretched far to either side, occupying an enormous area. The walls were made of pale stone, smooth but weathered, giving the impression that the building had stood here for many years. Large windows lined the upper floor, while the ground floor had fewer, smaller ones, almost as if designed to keep prying eyes away from whatever went on inside. The roof was flat, edged by stone railings that wrapped around the entire structure, and the entrance, marked by a heavy wooden door reinforced with metal bars, stood at the center of it all. It was imposing but functional, clearly meant for official use rather than luxury.

"We'll drop you here," said the guard riding beside me. "Go straight in and explain yourself as a beginner. They'll register your biometrics and give you a temporary refugee pass for now," he explained in a straightforward tone.

I climbed down from the horse, glancing one last time at the guards who remained still, waiting. They watched as I approached the building, their gaze lingering until I stepped inside. Then, without a word, they turned and rode away, leaving me alone to face whatever was next.

The door was heavier than I expected, and as I pushed it open, a loud creaking sound echoed through the room. Inside, a young woman, probably in her twenties, looked up and smiled apologetically.

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"Sorry about the door. We're planning to renovate the building soon," she said, noticing my reaction.

"Oh no, sorry. I didn't mean to make a face," I quickly replied.

"It's completely understandable," she reassured me. "So, how may I help you today?"

"I'm a beginner who came here to seek refuge," I explained.

Her eyebrows raised slightly. "Oh my, it's been what, 13 days since we had a new beginner?" She smiled again, quickly moving on. "Alright, please come over here. I'll need your name and age, and then I'll collect your biometrics."

"Name..." I hesitated for a moment. I didn't want to use my real name in this world, not when I wanted to leave my past behind. "Eldric Zephyris," I finally said. "Age 17."

She noted it down, then gestured toward a table where a soft clay-like pad was placed. "I'll need your handprint," she explained. I pressed my palm into the material, leaving an imprint behind. Next, she pricked my finger with a small needle, collecting a drop of blood on a small parchment square.

"That's it," she said after sealing the blood sample away. "Now, one last thing. Do you plan on staying here or moving on to the next level?"

"I'll have to decide on that," I replied, though I already knew my goal was to move on as soon as I obtained my rune.

"Have you gotten your rune yet?" she asked.

"No."

"Well if that's the case then u might be looking for a place to seek your rune, right? There's a school here," she said, smiling. "It helps both beginners and the people of this world find their rune." Incidentally not only can the players own their rune but so can the beings of this world.

That caught my attention. "How long would it take for me to find my rune if I joined the school?"

She tilted her head, thinking. "I'm not immortal like you, so I can't say for sure. But from what I've seen, I've only witnessed one or two beings get their rune. Based on the data we have, it could take up to 2,000 years."

My jaw nearly hit the floor. "Two thousand years?"

I would've considered it if it took a couple of years at most, but 2,000 years? That’s way too long. I decided to let it slide. "Is there any other method for me to get my rune?" I asked, hoping for an easier path.

"You’ll have to find the rune yourself," she said. "Experts can only teach you and advise you on how to obtain it. You could also try buying a rune, but it’s a matter of luck whether the rune chooses to obey you."

Huhhhhhhhh... I screamed internally. I had assumed a few days of meditation or some basic training would do the trick, but this? This was way more complicated than I expected.

"How can I buy runes?" I asked, clinging to any hope of simplifying the process.

"If you have a rune, you can access the in-game shop and the auction house," she explained. "But since you don’t, I guess your only options are joining the school or asking around the town."

I sighed, feeling the weight of the task growing heavier. "Is there anyone around here who owns a rune? I’d like to ask them about it."

"Umm..." She hesitated, thinking it over. "I’m not sure if you'd be able to meet any rune holders. They’re not really allowed to leave their designated space to avoid conflict."

She paused, as if something had just occurred to her. "There is an old man in town who used to have a rune... He lost it and now he whines about it. People consider him mad, but you might try asking him."

A small glimmer of hope returned. Even if he was mad, maybe he could give me some insight.

"Thank you for your help," I said, turning to leave. Just as I reached the door, the woman's voice called out behind me.

"Wait! You're forgetting your refugee ID card."

I paused and turned back, realizing the oversight. "Right… thanks," I replied, taking the card from her hand.

"Take care," she said with a polite smile.

"Likewise," I nodded before stepping outside, the door creaking shut behind me. The card felt foreign in my hand, a symbol of my new status in this world—temporary, unrooted.

Now, my next task was clear. Time to find that old man, I thought, steeling myself for what might be a long and uncertain search.

I was surprised at how smoothly I had managed to interact with her. I wasn't exactly the social type, yet here I was, handling the conversation like it was nothing. Maybe it was because I still saw them as NPCs, not real people. That thought lingered. If that's the case, is it a good thing or a bad one? I wasn't sure.

Stepping outside, I took a deep breath and began asking the locals for directions. My appearance probably gave me away—I looked a little different, fresher, maybe even naive in their eyes. The cloak I had been given after registration was simple and clean, a stark contrast to the more worn and rugged clothes the villagers wore. I was taller than most of them, my dark hair slightly unkempt, and my posture carried a sense of purpose that marked me as an outsider.

A few people were curious when I mentioned being a beginner, casting me sideways glances or asking how long I'd been here. Some were polite, offering vague advice, but it became clear that most were just used to seeing people like me come and go. I learned to read their eyes—mild interest, nothing more.

Eventually, I ran into a group of players, clearly more seasoned than I was. They stood out with their sharper eyes, confident stances, and the way they carried themselves, almost like they owned the place. I struck up a conversation with one of them, a guy who had been here for what he claimed was nearly two centuries.

"You're a beginner, huh?" he said, grinning. "Don't worry, it gets easier. Most of us just find ways to enjoy ourselves."

"How so?" I asked, curious but wary.

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Well, as long as you don't have a kid, you're good. You don't lose immortality unless a child is born, so plenty of us just... enjoy life. Bang girls, live for the moment. It's not a bad way to pass time."

I kept my face neutral, but inside I couldn't help but feel a mix of disgust and disbelief. Is that really all they strive for after years of being here? It was a sobering reminder that this place, this game, twisted people in more ways than one.

But I wasn't here for that. I had something else to find.