I set out early in the morning, the first light of dawn casting a soft, golden glow over everything. As I approached the base of the hill, the ground beneath me was a mix of dew-speckled grass and scattered wildflowers. The forest surrounding the hill was like an inviting green sea, its towering trees creating a natural canopy that let the sunlight filter through in dappled patterns.

Stepping into the woods, I was immediately struck by the cool, crisp air. The faint scent of pine and earth filled my lungs. The place was alive with sound—birds chirping their melodious tunes, leaves rustling in the breeze, and the occasional snap of twigs underfoot. Small creatures darted between the underbrush, their movements quick and elusive.

The forest was enchanting. Ancient trees with gnarled roots and wide, spreading branches formed a natural archway over the path. Vines and moss clung to their trunks, giving the place a sense of timelessness. Sunlight pierced through the canopy now and then, illuminating patches of vibrant fungi and delicate ferns that thrived in the filtered light.

As I climbed higher, I took my time, absorbing the serene beauty around me. The light played on the leaves, the murmur of a nearby brook added a soothing background noise, and the earthy aroma of the forest seemed to deepen with each step. Every now and then, I stopped to catch my breath and take in the view, watching as the forest stretched out below me like an endless green sea.

The final stretch to the summit was steeper, but the effort was worth it. When I finally reached the top, I was met with a panoramic view of the landscape. Rolling hills, distant mountains, and the vast expanse of forest lay bathed in the warm glow of the rising sun.

From this vantage point, I noticed a few castles scattered across the distance, their stone towers standing out against the horizon. Among them, one castle was notably larger and more prominent. It seemed to dominate the view, suggesting it might be a significant town or even a kingdom.

I wasn't surprised by the sight, given that the messenger had described this world—this level—as having been created eons ago. I wondered how many had completed the game and become deities. "Its Zero" it replied. This was surprising. Eons of time had been spent introducing new players like me, yet not a single one had managed to beat the game.

I decided to approach the kingdom. If staying in a place like this was an option, the game didn't seem so bad after all. The messenger remained silent, so I asked if it could provide information on other players' statistics or a general history of the levels. "No," it replied. "I've only been assigned to guide beginners like you. I don't share information about other players or levels."

From the hilltop, the descent to the nearest castle revealed a landscape rich in both natural splendor and creeping disrepair. The path began as a narrow trail, winding through a forest where the trees seemed to grow even denser and older. Each step downward brought me into deeper shadows cast by the towering giants of the woods, their canopies intertwining to form a green, vaulted ceiling.

The air was fragrant with the mixed scents of damp earth and the faint perfume of wildflowers. I paused by a gentle brook that ran alongside the trail. Its water was remarkably clear, and I could see smooth pebbles and the occasional darting fish beneath the surface. Dragonflies, their wings shimmering with iridescence, flitted above the brook, occasionally dipping down to skim the water. I watched them with fascination, contemplating whether such creatures existed in my own world or if they were unique to this realm's rich, untamed beauty.

The forest floor was a tapestry of life. Ancient oaks, their trunks thick and knotted, loomed like silent sentinels. Their bark, rough and gnarled, was etched with the passage of countless years. I ran my fingers over the surface of one such tree, feeling the deep ridges and the cool, damp texture beneath. The sensation was grounding, a reminder of the agelessness of this world compared to the transient nature of my own.

As I continued, the forest began to change subtly. The undergrowth thinned, revealing patches of vibrant flora that seemed almost otherworldly. I encountered clusters of flowers with colors more vivid and patterns more intricate than any I had seen before. One particular bloom caught my eye—a striking flower with petals of deep blue and speckled gold, unlike anything from my previous experiences. I marveled at its beauty and wondered if such exotic plants existed in my world or if they were unique to this game's fantastical design.

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A soft rustling in the bushes drew my attention, and I turned to see a small fox peering at me with cautious curiosity. Its fur was a rich, reddish-brown, and its eyes held an intelligent gleam. For a moment, it seemed to weigh my presence before it vanished into the underbrush with a graceful bound. The brief encounter was a reminder of the wildness that still thrived in this realm, untouched by human hands.

As I pressed on, the dense forest gradually opened up, and the outline of the castle grew more distinct against the horizon. The castle stood as a formidable structure, its stone walls partially obscured by creeping ivy and encroaching vegetation. The once-grand battlements now lay in disrepair, their stones weathered and cracked, giving the castle an air of forsaken grandeur.

Approaching the castle, I felt a mix of anticipation and solemnity. The structure, though clearly abandoned, had an imposing presence. It seemed to hold within its walls the echoes of its past—stories of glory now intertwined with the silent encroachment of nature. I resolved to explore its deserted corridors, hoping to uncover any remnants of its history and the secrets it might still harbor.

I approached the messenger, seeking information about the castle's past. "You mentioned that you only assist at the beginning. Can you tell me what happened to the owners of this castle?"

The messenger's tone shifted, taking on a more solemn quality. "They perished, of course. This castle was constructed by a party of five who were summoned here many ages ago. They decided to forgo the game and instead establish their own domain. With a skilled engineer among them, the construction was relatively straightforward. Other like-minded parties joined in, contributing to the project."

I inquired further, "So, even older individuals are summoned here?"

"Yes," the messenger confirmed. "Their age is irrelevant if their fate leads them here. The engineer's fate was to design and build this castle."

"What happened to them?" I asked.

The messenger hesitated before responding, "The party was ultimately undone by internal strife. Despite the level's appearance of peace, the pursuit of power led to conflict. Only two of them survived— a man who didnt seek the throne and a girl. She was only fourteen when summoned and gave birth to their child at twenty-three."

I listened without reacting. "And what became of them?"

The messenger continued, "The man went into the woods and never came back. The woman, unable to cope with the loss and the situation, committed suicide by jumping into a river. The child, left alone, perished from starvation."

I made no comment, simply processing the information. "And the castle?" I asked.

"The castle was among the first constructed, though it was smaller compared to later structures," the messenger explained. "The blueprints left by the original builder were discovered by later parties, who used them to build the other castles."

I inquired, "Is there currently a thriving kingdom in this world?"

The messenger's response was deliberate. "Yes, there is a kingdom that stands out. It went through a trial much like many others—a war with rival castles and other parties. However, this conflict ended sooner than expected, and the majority of its people managed to survive."

My curiosity piqued, I pressed on. "How did they manage to come out of the conflict relatively unscathed?"

The messenger began to elaborate. "The survival of this kingdom can largely be attributed to a pivotal figure: the first person to harness his rune. This individual, by channeling the power of his rune, achieved a level of strength that far exceeded that of ordinary beings. His abilities were far beyond what anyone else could muster."

I absorbed this information with keen interest. "So, this person used the power of the rune to bring the war to an end and subsequently established himself as the kingdom's first king?"

"That is correct," the messenger confirmed. "The rune granted him extraordinary power, allowing him to decisively end the conflict. His newfound strength enabled him to unify the kingdom and secure his position as The Ruler."

I contemplated this. "Are there currently individuals in that kingdom who also possess rune stones? If there are, it might be beneficial for me to find my own rune sooner by learning from them or seeking their guidance." I assumed that everyone who awakened their rune would instinctively advance to the next level.

"Yes," the messenger replied. "There are indeed individuals with rune stones within that kingdom."

A smile formed on my face as I considered the implications. "In that case, the path forward seems clear. My next move will be to journey to this kingdom."