The colossal tower loomed before him, its imposing height casting long shadows that seemed to stretch on forever. And around its base, he could sense dozens—no, hundreds—of adventurers. Each one was a pinpoint of energy, some bright and vibrant, others dim and flickering. He could feel their movements, their conversations, their very presence etched into his awareness, like a tapestry of life and power.

Finally, he turned his focus to the armored figure before him. The soldier's rapid heartbeat pounded in Leo's ears, the slight tremor in his stance visible even from a distance. The quickening of his breath caused the air to just barely ripple, a subtle shift that Leo's keen eyes easily detected. All of it painted a clear picture of the man's growing unease.

Satisfied that there was no immediate threat, Leo allowed the intense perception to fade, though he kept a thread of awareness active. The overwhelming sensory input receded, leaving him standing amidst a circle of withered grass, the boundary between vibrant green and lifeless gray stark and unnatural.

Curiosity tempered by caution, Leo approached the armored figure, his enhanced senses still alert for any sign of threat. As he drew closer, the shouting became clearer, resolving into words tinged with authority and frustration.

"Halt! You there! This area is off-limits!" The soldier's voice carried a note of strained authority, betraying a hint of unease.

Leo slowed his approach, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "I apologize, I didn't mean to—"

But something changed. The soldier's posture stiffened, his next words dying in his throat as he truly took in Leo's appearance.

"I—I beg your pardon, sir," the soldier stammered, his bravado dissolving. "I didn't recognize you were a VIP system user."

Leo raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by the abrupt change in tone. "Yes, I am. Is something wrong?"

The soldier swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously. "No, sir. I mean, yes, but... It's just that adventurers aren't allowed to roam the tower grounds. It's in accordance with the Aetheria's World Tower Treaty." He paused, licking his lips. "Even for... someone like yourself."

Leo nodded slowly, processing the information. "I see. I wasn't aware of that rule. Where should I be, then?"

"The tower gate area, sir," the soldier replied, pointing towards a distant structure. "All adventurers must gather there before entering the World Tower."

"Thank you," Leo said, offering a small smile. "I'll head there right away."

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Not until Leo and his companions vanished beyond the horizon did the soldier's rigid stance crumble. His knees gave way, and he sank to the ground, his armor clanking softly as he settled onto the grass. His breath came in ragged gasps, as though he'd sprinted for miles.

"By the gods," he breathed shakily. "I've battled beasts and braved the worst horrors, but that presence... it was unlike anything I've ever known."

The soldier's gaze dropped to the ground, seeking some anchor of normalcy after the encounter. But what he saw made his breath catch in his throat. The grass where Leo had stood was not just flattened—it was withered and gray, as if drained of life energy, contrasting sharply with the vibrant green blades nearby which swayed gently in the breeze.

"The VIP system user," he murmured, eyes wide with a mixture of awe and fear. "It's not just power. It's something else entirely." He reached out a trembling hand to touch the affected grass, half expecting it to crumble to dust at his touch. "Even the grass—which the system typically restores in moments—isn't regenerating. It's like the life force was completely siphoned away."

The soldier slowly pushed himself to his feet, his legs still unsteady. He cast one last glance in the direction Leo had gone, a shiver running down his spine. Whatever power that young man wielded, it was beyond anything he had ever encountered. And as he resumed his patrol, the soldier couldn't shake the feeling that he had just witnessed the beginning of something monumental—something that would shake the very foundations of their world.

As Leo, Ai, and the cats continued their journey towards the designated gathering area, the colossal structure of the World Tower began to materialize on the horizon. With each step, its imposing height became more apparent.

The air around them began to thrum with energy, a palpable excitement that seemed to emanate from the direction of their destination. Soft murmurs reached Leo's ears, growing louder and more distinct as they drew closer. Snippets of conversation floated by - tales of grand adventures, whispers of legendary artifacts, and hushed speculations about the tower's mysteries.

Absently, Leo's hand drifted to his left wrist, his fingers tracing the spot where something seemed to be missing. A frown creased his brow as he tried to recall what it could be, but the memory slipped away like smoke through his fingers.

"Leo," Ai's voice cut through his musings, her tone carrying its usual hint of superiority. She tugged gently at his sleeve, drawing his attention. In her outstretched hand lay a simple hair tie, its presence both mundane and oddly comforting amidst the otherworldly surroundings.

"Thanks," he murmured appreciatively, accepting the hair tie. As they walked, Leo gathered his hair, his fingers working deftly to collect the unruly strands. A few escaped his initial grasp, and he smoothed these back with a practiced motion before securing everything into a neat ponytail.

The act was so normal, so reminiscent of his old life, that for a moment, the strangeness of their situation faded into the background. But reality reasserted itself as they crested a small rise, bringing them within sight of the gathering area.

Hundreds of adventurers milled about—a sea of diverse faces clad in fantastic armor. Weapons of all descriptions glinted in the sunlight, and the air crackled with barely contained magical energy. The scene was a riot of color and motion, a stark contrast to the void they had so recently escaped.

Without warning, a blinding light burst forth from the crowd ahead, casting sharp shadows and halting conversations mid-sentence. The brilliance was immediately followed by a maelstrom—a clash of metal, the sizzle of unleashed magic, and most chillingly, a chorus of agonized screams that made Leo's blood run cold.