While the great floating island of Nevaramis dominated the dawn sky, its impossible silhouette draping in violet and gold energies, most of its platforms had landed on Merasca.

  I was jumping across rooftops, rushing toward the old mansion, as more platforms began drifting downwards like ancient sentinels.

  Each platform looked like a perfect circle of carved stone, edged with weathered runes that pulsed with soft light. They descended slowly, stopping about twenty feet above various locations throughout the city—the main square, the merchant district, the skyport, and several other strategic points.

  No instructions appeared. No magical announcement. Just silent stone discs hovering expectantly above an increasingly chaotic city.

  I had to reach my girls fast, so I used [Void Step] to speed up my travel.

  My Demonic Sphere cataloged the growing madness around the city—students pouring from inns, professors shouting orders, mercenaries arguing over strategy, and locals gawking skyward with expressions ranging from terror to religious ecstasy.

  Before I knew it, I’d arrived at my destination.

  I found Solara and Lilian already outside the mansion, fully geared and watching the sky. Solara's crimson wings were half-extended beneath her dark cloak, while Lilian's silver hair gleamed in the strange light casting down from above.

  "Finally!" Lilian called as I approached, her ruby eyes flashing with excitement. "We thought you might have gotten lost in your fiancée's fangs!"

  Solara laughed, adjusting her mask. "Did the vampire lady leave enough blood in you for Nevaramis? I mean, after all that dramatic flight practice, it'd be a shame if I had to carry you anyway."

  "Very funny," I replied, tugging my gloves tighter. "But you'll be pleased to know I'm perfectly capable of flying up there myself." Although I doubted we’d need to, given there were platforms to carry us.

  "Yeah, yeah," Lilian snickered, her tail swishing beneath her cloak. "So, what's the plan, youn- Cheonma?"

  I surveyed the chaos spreading through the city streets. Fights were already breaking out near the more centrally located platforms.

  "Those main platforms are going to be war zones," I said, pointing toward the larger gathering spots. "Students, mercenaries, adventurers—all fighting for limited space. We need somewhere quieter."

  Solara nodded, her eyes tracking across the city. "I was observing from the sky earlier and spotted one descending near that old ruined plaza on the eastern outskirts. The one with the broken fountain. It's far enough from the center that most people won't bother with it."

  "Perfect," I agreed. "Let's move before others get the same idea. Ah, and Solara, hide those wings.

  We navigated through back streets and deserted courtyards, steering clear of the main thoroughfares that were jammed with people. The floating platforms had sparked a city-wide frenzy as shops pulled down their shutters, taverns spilled out onto the streets, and guards fought to maintain order as civilians and festival-goers alike jostled for better spots.

  As we reached the eastern quarter, the buildings became more neglected, with fewer crowds and dimmer lighting. The ruined plaza Solara had mentioned came into view—once a grand public space, it was now reduced to cracked flagstones, toppled columns, and a dry fountain whose stone nymphs had long since lost their faces to time and vandalism.

  Sure enough, one of the platforms had descended directly above the center of the plaza, its pale stone glowing softly against the night sky.

  But we weren't alone.

  Five figures stood beneath it, their stances suggesting they'd already claimed the space. There were more coming, but they stayed at a distance, seeing the scary five. Even from this distance, I could make out the floating numbers above their heads.

  [Cora Windcrest, Level 51]

  [Darius Blackthorn, Level 53]

  [Maven Silvertongue, Level 50]

  [Benjamin Firebeard, Level 55]

  [Tharok the Unyielding, Level 57]

  The bearded man, Benjamin, seemed to be their leader, gesturing emphatically while the others created a defensive perimeter around the platform.

  "Adventurers," Lilian whispered beside me. "Looks like they've already staked a claim."

  "Well, they'd better be ready to share," Solara replied, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "That platform looks large enough for at least ten people."

  I sighed, rolling my shoulders. "Let's try diplomacy first. No need for unnecessary conflict."

  We approached openly, our cloaked figures drawing immediate attention. The group turned as one, hands drifting to weapons with practiced ease.

  The leader, Benjamin, stepped forward. His flaming red beard was intricately braided and adorned with small metal trinkets that clinked softly as he moved. A massive battle-axe hung across his back, its edge gleaming wickedly in the platform's light.

  "Well, well," he called, voice rough as gravel. "Look what the night dragged in. Three little shadows thinking they can just waltz up to our platform."

  I stopped at a respectful distance, hands visible at my sides. "We weren’t trying to be sneaky, and there's no need for hostility. The platform appears large enough to accommodate us all. We're simply looking for passage up to Nevaramis."

  The woman, Cora, laughed—a harsh sound devoid of humor. "Hear that, Benjamin? These clowns want to share our ride." Her longbow remained half-drawn, an arrow nocked but pointed downward.

  Benjamin stroked his beard, sizing us up. "Back off, mask-face. This platform's already claimed by the Crimson Blades. We don't share with strangers, especially not with some costumed freaks."

  I remained calm, my voice level. "This is hardly the time for territoriality. The platform is clearly meant for multiple passengers. Let's be reasonable about this."

  "Reasonable?" The largest man, Tharok, stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. His shoulders looked broad enough to carry a cart. "Here's my reasonable response – turn around and find your own way up, or we'll send you up the hard way—in pieces."

  Maven, a slender figure with an unsettling smile, twirled a dagger between nimble fingers. "They look soft, Benjamin. Probably kids playing dress-up. The shifting golden mask is a nice touch, though. Very dramatic."

  I felt Lilian tense beside me, her growl barely contained. Solara's hand brushed against my arm—a warning to stay calm.

  "Last chance," I said quietly, letting out a sigh. "We don't want trouble, but we will board this platform."

  Benjamin laughed, the sound echoing across the empty plaza. "You hear that, boys? The puppet thinks he's threatening us!" He drew his axe in one fluid motion, its edge catching the strange light from above. "Why don't you show us what's under that fancy mask first? Let's see if you're worth our time."

  I glanced at the platform above. No one else had arrived yet, but it wouldn't be long before more participants found this spot. A faint light was shooting up the platform toward the sky, it wasn’t hard to spot when close. Time was running out.

  "I was hoping to avoid this," I said, stepping forward. So much for diplomacy. "But I see subtlety is wasted here."

  Solara chuckled. "Want me to handle them? I could use a warm-up."

  "No," I replied. "I think they need a proper introduction to Cheonma."

  Benjamin sneered, raising his axe. "Big talk from a man hiding behind a mask. Let's see what you've—"

  I didn't let him finish. “[Photon Ring],” my lips moved, and instantly, a circular band of light materialized behind me, spinning rapidly with its mix of Stellar and Destruction Qi. The plaza flooded with its golden radiance as I rose smoothly into the air, hovering several feet above the cracked stones.

  "What in the—" Tharok stumbled back, eyes wide.

  Benjamin recovered quickly, pointing his axe at me. "Some fancy light show doesn't scare the Crimson Blades. Take him down!"

  Cora loosed an arrow that would have pierced my shoulder if I hadn't tilted slightly, letting it whistle past. Maven darted forward with daggers drawn, but I was already moving.

  With the Photon Ring propelling me upward, I rose higher, positioning myself directly above the group. The irony wasn't lost on me—I'd spent days perfecting this technique to reach Nevaramis, only to find the island had provided transportation anyway. Still, it made for an impressive entrance.

  I looked down at their upturned faces, their expressions transitioning from confidence to confusion. Then, I charged up a technique to drop to the ground.

  [True Demon Fist Art, Fifth Form: The Shattering Descent of the Infernal Behemoth].

  I felt Qi surge through my body.

  My fists curled and flared with power, embodying a Behemoth’s might. I shot downward like a falling star, my silhouette framed against Nevaramis's glow. The mercenaries scattered, but they weren't fast enough.

  My impact cratered the plaza floor, sending shockwaves rippling outward. Stone cracked and splintered beneath me as an explosion of controlled force burst in all directions. The concussive blast caught all five adventurers, throwing them backward like rag dolls.

  The magic in the platform flickered for a second due to the sheer force.

  Benjamin slammed into a fallen column, his axe clattering away. Tharok crashed through the remains of a market stall. Cora, Maven, and the fifth member lay stunned across the plaza, their weapons scattered uselessly around them.

  I straightened slowly, dusting debris from my robes. The entire confrontation lasted less than ten seconds. I hadn’t meant to hurt any of them seriously, so I’d only hit the ground. Yet, two of them were unconscious.

  Lilian whistled appreciatively, strolling forward to stand beside me. "Well, that was efficient."

  Solara nodded, her eyes darting to the edges of the plaza where more figures had begun to appear—other participants drawn by the commotion. "And quite a show for our audience."

  I turned to face the newcomers—a mix of adventurers, students, and what appeared to be local mages. They hung back, clearly reassessing the situation after witnessing the short-lived battle.

  "Anyone else wants to contest positions on this platform?" I called, my voice echoing through the ruined space.

  Silence answered me. Several people actually stepped back, hands raised in surrender.

  “Goddammit, w-who is that?” someone whispered, making me smile under the mask. I was gaining a reputation.

  "Thought not," I murmured, gesturing for Solara and Lilian to follow me toward the hovering platform.

  By now, Benjamin was struggling to his feet, blood trickling from a cut above his eye. His companions were similarly disoriented, gathering themselves with groans and winces, except for the two unconscious ones.

  "This isn't over," he growled, though the earlier bravado had drained from his voice.

  I paused, glancing back at him. "It is for tonight. The platform has room for all of us, as I said. However, you’re not allowed to enter anymore. Nobody is. Stay away."

  Without waiting for a response, I stepped into position beneath the platform. Solara and Lilian moved beside me, and immediately the stone circle above pulsed with increased brightness. I felt something scan my presence. Ancient runes along its edge flared to life, and a beam of soft blue light enveloped us.

  I felt my feet leave the ground as the platform's magic took hold, lifting us smoothly upward until we stood upon its surface. The stone felt warm beneath my boots, and as I looked down, I saw intricate patterns spreading outward from our feet.

  For a split second, I wondered if the runes would reject us. Then the light flared, and the platform lifted. Then, magical circuits activated in our presence.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  "It's activating," Solara observed, watching the runes flare brighter.

  The other participants had gathered hurriedly below, but once I flared my Qi a little, they backed off. It was better to lessen the challengers, even if it meant I was no different from Benjamin. No, I was saving their lives from the danger that was Nevaramis.

  The runic circle completed its pattern with a soft chime, and we began to rise toward Nevaramis.

  Merasca shrank beneath us, its lights twinkling like fallen stars as we soared higher into the night. Above, the floating island grew ever larger, its impossible architecture becoming more distinct with each passing moment.

  ****

  The platform's ascent slowed as we approached Nevaramis, giving us our first true glimpse of the legendary floating island.

  The stone disc drifted to a graceful stop at the edge of a vast landing field. As its pale blue light dissipated, we stepped forward into an opening.

  "By the gods," Solara whispered, her voice barely audible beneath her mask.

  I couldn't blame her. The sight before us stole my breath away.

  A massive lake stretched out beyond the landing field, its surface shimmering like liquid silver in the gentle morning light. I hadn't even noticed the transition from night to dawn during our ascent, but now the rising sun bathed everything in a soft golden glow. The water rippled peacefully, untouched by the chaos of our arrival, reflecting perfect clouds that drifted lazily across the impossibly blue sky.

  Surrounding the lake were rolling fields of emerald grass that swayed in a breeze I couldn't feel down here. Small groves of trees with silvery leaves dotted the landscape, their branches reaching toward the sun like eager fingers.

  And across the water, rising majestically against the horizon, stood the city itself.

  "It's beautiful," Lilian murmured, her ruby eyes wide with wonder.

  The city of Nevaramis was like nothing these girls had ever seen. I did though, for I’d played Arcane Crown. Towering spires of pristine white stone reached toward the heavens, their surfaces catching the morning light and gleaming like beacons. Grand colonnaded structures reminiscent of ancient Rome lined wide avenues, while massive domes topped with gold leaf reflected the sun's rays in blinding flashes.

  But unlike any normal city, parts of Nevaramis seemed to defy gravity entirely. Entire sections floated disconnected from the main structures, suspended in mid-air, connected only by bridges of light or narrow stone walkways that appeared to be held aloft by nothing but magic.

  "Look at those," Solara pointed upward. Smaller islands drifted above the city proper, each supporting its own miniature ecosystem—gardens, waterfalls, even tiny pavilions. Flowing water cascaded from some of these floating fragments, falling in graceful ribbons before vanishing into mist halfway down.

  Birds unlike any I'd seen before circled these floating gardens, their plumage catching the light in iridescent flashes of blue and purple. They soared peacefully, unaware or unconcerned with the invasion happening below.

  "It's like something out of a dream," I said, unable to keep the awe from my voice.

  Lilian nudged me playfully. "Careful, Cheonma. Your mask is slipping – both figuratively and literally. Try to act more mysterious, maybe?"

  I adjusted my golden mask, grateful for the reminder. We couldn't afford to lose focus, no matter how magnificent the view.

  "Look," Solara said, drawing our attention back to the landing field. "We've got company."

  More platforms were arriving, depositing groups of excited or anxious participants onto the massive open space. The landing field was rapidly filling with a diverse crowd – some gazing in wonder at their surroundings, others already scanning for advantages or threats.

  Without conscious thought, my Demonic Sphere activated, sweeping through the arriving groups in expanding ripples of awareness.

  I searched for that familiar presence – the cool, controlled Blood Mana that belonged to Nebula. But among the chaotic mixture of auras and energies, I couldn't isolate her yet.

  "See your dirty fiancée?" Lilian asked with a small scowl I could hear even if I couldn't see it beneath her mask.

  "Not yet," I admitted, continuing my scan.

  "Aww, poor Cheonma, missing his little vampire already?" she teased. "It's been what, twenty minutes since you last saw her?"

  Solara chuckled. "Give him a break, Lunardoom. Let the man pine in peace."

  "I'm not pining," I protested, even as my Demonic Sphere continued its search. "I'm being strategic. We need to coordinate."

  "Mhm, 'coordinate.' Is that what the kids are calling it these days?" Lilian's tail swished beneath her cloak, leaning over to hug my arm, pressing her chest against it. “Come on, she’s probably not here yet, let’s enjoy the sight a bit more.”

  I ignored her banter, focusing on the growing crowd. The sheer number of arrivals was becoming daunting. I recognized the organized groups of Waybound students soon, their professors keeping them in neat formations. Professor Katheran stood tall among a cluster of first-years, his sharp eyes constantly surveying the surroundings.

  Elsewhere, mercenary companies and adventurer guilds formed defensive circles, their backs to each other as they eyed the competition warily. Some were already forming tentative alliances, while others maintained aggressive isolation.

  A particularly impressive group caught my attention – mages from the different colored Magic Towers, their ornate staves, and distinctive robes setting them apart. Each of them radiated power that made the air around them shimmer with potential.

  The New Hero Assembly members, prominent in their distinctive gear, were collected beneath banners that fluttered without wind. I spotted the dark elf Selthira among them. Her features were serious as she conversed with another member, her hands moving in quick, precise gestures.

  "This is getting crowded," Solara noted, her wings would have twitched if they weren’t withdrawn right now. "And the competition looks fierce."

  She wasn't wrong. As my Demonic Sphere extended its range, I became aware of the levels surrounding us using [Insight]. Many were in the 6th and 7th Ascension. Formidable, but manageable. But a few were almost 8th Ascension.

  That wasn’t good. Level 150 wasn’t something I wanted to deal with. Wait, there’s a Level 149. That is…

  Something caught my attention – a streak of movement in the sky above. Several figures were descending directly toward Nevaramis, bypassing the platforms entirely. Their auras blazed with power, visible even without my specialized perception.

  "Looks like some chose to bypass the transportation," I muttered, watching as more peak 7th Ascension powerhouses landed gracefully on the far side of the field.

  I squinted, recognizing a few faces among them. My week in Merasca wasn’t a waste, I recognized the legendary adventurers whose exploits had spread across the continent. Their levels hovered near the 8th Ascension, making my stomach sink slightly. If they were allowed to participate, our chances diminished significantly.

  "Wait,” Lilian flinched, squeezing my arm. “What is that—?!" she began, but her words were cut short as a ripple of golden energy suddenly spread across the entire floating island.

  The wave passed through everything—ground, air, people—leaving a tingling sensation in its wake. Conversations halted mid-sentence as everyone turned toward the source of the disturbance.

  Above the center of the lake, the air shimmered and warped. Motes of gold and violet light gathered, swirling in a complex pattern before coalescing into a massive figure that hovered twenty feet above the water's surface.

  The being was clearly female in form, but not human.

  Her body was translucent, revealing intricate patterns of light and energy where organs should have been. Her face was hauntingly beautiful yet unsettling – too perfect, too symmetrical, with eyes that glowed like distant stars. She wore what appeared to be an ancient formal dress, yet it seemed to be made of the same translucent material as her skin, flowing around her in impossible ways. At the same time, she had metallic parts around her body and two metallic stripes on her cheeks.

  An android. A magical artificial intelligence from a bygone era.

  When I played this episode in the game, it made me wonder how such sci-fi things made sense in this setting. It made me curious about this world, about its history.

  "Greetings, Seekers," her voice boomed across the landscape, somehow perfectly clear despite the distance. It did sound a little robotic and booming though. Not fully natural. "Welcome to Nevaramis. This sacred realm is now active."

  The crowd instantly fell silent, all eyes fixed on this otherworldly apparition. Even the birds had stopped their circling, perching on nearby structures as if to listen.

  The android raised a graceful hand, and a beam of golden light swept across the gathered crowd, briefly passing over each person.

  "There seem to be some issues, however. Analyzing..." she continued, her tone neither warm nor cold. "Numerous unauthorized individuals have been detected… According to Code 3A47, the need for extreme measures is unnecessary here. Clarification for guests: This place is only reserved for individuals below Level 100."

  The announcement immediately caused a ripple of confusion through the crowd. Whispers turned to shouts, and people began looking around nervously.

  "Below 100?" Solara whispered. “That's still incredibly high, but I guess that explains why actually strong people didn’t come. They probably knew about such a rule."

  I nodded, feeling a surge of relief knowing we were safely under that limit – I was Level 69, Solara 66, and Lilian's impressive 89 was still well within bounds. An announcement such as this wasn’t given in the game, but now that she said it, I recalled there was a text prompt notifying the player that he’d have to be above Level 50 and below Level 100 to participate.

  Judging by the panic spreading through certain sections of the crowd, not everyone was as happy as us hearing the news.

  The android continued, her voice cutting through the rising commotion: "Ideally, challengers should be at least Level 50. Those below this threshold might experience... undesirable outcomes. But as this is a special circumstance, they’ll be allowed."

  That announcement only increased the frenzy. I saw first-year students clutching each other in panic, their levels nowhere near the suggested minimum. Some had already turned their heads toward the platforms, only to find they had disappeared after depositing their passengers.

  "What does she mean by 'undesirable outcomes'?" Lilian asked, her hand instinctively clutching into fists.

  “Well, I-” Before I could answer, I felt something land on my shoulder – something small and light. Lilian snapped her head toward me and hissed immediately, her fangs visible beneath her mask as she turned toward the intruder.

  A bat. A small bat with intelligent eyes that glinted with something that wasn't animal awareness.

  The creature's form blurred and shifted subtly. While maintaining its position on my shoulder, it revealed its true presence in my Demonic Sphere—Munera Obsidian. Her stats were clearly visible above her head.

  [Munera Obsidian, Level 149]

  She was the Level 149 I sensed earlier. She was dangerously close to reaching the 8th Ascension – far beyond the limits just announced.

  "You! Get off him," Lilian snarled, her werewolf instincts clearly aggravated by the old vampire's presence.

  Munera ignored her completely, turning her bat-form's head directly toward me. "Boy, it seems like I'll be deported soon by the island's administrator," she said hastily, her voice somehow perfectly audible despite coming from a tiny bat. "I should have expected this, hah. Regardless, I need your help. We Obsidians—"

  Before she could finish, the android resumed her announcement:

  "As for the high-level presences above Level 100…. Initiating immediate deportation protocol."

  Munera's eyes narrowed urgently as she clicked her time. "No time. Just talk to Nebula; she knows already. It's a request, not an order, but please consider it. The artifact I’m looking for will benefit us Obsidians greatly—"

  Her tiny form began shimmering with golden energy. “Well, damn. Keep Nebula safe,” she managed to say before the light brightened. Munera vanished entirely, and teleported back down to Merasca.

  "Good riddance," Solara muttered, but the scowling Lilian and I barely heard her.

  All around us, dozens of other individuals were suddenly shimmering with the same golden light before vanishing. The powerful figures I'd spotted earlier were among the first to go, their protests cut short as they were forcibly teleported away. That included Katheran and the rest of the Waybound professors.

  My eyes shifted to the New Hero Assembly. Their bodies were shimmering, and they were shouting among themselves. “Just do it, Selthira! I’ll return the Levels when you come down!” One of them shouted, [Ignarion Emberflare, Level 127], as my Inspect showed.

  What did he mean by that? Levels couldn’t be transferred at will.

  “Argh, fine! Make sure to return them, don’t be annoying like last time, Ignar!” Selthira shouted and touched the man’s face with her hand. Her hand shimmered, and I watched in awe as her levels went down in real-time.

  [Selthira Duskbane, Level 117]

  [Selthira Duskbane, Level 116]

  [Selthira Duskbane, Level 115]

  ….

  [Selthira Duskbane, Level 99]

  That was where it stopped. “You girls can’t see it,” I whispered, “but she just became Level 99.” That wasn’t… normal.

  Must be some Skill or Artifact. I theorized. But still, it must be very powerful to go down a whole Ascension. Also, isn’t that cheating?

  As they’d planned, the golden light vanished from Selthira’s body while remaining the same on her teammates. They encouraged her, cheering as they vanished. Selthira sighed, looked around, and covered her head with her hood. Her body vanished.

  I didn’t bother to track her, turning to the girls. Solara was staring at the incident too, and she locked eyes with me. "...What just happened?”

  Lilian answered for me, “Means our competition got thinned. She’s no danger. By the way, young master, isn’t that the girl who attacked you? Hehe…"

  “Don’t do anything stupid,” I warned her.

  The android spoke up again, so we stopped bickering among ourselves. Her voice carried across the now-smaller crowd. "Next, deporting individuals who arrived uninvited, as well as those who did not use the transportation platforms."

  My heart skipped a beat.

  We exchanged worried glances with Solara and Lilian. After all, we weren't exactly here officially – we'd bypassed the formal invitation process entirely that was sent to Waybound students.

  No, even if it counted me and Solara, Lilian wasn’t registered as a student.

  The android's golden energy washed over the crowd again. I tensed, waiting for the pull of teleportation... but nothing happened to us. Instead, many of the mercenaries and adventurers around us vanished in flashes of light.

  Lilian was fine beside me, too. Whatever the android meant by “uninvited” seemed to not apply to her.

  When the deportation finished, the crowd had thinned dramatically.

  What had been thousands was now reduced to perhaps a thousand competitors. Now that there were fewer people, I had no trouble spotting Nebula standing among the remaining Waybound students, her eyes already searching the crowd. When our gazes met, even at this distance, I felt a connection snap into place. She gave an almost imperceptible nod.

  I also noticed Ha-Yun, although she didn’t notice me. Prince Alaric, Prince Raydar, and Prince Orion were also present. And… Victor. He was there too.

  “Perfect,” the android raised both arms, commanding attention once more. Now that the crowd was more controlled, she finally smiled – a subtle curve of her luminous lips that revealed no emotion behind her translucent face.

  "Now that unqualified individuals have been removed, let's proceed to why you're here. You have been invited for a singular purpose—a challenge."

  Silence descended heavily upon the crowd, eager anticipation gripping everyone. I found myself leaning forward slightly, curious despite myself. I already knew the challenge, and that only made me more curious. More… greedy.

  Her next words resounded dramatically across the water. "Successfully completing this challenge will grant you full [Ownership] and control over Nevaramis."

  Gasps erupted across the gathering, a mix of shock, greed, and disbelief reverberating through the remaining competitors. Students looked at professors in confusion, while seasoned adventurers narrowed their eyes in calculation.

  I exchanged quick glances with Solara and Lilian, their expressions full of shock. Ownership of a legendary floating island? The implications were staggering.

  "Girls," I whispered, a grin slowly spreading across my face. "Did I ever rub it on your faces how incredibly lucky you’re to be in my cult?"

  With my knowledge of the game, this would be a picnic for my group.

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