At the Imperial Grand Castle of Rukenia, one of the many capitals under the Empire's control, the banners of the Empire waved proudly beneath the cold wind.
Rukenia was a region feared and respected across the New World
Unlike the other capitals that focused on trade or military expansion, Rukenia specialized in containment and automated boss farming. Taking advantage of ancient game mechanics left behind after the Great Collapse, the Empire used this region to capture massive raid bosses and harvest rare resources from them.
The castle itself stood like a giant fortress from another age.
Countless towers pierced the sky. Thick walls surrounded the structure like iron mountains. It was said that Before the Great War, old SkyRealm guilds once used this place as final line of defense against monsters and rogue factions and other Guilds.
Now…
It belonged to the Empire.
Rows of soldiers lined the front courtyard in perfect formation.
Some carried rifles from Dominion Frontline.
Others held enchanted swords and staffs from SkyRealm.
The atmosphere was tense, as if everyone was preparing for war.
"Prepare yourselves, soldiers of the Empire!"
A female officer stood at the front of the formation.
Her crimson cape moved with the wind as she rested one hand on the hilt of her sword.
Captain Crixz of Rukenia.
An elite SkyRealm player known for her aggressive swordsmanship and battle-crazed personality. Years ago, she had been recruited directly by the Empire after dominating several high-level guild wars.
Crixz narrowed her eyes toward the horizon.
An airship slowly emerged from the clouds, carrying the silver emblem of the Empire across its armored hull.
"Ah… they're here," she muttered.
As the airship descended, Crixz quietly gripped her sword tighter.
The massive ship lowered itself into the docking area with a loud mechanical hiss.
Inside the airship, a girl leaned lazily near the window.
Pink hair danced wildly in the wind entering through the opening hatch.
"So this is the famous region of Rukenia?" Cass3 asked with excitement.
Behind her stood Led_dz, arms crossed.
"Yep. Can't believe you still remember places from SkyRealm," he replied.
Cass smirked proudly.
"Of course I do. I used to command hundreds of players back when I was still a guild master."
"Yeah," Led answered dryly. "And I was one of the poor guys under your command."
A voice interrupted them.
"You two. Prepare yourselves. We're about to dock."
Crimson Warden stood near the exit of the ship with his arms folded.
"The Grand Master expects results."
"Yes, sir," both answered.
As the airship lowered completely, Cass glanced out the window once more.
A woman stood below waiting for them.
Sword at her side.
Sharp eyes.
Dangerous aura.
"Heh…" Cass smiled. "Interesting."
The airship doors finally opened.
Cass3 stepped out first, followed by Led_dz.
Crimson Warden walked behind them calmly.
Crixz approached the group before giving a respectful bow.
"I'm Captain Crixz of Rukenia. You must be Sir Crimson Warden."
Crimson nodded.
"And these two?" Crixz asked.
"Imperial Officer Led_dz."
"And Officer Cass3."
Crixz's eyes immediately stopped on Cass.
More specifically—
Her appearance.
Her equipment.
The strange magical aura around her.
"…Wait," Crixz said slowly. "You're not from SkyRealm, are you?"
Cass raised an eyebrow.
"What? Yeah, I'm not. So?"
"Ah, right," Crimson Warden interrupted. "I forgot to include it in the report. Cass originally came from Countless Star, though she used to play SkyRealm years ago."
"Hm…"
Crixz looked unconvinced.
Cass noticed immediately.
"What's with that look?"
"No offense," Crixz answered honestly, "I'm just surprised a Starborn player became an officer of the Empire."
Silence.
Then—
Cass's expression twitched.
"…Are you questioning my strength?"
Led immediately sighed.
"Uh oh…"
"You saying I'm weak?" Cass asked coldly.
"Hey, easy now," Led tried calming her down. "We didn't come here to start a fight."
"Stay out of this, Led."
CRACK!
A bolt of lightning exploded beside Cass as a magic staff appeared in her hand.
The soldiers behind Crixz immediately panicked.
"Oh no…"
"Captain Crixz is getting excited again."
"This is bad."
"Someone stop them before the courtyard gets destroyed!"
Even Led looked nervous.
"Sir Crimson… shouldn't we stop this?"
Crimson Warden simply folded his arms.
"No need."
"Huh?"
"They'll figure it out themselves."
Meanwhile—
The tension between the two women exploded.
Cass pointed her glowing staff forward.
Crixz slowly unsheathed her sword with a grin.
"Oh? Fancy sword you got there," Cass mocked.
"Too bad I'm gonna stain it with your blood," Crixz replied with a laugh.
"Captain Crixz, please stop this—"
One of the officers beside her tried intervening, but Crixz ignored him completely.
Around them, soldiers whispered excitedly.
"So that's a Countless Star player…"
"You think she's strong?"
"I heard their magic systems are broken."
"Please," another soldier scoffed. "Captain Crixz is a complete battle maniac."
The courtyard became louder as everyone argued about who would win.
Then—
Both girls moved.
Cass lowered her stance while mana surged around her body.
Crixz raised her sword and grinned wildly.
But before either could attack—
Clap. Clap.
A slow clap echoed across the courtyard.
"Well, well… looks like everyone's here."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Crixz turned around immediately.
A man wearing the black military uniform of the Empire slowly approached them.
"Sir Treq?" she said in surprise.
The moment Crixz looked away—
Cass moved.
BOOM!
Dust exploded beneath her feet as she dashed forward at incredible speed.
Crixz's instincts screamed.
She quickly turned back—
But Cass was already in front of her.
Crixz swung her sword immediately.
Cass dodged effortlessly.
Then grabbed the blade itself with one hand.
A glowing magic circle formed around her left arm.
"Is this all you've got?" Cass smirked.
She aimed directly at Crixz's stomach.
BOOM!
A blast of compressed mana exploded point-blank.
The shockwave sent Crixz flying backward across the courtyard.
But at the last second—
CLANG!
She blocked the attack with her sword.
Sliding across the ground, Crixz slowly stood back up.
"…Not bad," she admitted while wiping blood from the corner of her mouth.
Then she smiled.
A dangerous smile.
"Now I'm getting excited."
Both of them dashed forward again.
Sword and staff about to collide—
But suddenly—
A cold chill ran down their spines.
Two hands quietly landed on their shoulders.
Neither of them sensed him approaching.
"I think that's enough… wouldn't you agree?"
Treq stood behind them calmly.
Cass's eyes widened slightly.
What the hell…?
I didn't even sense him…
Even Crixz looked stunned.
At the same time, Crimson Warden finally spoke.
"That's enough, Cass. Back in formation."
"…Tch. Fine."
Cass clicked her tongue before stepping back beside Led_dz.
Though she continued glaring at Crixz the entire time.
Led let out a nervous laugh.
"To think you still have the skills of an old SkyRealm guild leader…"
Cass smirked proudly.
"Of course. Don't forget who carried your raids back then."
"Haha… yeah…"
Then Led glanced toward the black-uniformed man standing in the center of the courtyard.
"…But seriously."
"Who exactly is that guy?"