New Beginnings

As the final moments of the tutorial's countdown ticked away, Will, Jake, and Qu Quan found themselves standing together in a vast and empty white void. The transition from the tutorial world to this empty expanse left them momentarily disoriented, but the familiar voice of the system soon echoed in their minds.

[Congratulations, challengers Qu Quan, Will, and Jake.]

The system's voice was as robotic as ever, but the tone held a note of recognition.

[Your fellow challenger, Lumen, has emerged victorious over the Apex Mountain Guardian. As members of the same party, you are beneficiaries of his achievement.]

The three friends exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued by the system's words. They had witnessed Lumen's relentless pursuit of knowledge and power throughout the tutorial, but the mention of his victory over the final boss was a revelation.