A Sea of Lights

Keon's boots pressed against the cracked pavement, each step carrying him through the silent ruins of the forgotten road. The night stretched on endlessly, with nothing but the cold breeze and the faint sound of rustling leaves to accompany him.

His cloak swayed slightly as he walked, the fabric brushing against his legs.

His mind felt numb.

How long had he been walking?

It felt like an eternity, his thoughts looping over the same questions.

Where am I even supposed to go?

His legs ached, exhaustion creeping in, but he forced himself forward.

Then—

He saw it.

At first, it was just a faint glow in the distance.

But as he continued, the light became brighter, stretching higher, flickering with warm colors against the dark sky.

A town.

Nestled between hills, small but alive, its lamps and neon signs flickered, illuminating the buildings within.

And beyond it—

A city.

A massive, sprawling behemoth of civilization, its skyline piercing the heavens, buildings towering into the night, drowning in a sea of artificial light.

The sight left Keon stunned, his feet halting as his breath caught in his throat.

This... this is something else.

Compared to the dark, ruined roads behind him, the city was an oasis of brilliance, buzzing with life even at this late hour.

For a long moment, Keon simply stared, as if his mind refused to process what he was seeing.

Then—

A familiar blue screen flickered before his eyes.

> [New Task Assigned]

Use Rift Portal: 20 times a day.

Reward: Void Gazer Mask

Failure: None

Keon blinked.

Then blinked again.

He clicked his tongue, swiping the panel away in annoyance.

"Are you serious?" he muttered, his voice dry.

Twenty times?

That was just overkill.

Not to mention, he had no intention of experimenting with his rift ability right now.

"I need a damn break."

For now, his priorities were simple.

Find shelter.

Get food.

Figure out his next move.

With a sigh, he shook off his exhaustion and began walking toward the town, the glow of its streetlights guiding his path.

Keon's footsteps echoed softly against the empty road as he walked further into town. The dim glow of streetlights flickered above, casting dancing shadows along the cracked pavement. The town wasn't too large, but it was lively enough. Small shops lined the streets, their neon signs humming faintly. Groups of people laughed and chatted near food stalls, while a few others hurried by, lost in their own affairs.

Keon pulled his hood lower, instinctively avoiding attention.

"At least it's not as chaotic as the hideout raid."

His body still ached from all the running, and exhaustion weighed down his limbs. His mind hadn't yet processed everything—the raid, his escape, the strange new system, and now... this town. It felt surreal.

After walking aimlessly for a while, he slowed down near a shop with a large glass window, its lights bright enough to illuminate the sidewalk outside. His gaze drifted toward the reflection staring back at him.

For the first time since waking up in this world, Keon really looked at himself.

The face staring at him from the glass was familiar, yet foreign.

His silver-white hair was unkempt, slightly messy from all the running. His violet eyes, sharp yet holding a quiet intensity, were striking even in the dim light. His features were youthful yet well-defined, almost giving off an effortless charm.

But then, there was the contrast—his dirty cloak, his worn-out boots, the subtle grime from running through sewers and alleys.

To anyone else, he looked like a beggar.

Just as the thought crossed his mind, a gruff voice called out.

"Hey! You!"

Keon turned his head slightly, catching sight of a middle-aged man stepping out of the shop. The man's face was scrunched in irritation, his thinning hair barely concealed under a greasy cap.

"If you're not buying anything, get lost!" the shopkeeper snapped.

Keon blinked. What?

"I don't want beggars hanging around my store. Go loiter somewhere else!"

For a moment, Keon just stared at him.

Then, with a sigh, he glanced at his reflection again—his tired, ragged appearance made it clear why the guy assumed he was a street rat.

"Tch... Whatever." He raised his hands in surrender before turning away.

As he walked off, the shopkeeper muttered something under his breath and went back inside, leaving Keon standing at the edge of the street, exhaling slowly.

"Guess I really look like trash right now."

Still, he had bigger problems.

The town itself wasn't the issue—he needed a place to rest.

Somewhere quiet, hidden.

As he wandered, his feet carried him into a narrow alleyway between two old buildings. The scent of garbage and stale water clung to the air. Piles of trash bags were stacked against the walls, and the flickering streetlamp barely reached inside.

It wasn't ideal—but it was better than nothing.

Without hesitation, Keon stepped further in and, with a tired grunt, let himself fall back onto the trash bags.

His body sank into the soft, uneven pile, and he exhaled deeply.

"Tch... what kind of reincarnation is this?" he muttered, staring up at the patch of dark sky visible between the buildings.

The stars twinkled above, distant and uncaring.

His thoughts drifted.

The raid, his escape, the mysterious system, the contract with the dungeon, his newly unlocked power to travel between worlds...

It was too much.

And yet, despite the mess in his head, his body gave in first.

His breathing slowed.

His eyelids grew heavy.

And there, in an alley filled with garbage and shadows, Keon fell asleep.