Entering the Mysterious World

Indeed, if the Mystic Treasure Realm was truly as dangerous as the tales claimed, it was inevitable that their lives would be placed in jeopardy—or worse, brought to the very brink of death itself.

While the senior Adventurers wanted to temper and test their promising disciples, it still pained them to imagine these precious youths falling into such peril.

These young ones were the future of the Sacred Dragon Kingdom, each carrying the potential to one day become renowned and powerful. Even the loss of the weakest among them would be a heavy blow to the entire kingdom. And though the elders might have wished to guide them personally inside the Mystic Treasure Realm, that was simply impossible due to one peculiar limitation.

Long ago, the Royal Clan had conducted experiments on the Mystic Treasure Realm. They discovered that only those under the age of twenty-five could enter the gateway. They also learned that once sixty young Adventurers had passed through successfully, the portal would abruptly lose all energy. Furthermore, on the thirtieth day after entry, all who survived would suddenly reappear before the gateway, no matter where they were inside.

In all past iterations of the Seven Great Faction Games, the strongest who ever entered had been Scarlet Gold Rank Adventurers. But now—for the first time ever—two Profound Rank youths would set foot in that strange realm.

A 1st Level and a 5th Level Profound Rank.

Naturally, no one dared to ask the princess to do anything for them, which left only Finn as the one the faction masters could muster the courage to entreat.

Finn offered Morris a faint smile and gently shook his head.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot grant your request. The life and death of my fellow Adventurers are not my responsibility. We have no bond; to me, they are strangers—and I am a stranger to them," he said calmly. "Besides, I must focus on my own training. I don't wish to waste my time babysitting them. We are all nearly the same age, hardly infants in need of constant protection. If they truly wish to grow strong in the future, then they will have to rely on themselves."

His tone contained no arrogance, no hint of superiority—just quiet conviction. Even so, the Scarlet Gold Rank youths who heard his reply darkened their expressions and shot him venomous glares.

Finn simply ignored them, his smile unwavering. There was no reason for him to oblige their expectations or waste his effort shielding them.

Morris did not react with anger. Instead, he turned to look at Helbram, his eyes silently pleading.

Of course, Helbram understood that look perfectly well. Morris was hoping he would step in to persuade the boy. But when Helbram saw the resolute light in Finn's gaze—so steady, so final—he could only sigh and shake his head.

Finn was right. If they wished to grow as adventurers, they had to do so by their own strength. They could not always expect someone stronger to shield them from every threat. If they could not stand on their own feet, they would never truly ascend.

Realizing there was nothing more he could do, Morris turned next to Noah, only for Noah to deliberately avert his gaze. His meaning was clear: he would not intervene either.

And so, seeing that there was no persuading the boy, Morris fell silent and abandoned the matter.

After a brief hush, a rich energy suddenly suffused the Floating Island. All present felt its overwhelming tide pressing against their skin, and many unconsciously closed their eyes, savoring its potency.

"Children," Helbram declared, voice ringing clear, "the gateway to the Mystic Treasure Realm is beginning to open. It's time for us to proceed to the site."

He turned and began walking away, the soldiers behind him falling into orderly step without a word.

At his pronouncement, the solemn expressions of many young Adventurers shifted all at once, replaced by eager anticipation. This was the moment they had been waiting for. Of course, some could not help but feel a chill of dread, wondering what would truly await them inside.

They yearned to become stronger—yet they cherished their lives. Most had never once faced a battle where their survival hinged upon a single stroke of luck or skill. They had fought Vicious Beasts, yes, but always of the Third or Fourth Grade, and always under the watchful protection of Profound Rank Adventurers.

This time, however, no such guardians would be at their side. They would have no shield but their own resolve.

Some wavered. Some clenched their teeth. But in the end, no one could bring themselves to retreat.

It would be far more shameful to back down. This was the sort of chance that came but once in a lifetime, and they had no choice but to seize it.

Besides... the thought of the treasures rumored to lie within made their hearts race, their imaginations running wild.

Even if fear still gnawed at them, they were adventurers. To reject such an opportunity would be to betray the very reason they trained and struggled. The heavens themselves had offered this chance—who were they to refuse?

The Royal Clan's party began moving, followed by the Seven Great Factions in an orderly procession. As they walked, the young Adventurers who had been battered in the final rounds of the tournament straightened their torn uniforms and tried to compose themselves.

As Finn advanced alongside the other six members of the Soaring Seven, he could feel their furtive glances. Even now, they still couldn't fully believe they had taken first place—all because of this single youth.

Ashe, for her part, watched him with a tight-lipped scowl. She had challenged him again and again, only to be met each time with calm refusal. Now, knowing the true extent of his power, she finally understood why.

It felt as though he was belittling her.

She was only 5th Level Scarlet Gold Rank, while Finn... Finn had already stepped beyond that boundary. One whole rank higher—and in truth, an entire world apart.

Even the raw strength of his body was overwhelming. And if he chose to unleash his soulforce? The gap would become truly insurmountable.

Yet Ashe refused to give in to despair. Hard as it might be to catch up to him, she believed it was not impossible.

The past few years, she had been complacent—never truly dedicating herself to the path of strength, even as she dreamed of standing at the summit.

Finn felt her searching gaze and offered her a gentle smile.

She froze, then clenched her fists, her irritation plain.

"Why are you smiling like that? Are you mocking me?!" Ashe demanded, her voice rising.

The other members of the Cloud Soaring Sect quickly looked away, pretending not to have heard her outburst.

Lore sighed quietly as he watched Ashe. Once, he had loved her so deeply it had nearly broken him.

He had sworn he would let her go—but each time he looked at her, the old ache in his chest returned.

It wasn't so simple to forget the one who had once held your heart.

Finn tilted his head, his expression guileless as he answered her in a mild tone. "Miss Ashe, why would I laugh at you?"

"Hmph! Even if you are a 5th Level Profound Rank, I won't surrender. One day, I will surpass you—so you'd better be ready! And if you dare to mock me—"

"Little Red, come here!" she called sharply.

The little crimson tiger, which had been napping on Noah's shoulder, blinked awake and soared over to her arms, pausing only to shoot Finn a baleful glare before promptly falling asleep again.

Finn could only shake his head helplessly.

That tiny tiger was, in truth, a Fifth Grade Vicious Beast, its aura comparable to a 6th Level Profound Rank—technically even stronger than himself.

And yet, if it ever came down to a battle, Finn had no doubt he could still win. He had many cards yet hidden up his sleeve.

Not that there would ever be any reason to fight the Six-Winged Enormous Blood Tiger.

In fact, he rather admired the little creature: all it ever did was eat and sleep, yet it had still grown this powerful.

A faint thought drifted through his mind—someday, he wouldn't mind having a companion like that, either.

--

At the very highest point of the Floating Island, an expectant hush had fallen over the crowd gathered around a massive, round stone.

At its center, a dense cluster of radiant energy had begun to form, surrounded by countless ancient runes no one alive could decipher.

The air thrummed with a low crackling sound, and many eyes shone as they beheld the spectacle of the gateway's awakening.

"When you pass through into the Mystic Treasure Realm," Helbram announced gravely, "your senses will be greatly diminished. You will be scattered across different locations. Be cautious—if you recklessly grab for every treasure you see, you may quickly find yourself prey to something lurking nearby. And know this well: fighting over riches is rarely worth the cost."

His stern tone settled over them, and the young Adventurers straightened, their expressions solemn as they stared into the swirling darkness.

This was their first true trial. Their first step onto the path toward everything they had ever dreamed of.

If they could survive this ordeal... then none of them would remain ordinary.

The energy in the air grew richer still, so thick it almost seemed to hum against their skin.

BANG!

A muted explosion boomed across the mountaintop, and the gateway finally sprang wide, a cyclone of black lightning and wind tearing at the edges of reality.

"Young Adventurers of the Sacred Dragon Family," Helbram called out, "you may enter!"

The Royal Clan's youths startled, then quickly composed themselves, every eye fixed on that churning portal.

Diana was the first to move. But as she drew near, she paused and looked back over her shoulder, her gaze finding Finn's.

She smiled—sweet, soft, radiant.

"Finn Doria," she said quietly, "should fate allow us to meet inside the Mystic Treasure Realm... I hope you'll let me explore that world by your side."

Finn did not answer. He merely forced a polite smile.

In truth... he rather hoped he wouldn't run into her at all.

When Diana saw he had no intention of replying, she turned without complaint and stepped into the darkness. In an instant, her graceful figure vanished from sight.

The two princes followed, then the other eight Royal Clan youths.

"The Cloud Soaring Sect has earned the right to enter next," Helbram declared. "Finn Doria—whenever you are ready."

Finn nodded, stepping forward to face his companions.

"Until we meet again—Sect Master Noah, Elder Marcus... Leo, ah, Miss Ashe, Lore... all of you. I hope we cross paths inside," he said with a smile.

He didn't wait for any reply. Without another word, he turned and walked into the storm.

The world spun around him, a force dragging at his senses until he closed his eyes against the vertigo.

And then, after what felt like only a breath, he opened them once more—

—finding himself standing alone in a vast, moonlit forest.

He took a steadying breath, extending his senses... only to find no sign of another soul anywhere near.

"Lord Helbram was right," he murmured. "This place really is... extraordinary."

--

Elsewhere—where rivers of flame burned across a scorched wasteland—two burning eyes suddenly gleamed to life within the darkness.

Their owner remained hidden, but a thrill of anticipation flickered in their depths.

"So... at last… a 5th Level Profound Rank enters this realm… Hm?"

A pause.

"That aura…!"