Leo stood up, inhaling deeply. The air hit him like a wall of sensation. Rich earth beneath his feet. Pine needles sharp and clean. Wildflowers sweet on his tongue.
And something else.
A crisp, salty tang danced on the breeze. It didn't belong here, not with the forest scents. His brow furrowed as he scanned the tree line. The vegetation pulsed with a faint glow, magic humming in the very air.
What is that smell?
The mystery tugged at his mind. His enhanced senses listed each note, each layer of the complex bouquet. He breathed deeper, chasing that elusive scent.
While Leo lost himself in the sensory feast, Ai's sharp gaze caught movement at their feet. The two white cats had escaped their cocoon. They explored with typical feline curiosity, paws sinking into springy grass.
Tickling.
Stalking.
Playing.
"Leo," Ai called out, her tone touched with rare amusement. "Your cats seem quite taken with this place."
But Leo remained distant. The forest scents filled every pore. Each breath brought new discoveries that held his attention like a spell.
Ai watched the cats paw at the grass. One batted at a dandelion. Seeds scattered into the air, gossamer wisps dancing on the breeze. The other crouched low, tail twitching as it stalked through verdant blades.
Barely audible.
Natural.
Real.
"Fascinating," Ai murmured. Her analytical mind noted how the cats behaved like their non-magical kin. "Even as constructs, they retain such instincts."
One cat flopped onto its back, rolling with abandon. White fur stark against green. The other pounced at a butterfly, missing by inches as the insect fluttered away unharmed.
Ai's lips quirked in a rare smile. "Leo," she tried again, louder this time. "I believe your cats are finding this environment quite stimulating."
The soft rustle caught Leo's attention. Musical rhythm in grass and paws. He blinked, shaking his head to clear the fog. A soft chuckle escaped him as he watched their play.
"Well, at least they're having fun," Leo replied. He scratched one cat's ear, the fur soft and downy. A contented purr rumbled from its chest.
While Leo played, Ai's eyes narrowed. Beneath his feet, the grass lost its vibrant hue. Fading to dull, ashen gray. A silent testament to something unseen.
The change sent a soft rustle through the blades. As if the plant life recoiled at his touch. Ai filed this away, gears turning in her mind. Now wasn't the time to mention it.
A distant shout jarred Leo from his reverie. Authority laced with urgency, cutting through the peace like a blade. His instincts sharpened. He squinted against the warm glow, searching.
Through dappled light, he spotted a figure in the distance. Armor caught the sunlight, scattering it in all directions. They waved their arms with broad, insistent gestures. The words were lost in the breeze.
Alarm.
Warning.
Danger.
Leo's eyes narrowed, his body tensing. Hair stood on end. Acting on instinct, he invoked the skill.
Elf's Perception.
The sound hit him first. Grass crackling beneath his feet, desiccating in a perfect circle.
Then the flood came.
Birds chirping became a deafening chorus. Every trill and tweet pierced his eardrums like needles. He could hear distant breaths, hearts beating like war drums. The rhythm reverberated through his body.
Weapons clanking.
Leaves rustling.
Insects moving.
All of it crashed into his mind like a tidal wave. Each sensation assaulted his heightened perception. The sharp scent of crushed foliage filled his nostrils, earthy and tinged with magic's stinging bite. He could taste the energy in the air.
Leo gritted his teeth against the assault. He focused his mind, already familiar with this overwhelming flood. He directed his attention to what mattered.
The adventurers.
Everything else faded into background noise. Muted but present, like a symphony playing just beyond reach.
The colossal tower loomed before him. Its imposing height cast shadows that stretched on forever. Around its base, he sensed them.
Dozens. No. Hundreds.
Each adventurer was a pinpoint of energy. Some bright and vibrant. Others dim and flickering. He could feel their movements, their conversations, their very presence etched into his awareness like a tapestry of life and power.
Leo turned his focus to the armored figure. The soldier's heartbeat pounded in his ears, rapid and loud. A slight tremor in his stance. The quickening breath caused air to ripple, subtle but clear to Leo's keen eyes.
Growing unease painted a clear picture.
Satisfied there was no immediate threat, Leo let the intense perception fade. A thread of awareness remained active. The overwhelming sensory input receded, leaving him standing in a circle of withered grass.
He approached the figure, his enhanced senses alert for any sign of threat. The shouting became clearer as he drew closer. Words tinged with authority and frustration.
"Halt! You there! This area is off-limits!" The soldier's voice carried strained authority, betraying unease.
Leo slowed his approach, raising his hands in peace. "I apologize, I didn't mean to—"
Something changed.
The soldier's posture stiffened. His next words died in his throat as he took in Leo's appearance.
"I—I beg your pardon, sir," the soldier stammered. His bravado dissolved. "I didn't recognize you were a VIP system user."
Leo raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by the change in tone. "Yes, I am. Is something wrong?"
The soldier swallowed hard. His Adam's apple bobbed nervously. "No, sir. I mean, yes, but..." He paused, licking his lips.
"Adventurers aren't allowed to roam the tower grounds. It's in accordance with the Aetheria's World Tower Treaty. Even for someone like yourself."
Leo nodded slowly, processing the information. "I see. I wasn't aware of that rule. Where should I be, then?"
"The tower gate area, sir," the soldier replied, pointing toward a distant structure. "All adventurers must gather there before entering the World Tower."
"Thank you," Leo said, offering a small smile. "I'll head there right away."
Not until Leo and his companions vanished beyond the horizon did the soldier's rigid stance crumble. His knees gave way. He sank to the ground, armor clanking softly as he settled onto grass. His breath came in ragged gasps.
Like he'd sprinted for miles.
"By the gods," he breathed shakily. "I've battled beasts and braved the worst horrors, but that presence..." His voice trailed off. "It was unlike anything I've ever known."
The soldier's gaze dropped to the ground, seeking normalcy after the encounter. What he saw made his breath catch. The grass where Leo had stood wasn't just flattened.
Withered.
Gray.
Drained of life energy.
It contrasted sharply with the vibrant green blades nearby, which swayed gently in the breeze.
"The VIP system user," he murmured. Eyes wide with awe and fear.
"He's something else entirely."
He reached out a trembling hand to touch the affected grass, half expecting it to crumble to dust. "Even the grass, which the tower typically restores in moments, isn't regenerating. It's like the life force was completely siphoned away."
The soldier slowly pushed himself to his feet. His legs remained unsteady. He cast one last glance in Leo's direction, a shiver running down his spine. Whatever power that young man wielded, it was beyond anything he had ever encountered.
Something monumental.
Something that would shake the foundations of their world.
As Leo, Ai, and the cats continued their journey toward the gathering area, the gate towers materialized on the horizon. With each step, their imposing height became more apparent.
The air around them thrummed with energy. Unmistakable excitement emanated from their destination. Soft murmurs reached Leo's ears, growing louder and more distinct as they drew closer. Snippets of conversation floated by.
Tales of grand adventures.
Whispers of legendary artifacts.
Hushed speculations about the tower's mysteries.
Absently, Leo's hand drifted to his left wrist. His fingers traced the spot where something seemed to be missing. A frown creased his brow as he tried to recall what it could be, but the memory slipped away like smoke through his fingers.
"Leo," Ai's voice cut through his musings. Her tone carried its usual hint of superiority. She tugged gently at his sleeve, drawing his attention. In her outstretched hand lay a simple hair tie, its presence both mundane and oddly comforting.
"Thanks," he murmured, accepting the hair tie. As they walked, Leo gathered his hair, fingers working to collect the unruly strands. A few escaped his initial grasp. He smoothed these back with practiced motions before securing everything into a neat ponytail.
The act was so normal.
So reminiscent of his old life on the farm.
For a moment, the strangeness of their situation faded into the background. But reality reasserted itself as they crested a small rise, bringing them within sight of the gathering area.
Hundreds of adventurers milled about. A sea of diverse faces clad in fantastic armor. Weapons of all descriptions glinted in sunlight, and the air sparkled with barely contained magical energy. The scene was a riot of color and motion, contrast to the void they had so recently escaped.
Without warning, blinding light burst forth from the crowd ahead. It cast sharp shadows and halted conversations mid-sentence. The brilliance was immediately followed by a maelstrom.
A clash of metal.
The sizzle of unleashed magic.
And most chillingly, a chorus of agonized screams that made Leo's blood run cold.