He pulled up his world map—a massive interface showing the continent of Aetherra Prime, where Veridian Gate was located. But the map extended far beyond that, showing other continents shrouded in fog-of-war, unexplored territories, mysterious islands, floating cities.
So much content. So much he hadn't seen.
Max spotted a large notice board in the central plaza—a community hub where players posted information, advertisements, and discoveries.
He approached it, reading through the various postings:
"GUILD RECRUITMENT – LEVEL 20+ PLAYERS NEEDED FOR WEEKLY RAIDS"
"SELLING: EPIC TIER ARMOR SET – 8,000 GOLD OBO"
"DISCOVERY: HIDDEN QUEST IN THE CRIMSON WASTES – STARTS AT THE OLD MILL"
"WARNING: AVOID THE SHADOWFEN SWAMPS – PLAYER-KILLERS CAMPING THE AREA"
But one posting caught his attention:
"EXPEDITION TO THE IRON FRONTIER – NEWLY DISCOVERED CONTINENT"
"The explorer's guild has confirmed the existence of a new continent northeast of Aetherra Prime. Early scouts report cities never seen before, unique monsters, and potentially new dungeons. Travel time from Veridian Gate: 6-8 hours by airship. Recommended level: 25+. Seeking adventurers to explore and map the region. Contact Captain Reeves at the Harbor District."
A new continent. Max's curiosity was immediately piqued.
Max checked the time: 4:52 PM real-world. He had been playing for over six hours. His body would need a break soon.
But maybe just a quick look at this Harbor District...
He navigated through the city, following the map markers toward the eastern edge of Veridian Gate. The architecture changed as he moved through different districts—from the marble and gold of the premium areas to more industrial, working-class sections near the city's edge.
Finally, he reached the Harbor District.
And stopped in his tracks.
He knew Aetheria was massive, but somehow it hadn't clicked that a landlocked city would have a harbor.
Except Veridian Gate wasn't landlocked. The city extended to the edge of a massive cliff, and beyond that cliff...
The Sky Ocean.
Max stood at a railing, looking out at one of the most breathtaking sights he'd ever seen—virtual or real.
The sky itself had become an ocean. Massive formations of crystallized water floated in the air like islands, connected by waterfalls that flowed upward and sideways, defying gravity. Ships—actual flying ships with sails—navigated through the aerial waterways, their movements graceful despite their size.
Some ships were small, single-person vessels. Others were massive that could hold hundreds of players. They moved through the sky using a combination of wind magic and crystalline engines that glowed with soft blue light.
"First time seeing the Sky Ocean?"
Max turned. An NPC stood beside him—a weathered man in a captain's coat, with gray hair and a scar across his cheek. His nameplate read [Captain Reeves – Explorer's Guild].
"Yeah," Max admitted. "I didn't even know this existed."
"Most players don't venture this far into the city. They stay in the central districts, grinding the same zones over and over." Reeves gestured at the Sky Ocean. "But there's a whole world out there. Continents, islands, civilizations. Places that have nothing to do with leveling or loot—just pure exploration."
"You're the one recruiting for the Iron Frontier expedition?"
Reeves's eyes lit up. "You saw my posting? Interested?"
"Maybe. What exactly is the Iron Frontier?"
"Newly discovered continent, about 2,000 kilometers northeast of here. My scouts found it three days ago—massive landmass, completely unmapped. Early reports suggest it's a higher-level zone, level 40 plus content, with unique architecture and monster types we've never seen before."
"And you're recruiting players to explore it?"
"The Explorer's Guild funds expeditions, but we need capable adventurers to do the actual exploring. We provide transportation, basic supplies, and a share of any valuable discoveries. You keep any loot you find, but we ask that you map the terrain and report significant findings."
A quest notification appeared:
[EXPEDITION QUEST AVAILABLE]
[JOURNEY TO THE IRON FRONTIER]
Difficulty: Rank B
Level Requirement: 25+
Type: Exploration/Discovery
Rewards: Variable based on discoveries, Reputation with Explorer's Guild
Max looked out at the Sky Ocean again, then at the ships preparing for departure.
"When's the next expedition leaving?"
"Tomorrow morning, 8 AM game time. The voyage takes about six hours, and we stay at the Frontier for a minimum of three days—enough time to establish a base camp and do initial exploration."
Three days. That was longer than Max had spent on any single quest or dungeon. But the idea of exploring genuinely new content, of seeing parts of the world that weren't just farming routes...
"I'll think about it," Max said.
Reeves handed him a small item—a [Expedition Voucher].
"If you decide to join, show this at Dock 7 tomorrow morning. We depart at 8 sharp, with or without you."
Max pocketed the voucher and continued exploring the Harbor District. The area was fascinating—a mix of traders, adventurers, sailors, and explorers. NPCs told stories of distant lands, of sea monsters in the Sky Ocean, of islands that appeared and disappeared.
This was what Aetheria could be. Not just a game about grinding levels and clearing dungeons, but a genuine world to explore.
Max found a serene spot on the upper docks and sat, watching the ships navigate the waters of the Sky Ocean. The sun was setting, painting the crystallized water formations in shades of orange and purple.