The four main streets of Orario all gathered at the center, entering the Tower Barrier and leading into the dungeon plaza. The entire dungeon plaza wasn't part of the Dungeon—it was part of the Highway, a fact known only to the Chaos Sovereignty. After all, they were the cause.
Even though the plaza was part of the Highway, the Highway and the Dungeon were still connected. They belonged to the same camp: residents of the Sovereignty.
Around the Tower Barrier, just outside its base—which was the wall—there was a circular highway that surrounded it, connecting the four main streets just outside the Tower Barrier. This, too, was part of the main street.
John passed through the western main street. He didn't enter the dungeon plaza. Instead, he entered the circular highway and then arrived at the southern main street.
Southern Main Street
I followed the street for a while until I saw a large Manor in the distance. I stopped and looked around, searching for an inn. It was already near midnight. Most people at this time were asleep or not accepting guests. In short, it was an inappropriate time.
I found none, so I spread my magic sense. I found one a few kilometers away.
It was a bit far, so I decided not to go there. I slipped into a hidden alley, avoiding the prying eyes of others.
I checked if anyone was around, then activated my magic—Gate of Door.
A door materialized before me.
I grabbed the doorknob, twisted it, and entered. Upon walking in, the door automatically shut itself and disappeared.
This door was a part of ???-level magic. It was crafted by John's own magic and bound to his soul.
After entering one of the doors of Gate of Door, I found myself in an endless flat world, with a size of ???.
This place was just one of the countless dimensions within my Gate of Door. This magic held everything and automatically created anything, adding it to its arsenal and increasing its lethality.
Because of this, I—a person with the strength of a normal guy—could rival a ???-level being with my magic. My strength is currently at a quasi-??? level. Only my magic and Haki are at ???-level, while my physical strength is that of an average person—unless I use magic to enhance it.
I can only use Conqueror's Haki and Observation Haki, both at ??? or possibly beyond. These are the only things I was able to keep upon entering the Old World. I don't know why. I asked the avatar of the Red Planet a while ago.
She explained the reason and only said, "It just is. Nothing more, nothing less."
This dimension I was in is ???-level long in every direction.
It was nothing but an endless flat land with unique biomes, an endless sky, and a huge moon.
This place has only night. The dimension is dark, but not completely—it is illuminated by the gentle glow of the massive moon, glowing vegetation, animals, and crystal formations.
Currently, I was in a biome of a vast field of grass, dotted with glowing flowers. This biome was 40 decillion square light-years (40 decillion ly) wide.
Amidst this vast grassland, there was a cozy wooden cabin. I'd spend the night there.
With a thud, I lay on the soft bed, instinctively removing the bedsheet and exposing the smooth covers, perfectly free of wrinkles. I always did this. After sleeping, I'd use cleaning magic so my scent or sweat wouldn't remain.
My eyes grew heavy, and I fell asleep.
In a certain part of Orario, inside an abandoned building...
A human and a creature met face to face.
"Why are you here, Revis?" said the man with goggles—Dix Perdix, leader of Ikelos Familia and descendant of Daedalus. He was one of the few with access to the artificial Labyrinth beneath Daedalus Street, built by Daedalus himself and his descendants. They were cursed to continue his legacy until death. That legacy was the artificial Labyrinth.
The girl with red hair and a seductive body was Revis—a creature known as a corrupted spirit, the handiwork of a lunatic god who wanted nothing more than to bring discord and destroy Orario.
A delusional dream that would never come true.
After all, an entity known as the Guild was watching them.
The Dark Age only happened because the Guild allowed it—a necessary evil to strengthen the new kings. But if they crossed the line—such as destroying half of Orario or killing too many civilians—the Guild would grip their necks. Escape would be impossible. Death, inevitable.
In the Dark Age, civilian casualties were minimal. Only adventurers suffered heavily. Civilians numbered in the hundreds of thousands, while half of all adventurers—about a million—were wiped out.
"The key?" Revis said with a smirk.
"What key? Be more specific. I have many."
"The hidden hideout in the Dungeon."
"Oh, those. Payment first."
Revis tossed him a sack of rare drop items. Dix checked their quality before handing over a key.
"Why do you need them?" Dix asked.
Revis laughed. "I'm hunting a king."
"Oh, good luck. I hope you won't encounter those two monsters—Nine Hells and the King," Dix said.
One was a magical monster. The other, physical.
"That won't be necessary," Revis replied, then left.
Dix watched her go.
Southern Main Street – Early Morning
I exited my Gate of Door and walked out at the same spot where I had entered the night before.
Outside the alleyway was a bustling road, and in the distance was the highway. A man carrying an axe passed by with a tired look. A group of elves in elegant clothes chatted. A married couple enjoyed a walk. A dwarf hurried off to work. Pretty girls noticed me and winked, mistaking me for a tall Pallum. Children ran around the streets, smiling. Law enforcement patrolled the area.
The city had woken up, and the day had begun.
I was on the street where the Wheat Manor stood. I could see it in the distance, a couple of kilometers away.
I followed the street, observing the lively scenery around me and listening to the noisy sounds of the city.
I walked against the stream of people on the street.
While walking, I noticed most of the girls I passed were beautiful. The most gorgeous could only be described as goddess-like. The standard of beauty here was incredibly high.
I focused on appreciating the beauty around me—but even so, I never let my guard down.
I continued walking toward Wheat Manor, just a couple of kilometers away.