Beast Realms: Eternal Dominion was one of the most popular VR games in the world. In it, players could explore vast realms, each inhabited by unique monsters, and battle powerful beasts to obtain spirit beast companions. The starting point of the game was a town where players could find spell smiths, weaponsmiths, blacksmiths, spirit beast merchants, and more.
At the center of it all stood a Tower—a colossal structure with one hundred levels.
It was the Beast Tower—familiar, yet impossibly vast. In the game, it had been impressive. Here, it was godlike. The way it shimmered, the weight it seemed to press against the sky—this was no mere structure. This was something alive.
Each floor presented a deadly challenge, and conquering it would earn the player a pass to enter one of the Beast Realms.
Surrounding the Beast Tower were hundreds of these Beast Realm Gates—glowing archways that shimmered as people passed between them, moving from one Beast Realm to another with practiced ease.
The lobby served as the game's hub—a place where players could prepare, purchase equipment, and access the Tower and the gateway to the Beast Realms.
But the one thing that made him speechless was the city in front of them, as it was something else entirely.
"What the hell is this place?" he muttered, stunned.
Terr followed his gaze and laughed. "Beautiful, isn't it? This is the Beast City. Come on, we have to enter the city before night comes."
From the gateway of the Racha Realm, they passed through an open field toward a busy hub where dozens of people entered and exited the realm's boundary. There were guards stationed at the checkpoints towards the gateway.
The small town in the game is merely a dollhouse compared to this.
Wein glanced around in awe. Surrounding the Beast Tower were hundreds of realm gates—this was just the outermost edge of the Ratcha Realm.
When they finally arrived at the Beast City, Wein's eyes widened further. In the game, this had been nothing more than a small town. But now, it had grown into a sprawling metropolis.
He saw massive buildings, towering shops, and streets crowded with people in robes, armor, and combat suits. The city buzzed with life, filled with merchants, adventurers, and beast riders.
As they rode through the streets, Wein noticed people staring at him. Some whispered, some openly gawked.
Terr finally paused and turned to Wein, placing a palm to his forehead in realization. "Ah—how could I forget? Younger brother, we need to get you new clothes. I know a great shop nearby."
"Is that really necessary, brother?" Wein asked, a little embarrassed.
Since Wein discovered Terr was only a year older than him, they had started calling each other brothers, growing comfortable with the term.
Terr raised an eyebrow. "Necessary? Of course. You look ridiculous, walking around in those clothes. Also, it's indecent."
'My pajamas aren't indecent—they're hella comfortable! You're the one sweating in that thick robe,' Wein grumbled in his head.
But of course, he didn't say that out loud.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
"But… I don't have any money, big brother."
Terr grinned. "Don't worry about that. I can cover you. Or if you want to keep things fair between us, I can buy your share of the Ratcha beasts in exchange."
Wein nodded. "Brothers or not, it's best to keep trades clean. You can buy them all."
Besides, he might need the money later.
"Perfect! Let's drop these beasts off first, then we'll head to the Central Alliance," Terr said, satisfied.
Wein agreed easily. "I'll leave the arrangements to you."
As they continued, Terr suddenly asked, "By the way, little brother—you said you lost your memory. Do you even know what your current level is?"
Level? There are levels here too? How does that work?
Wein shook his head. "I don't."
Terr smiled and rolled up his sleeve, revealing a glowing tattoo on his upper arm. The number 9 was imprinted in a curving, ancient text, shimmering with silvery threads.
"This is how we track our levels here. After you conquer a floor in the Beast Tower, you earn this mark. It's proof of your achievement—and your pass to enter the corresponding Beast Realm. The number changes as you progress. See? I'm currently Level Nine. I'm planning to challenge Level Ten soon—that's why I needed to hunt the Ratcha. A blacksmith I know promised to make me a new weapon in exchange for a live Ratcha for his son to train on."
Wein's curiosity spiked. He quickly pulled up his sleeve to check his own arm.
There it was—a glowing mark.
On it was the number one, written in elegant cursive.
"Huh? You're only Level One?" Terr asked, clearly surprised.
"Seems like it," Wein answered awkwardly.
But something about the mark made Wein's heart race.
What does this mark really mean?
His gaze drifted to the colossal tower that pierced the sky.
The pull he felt wasn't just curiosity—it was heavier, like a thread tied to his chest, slowly reeling him in.
Was this… calling him? Or was it something worse?
He recalled that he had been teleported here after reaching the peak level in the game.
Am I… supposed to climb the Beast Tower?
Maybe the answer to why I'm here is waiting at the peak.