After the mysterious figure's visit, it felt like a dream—a hazy blur of routine that I couldn't quite shake off. My mind was stuck on the offer it made. A realm where power like mine is "but a spark among stars." Could such a place really exist, or was it all just a cruel joke?
Brianna, as usual, noticed my distraction. She had been tiptoeing around me more than usual, shooting me worried glances when she thought I wasn't looking. But there was no hiding it—I was restless, agitated, craving something different. I couldn't keep going through the motions forever.
It was on the fifth day after the encounter that I made my decision.
"Brianna," I said suddenly, interrupting her chatter as she tried to tell me about some minor quest involving bandits. "I'm leaving."
She blinked in confusion. "Leaving? For where? Wait, don't tell me you're planning to nap in a different spot again—"
"Not exactly." I stood up, stretching out as if to shake off the weight of the mundane world around me. "I'm going to find that place the shadow talked about—the realm beyond."
Brianna's eyes went wide with shock. "You can't be serious! That thing could've been lying! What if it's a trap or worse—a dimension full of monsters even stronger than the Demon King?"
"That's the point." I gave her a half-smile. "If I stay here, nothing changes. Same old cycle, same old enemies. I need something more—something that'll actually make me feel alive again."
"But… what about everyone here?" she protested, panic rising in her voice. "The villagers rely on you! What if the Demon King revives while you're gone?"
"I've sealed him with an infinite cycle this time. He won't be coming back any time soon. And the villagers will be fine—they've been pampered by my protection long enough. They'll adapt."
Brianna opened her mouth to argue, then stopped, realizing it was pointless. She knew better than anyone that once I made a decision, there was no turning back.
"Then I'm coming with you," she said, determination lighting up her eyes.
I raised an eyebrow. "You do realize that this isn't some lighthearted adventure? Where I'm going, you could get hurt—or worse."
"I don't care," she shot back, folding her arms. "You think I'd just let you wander off into some dangerous unknown by yourself? You might be overpowered, but you're also hopeless without someone to keep you on track."
I couldn't help but chuckle. She wasn't wrong. "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you."
With that, I turned my attention to the sky. The figure had said the path was open—meaning there had to be a way to access this realm. But how? Closing my eyes, I focused on the lingering energy left behind by the rift. I could still sense faint traces of it, a pathway hidden beneath layers of reality.
Brianna watched as I gathered my power, warping the space around us. My "Existential Revert" skill was good for more than just turning back time. It also allowed me to bend the concept of dimensions and space. I focused, imposing the idea of "beyond" onto the world, forcing it to reveal the hidden threads of that foreign realm.
Reality itself seemed to ripple, and the air around us shimmered. Slowly, a dark portal began to form—a swirling void that pulsed with the same energy I'd sensed before. It was like staring into the depths of the unknown, an invitation and a warning all at once.
Brianna shivered. "That… looks ominous."
"It is." I nodded. "This is your last chance to back out."
She shot me a defiant look. "I'm not backing out. I said I'm coming with you, and I meant it."
I admired her courage, even if it was reckless. Without another word, I stepped forward and entered the portal, Brianna following close behind.
The transition was jarring. It felt like my body was being stretched and compressed at the same time, my senses bombarded by flashes of light and shadow. But in an instant, it was over. We emerged into a world unlike any I'd seen before.
The sky was a deep, swirling violet, filled with constellations that shifted and danced in patterns I couldn't comprehend. The ground was a mosaic of crystalline structures, each one glowing faintly with an inner light. Strange creatures drifted through the air—ethereal beings that looked more like living energy than flesh and blood.
But what struck me most was the overwhelming presence of power. It was everywhere, woven into the very fabric of this world. The air crackled with raw energy, making even my abilities seem small in comparison.
Brianna's eyes widened in awe. "This place… it's incredible."
"Yeah," I muttered, barely able to take it all in. "This is definitely not a normal world."
As we stood there, trying to grasp the sheer scale of the realm we'd entered, a voice rang out—one that sent shivers down my spine.
"So, you actually came. I was starting to think you'd be too afraid."
I turned to see the same shadowy figure from before, now standing in full view. But this time, it wasn't alone. Behind it stood several other beings, each radiating a terrifying level of power. They were a diverse group—some humanoid, others monstrous, all of them exuding an aura of dominance.
The figure's silver eyes glinted. "Welcome, Siobhan, to the Nexus Realm. The place where the strongest gather, where your so-called 'invincibility' will be put to the test."
I felt a grin tug at my lips. For the first time in ages, I felt a rush of genuine excitement. Maybe, just maybe, this was the challenge I'd been searching for all along.
Brianna grabbed my sleeve, her voice trembling. "Sion… these guys… they're seriously strong."
"I know," I said, my voice laced with anticipation. "That's exactly why we're here."