The portal collapsed behind them, and Anir felt a chill crawl up his spine. They stood at the edge of a dense, ancient forest, with twisted, silver-leafed trees towering overhead. In the distance, Anir spotted what looked like a city, its towering stone walls rising faintly against the horizon. Above the city, a red spire stretched skyward, its surface glowing with an eerie crimson light that cut through the mist like a beacon, sending a strange chill through him. They exchanged a look, silently agreeingon their destination.
Their journey had barely begun when the ground trembled, a low rumble approaching. Emerging from the shadows was a massive, towering black creature, over a dozen meters tall with a smooth, egg-shaped head and a human-like face twisted in malice. Its gaze swept past them, unaware of their presence.
"That's an Aglyharg," Ebdo murmured. "Be careful—it uses a technique called Krochi, which causes internal injuries if its punch lands. But its vision is poor. It still hasn't noticed us."
Anir gave a quick nod. "I'll handle it."
Without another word, he launched himself forward, twin black swords in hand. The Aglyharg sensed him just as he leaped, but it was too late; Anir's blades sliced cleanly through its neck. The monster's head tumbled to the ground, and its hulking form collapsed.
Ebdo smiled approvingly. "Not bad for your first real fight."
Anir offered a faint smile in return, brushing off the compliment as they resumed their journey.
Along the way, they encountered various creatures—some passive, others aggressive enough to warrant a quick, decisive battle. Anir handled these encounters with ease, his skills sharp and his confidence growing with each fight.
As night fell, they made camp. Anir cooked some of the creature meat they'd gathered, while Ebdo formed a small earthen shelter for them to rest in. After a quiet meal, they slept, resuming their journey at dawn.
By midday, they finally reached the city. It was encircled by enormous stone walls, with multiple guarded gates where travelers and merchants passed in and out. The sight of other humans for the first time in this world filled Anir with a renewed sense of purpose.
They approached one of the gates, where guards conducted a quick search of their bags before motioning them through. Once inside, Anir's gaze was drawn to a massive crimson tower dominating the city skyline.
"That's the Spire of Crimson," Ebdo explained, noticing his amazement. "The ruling authority of Igryn resides there."
Igryn, so that's what this city is called, Anir thought, committing the name to memory. It felt significant—like he had stepped into something far larger than himself.
Anir nodded, absorbing the unfamiliar sights. The buildings were unlike anything from Earth—crafted from dark stone, their intricate facades decorated with carved symbols and gleaming, iridescent crystals that seemed to pulse faintly with magic. Some structures curved into spires, while others arched gracefully with bridge-like walkways connecting them at varying heights, giving the city a labyrinthine, otherworldly feel without being overwhelming.
Ebdo turned to him. "Let's find a place to stay the night," he suggested.
"Is there a currency here? And how are we going to pay?" Anir asked, his practical side kicking in.
Ebdo smiled knowingly. "That's what those monster trophies were for. We can sell them for currency here—it's called Wifri."
After navigating the bustling streets, they found a shop displaying the heads and hides of various creatures. The shopkeeper examined their haul with an approving nod, and they left with a small bag of Wifri—glinting, golden coins with arcane symbols etched on their surfaces.
With their earnings, they bought some supplies and rented a modest room in a tall, tower-like inn nearby. It was a relief to rest after the long journey, but Anir knew this was only the beginning.
Sitting together in their room, the two prepared for the challenges ahead. The dark and unknown world before him held the secrets he sought, and Anir was ready to uncover every last one.