"Here we are, sir. This is as far as I can go," the taxi driver said once he brought the cab to a halt. "From here, it's all on foot to reach the portal."
The vehicle had pulled up beside a sidewalk within an expansive complex alive with motion. The scene here was even busier than the train station from before, humming with a restless energy. People bustled about, either alone or in small clusters, their movements purposeful and brisk. Most appeared to be rankers, their restrained auras subtly emanating a faint sense of power.
Maximus took a quick look at the view outside the car before turning to the driver. "How much is the fare?" he asked.
The driver promptly gave the amount and held up the payment scanner. Maximus tapped his PCT against it, completing the transaction with a swift scan.
That was how payments were normally handled in this day and age—simple, cashless, and hassle-free. No need for physical money or fiddling with small change. The fare was deducted directly from his bank account via the payment app on his PCT.
On that note, a single currency dominated the entire world of Atlas—Atlas Credit, or simply Credits, as most people usually referred to it.
Universally recognized, it served as the ultimate medium of exchange, accepted in every region and corner of the globe. This system had been in place since the formation of the new world order, established after the chaos of the early magical era finally settled. As nations began collaborating on an unprecedented scale, one of the greatest achievements of their unity was the creation of a single, universal currency.
It was one of the many aspects of this world that Maximus was still getting used to.
"Thank you for using my service, sir. Good luck out there," the driver said just as Maximus got ready to exit.
"Likewise," Maximus replied with a smile before opening the backseat door and stepping out, hauling his bags along with him.
As soon as he closed the door, the taxi immediately sped off, honking once in farewell. He watched until the vehicle disappeared from sight, then turned his gaze toward a monument standing some distance ahead, right across the driveway.
It featured a large and elegant marble statue, rising above a slightly elevated plaza with flawless flooring and a polished design. On either side, two beautiful gardens sprawled out, bursting with lush trees and vibrant, blooming flowers. The scene was breathtaking, a perfect blend of nature and artistry.
The statue itself took the form of a beautiful woman, her right hand gripping a sword while her left was raised in a firm, commanding gesture, as though ordering a halt. Despite the weapon, she didn't resemble a warrior—at least not in the conventional sense.
Her long hair flowed down her back like a waterfall, and instead of armor, she wore a plain chiton-style dress, free of unnecessary adornments. Her bare feet rested against the marble pedestal, introducing a subtle vulnerability beneath her commanding pose. The sculptor's craftsmanship shone in every detail—from the lifelike folds of her dress to the serene yet resolute strength in her expression—each aspect rendered with masterful precision, exuding a quiet but undeniable authority.
Maximus recognized the statue immediately. He had seen it many times across various media—on Atlasnet, in textbooks, on posters, and in advertisements. It was one of the most iconic landmarks in the country, with numerous replicas and renditions scattered across different locations. Each one mirrored the same distinctive style and pose, always conveying that same blend of quiet grace and resolute strength.
That was the statue of Aurelia Daindra, the first true powerhouse born in Atlas.
A woman of unmatched strength and achievement, she had accomplished feats that were nothing short of legendary. Her greatness was so profound that her legacy loomed over all who came after her, a reminder of what was possible when exceptional talent and strong determination converged.
Typically, statues like this were commissioned as a tribute to figures of the distant past, monuments to long-dead icons from historical eras. But Aurelia was no ancient figure. She wasn't a relic of a millennium or centuries ago. No—she wasn't even dead. Born in an era when Atlas was still reeling from the chaos brought on by the rise of Energia, Aurelia Daindra was very much alive and kicking, still a living legend in the present day.
As an Earth Realm ranker, Aurelia had transcended her mortal limits, evolving into an entity of extraordinary power with a lifespan far beyond ordinary humans. Barring any unforeseen accidents, she could easily live for hundreds of years. Time would barely touch her physique, its effects only becoming noticeable in the final years of her life, when aging would inevitably return and begin to take its toll.
That was one of the horrors of Earth Realm rankers. While the rest of humanity aged and withered within a few short decades, these powerful beings could continue to grow stronger, wiser, and more enduring with each passing century. Their existence was a constant reminder of the vast chasm between them and those bound by the fragile limits of mortality.
The monument was teeming with people, most of them heading toward a wide pathway that stretched behind the statue. After taking in the scene around him, Maximus let out a light breath, then nodded to himself. He stepped forward, moving to cross the driveway.
Passing by the statue, he continued along with the crowd, striding toward the wide pathway ahead. This path led to an immense building with striking architecture in the distance, where an even larger throng had gathered just outside of it. That was essentially Maximus' destination, though not his final one. It was the last stop before he could reach the place he truly intended to go.
Heaven's Gate—the name of that building, and by extension, this whole complex.
The place Maximus was trying to reach wasn't actually located within the country, nor was it on the continent where Etrussia stood. And no, it wasn't on another continent, as Atlas had only one giant landmass adorning its surface, known as Gaia.
The precise location was on a solitary island to the east of Gaia, thousands of kilometers away, nestled in the center of a massive ocean.
So why had Maximus come to the downtown of Decoris if his true destination lay on a faraway island? Shouldn't he have gone to a port to catch a boat or an airport to board a plane?
Well, that was because the island wasn't accessible by planes or boats. It wasn't due to any laws or restrictions—no, the reason was far simpler: no plane or boat could actually reach it.
The island was shrouded in a strange, mystical blanket. If a plane flew over its coordinates, the occupants wouldn't see or detect anything below. The same went for boats—sailing toward the island would be futile, as the ship would just pass over it, oblivious to its presence, as though the island were invisible and intangible.
Thus, the island couldn't be reached by any direct means. Even if someone had the strength to swim there, they would encounter the same weird phenomenon—unable to see the island, let alone visit it.
The only available way to access that island was through a series of teleportation portals.
Yes, teleportation!
And no, the people of Atlas hadn't built them—they didn't have the capability to develop such things.
The magical portals had simply appeared—seven in total—out of nowhere, right at the same time as the emergence of Energia. And the building Maximus was heading to now housed one of those portals, while the rest were located in several other countries.
The history on this matter was clear, and everyone alive today knew it. It was the first explorers who ventured through the portals, discovering countless wonders beyond. Among the marvels they brought back were the Ascension Stones, the key to awakening the earliest rankers and sparking the beginning of the magical era.
Since then, those teleportation portals had become some of the most heavily guarded objects in Atlas, each considered a national treasure by the country it belonged to.
Take Heaven's Gate, for example. The entire complex was tightly secured, resembling a military base, but instead of ordinary soldiers, common police, or security guards, it was protected by rankers, all under the command of the Extraordinary Power Bureau.
In summary, the importance of these portals to society was immeasurable—so precious and invaluable.
The building housing the portal loomed closer as Maximus approached. Like most people here, he too sought passage through the portal, eager to reach the mystical island on the other side.
Maximus had learned the procedure for using the portal, and it wasn't complicated. A simple security check and identification were all that was required. Ordinary citizens needed to show their national ID cards, while rankers had to present both their national ID and a ranker certificate issued by the Extraordinary Power Bureau. Foreign rankers, of course, were required to provide a certificate from the equivalent authoritative agency in their home country.
Unfortunately, there was a limit in place: only a fixed number of individuals—around twenty, if Maximus remembered correctly—could pass through the portal at one time. This meant no one could just swagger in. Given how crowded the place was at the moment, with hundreds of people trying to use the portal, the lines were especially long.
Maximus had no choice but to join the rows and wait for his turn.
The wait turned out to be longer than expected—almost half an hour before Maximus finally reached the security check. It was overseen by a platoon of rankers dressed in grayish cloaks, but one among them easily stood out. She was particularly eye-catching, her presence rather intimidating, exuding an aura of strength that made her appear more formidable than the rest.
Undoubtedly, this was the strongest ranker Maximus had ever encountered so far. When her gaze swept over his position, he couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine, a wave of goosebumps spreading across his skin.
But Maximus did his best to remain calm, knowing that any hint of unease could be interpreted as suspicious. He couldn't afford to appear unnatural—such a thing would likely make him seem like he had ulterior motives, and that may lead to trouble he couldn't risk.
Those rankers stood around a peculiar contraption that resembled a metal detector gate but with a distinct twist. When a person stepped through, a bluish magical light erupted from the device, sweeping over them in a luminescent arc from head to toe. Clearly, this was no ordinary detector gate; the device seemed designed to probe deeper, likely scanning not just for concealed weapons, but also for the mystical energies each individual carried.
In fact, it seemed that carrying weapons was permitted. Many of the people who had passed through the security check before Maximus carried a variety of arms—swords, blades, spears, and even bows. Although they had to present the weapons to the security rankers for inspection, they were allowed to carry them again once the check was concluded.
The restrictions here appeared less strict than Maximus had expected.
"Your papers, please," said a gray-cloaked ranker as Maximus drew closer. His voice sounded rather stern.
"Here," Maximus replied, handing over his ID and ranker certificate. He had already taken them out while waiting in line.
The ranker quickly examined the papers after taking them, then proceeded to scan Maximus' ID card on a scanner sitting on a nearby table. A few moments later, his colleague, seated behind the table and focused on a laptop-like device, gave a confirming nod.
The ranker returned Maximus' papers, handing them back with a curt nod. "You can proceed now. Just stand under the detector for a few seconds. If nothing goes wrong, you're good to continue."
"Alright," Maximus replied shortly, his words brief and to the point. There was no need for anything more.
He strode a couple of steps, halting under the detector. To be honest, he had anticipated being asked to remove his bags for a separate inspection. Yet, to his surprise, that wouldn't be necessary.
The device hummed softly as it activated, the bluish light wrapping around Maximus in a calm, ethereal glow. It swept over him, searching for hidden threats, yet it caused no discomfort. Seconds later, the light flickered and faded, signaling he was clear to proceed.
Maximus let out a small, relieved breath, thankful the process had gone smoothly. He hurriedly moved onward, slipping his papers back into one of his bags as he walked. But even after passing the security check, there was still one more line he needed to join.
There were two entrances leading into the portal's building: one for those entering and another for those exiting. Both remained firmly closed, only sliding open briefly when people passed through, either entering or leaving.
Maximus joined the line extending toward the entry gate. It was another long wait, and he knew it would take some time before he could step inside.
The chatter of people around him filled the air, a constant hum of voices blending into the background. Maximus ignored it, dismissing the casual exchanges as insignificant. Most of it was small talk—mundane and irrelevant. There was no point in paying attention.
Minutes dragged by as the line inched forward. Groups of about twenty were allowed through the entrance in staggered intervals, each batch disappearing into the structure beyond the gate. The process was orderly but painfully slow, testing the patience of everyone waiting.
Gradually, the line ahead began to thin out, and before long, Maximus found himself standing at the front of the queue. It was finally his turn. He was included among the twenty or so people in line by the rankers stationed at the entrance.
With a somewhat loud hiss, the gate slid open, revealing the interior beyond. The guarding ranker gave a wordless signal, and Maximus's batch started to move forward. One by one, they filed through the gate.
The interior of the building stood in stark contrast to its more conventional exterior. The vibes here felt... different, with an almost reverential aura, as if one had stepped into a sacred space.
Highly sculpted pillars soared upward, their intricate carvings depicting legendary scenes that remained indecipherable to the people of Atlas. Animal statues stood proudly in alcoves, their fierce, lifelike expressions captured in painstaking detail. The walls were adorned with reliefs, each one telling enigmatic stories and myths, as if guarding secrets that mere mortals were unworthy to uncover.
The atmosphere was heavy with grandeur, reminiscent of an ancient temple, where every stone and every statue seemed to hold a purpose far beyond mere decoration. Maximus couldn't help but feel a certain reverence as he walked deeper into the hall, the echo of his and the others' footsteps blending with the low hum of magic that seemed to permeate the air.
This confirmed everything Maximus had learned about the place. According to the official history, when the teleportation portals appeared, they didn't arrive alone. Each portal was accompanied by an elaborate housing structure—essentially a package.
These structures weren't hastily built shelters or temporary installations constructed after the portals' discovery. They had simply materialized along with the portals, fully formed and imbued with superb craftsmanship that no architect or artisan of Atlas, at that time, could replicate. The exterior additions were only built much later, commissioned by local governments to better manage the influx of people and to reinforce the portals' status as invaluable national treasures.
Then, lo and behold, the portal... standing proud before Maximus.
It took the form of a circular structure, positioned at the very heart of the building. Surrounding it were large standing stones, arranged in a precise formation aligned to the major cardinal directions. Their surfaces shimmered with glowing, rune-like characters, bathing in a high concentration of Energia according to Maximus' perception. The air around the portal seemed to hum, charged with an otherworldly presence that sent faint vibrations through the ground.
Truthfully, the portal appeared more like a megalithic monument rather than... well, a teleportation portal.
It was far from the technological space-time gateway Maximus had imagined, but its awe-inspiring design and palpable energy were no less amazing. It felt like something carved out of time itself, a relic that transcended both age and purpose, standing at the threshold of the unknown.
"Hey! What are you all standing around for, just staring off like that?!" An irate voice cut through the air, coming from one of the gray-cloaked rankers manning the desk in the corner, not too far away.
Maximus quickly snapped to attention, noticing most of his group had already gathered at the center of the portal, leaving him and a few teenagers lingering at the edge. Those youngsters were still in a daze, much like he had been just now, gawking at either the portal or the spacious hall around them. It was clear this was their first time here, their wide eyes reflecting the awe and wonder they felt in the face of this wondrous unfamiliar.
"Goddamn it! What are you all waiting for? Get in the portal now! We still have to sort out the arrivals after your turn!" The ranker shouted, his frustration evident.
In response, Maximus hurriedly trotted to the portal. The other teenagers, startled out of their stupor, followed his lead, hastily joining the rest of the group.
"Fuckin' newbies!" the frustrated ranker muttered, not loud, but his words still carried enough to be heard.
Meanwhile, those who had gone ahead to the portal exchanged smirks, clearly amused by the youngsters' blunders. Maximus simply shrugged, unfazed by the snickers. He didn't mind that others found him amusing.
"First time, lad?" asked suddenly a burly man standing next to him.
Maximus glanced at the man's face and answered calmly, "Yeah..."
"You'd better buckle up, then," the burly man suggested with a grin.
"Why?" Maximus cocked an eyebrow, puzzled.
"Cause it's gonna be a bit bumpy the first time," the man replied, his grin widening.
'Bumpy?' Maximus thought, his confusion deepening.
But before he could process it further, his vision suddenly blurred. The world around him twisted and warped, as if reality itself was unraveling. Then, just as quickly, everything went black.