8 AM.

Raizel waited at the nearest bus station, about a 15-minute walk from his house in the slums.

He was eating a bread that he picked up on the way.

There were many people waiting, each heading to their own destination.

His unusual appearance drew a few glances, but he paid no attention. His focus remained on the asphalt road ahead as he ate his breakfast.

But then—

All of a sudden, a young man approached him.

"Hey dude, where are you going?"

Raizel's eyes shifted to the stranger.

He was a fairly handsome young man with a cool demeanor.

But Raizel's instincts tingled so suddenly.

Danger.

"Shiiin."

In an instant, Raizel summoned his sword. The gleaming blade shot up just in time to intercept a knife aimed at his chest.

"Clang!"

The knife fell to the ground, twisted from the attacker's grip.

And before the young man could react, he found himself in a deadly predicament.

Raizel's sword was now pressed against his throat.

A single movement, and it would slit his unprotected neck with ease.

The young man swallowed hard.

An expert. He had just attacked an expert.

Meanwhile, the other passengers had already backed away, watching the scene unfold in stunned silence.

An assassination attempt in broad daylight?

But what shocked them even more was the victim's reaction.

The white-haired young man… was a player.

They had been standing beside a player all along.

"Tell me. Who sent you to kill me?" Raizel asked coldly, his gaze locked onto the assailant's eyes.

"Me? Killing? No one sent me..." The young man fidgeted nervously, glancing around as if looking for an escape route.

Then—suddenly—his eyes sharpened.

With a sudden flick of his tongue, a tiny needle shot from his mouth, aimed straight at Raizel's heart.

"Ting!"

Raizel's sword moved instinctively, deflecting the deadly projectile midair.

The needle clattered to the ground, a drop of purple liquid oozing from its tip.

Poison.

Raizel's eyes narrowed as he shifted his focus back to the attacker only to find him gone.

Vanished without a trace.

The realization sank in. The enemy had never intended to fight him directly. His true goal was escape all along.

Raizel frowned. He didn't like this at all.

Whoever they were, they were lurking in the shadows while he was out in the open.

They could try to assassinate him anytime they wanted.

Exhaling lightly, he pushed aside the overthinking. Worrying wouldn't change anything.

He just had to stay sharp until he could find a reliable source of protection.

And what could be better than joining the Apex Guild for security?

Shaking his head, Raizel let out a casual smile, ignoring the stunned onlookers.

Then, his gaze shifted to the specific bus fast approaching the station.

As the bus stopped right in front of him, Raizel stepped in with casual strides, as if he hadn't just been attacked moments ago.

The men and women behind him followed, their gazes filled with disbelief as they murmured about what had just happened.

Raizel took a seat by the window, resting his elbow on the ledge.

A few moments later, an elderly man from the waiting passengers sat beside him, a faint smile on his lips.

"Well done, young man. Our world needs more heroes like you."

Raizel blinked. "Old man, I don't think I've done any kind of heroic act. I was just defending myself," he replied, his tone carrying a hint of annoyance.

The old man chuckled strangely. "You must be a new player. Otherwise, you would have known becoming a player means you are a rising hero for our world. And you will soon know enough..."

His voice trailed off into a mysterious tone, his smile remaining faint yet knowing.

The bus rolled forward, the cityscape passing by outside the window.

But Raizel's mind wasn't on the view.

His thoughts were clouded by the old man's words.

What is this world hiding from ordinary people?

What was happening beneath their feet?

Indifferent to his chaotic thoughts, the bus rolled forward, leaving behind the impoverished district and entering the Elite District, where towering skyscrapers dominated the skyline.

Raizel observed the stark contrast between the two worlds. The development of science and technology here had far surpassed that of his previous world, almost to an unimaginable degree.

Neon lights illuminated the grand city, reflecting off the glassy surfaces of futuristic buildings that stretched high into the sky. Luxurious hover cars glided smoothly along the elevated roads, while people dressed in pristine suits and designer outfits walked with an air of grace and confidence.

However, despite the breathtaking scenery, Raizel remained composed. Or rather, he forced himself to be.

Deep down, a feeling of insignificance gnawed at him. Compared to these grand structures and the elite figures who strode with effortless arrogance, he was nothing more than a speck of dust.

But that would change.

He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms as he steeled his resolve.

One day, this city will be beneath my feet.

Wealth, power, influence—I'll claim them all.

The bus continued on, weaving through the heart of the elite sector before finally arriving at its stop.

After two hour-long ride, the journey had left him slightly drained.

Raizel blinked away the dizziness as he stepped out of the bus, paying the fare with a quick tap of his phone.

The fresh air hit his face, cooling the slight exhaustion settling in his bones.

Before him stood the Apex Guild branch.

It was a massive, state-of-the-art building adorned with a glossy, silver finish. At the top of the building, a crest of an eagle standing atop a mountain hung high with pride.

Its enormous digital billboard displayed live footage of high-ranking players engaged in battles. It showed the power and prestige the guild held.

Without hesitation, Raizel took a deep breath and stepped forward.

Like him, many people were coming and going, but they arrived in luxurious hovering cars, high-end motorbikes, and other advanced means of transportation.

Meanwhile, he walked alone, a simple bag strapped to his back, a confident smile on his face.

His real journey was about to begin.

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