?


    Whoosh...


    A massive train levitated above the tracks, cutting through the air with a thunderous roar.


    Inside the sleek, futuristic cabin, I nced out the window, mesmerized by the blur ofndscape rushing past.


    My golden eyes followed the rolling hills and meandering rivers, the colors blending together in a breathtaking harmony.


    ''Mana Perception...''


    Mana began to surge toward my eyes, the energy swirling within my iris and pulsating with a delicate glow.


    Slowly, Mana coalesced into vision, revealing hidden levels of reality.


    Small Mana signatures appeared before my eyes, dancing and shimmering like ethereal fireflies.


    Humans, Train engines, various creatures, as much as there was to see, all bathed in the radiant glow of Mana.


    It was a beautiful sight, however, I quickly ceased to use my Mana Perception.


    Using Mana on a levitating train was not allowed. It was simr to not turning on the flight mode of one''s cellphone on an airne in myst life.


    Nobody would want to be responsible for a catastrophic ident caused by negligence.


    As the train continued to slice through the air, I settled back into my seat, still awestruck by the magical disy of Mana Perception. This world has changed so much since the days of conventional trains and mundane journeys. Now, we were carried by levitation and protected by the wonders of mana technology.


    I gazed out of the window once again, the rollingndscape providing a calming backdrop to my thoughts. The sun''s warm embrace painted the scene with a golden touch, and the distant mountains seemed to bow to the horizon.


    Thud...


    Lost in my reverie, a sudden jolt rocked the cabin. Startled, I nced around to see fellow passengers gripping their seats and exchanging concerned nces. The serene atmosphere had shifted, reced by an air of tension that spread through the cabin like wildfire.


    And then, I saw it - a monstrous creature hurtling towards us through the air. Its wings beat with powerful strokes, propelling its enormous form forward. My heart raced as I took in the creature''s dark, scaly hide and the glint of hunger in its eyes. It was a creature born of nightmares, a predator of the skies.


    ''What is a hell bat doing here?''


    Panic surged through the cabin as the passengers realized the danger that loomed. Before anyone could react, a shimmering barrier of mana enveloped the entire train. The shield hummed with energy, its translucent surface quivering slightly as it absorbed the impact of the creature''s lunge.


    Boom...


    The flying monster mmed into the mana shield, its ws scrabbling for purchase as it attempted to pierce through. My calm eyes shimmered as I watched the creature''s relentless assault, its snarls and roars muffled by the protective barrier. The mana shield held strong, its integrity unyielding.


    As the creature struggled, the train''s exterior bristled with motion. Hiddenpartments opened, revealing an array of sleek, metallic cannons. With a resounding st, the cannons fired streams of shimmering energy, striking the creature''s hide with precision.


    Thud... Thud...


    The force of the impact sent the monster reeling back, its howls of pain echoing in the air.


    Dark blood sttered onto the mana shield, a stark reminder of the battle taking ce beyond the safety of our cabin.


    The train''s incredible speed worked in our favor, the wind rushing past quickly sweeping the blood away, leaving only faint traces of its presence.


    Grrr...


    The creature persisted, though, rallying for another attack. It lunged again, teeth bared and wings outstretched. But this time, the mana cannons were ready. Beams of energynced out, converging on the creature''s form. The resulting explosion of light and force was blinding, and I shielded my eyes against the brilliance.


    When the light faded, all that remained was a scattering of dark particles, dissipating into the wind.


    The threat was gone.


    The mana shield held for a moment longer before gradually fading away, leaving the train once again surrounded by open air. The tension in the cabin began to ebb as passengers exchanged relieved smiles and nervousughter.


    As for me, I barely nced at the ashes of the killed creature, shuddering at the thought of getting hit by one of those beams of Mana.


    ''I''d die instantly...''


    With the threat vanquished, the train continued its journey, the levitation technology keeping us aloft as thendscape stretched out below. Passengers gradually disembarked at various stations along the way, their numbers dwindling with each stop.


    Soon, I found myself alone in the cabin, the only upant left to witness the unfolding scene.


    As the train began its descent, I rose from my seat and approached the cabin door, my gaze drawn to the window once again. A sense of anticipation stirred within me as I peered out at the vista before me.


    In the distance, a small vige nestled amidst rolling hills came into view. The quaint houses and winding streets exuded an air of tranquility, basking in the golden hues of the setting sun. A wide canal wound its way around the vige, reflecting the warm colors of the sky. It appeared to be several miles in width, an engineering marvel that merged with thendscape seamlessly.


    However, my attention was drawn to something more ominous. A strange shadow loomed over the vige, casting a dark pallor over the serene scene. It was an irregr and unsettling shape, stark against the backdrop of the sky. If I hadn''t been specifically looking for it, I might have missed its presence entirely.


    ''The Shadow Dungeon...''


    Squinting my eyes against the fading light, I could discern the faint outlines of eerie structures within that ominous shadow.


    Thud...


    [ Crunter Vige ]


    The robotic voice announced as the train came to a halt, jolting me back to reality.


    Click...


    The door slid open, inviting me to step out onto the tform.


    The air outside was crisp and refreshing, carrying the scent of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass.


    Tap... Tap...


    Climbing onto the tform, I took a moment to look around before instantly summoning my Authority.


    Although the Dungeon was quite a distance away, some creatures would have already started to spread their influence, causing disturbances in the nearby area.


    There was even a chance that some had already swam through the canal, invading the nearby forests.


    Click...


    The door slid closed behind me, and I watched as the massive train soared back into the sky with a gentle whoosh, leaving me standing on the tform alone. It seemed that none of the remaining passengers had chosen this particr stop to disembark. It was just me now, standing amidst the tranquility of a quiet forest.


    My gaze followed the receding train until it vanished into the distance, swallowed by the horizon. The levitating marvel had be a mere speck in the sky before fading from view entirely. The world around me was quiet, save for the soft rustling of leaves and the distant sounds of nature.


    Tap... Tap...


    With a determined step, I turned away from the tform and faced the forest thaty ahead. It was time to delve deeper into this mysteriousnd and uncover the secrets thaty hidden within. The path ahead was dimly lit by the fading light of the setting sun, and I walked southward, following the instincts that guided me.


    The forest embraced me, its ancient trees creating a canopy that filtered the fading sunlight into dappled patterns on the ground. The air was cool and fresh, and the sounds of chirping birds and distant rustlings added to the enchanting ambiance.


    As I walked, I couldn''t help but let my mind wander. The encounter with the hell bat had reminded me of the dangers that lurked beyond the safety of the mana-protected train.


    My thoughts also drifted to the ominous shadow that had loomed over Crunter Vige. The Shadow Dungeon.


    "Finally..."


    As I continued my journey, the forest gradually gave way to a more open area, revealing the wide expanse of the canal. The shimmering waters stretched out before me, reflecting the colors of the sky like a mirror. In the distance, I could see the dock I knew about from the game, a structure of wood and stone jutting out into the water.


    With each step, the dock drew nearer, and I could make out the details of the boats tethered to its edges. A sense of purpose filled me as I walked, my determination unwavering.


    I reached the edge of the dock, my gaze sweeping over the various boats that bobbed gently in the water. Each vessel had its own distinct features, from sleek, modern designs to more traditional and weathered structures.


    As I walked along the dock, I examined each boat closely. Some were equipped with powerful-looking propulsion systems, while others boasted reinforced hulls and advanced navigation tools. My gaze fell upon a boat that seemed to strike a bnce between durability and maneuverability. Its sleek design suggested speed, while the reinforced metal ting on its hull hinted at strength.


    Approaching the chosen boat, I ran a hand along its surface, feeling the cool metal beneath my fingertips. A sense of excitement and apprehension stirred within me, knowing that this vessel would carry me into the heart of the unknown. The boat had a small cabin at its center, offering shelter from the elements and a ce to rest during the journey.


    Climbing aboard, I took a moment to familiarize myself with the boat''s controls. The interface was a blend of tactile buttons and holographic disys, a testament to the fusion of technology and magic that defined this world.


    "This will be good enough..."