---


    News Update: "The Oni Terrorist Group Strikes Again!"


    ---


    Sophia clicked on it unintentionally. A video began ying, showing a chaotic scene captured by bystanders.


    It was outside arge urban area—burnt-out cars, scattered debris, and scorch marks on walls told the story of a fierce battle.


    The anchor''s voice narrated grimly, "A yer of Enders Light, who was known to have retrieved game items into reality, was ambushed and killed by the notorious Oni terrorist group. The victim was identified as a supernatural yer. Eyewitnesses report signs of a fierce struggle before the yer sumbed to the attack."


    Sophia''s grip on the phone tightened. Her eyes scanned the footage, spotting burnt patches of asphalt, blood, and shattered ss. It was clear the victim hadn''t gone down easily.


    She swallowed hard. ''The Oni Group...''n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Her mind shed back to a memory of a robbery that had happened not too far from their street when August had first retrieved the fruit of corruption.


    She remembered how unnerved she''d felt back then, knowing there were people willing to kill for items from Enders Light. And now it seemed the Oni group was bing more brazen.


    "I hope they catch these guys soon," she muttered under her breath. "And I hope August stays safe..."


    As Sophia continued scrolling, lost in her thoughts, the buzzing of August''s phone broke the silence. The screen lit up from across the room, disying "Unknown Caller."


    At first, she ignored it, figuring it wasn''t her ce to answer. But the phone kept ringing, buzzing insistently.


    On the fourth ring, she groaned and walked over, picking it up hesitantly.


    "Hello?" she answered with a slightly cautious tone.


    "Hi, is this Aleman?" came a voice from the other end—male, deep, and slightly impatient. Your journey continues with empire


    Sophia blinked. ''Aleman? Oh, right, that''s August''s in-game name.''


    "Uh, no, this isn''t Aleman," she replied. "He''s... currently unavable."


    The voice softened slightly. "Oh, I see. My name is Victor Whitford. I''ve done business with Aleman before, and I''d like to do more. It''s important. Could you please tell him I called? Ask him to reach out as soon as possible."


    Sophia tilted her head. "Victor Whitford? You mean... Enders Light rted business?"


    "Yes, the game. But I''ve met him in reality and I''d like to do so for business again, if he''s open to it. Please, let him know. It''s urgent."


    Sophia hesitated for a moment before nodding, even though Victor couldn''t see her. "I''ll let him know when he''s back."


    "Thank you so much," Victor sounded genuinely relieved. "Please make sure he gets the message."


    "I will," she promised before ending the call. She stared at the phone in her hand for a moment, deep in thought.


    She nced toward the staircase leading to August''s room. "What kind of business does he even do in that game? And why does it feel like everyone wants something from him?"


    Her eyes flicked back to her phone and the news article about the Oni Group was still open. She bit her lip nervously. "I just hope he remains safe..."


    Sophia sighed and tossed the phone onto the couch. "Guess all I can do is wait for him toe out."


    ...


    ...


    Back in the game world, the rumors of the Ancient Swordking''s Dungeon had ignited a wildfire across Enders Light.


    It was no longer just whispers of loot and the legacy of the Swordking—it was now about the coveted Fruit of Sin. A legendary item with powers so tempting that yers across the game were abandoning quests mid-way, risking penalties, just to make their way to the dungeon.


    Inside the main building of Phoenix Celestial, a magnificent structure standing at the heart of Gallorn Kingdom, guild members scrambled to and fro.


    The walls shimmered faintly with magical runes, while banners bearing the ming phoenix insignia fluttered overhead. A sense of urgency filled the air.


    On the upper floors, a tall man with amanding presence stood in front of arge table surrounded by holographic projections of the dungeon''s map.


    He wore a gold-embroidered red cloak, and his chest te gleamed under the light of floating torches. His name hovered above his head: Kael Drakemane (Level 42, Captain).


    Kael turned to the group of strategists standing before him. "What''s thetest update from Aria''s party?" he asked with a calm but firm tone.


    One of the strategists, a smaller man with quick movements, spoke up. "Captain, Aria''s party has made it to the twentieth floor. No world notifications yet, so it seems no one has cleared the dungeon so far."


    Kael nodded, his expression unreadable. "And our other parties?"


    Another strategist stepped forward, a woman with tinum hair pulled into a tight braid. Her tag read Elira Vale (Level 36, Tactician). "Captain, three more of our parties are en route. They should arrive within the hour. The reports suggest the dungeon is far more treacherous than anticipated. The fruit of sin... if it''s truly there, it will be a bloodbath."


    Kael smirked faintly, crossing his arms. "Let theme. The Phoenix Celestial guild will im that fruit. Ensure that our parties stay coordinated. I don''t want any needless mistakes."


    "Yes, Captain!" Elira responded with a salute.


    ...


    Far from the bustling grandeur of Phoenix Celestial, another guild convened in a shadowy chamber.


    Unlike the polished halls of Phoenix Celestial which was an elite guild, this guild''s base was a rough stone building nestled in the outskirts of the city.


    A rough looking sign read; ''Devil''s Chamber Guild''


    Dim torches cast flickering light on the rough-hewn walls, and the air smelled faintly of dampness.


    At the center of the room stood a hulking man d in ck armor with spiked shoulders. His helmet rested on the table before him, revealing a scarred face and piercing gray eyes.


    For a game avatar to look this way, the yer had to bear simr features in reality so one could tell that this man was quite the scary figure.


    The name above his head read: Ragnar Bloodspire (Level 47 Warrior).


    Ragnar mmed his fist on the table, making the scattered maps and scrolls jump. "We must reach the fruit before anyone else. This is our chance to rise above those pompous guilds like Phoenix Celestial."


    A slender man with a hood pulled low over his face chuckled darkly. His tag read Darius Voidstrider (Level 39, Assassin). "You mean before *you* get it, Ragnar," his voice dripped with sarcasm.


    Ragnar shot him a re that could have melted stone. "Watch your tongue, Darius, unless you want me to carve out that forked one of yours. Remember, you''re here because you''re useful—for now."


    A woman leaned against the wall with her violet eyes glowing faintly in the dim surroundings.


    She wore an intricate outfit of dark leather that clung to her athletic frame, ented with crimson patterns.


    Above her head floated the name Selene Darkme (Level 41, Mage).


    "Enough," Selene interjected with a smooth butmanding tone. "We all want the same thing. The fruit is the ultimate prize, and no one—not Phoenix Celestial nor Dragon Fang nor Stormbringers not any of those wannabe independent parties—will stand in our way. We''ll cut through anyone who dares oppose us."