Silence ruled the throne hall once more.
Not the empty kind.
But the kind that waited.
Cain sat upon the Throne of Eternal Night, his posture relaxed, one arm resting against the obsidian armrest, fingers lightly tapping in a slow, thoughtful rhythm. Shadows pooled beneath the throne like a living sea, responding subtly to his presence.
A world without edges.
That was the thought circling his mind.
If this is reality… then where exactly am I?
In Eternal Quest Online, the Demon Emperor's Island had always been a late-game domain—sealed, isolated, unreachable unless specific world conditions were met. It had never mattered what lay beyond it. Players couldn't go there.
But now—
This was no longer a map.
This was existence.
Cain closed his eyes.
His perception extended outward—not as a skill activation, not as magic—but as authority. The world did not resist him. It acknowledged him.
And what he sensed made his brow tighten slightly.
Nothing.
No continents pressing against the horizon.
No distant mana fluctuations that suggested cities or civilizations.
Just… emptiness.
A vast, endless stretch of vacant space surrounding his island like an abandoned canvas.
"So this is a newborn world," Cain murmured.
Or perhaps—
A world that had not yet decided what it wanted to be.
Footsteps echoed softly.
Cain didn't turn.
He already knew who it was.
Lyssandra Nightveil approached the throne with measured steps, her dark wings folded neatly behind her. She stopped at a respectful distance and knelt, one hand resting over her chest.
"My Emperor," she said. "My investigation is complete—for now."
Cain opened his eyes.
"Report."
Lyssandra lifted her head, her glowing eyes sharp, analytical.
"The space surrounding our domain contains no confirmed landmasses, no islands, no detectable lifeforms," she said calmly. "Mana density fluctuates unpredictably, but there is no structure—no ley lines, no world veins."
Cain nodded slowly.
"So it's not hidden," he said. "It simply doesn't exist."
"Yes," Lyssandra replied. "It is as though the world has not yet expanded beyond your island."
Cain leaned back slightly.
Interesting.
This meant two things.
Either—
This world was unfinished.
Or—
His domain was placed before everything else.
Both possibilities were… favorable.
"And beyond our island?" Cain asked.
Lyssandra hesitated.
Just slightly.
"My abilities cannot penetrate beyond a certain distance," she admitted. "Not because of resistance—but because there is nothing to observe. My whispers find no ears. My shadows find no ground."
Cain's fingers stopped tapping.
"So even you are limited by absence."
"Yes, my Emperor."
Cain smiled faintly.
Then this was not a cage.
It was a starting point.
"Good," he said.
Lyssandra blinked, surprised by the response.
Cain's gaze shifted toward the vast open space beyond the throne hall's massive arched opening, where a faint crimson sky stretched endlessly.
"A world with no structure means no established powers," he said. "No gods. No ancient rulers. No inherited laws."
He leaned forward slightly.
"It means I won't need to overthrow anyone."
Lyssandra's lips curved into a subtle, dangerous smile.
"Then you intend to build it yourself."
Cain did not deny it.
At that moment—
The sound of precise, measured footsteps echoed from the far end of the hall.
Neon entered.
He walked with perfect posture, holding a large, rectangular object wrapped in dark cloth. He stopped before the throne and bowed deeply.
"My Emperor," Neon said. "The observation mirror is prepared."
Cain gestured.
"Proceed."
Neon stepped forward and removed the cloth.
The mirror was enormous—taller than Cain himself, framed in blackened silver etched with countless runes. Its surface shimmered like liquid glass, reflecting not the throne hall—but the outside.
As Neon activated it, the mirror's surface stabilized.
And the world beyond was revealed.
Cain's eyes narrowed slightly.
The view was breathtaking.
A massive landmass stretched across the horizon—vast plains, distant mountain ranges, rivers like silver threads cutting through the earth. Dense forests pulsed with life, while patches of mana-rich terrain glowed faintly even from this distance.
"This…" Cain murmured.
Unlike the empty void around his island, this land was alive.
Structured.
Balanced.
A real world.
Lyssandra stepped closer, her eyes fixed on the mirror.
"So there is land," she said softly.
"Yes," Cain replied. "Just not adjacent to us."
The implication was clear.
His island was not connected.
Not yet.
"This land is large," Neon added calmly. "Preliminary analysis suggests multiple climates and potential for diverse civilizations."
Cain studied the terrain carefully.
Mountains that could hide dragons.
Forests that could birth ancient races.
Plains perfect for kingdoms to rise—and fall.
This was not a starting zone.
This was a main stage.
Cain's expression grew serious.
"Prepare the defense protocols," he ordered.
Neon bowed instantly.
"As you command."
The Demon Emperor's Castle responded.
Runes ignited along the walls.
Invisible barriers activated around the island, layers upon layers of defensive authority locking into place. Sky wards. Spatial distortions. Anti-divine interference fields.
This island would not be breached.
Not by accident.
Not by curiosity.
Not by gods.
Cain rose from the throne.
The shadows parted for him.
"This world may be empty now," he said. "But it won't remain so."
He turned slightly.
"Neon."
"Yes, my Emperor?"
"Begin full deployment readiness. The army does not move—but it must be ready."
Neon placed a hand over his chest.
"It already is."
Cain then looked at Lyssandra.
"You will continue your investigation," he said. "Focus on that landmass. Cultures. Power structures. Unknown threats."
Lyssandra bowed deeply.
"My whispers will reach it, even if I must wait for shadows to be born."
Cain nodded.
Satisfied.
Then—
He raised his voice.
Not loud.
But absolute.
"Summon them."
The air trembled.
"All marshals. All grand marshals," Cain commanded. "I want them in the throne hall."
The order did not echo.
It spread.
Through the castle.
Through the island.
Through every being bound to his authority.
Cain turned back toward the mirror, his gaze fixed on the distant land.
A new world.
Untouched by his rule.
Untouched by his name.
Not for long.
Behind him, the throne hall began to stir.
Power gathered.
History prepared to move.
And Cain—
The Demon Emperor—
Smiled.
End of Chapter 2