At the center of the world lay the Labyrinth City, Orario.
Built atop the Dungeon, one of the world's three great frontiers, this enormous city was known as the world's center thanks to the many gods who resided there and the countless high-level adventurers who gathered within its walls.
"So this is Orario?"
A young boy stepped out from the forest. His pointed ears stood out clearly amid his black hair, and his eyes were unusually deep, as though a faint crimson glow shimmered within them. His features were refined and gentle, almost jade-like in their elegance.
It was not hard to tell that he belonged to the elven race.
Isis gazed toward the city on the horizon. Its colossal walls sprawled across the earth, their ends disappearing beyond sight, while at its center a towering white spire rose straight into the heavens.
This was also the land of adventure he had long yearned for—a place where anyone could pursue wealth and fame, and where one could receive a god's blessing and obtain great power.
Having been reborn into such a fantastical world of swords and magic, Isis naturally wanted to explore the unknown. If he were to spend this life in mediocrity and let it pass in vain, that would be far too great a waste.
Besides, elves were a long-lived race to begin with. Isis had no intention of letting those long years be filled with nothing but dull and tedious routine.
As for his "rebirth," that had come from a stroke of bizarre fate in his previous life—and from the time of the "black meteor shower" that had fallen over this world more than ten years ago, during which he was born in the Royal Forest of Alf.
Of course, that did not mean Isis himself was directly of the elven royal family. If one had to be precise, he only carried part of that bloodline. His mother was a member of the elven royal line, but his father was not, which meant he was not a direct royal heir.
Still, that did nothing to diminish the nobility of his status. By Isis's own understanding, he ought to count as a prince of sorts. Yes, that sounded about right.
After much pleading and persuasion, he finally won his parents' permission, and so at the age of twelve, Isis set out on his journey of adventure.
There was just one condition.
He had to go and "seek refuge" with the aunt currently living in Orario.
Riveria Ljos Alf.
The famed Nine Hells, a Level 6 adventurer and vice-captain of the Loki Familia—one of the twin kings of Orario.
After all, Isis was only twelve. His parents were naturally worried. Since Riveria, his exceptionally capable aunt, was already in Orario, sending him to her was clearly the best option.
Before Isis set out, a letter had already been sent ahead to Orario. Riveria had most likely already received word of his arrival.
"Mother said to enter through the west gate, then head to the front of the Guild Hall. Auntie will meet me there…"
Isis looked at the map in his hand, then glanced up ahead.
Mm. Confirmed. That was the west gate.
The next moment, he dashed toward it in a blur, clearly unable to contain his impatience.
…
Orario, West Gate.
"Next."
After finishing an inspection, two guards clad in armor and armed with weapons called for the next person in line.
Very soon, it was Isis's turn.
"Travel permit."
The guard on the left extended a hand, his movements carrying the mechanical routine of someone who had repeated the same duty day after day—until the corner of his eye caught sight of the boy's ear.
His hand froze in midair.
An elf.
The guard's fingers unconsciously curled back.
It was not fear, but habit—common sense, really. Rule Seventeen of the Orario Guard Regulations: when conducting inspections involving elves, physical contact must be avoided.
Isis pulled a neatly folded parchment from his robe. As he handed it over, he casually unfolded it, revealing a gold-embossed crest of intertwining branches.
The guard's pupils contracted sharply.
The crest of the Royal Forest of Alf—a silver great tree crowned by seven stars. Only those of the direct royal bloodline of the elves were qualified to use that seal.
He had served as a guard for six years, and he had only ever seen that emblem once before—in an illustrated handbook during training.
The other guard leaned over for a look, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed. At some point, the lazy posture he had been resting against the wall with had already straightened into full attention.
"Identity confirmed."
"Please turn around. The device will check whether you bear a god's blessing."
Faced with a young man of elven royal lineage, the guards naturally had no desire to offend him. Their tone remained calm and polite.
"Thank you for the trouble."
Isis smiled. His demeanor was mild and gentle, entirely lacking the arrogance one might expect, and it put people at ease.
After all, the elves' pride was famous throughout the world—and that went double for elven royalty. The composure and friendliness Isis displayed now was enough to surprise them a little.
One of the guards then picked up a tool shaped like a lantern and lightly pressed it against Isis's back. After confirming that he did not possess a god's blessing, they immediately allowed him through.
"Oh, right—would you happen to know if Northwest Avenue is that way? I'm trying to get to the Adventurers' Guild."
Isis pointed toward the fork in the road ahead as he asked.
"Yes. Just keep going straight and you'll reach the Guild. That's where you can register as an adventurer."
"Thanks."
"No problem."
After watching Isis depart, the guards could not help but exchange surprised looks.
"You know, an elven royal this easygoing is really rare. And a male elf, no less."
"Coming from that forest, he's probably related to Lady Riveria…"
"Damn… now that you mention it, you're right!"
"Wasn't it obvious at a glance?"
The two guards continued whispering to each other.
As for Isis, he knew nothing of their conversation. He was already following the directions they had given him toward the Guild Hall.
When he arrived, he could not help but lift his head in astonishment.
Even though he had already seen many wonders in this world, the grandeur of the Guild Hall still left him amazed.
The white-pillared structure before him could only be described as a pantheon—solemn, imposing, majestic.
It possessed a vast front courtyard lined with monuments, and at that very moment numerous adventurers could be seen coming and going.
The Guild, which bore responsibility for the operation of Orario itself, naturally held full authority over the Dungeon and all matters related to it.
When it came to conquering the labyrinth, their support was indispensable.
"No wonder this place is called the center of the world. What it possesses is far beyond anything the outside world could ever imagine."
Isis let out a soft sigh of admiration.
At the same time, a stirring arose in his heart. Perhaps one day in the future, his own statue might stand here as well, like those of the ancient heroes—remaining for centuries, perhaps even a thousand years, its name passed down through the ages.
At the thought, Isis felt his blood begin to boil with excitement. He could hardly wait to become an adventurer.
Just as he was brimming with anticipation, two figures approached, and one of them—a tall figure walking with elegant grace—noticed him.
That figure slowly came closer. Without realizing it, the surrounding crowd parted to make way, out of deliberate avoidance but also out of reverence and respect.
But Isis, who had been gazing up at the statues of the ancient heroes, noticed none of this. Only when he came back to himself did he realize that the area around him had suddenly grown much quieter.
"Hm?"
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