The next two days passed in a blur.
Gara and Leif busied themselves with final preparations for their journey to the [Rashanz] Fragment, gathering supplies, confirming their route, and syncing their Story System settings. When the time finally came, they boarded one of the many sleek, floating buses that carried Players toward the Golden Space—toward the sea of infinite Fragments.
In that short time, the two had grown noticeably closer. Their conversations flowed more naturally, the earlier stiffness fading into easy familiarity. They even played with the same group of kids from the garden again—though one particular encounter nearly derailed their peace.
She arrived like a storm.
Her name was Lavia, a C Ranker with an Original Story called [Mysterious Prison]. She worked as a guard in a nearby prison nestled within the Third Town District. Tall and striking, she wore a dark-blue tactical outfit with a police-style cap and a combat vest. Her long silver-grey hair trailed behind her like a banner, and her crimson eyes locked onto Gara with laser focus.
From the moment she arrived, it was clear: Lavia wasn't just making conversation. She was here for him.
Gara, for his part, visibly tensed. He tried to keep the talk light, but each word seemed like a carefully chosen step around a landmine. Leif, standing quietly at his side, immediately picked up on the awkward energy. It didn't help that Lavia's older brother, Jordan—also a C Ranker with an Original Story called [Guard X] and a prison guard—was there too, casually bringing up marriage prospects like it was the weather.
"Lavia's serious about you," he'd say, grinning. "Maybe it's time to settle down, huh?"
Gara laughed nervously, playing dumb with practiced precision. Leif kept his expression neutral but was definitely taking mental notes.
After a few exhausting minutes of sidestepping romantic landmines, Gara suddenly straightened with a snap of his fingers. "Ah—right! Forgot! Super urgent business, can't miss it. Real serious, very tragic if I delay. We'll catch up later, yeah?"
Without waiting for an answer, he turned on his heel and marched away, dragging Leif along with him before either sibling could respond.
Once they were alone, Gara finally opened up to Leif about the strange, persistent situation involving Lavia—the girl who, for some unfathomable reason, had developed a crush on him and was now talking about marriage like it was a foregone conclusion.
He admitted he felt incredibly weird about the whole thing. It wasn't just that Lavia seemed intense, or that her older brother kept bringing up the idea of weddings like it was casual small talk—it was that Gara himself had no real experience with women. None of this was familiar territory.
He didn't want to reject her outright. Not because he secretly felt the same—he didn't even know how he felt—but because he genuinely didn't understand what was going on inside himself. He wasn't sure what love was supposed to feel like, and he certainly wasn't ready for a commitment as massive as marriage.
In his mind, being with someone meant taking responsibility for their happiness, their safety, their future. And with his dream of boarding the Final Express and diving into Fragment after another, chasing stories and challenges with no end in sight, he didn't think he could offer any of that.
There was also the matter of strength. Lavia was already a C Ranker, while he was still at F. The difference wasn't just numbers on a page—it was power, reach, survival. She could kill him effortlessly if she wanted to. He didn't necessarily fear her, but the imbalance made him uncomfortable. How could he be a proper partner when she was so far ahead?
Leif didn't have much to offer in response. He was just as inexperienced as Gara when it came to these things. All he could suggest was honesty—that maybe, the best thing Gara could do was say exactly what he had just shared.
Gara had nodded at that, quietly. He promised that next time he saw her, he'd try.
Aside from the awkward entanglement with Lavia, the two days passed without much else of note. Gara and Leif spent most of the time preparing for their journey to the [Rashanz] Fragment, an SS-Ranked Fragment infamous even among high-level Players.
That kind of venture typically required meticulous planning, layers of backup strategies, and extensive equipment—but in this case, things were surprisingly smooth. Leif, it turned out, had come more than prepared.
Apparently, the mysterious benefactor behind him had taken care of almost everything they needed.
Gara asked if he'd met the mysterious someone more than once, or if he could contact him at any time. Leif nodded… then shook his head.
By now, the red-haired young man was used to Leif's way of speaking. He didn't push, just raised a brow. "Alright, how many times then? And why not?"
Leif answered, voice steady. "Twice only. And he's the one who contacts me. I've tried saving his account, but it never lets me. He uses different accounts every time… so there's that too."
He paused briefly, then added, "He's contacted me more than once. But I've only met him in person two times."
A breath caught in Leif's throat. He exhaled slowly, his eyes distant for a moment—remembering something he'd rather not.
"The first was when he saved me… and introduced the idea of Champions. That's when he sent me on the path to become a Player."
His gaze lowered slightly.
"The second… was after I finished my third recorded Fragment. He met me again, handed me these pills, and told me to head to the [Rashanz] Fragment—with your help. That was about two weeks ago."
"Oh? Two weeks... Alright, so at least we've confirmed this guy's not dead," Gara said, folding his arms behind his head casually. "It's a guy, right? You keep using 'he' after all."
Leif nodded. "He is, yeah. And if you're wondering how he looks..." He trailed off, then shrugged. "I don't know. Or rather, I'm not sure."
He leaned back slightly, eyes narrowing as he recalled the meetings. "The two times I met him, he was wearing a dark purple cloak that covered everything. Hood up, face hidden. Couldn't see a thing."
A short pause. Then, flatly, "I wasn't about to try and peek at someone that insanely strong... So, I have no idea."
Other than that, Gara had finally told Dante everything Leif had said. The white-haired young man listened in silence, then simply told him to leave it all—until after he and Leif returned from the [Rashanz] Fragment. Gara asked if the journey would be safe. Dante gave a slight nod, his tone calm but firm: it should be.
...
A massive grey bus, emblazoned with the symbol of a cloud on its side, hovered silently in the void before descending. With a gentle hum, it glided down and touched upon a vast golden platform, joining the ranks of dozens of other vehicles already parked in perfect formation. This wasn't just any stop—this was the Golden Space.
Suspended high above the shimmering Sea of Fragments, the Golden Space stretched endlessly in all directions, a boundless realm of light and energy. Even though only a fraction of it was visible here, some believed it had no true end.
This particular section served as a transportation dock—one of many scattered across the Golden Space. Each dock was designated for a different kind of transport: floating buses, armored trains, sleek personal ships, even colossal warships.
Despite their purpose, these weren't simple vehicles. Every single one was reinforced by the Story System itself—capable of withstanding the assault of an A Ranker and holding their ground, if only for a while. As for winning… well, that always depended on the Ranker's power, and the secrets they carried within their story.
Both Gara and Leif stepped off the hovering bus, boots clicking softly against the glowing golden platform. Around them, a sea of Players stretched out in all directions—some talking animatedly in small groups, others standing silently before shimmering portals, waiting for their turn to dive into a new Fragment.
The energy in the air was electric—hope, ambition, fear, and excitement all mingling together. This was the Golden Space, after all. A crossroad of journeys, where destinies branched and stories were born.
Gara's eyes wandered, scanning the crowd—until they widened slightly. In the distance, a colossal Dragon strode through the space. Its scales gleamed gold, catching the radiant light from the skyless expanse above. Walking beside it was a full team of Players, armed and ready. Clearly, they were preparing for something big.
But rather than being impressed, Gara scoffed internally.
'Huh! Tsk, a Dragon and golden? What is this? Lacks class... unlike my friend Marcus. A true Red Flaming Dragon!! Now that's what I'm talking about.'
He sighed to himself, a hint of warmth behind the exhale.
'Can't wait to meet back up with him in the Town of No Return... and to journey together inside the Final Express. And, hehe, of course—learn Fire Techniques from him!!'
A grin tugged at his lips as he walked on, mind already halfway to that reunion.
Leif glanced at the Golden Dragon just once before looking away, completely uninterested. The bustle of the Golden Space, the chatter, the spectacle—it didn't matter to him. His mind was fixed on a single point: the [Rashanz] Fragment and the mission he came to complete.
Beside him, Gara walked with a lighter step, casually scanning the surroundings, eyes dancing from one oddity to the next. But then—a sudden stir in the crowd caught his attention. Cheers erupted like a sudden wave crashing against calm shores.
He turned swiftly.
A swarm of Players had gathered, their voices rising in excitement, clapping and shouting like fans at a concert. At the center of it all walked a single Player, drawing attention like a beacon.
A D Ranker.
The man wore ornate golden armor that shimmered with an unnatural glow. His blonde hair was neatly styled, and his sharp yellow eyes sparkled with confidence. In his right hand, he carried a golden spear that pulsed with power. As he walked forward, he waved to his adoring crowd with a polished smile.
It was rare—almost unheard of—for a D Ranker to be this famous. Fame like this was reserved for monsters at the top: the SSS Rankers and beyond. The few exceptions were those tied to something... or someone... even greater.
Like Dante's ties to the Hiro Species that made him quite famous around the Story World even though he was only an A Ranker.
Gara immediately understood.
This wasn't just any D Ranker. This was the [Golden Prince]—son of the [Gold Emperor], a Z Ranker. Head of the fabled Council of Eight. Ruler of the only known Z Ranked Fragment: [Roses Universe].
The cheers around them only grew louder as the prince strode past. His golden spear glinting under the strange light of the Golden Space.
Gara's curiosity got the better of him. Fame alone didn't cause a frenzy like this—something more had to be going on. He weaved through the murmuring crowd, found a nearby Player with eyes practically glowing in excitement, and tapped his shoulder.
"Hey, what's the deal? Why's everyone losing their minds?"
The Player whipped around with a wide grin. "Dude! The [Golden Prince] is about to challenge an A Ranked Fragment!! Hahaha! Yes, man! You heard me right! He's crazy, I tell you!"
Gara blinked, then chuckled and gave the Player a small nod before making his way back to Leif.
He leaned in, still grinning. "So get this—he's challenging an A Ranked Fragment."
Leif raised a brow but said nothing. A subtle grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. That was answer enough.
Gara, on the other hand, burst out laughing. The sheer absurdity of it amused him to no end. "An A Ranked Fragment! They're acting like he just declared war on the Story System itself."
He looked around at the fanfare, at the Players shouting like they'd just seen a legend reborn.
'If this is how they act when a D Ranker goes for an A Rank Fragment…' Gara thought, a mischievous light flickering in his eyes, 'what would they do if they found out we're about to walk into an SS Ranked Fragment?'
He could barely contain his laugh at the thought.
Good thing no one knew.
Gara just shook his head lightly, amusement still flickering in his eyes, and moved forward alongside Leif.
Their steps echoed across the golden platform until they finally reached a large, hovering white portal shimmering with thick bands of energy. It pulsed like a living thing, humming with the raw power of the [Rashanz] Fragment it connected to.
In front of the portal were two familiar lines—standard procedure for all Fragments in the Golden Space.
The first line was for those entering to play the Storyline version of the Fragment: the guided, virtual experience with set routes and safe exits. The second was the real deal—direct entry into the actual Fragment itself.
As expected, the second line stood completely empty.
After all, most Players didn't dare enter Fragments physically, especially not SS Ranked ones, unless they were seasoned veterans or had a death wish. Even the first line was barren; few attempted the [Rashanz] Fragment to begin with. It was notorious, a challenge usually reserved for S or SS Rankers.
Gara gave a soft whistle at the emptiness before exchanging a glance with Leif.
No fanfare. No spectators. No fanboys shouting their names.
Just them, and a portal that promised madness on the other side.
"Looks like it's just us," Gara muttered under his breath.
Leif nodded in silence, his eyes already locked onto a sleek, floating screen mounted on a slim pedestal beside the portal. A soft hum pulsed from it as he tapped through the menus with practiced ease, fingers dancing across the holographic interface.
He was accessing Player information tied to the [Rashanz] Fragment—specifically, who was currently inside.
Naturally, just like most things in the Story World, it wasn't free.
Gara, standing beside him, sighed internally. If it were up to him, there was no way he could afford something like this. The cost of such detailed access was outrageous—meant to keep most lower Rankers out of other people's business. But Leif? Leif paid like he was dropping spare change into a street performer's hat. Effortless. Detached.
Moments later, he turned the screen toward Gara, having already transferred the access. "Here."
"Thanks," Gara said, swiping through the data.
According to the readout, there were currently 20 Players inside the [Rashanz] Fragment:
2 SS Rankers
3 S Rankers
3 A Rankers
5 B Rankers
4 C Rankers
2 D Rankers
1 E Ranker
Gara blinked at the last number. "An E Ranker? Inside this Fragment?" he muttered.
It wasn't impossible, just... insane.
The rest of the distribution was solid, expected even. What caught both their attention were the top two—both SS Rankers, both recognized at a glance.
One bore the Original Story [Blue Waves], and the other wielded [White Space].
Anyone who'd made it past S Rank into SS practically had to possess either an Original or Inherited Story. Borrowed and Sponsored Stories hit a ceiling—because to reach S Rank, a Player needed to forge a Domain, a personal manifestation of their story's truth. And Domains couldn't be built on borrowed ground.
Gara nodded slowly, eyes still scrolling through the list. "Hmmm... Didn't expect to see these two here, but it makes sense. SS Rankers in an SS Ranked Fragment... Still, I wonder what they're looking for?"
Leif didn't respond.
Gara turned to him and noticed that he had grown oddly tense, eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at two specific names.
"What's up?" Gara asked.
Leif said nothing at first, then slowly pointed at the bottom of the list.
Two entries.
One was a D Ranker with the story name [Black Cover].
The other—the only E Ranker in the entire Fragment—was listed as [Blue Cover].
Gara's brow furrowed as he saw the subtle shift in Leif's posture. The names alone had stirred something in him, something serious.
And from the way Leif's expression darkened, Gara knew better than to take them lightly.
"Do you know them or something?" Gara asked, glancing sideways at Leif.
Leif gave a small nod, his gaze still fixed on the names. Then he finally spoke, voice steady but distant. "They're both members of the Cover Club. Every member has 'Cover' in their name, paired with a specific color. Not many members... since there aren't that many colors worth using. And every one of them holds an Original Story."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "Their leader is an SSS Ranker. [Pink Cover]—a powerful, ambitious woman. The reason I know them... is because of my late brother."
Leif's hands tightened slightly at his sides.
"He once fought one of their members. An A Ranker. [Silver Cover]. He killed him."
Gara blinked.
"The Cover Club wanted payback, of course," Leif went on, "but they didn't make a move. Mostly because my elder brother was the heir to our clan. Touching him would've meant war. Still... seeing them here, now... I didn't expect that."
His voice faded out, eyes still glued to the screen, lingering on the two names that clearly meant more to him than he let on.
Gara crossed his arms, thinking it over before speaking. "At least it makes a little more sense why there's an E Ranker inside. He's probably relying on the D Ranker for protection... Though, honestly, a D Rank in an SS Ranked Fragment is still way too low in my opinion."
Leif gave a slow nod in agreement. "Give me a second," he said, pulling up his black Story System interface with a flick of his finger. "I'll try purchasing some data through the Blue Trade Records. Maybe I can dig up why they're here."
Gara waited in silence as the glowing interface hovered in the air in front of Leif, data lines scrolling rapidly. After about three minutes, Leif exhaled and shook his head.
"Nothing explains their presence. They've been quiet the past few years—added a few members, explored a handful of Fragments. That's about it. This might just be a coincidence."
Gara raised an eyebrow but eventually shrugged. "Couldn't really say. Who knows? But at most they've only got a D Ranker with them. We can test a few tricks if it comes down to it. [Black Cover] doesn't sound like a top-tier Original Story anyway."
"It's not," Leif confirmed. "If I can hit E Rank properly, we'll be able to hold them off long enough to request an exit from the Fragment, worst-case scenario."
"Alright then," Gara said with a grin. "We just keep our guard up while we're inside. Other than that... I guess it's about time we head in, right?"
Leif nodded without a word and turned toward the glowing white portal suspended in the air. Everything was already arranged—entry approved, passage cleared. They'd spoken to the Fragment's Reciter earlier and secured permission to enter, all expenses covered by Leif, of course.
This particular Fragment, despite its SS Rank, wasn't even one of the top priorities under its Reciter's care. For that reason, it was currently being managed by a Replice—an artificial, AI-based copy of the original Reciter used to handle lower-priority Fragments. It wasn't uncommon, especially among Reciters who juggled multiple Fragments at once.
In fact, what was uncommon was Reciters owning only one Fragment, most owned at least three or more.
The Reciter behind the [Rashanz] Fragment was an X Ranker, a woman known for her Original Story, [Best Horror Storyteller]. She controlled several SS Ranked Fragments and even a few in the rarified SSS Rank tier.
But her true claim to fame was the X Ranked Fragment she owned—an extreme rarity in the entire Story World, with only a few hundred of them in existence. That alone placed her in the realm of elite Reciters. Add to that her personal connection to one of the Story World's most powerful figures—an infamous Z Ranker known as the [Beast King]—and it was clear she was no ordinary Reciter.
Both Gara and Leif stepped forward, their eyes fixed on the brilliant white portal shimmering with condensed story energy. As they approached, a golden staircase spiraled into existence beneath their feet, unfolding with a soft hum as the portal scanned and confirmed their right to enter the [Rashanz] Fragment.
Without hesitation, they ascended the stairs—step by step toward a world far beyond their current standing. At the top, facing the swirling light, Gara paused for a single breath. Then, with the fire of resolve burning in his chest, he stepped through.
Leif followed in silence, vanishing into the glow behind him.
And just like that, two F Ranked Players vanished from the Golden Space… and stepped into the unknown of an SS Ranked Fragment.
...
The wormhole journey through the white portal was brief—barely ten minutes from start to end—but for Gara, it felt like a storm of anticipation trapped in stillness. Neither he nor Leif spoke during the ride. Leif, as always, had little to say. And Gara? He was too caught up in the rush of it all.
He was really doing it.
He was entering the [Rashanz] Fragment.
The same SS Ranked Fragment he'd dared to challenge when he first arrived in the Story World—only to be kicked out within the hour. Back then, he was clueless, just another reckless newcomer playing pretend. But this time was different. He wasn't here for the Storyline. He was here for the real Fragment—the living, breathing world itself.
He could feel his story, [Root of All Things], pulsing with anticipation. It shimmered faintly around him, responding to his thoughts. Finally… a real fight. No more virtual opponents in the [Training Grounds]. No more safety nets. Just raw battle—story against story.
'Lightning Wolves, huh...' he smirked to himself.
Maybe, just maybe, once they reached the Mountain of Lightning, he'd get his wish—to test himself against real E Ranked beasts while still F Rank. The idea alone sent a thrill through his veins.
And with that, Gara picked up his pace, moving ahead with long, purposeful strides. He pushed through the final fold of the wormhole—and stepped, heart pounding, into the heart of the [Rashanz] Fragment.
...
Gara opened his eyes—and the world had changed.
He was no longer in the Golden Space. He stood now inside the [Rashanz] Fragment, the air itself heavier, more vivid, like the rules of reality had shifted. This was no simulation. This was the real thing.
It was nighttime, yet the sky was far from dark. A colossal moon hung high above, silver and luminous, bathing the landscape in a pale, ethereal glow. Shadows danced across the jagged terrain, but everything was clearly visible under that unnatural moonlight.
He stood atop a rocky hill, its edges sharp and uneven. In the distance, giant boulders rose like silent sentinels, surrounded by patches of wild green grass that clung stubbornly to the stone. A faint breeze stirred, carrying with it the scent of earth and something electric, something... alive.
Beside him stood Leif, the quiet storm. Blonde hair catching the moonlight, crimson eyes alert beneath the hood of his black cloak. He said nothing, just like always—but his stance said enough.
"Welp, we did it, we're inside the Fragment finally," Gara said, stretching his arms out as if embracing the wild, mysterious world around them.
Leif said nothing, just gave his usual nod, then narrowed his crimson eyes at the horizon. A line of jagged mountains loomed in the distance, shrouded in mist and shadow. He raised a hand and pointed toward them. "It should be somewhere there."
Gara followed his gaze, then gave a confident grin. "Yup, no worries. Leave it to me. I'm good with maps—I'm a Story Guide after all."
With a light chuckle and restless energy crackling around him, Gara took a step forward, boots crunching against the rocky ground. He was too fired up to stand still—his whole body seemed to vibrate with anticipation.
Leif fell into step behind him, silent as a shadow, as the two F Rankers marched together into the heart of the SS Ranked [Rashanz] Fragment.
—End of Chapter.
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The Podcast of F Rankers:
SeaFlow250: Gara!!!! You a genius!!! I love you so much!!
Gara: Heh! See that Leif, that's one of my fans... I have so many I lost count by now.
Leif: Not more than me, that's for sure.
Gara: Oh yeah? Well... Alright fine, true... But you're cheating with your edgy emo style, ofc you'll have more.
Leif: True, but not my fault, just how I dress and act, can't change that you know?
Gara: Well, you can actually, it's called character development!
Leif: You do bring up a good point, but I'm called [Masked Threat] and there is no changing that.
Gara: Won't argue with you on that.