The Balant Fortress.
I never thought I'd set foot here of all places.
Perched on the northernmost edge of the empire, the fortress stood like a scar carved into the earth—its black stone walls stretching toward the horizon, where the snow never melted and the wind howled like a living thing. This was the frontline, the line that separated humans from the demon tribes lurking beyond the frozen border.
In the game, this was the starting point—the place where the story began. But standing here now, in the flesh, the air felt heavier. The cold bit deeper. The scent of iron and oil clung to every inch of the battlements. The soldiers here didn't have the luxury of smiling; their eyes were sharp, their movements disciplined, their breath clouding in the frigid air.
I exhaled slowly, watching the mist leave my mouth. "So this is where it all starts."
The fortress had a reputation that wasn't exaggerated.
