The Verdant Expanse trembled.
Every Guardian, great and small, seemed to pause, ears twitching, as though the very air carried a warning. The ground vibrated faintly, steady as a heartbeat, heralding something far greater than the Alpha Denver and Asmeria had slain.
Yet elsewhere on Floor One, another player was already tearing through the realm at a speed that defied sense.
Finnick Vale was not like the others.
Where most stumbled through the tutorial, panicking at every roar in the woods, Finnick strode forward with the confidence of one who had seen it all before. His HUD glowed faintly with indicators most had yet to unlock, hidden systems only a handful of beta testers had experienced.
His hand rested lightly on the creature trotting beside him — a beast of pale azure fur, sleek as a wolf yet crowned with antler-like horns that shimmered faintly in the light. Its eyes gleamed with intelligence, almost human.
The system named it: Mystic Beast – Aetherfang.
Its breath misted even in warm air, trails of mana curling with every exhale.
"You feel it too, don't you?" Finnick murmured, his grin sharp. "The game's changed. No log out… no second chances." He tightened his grip on his sword. "All the better. A real challenge, finally."
The Mystic Beast flicked an ear in response, silent yet utterly loyal.
Unlike the others, Finnick wasn't afraid. He was thrilled. Where the world raged in panic, he saw opportunity. Every dungeon, every floor, every hidden system… they would all fall to him. He would climb higher, faster, smarter.
And this time, no one could patch out his exploits.
Not far away, Denver still reeled from the system message:
[World Event Triggered: First Overlord Spawn – Dire Alpha.]
The forest darkened, as though shadows bent toward the source of the growl. The Magma Hound pressed close to him, growling softly, flames flickering brighter in agitation.
Asmeria pulled an arrow from her quiver, eyes narrowing. "That thing makes the last Alpha look like a puppy."
Denver's throat tightened. He wanted to run — instinct screamed at him to. But something rooted him to the spot. The bond with his Magma Hound pulsed in his chest like a second heartbeat.
And then he heard footsteps.
Not panicked, not stumbling — purposeful. Steady.
From the treeline emerged a tall young man, dark-haired and sharp-eyed, moving with unshakable confidence. At his side padded the Mystic Beast, its ethereal antlers glowing faintly in the gloom.
Denver blinked, stunned. "What… what kind of Guardian is that?"
Finnick's lips curved into a smirk. "Stronger than yours."
Asmeria bristled. "Oh, we've got a cocky one."
The Mystic Beast snorted softly, its gaze landing on the Magma Hound. For a moment, the two Guardians locked eyes — sparks of heat and frost in silent tension.
Denver's Hound growled, tiny flames licking the air. The Mystic Beast only tilted its head, unbothered.
Denver stepped forward cautiously. "You're… not like the others, are you? You're not panicking."
"Why would I?" Finnick replied simply. "This is what the game was always meant to be. Pure. No shortcuts, no resets. Just survival." His eyes gleamed. "You cleared the Alpha first, didn't you?"
Denver hesitated, then nodded.
Finnick grinned wider. "Good. Means you're not completely useless. But don't think you'll stay ahead for long."
Asmeria scoffed. "Rivalry already? We just met."
But Denver felt something spark inside him — not anger, but something else. For the first time since entering the game, he felt… motivated.
"Fine," he muttered, meeting Finnick's gaze. "Then try to keep up."
Before Finnick could respond, a soft voice carried through the clearing.
"Um… excuse me?"
All three turned.
From the shadows stepped a girl with chestnut hair tied loosely behind her, dressed in light armor more suited for mobility than combat. But what caught Denver's eye was the small glowing creature hovering at her shoulder — a tiny fairy with wings of crystalline light, its glow casting a gentle aura across the ground.
The system identified it: Healing Guardian – Sylphid (Fairy Type).
The girl looked nervous under their stares, but she forced herself to speak. "My name's Nathalie. I… I saw the system warning about the Dire Alpha. If you're going to fight it, you'll need support."
Her fairy Guardian twirled in the air, scattering faint particles of light that healed the scratches on Denver's arm.
Denver inhaled sharply. The warmth seeped into his skin, soothing, real. Not numbers on a screen — not pixels — but true restoration.
Finnick's smirk faltered slightly. "A healer, this early?"
Nathalie smiled shyly. "I was lucky. Or maybe unlucky, depending on how you see it."
Asmeria crossed her arms. "Well, you've got guts showing up here. Most players are running the other way."
"I couldn't just watch people die." Nathalie's voice shook, but her eyes held steady. "Not when I can help."
Denver stared at her for a long moment, then nodded. "We'll need you."
Finnick raised an eyebrow. "You're trusting her that fast?"
Denver shrugged. "Better than not trusting her at all."
The Magma Hound wagged its fiery tail, sniffing curiously at Nathalie's fairy. The little Guardian giggled, darting around its head like a playful spark.
For the first time, a fragile alliance began to form.
The ground shook harder now.
Birds burst from the trees, scattering in panic. Branches cracked, trees falling in a chain reaction as something massive pushed through the forest.
A second system message appeared across every player's HUD:
[World Boss Alert – Dire Alpha Spawning.]
[All Floor One players within the Verdant Expanse are now in Event Territory.]
Far away, other players screamed as their HUDs flashed. Many began to flee blindly, scattering into the shadows. Others prepared traps in desperation, banding together.
But Denver, Finnick, Asmeria, and Nathalie stood their ground.
When the beast emerged, it towered above them all.
The Dire Alpha's fur was black as night, its body larger than a truck, muscles rippling beneath shadow-touched hide. Its eyes blazed like molten suns, and every breath steamed with poisonous vapor. Chains of corrupted mana wrapped around its limbs, glowing with runes.
Its howl split the sky, shaking the leaves from trees.
Denver's heart pounded so loud he thought it might burst. His Magma Hound snarled back, flames bursting brighter, but the size difference was terrifying.
Finnick drew his sword, the Mystic Beast crouching low, mana radiating in waves. "Now this," he whispered, grinning, "is what I've been waiting for."
Nathalie's fairy Guardian fluttered in front of them, tiny hands glowing with healing light, ready to shield its allies. Nathalie herself stood pale but resolute, gripping her staff tightly.
Asmeria notched an arrow, eyes sharp, lips curling into a fierce grin. "Finally, a real fight."
And Denver… Denver took a breath, steeling himself.
The Magma Hound pressed against his leg, fire in its eyes, as though saying: We're in this together.
For the first time since entering Guardian Online, Denver didn't feel like a lost boy. He felt like a player.
The Dire Alpha lowered its head. Its eyes locked onto them.
And it charged.