Sato stepped through the massive blue portal.
The familiar cold rush of energy washed over him — the same sensation as when he had been pulled into this world years ago. For a moment, everything was light and motion.
Then reality snapped back.
He emerged from a smaller portal on the other side, blinking against bright artificial lights. The air was warmer, cleaner, filled with the low hum of machinery and distant voices.
He was in a city.
Tall buildings rose around him — sleek glass towers with glowing neon signs, steel and concrete structures that stretched dozens of stories high. Holographic advertisements floated in the air above the streets: images of Hunters in action, guild logos, weapon promotions, dungeon raid announcements. Flying drones zipped overhead, carrying packages or scanning crowds. The streets were wide, paved with smooth dark stone, lined with shops, cafes, and weapon emporiums.
People moved in organized streams — most wearing modern tactical gear mixed with fantasy armor: leather jackets over chainmail, smartphones clipped to belts beside enchanted daggers, earpieces glowing with mana runes. Hunters were everywhere: some in sleek black suits with guild badges, others in heavy plate carrying massive greatswords, a few with animal companions or summoned spirits floating beside them.
A group of three Hunters passed nearby — a tall woman in red armor leading, a mage in flowing robes behind her, and a scout with a bow and tech-enhanced goggles. They glanced at Sato briefly — his patched eye, bloodstained cloak, ancient-looking sword — but didn't stop. In this city, scarred veterans were common.
Above the portal platform, a large holographic sign hovered:
Continent Return Portal – Central District, Pertfel Empire Capital Outpost
Authorized Personnel Only – ID Scan Required
Sato stood still for a moment, taking it all in.
This wasn't the frozen hell he had left behind.
This was a city — advanced, alive, powerful.
But it was still not home.
He touched the patch over his missing eye.
Twenty years, he thought. If what she said is true… everything has changed.
He took one step forward into the crowd.
Sato looked around at the bustling city streets, the towering buildings, the glowing signs, the Hunters in sleek tactical gear.
So this isn't the Eastern Continent, he thought to himself. It's somewhere else entirely.
He scanned the other Hunters passing by — some with guild badges, others with high-tech weapons mixed with enchanted armor.
Everyone here is like this… just like Ezra said.
A voice came from behind.
"Mr. Hunter, a moment of your time?" Jens asked politely.
Sato turned.
"What's the problem?" he said.
Jens smiled gently.
"If you don't have any plans right now, how about coming with us to the Golden Phoenix Guild?"
Sato frowned slightly.
"Guild? Yeah, he mentioned something like that earlier too."
"What's in it for me?" Sato asked directly.
Jens's smile stayed, but his tone became more straightforward.
"Alright, let's cut to the point. I want you in my guild. When I saw you at the portal earlier, you looked like a very strong Hunter. I don't like letting talented people go to other guilds."
Sato stared at him.
*Guild… like in those movies?* he thought.
"What do I get out of it?" he asked.
"We can discuss the details at the guild," Jens replied.
Sato thought for a moment.
"And if I refuse?"
Jens's expression turned slightly more serious.
"That's your choice. I won't force you. But remember — you're in the Central Continent now. Walking around without an ID is considered a crime. I don't think you want trouble for yourself."
Sato glanced around. He noticed several uniformed officers in suits patrolling nearby — armed, alert, eyes scanning the crowd.
*There are a lot of guards here,* he thought. *If I try to run, it'll cause big problems. And this Jens guy… he's strong. Definitely trouble if I fight him.*
"Fine," Sato said reluctantly. "If you can help me, I'll join."
Jens smiled, satisfied.
"Excellent."
They walked to a row of sleek black sedans parked nearby. Sato and the greatsword-wielding warrior got into the back car. Jens and the woman with long purple hair and green eyes — an archer — took the front vehicle.
As the cars drove smoothly through the city streets, the purple-haired woman spoke from the passenger seat.
"Guildmaster, why are you trying so hard to recruit him? We don't even know who he is. And he doesn't have an ID. What if he's a criminal?"
Jens chuckled softly.
"I know. He could be a criminal… or just a normal Hunter. Either way, I know he's strong."
"Why do you think so?" she asked.
"Because he moved freely inside my domain," Jens said, smirking. "Even at an unexpected level. He was completely calm."
"What? When did you do that?" she asked, surprised.
"At the gate. I thought he was another troublemaker, so I tried to trap him in my domain. But the moment I activated it, he cut off the heads of those gate guards without even blinking."
He grinned wider.
"If he refuses to join, we can just hand him over to the government as a criminal. And we'll take his armor for ourselves. Those pieces look expensive."
The woman nodded slowly.
"Understood."
The cars continued toward the Golden Phoenix Guild.
Sato sat in the back, staring out the window at the city lights.
The black sedans glided smoothly through the city streets until they pulled up in front of a towering modern building — sleek black glass and steel, rising at least 40 stories high. Neon golden phoenix logos glowed along the facade, reflecting off the polished windows. A massive holographic sign hovered above the entrance:
Golden Phoenix Guild Headquarters
Security drones hovered silently above the doors. Armed guards in dark tactical gear stood at the entrance, scanning everyone who approached.
The cars stopped. Jens stepped out first, nodding to the guards, who saluted immediately.
Sato followed, eyes scanning the building. It felt more like a corporate fortress than a guild hall — high-tech, expensive, powerful.
Inside, the lobby was vast and luxurious. Polished marble floors, floating holographic displays showing live dungeon feeds, walls lined with enchanted weapons in glass cases. Soft golden lighting bathed everything. Hunters moved through the space — some in sleek modern armor, others in full plate with guild cloaks, a few with summoned familiars floating beside them.
As Jens led Sato toward the elevators, whispers followed them.
A group of three young Hunters near the reception desk glanced over.
"Is that Guildmaster Jens?" one whispered.
"Yeah… he's back. Look at that guy with him — patched eye, black cloak. Looks dangerous."
Another lowered his voice.
"I heard Golden Phoenix failed their last high-rank dungeon run. Lost two A-rank members. If that's true, they're desperate for new blood."
A female Hunter nearby scoffed quietly.
"Desperate? Jens Tarved doesn't get desperate. He's Rank 20 for a reason. That new guy… maybe he's the fix."
An older Hunter with a scarred face muttered to his companion:
"Guildmaster always brings back monsters. Remember the last one he recruited? Solo-cleared a A rank rift in under 30 minutes. If this one-eyed guy is half as good…"
Jens ignored the whispers, guiding Sato through the lobby with a calm smile. They passed a massive digital leaderboard on the wall — top guilds, top Hunters, raid records. Golden Phoenix sat comfortably at Rank 20, but the gap to Rank 19 was narrow.
Sato took it all in silently.
This place… something feels different, he thought
They reached the private elevator.
Jens pressed his palm to the scanner.
The doors opened.
"After you" he said with a gentle nod.
Sato stepped inside.
The elevator hummed upward.