For four straight hours, Ekant did only one thing.
Kill, kill and only kill.
Monster after monster fell beneath the Sword of Life.
Some tried to flee from crime scene to save lives.
Some tried to ambush him.
Some charged blindly, convinced numbers would save them.
None succeeded.
By the time he finally stopped, the system quietly updated his count.
500 monsters killed.
He had killed 500 monsters.
Only then did Ekant sit down and cultivate.
Mana flowed smoothly, far more naturally than before.
His breathing aligned instinctively, his body no longer resisting the influx.
Minutes passed.
Then—
〈Congratulations, Player NoName〉
〈You have broken through to: Skin Tempering – Fourth Level Mage〉
A warm surge passed through his limbs.
It was not explosive.
It was not violent.
It was just… solid.
His muscles felt denser. His posture steadier. His movements lighter.
More importantly—
His sword felt different.
It was not stronger.
It was more obedient.
By killing 500 monsters—
including the 111 Blood Roses annihilated by the White Bear Key—
his body had unknowingly adapted to the Beginner Swordmastery of Eternal Arcana of Magic.
His swings were cleaner.
His footwork tighter.
His stamina noticeably higher.
A panel appeared.
Mana Gathering Guide (8000 / 25000, Efficiency: 100%)>
It was his character profile panel. He had become a little stronger.
"…Huh," Ekant murmured.
"I need seventeen thousand more mana to level up now."
He glanced at the time.
"And I only have one more hour to play until I log out for lunch."
Despite that, he did not feel frustrated.
If anything—
He was enjoying himself far too much.
"I have killed exactly 500 monsters," he said quietly, "and 208 of them were unique."
He frowned slightly. "…Still no rewards."
But instead of disappointment, curiosity surfaced.
'Maybe this forest wants something else. Or maybe Sir Bargaj, The Tree Of Life, had subtly changed something.'
As if answering his first thoughts—
A new notification appeared.
〈You have discovered a Unique Scenario after killing 500 monsters〉
〈You will face your first Elite Monster in 3 hours〉
〈No monsters will appear until the Elite Monster is defeated〉
The countdown began instantly without waiting Ekant's reaction.
〈03:00:00〉
〈02:59:59〉
〈02:59:58〉
"…A unique scenario," Ekant repeated softly.
He remained seated on the grass.
"Three hours…"
He exhaled slowly.
"Elite monsters are not jokes."
From his experience in other games, he knew this much—
A single elite monster was usually 200–500% stronger than peak normal monsters of the same realm and level.
And so far—
He had not encountered a single elite monster in the Beginner's Forest.
Which meant—
This one mattered.
A lot.
Ekant stood up and walked through the forest, this time without urgency.
Without hunting.
Just observing.
Trees.
Vines.
Grass.
Green everywhere.
"…Strange," he muttered.
"These plants and trees don't have fruits, vegetables, or flowers."
"Like they're being protected… or restricted."
He didn't dwell on it long.
Time passed.
〈02:49:59〉
〈02:49:58〉
〈…〉
〈02:45:38〉
After fifteen minutes, Ekant decided to log out early.
Outside the game, he ate lunch, drank water, and went to the washroom.
When he logged back in, the countdown remained.
〈02:05:03〉
〈02:05:02〉
〈02:05:01〉
"…Still two hours," he muttered.
He logged out again.
His mother, Dhriti, was nearby.
He pointed toward the smart TV.
She understood immediately.
Soon, soft music filled the room. The remote was placed near his fingers so he could change channels easily.
He spent the time half-watching TV, half-resting, occasionally switching channels.
Time slipped by quietly.
When he logged back into the game again—
〈00:03:09〉
〈00:03:08〉
Ekant stood still.
Sword in hand.
Breathing steady.
He waited.
〈00:00:05〉
〈00:00:04〉
〈00:00:03〉
〈00:00:02〉
〈00:00:01〉
〈00:00:00〉
The forest trembled.
A heavy presence descended.
〈A wild Elite Monster has appeared〉
Ekant tightened his grip on the Sword of Life.
And smiled faintly.
"…So," he said quietly,
"let's see what makes you elite."
Meanwhile— at the same time—
Far away from the Beginner's Forest.
Beyond monsters, elite battles, and a boy sharpening his blade—
In the capital Kanji of the Chiranjeevi Empire, inside the royal palace, an entirely different tension filled the air.
A servant knelt and carefully placed the last envelope on a long obsidian table.
Each envelope was different.
Different colors.
Different textures.
Different traditions.
Some were crimson, edged with gold.
Some were deep blue, faintly shimmering with mana.
Others were plain —but heavy, carrying invisible authority.
Every single one bore a wax seal engraved with the insignia of a royal family from another continent.
"So," the Emperor finally spoke, his voice calm yet heavy,
"all the envelopes have been delivered."
"Yes, my lord," the minister replied, bowing his head.
The room remained silent for a few seconds.
Not because there was nothing to say—
But because everyone present knew exactly what this meant.
The Emperor picked up one envelope and weighed it in his hand.
"The timing aligns," the minister continued carefully.
"It is finally time… for another event."
A subtle shift passed through the room.
Even the air felt tighter.
"All ruling families have agreed," the minister added,
"to announce the event on the seventh day, giving enough time for preparation."
An event.
A word that sounded simple—
Yet carried consequences capable of shaking entire continents.
This was not a festival.
Nor a celebration.
It was a trial.
An event meant phases.
The first phase—the Selection Phase— would be handled by sects, academies, and guilds, filtering candidates worthy of stepping further.
The moment such an event was announced—
The royal palace would descend into controlled chaos.
Participation tokens had to be issued.
Limits imposed.
Rules finalized.
Exceptions debated.
Every decision could tip the balance of power.
The Emperor leaned back slightly.
"So," he said, eyes narrowing,
"this event will take place on our continent."
He paused.
"Will those wanderers be of any use to us?"
The prime minister stepped forward.
"Yes, my lord. Reports confirm that a large number of wanderers have already joined guilds, academies, and sects."
He hesitated briefly before continuing.
"Some of them possess… talent far beyond expectations."
"However," he added honestly,
"due to our world's limitations, they are not yet fully refined."
"But," he concluded,
"I believe they will be eligible to participate."
The Emperor nodded slowly.
After all envelopes were reviewed—
After discussions, confirmations, and silent calculations—
Everyone's attention shifted.
To a single envelope.
Its wax seal was untouched.
Unbroken.
Unlike the others, its presence alone felt oppressive.
"So," the Emperor said quietly,
"they have decided to make a move."
No one spoke.
They didn't need to.
Every person in the room understood.
This was no ordinary invitation.
This was a declaration.
The calm before something vast—
Something inevitable.
Far away—
A boy was about to face his first elite monster.
And here—
The world itself was beginning to move.