A low hum echoed through the street.
Everyone turned, as a large transport vehicle rolled toward the mansion gates.
Damon blinked.
It looked similar to a bus from his previous world.
Only much larger.
Its metallic body carried glowing silver lines that pulsed with Aether.
Crystal engines mounted along its sides emitted a faint blue light.
Even the wheels looked reinforced for rough terrain.
The vehicle stopped smoothly.
The doors opened.
"Board."
The group immediately moved.
Damon deliberately waited until most people had entered.
Less attention.
Less trouble.
That was usually the better option.
Once inside, he was surprised by how spacious it was.
The seats were arranged in rows, and protective Aether formations were engraved throughout the interior.
The entire vehicle felt more advanced than anything he had expected.
He quickly picked a quiet seat near the back.
Perfect.
Or so he thought.
A familiar voice soon ruined the peace.
"Still planning to hide at the back?"
Kane’s voice carried through the cabin.
Several people laughed.
Damon glanced over.
Kane sat near the center surrounded by admirers.
The Lightningstorm Serpent was nowhere to be seen, but the confidence on Kane’s face was impossible to miss.
Damon shrugged.
"Less crowded."
The simple answer made a few people pause.
Kane looked disappointed.
Mocking someone wasn’t nearly as fun when they refused to react.
Damon turned his attention toward the window.
The journey soon began.
As the vehicle moved through Haven’s Edge City, Damon finally got his first proper look at the world beyond the mansion.
Towering buildings stretched toward the sky.
Some were covered in glowing runes.
Others had floating platforms moving between levels.
Aether powered vehicles traveled through wide streets.
Above them, sleek aircraft crossed the skies, leaving trails of light behind.
Everything felt familiar and foreign at the same time.
It wasn’t a fantasy kingdom.
It wasn’t a modern city.
It was something in between.
A world rebuilt around Aether.
Damon watched quietly.
A small smile appeared on his face.
This was the kind of world people dreamed about.
Unfortunately...
It also came with monsters.
Hours later, the scenery began to change.
The buildings disappeared.
The roads became rougher.
Defensive walls appeared.
Massive watchtowers stood along the city’s outer perimeter.
Aether cannons pointed toward the wilderness beyond.
Armed patrols guarded every checkpoint.
The further they traveled, the more tense the atmosphere became.
Then they crossed the final defensive line.
Damon immediately felt the difference.
The Aether in the air became unstable.
The environment felt heavier.
More chaotic.
Even the sky seemed darker.
Nobody spoke much after that.
Eventually the transport arrived at a massive gathering point.
Numerous vehicles had already arrived.
Young awakened from different cities filled the area.
Family banners waved in the wind.
Guides moved between groups.
Soldiers stood guard along the perimeter.
The sheer scale of the operation surprised Damon.
This wasn’t a simple training exercise.
This was a coordinated frontier operation.
Soon everyone was directed toward a large open field.
At the center stood a middle-aged Elemental user wearing combat armor.
The pressure coming from him alone was enough to silence the crowd.
Once everyone gathered, he stepped forward.
"Welcome."
His voice wasn’t loud.
Yet everyone heard it clearly.
"You stand before Tempest Hollow."
Behind him, the distant landscape twisted beneath dark clouds.
Occasional flashes of lightning illuminated the horizon.
Even from afar, the Distorted Zone looked dangerous.
The guide continued.
"Tempest Hollow is a newly formed Distorted Zone."
"It remains largely unexplored."
"However, its expansion rate has exceeded acceptable limits."
His gaze swept across the crowd.
"That is why it has been selected for this year’s frontier mission."
The awakened listened carefully.
"No one is expecting you to conquer this zone."
"No one is expecting heroics."
"Your objectives are straightforward."
"Gather resources."
"Map safe routes."
"Eliminate weaker Aether beasts."
"Gain practical combat experience."
His expression hardened.
"And return alive."
The atmosphere grew even heavier.
The guide nodded.
"You will be assigned experienced supervisors."
"If you remain within operational range, your chances of survival are extremely high."
A few relieved sighs followed.
Then he added,
"However."
The crowd immediately tensed again.
"This is still a Distorted Zone."
"Unexpected events are normal."
"Aether beasts do not follow rules."
"Storms do not follow rules."
"Remain alert at all times."
Nobody looked relaxed anymore.
Good.
That was probably the point.
The guide checked the time.
"You have ten minutes."
"Prepare yourselves."
"Entry begins immediately after."
The crowd slowly dispersed.
Some checked their weapons.
Others reviewed supplies.
A few sat quietly gathering their courage.
Damon looked toward the dark clouds in the distance.
The faint smell of ozone drifted through the air.
Beyond those clouds waited danger.
But also opportunity.
His hand rested lightly over the hidden pouch containing the spark seed.
A small pulse answered him.
Damon smiled.
Then he looked back toward Tempest Hollow.
"Let’s see what this world has been hiding."
The ten minutes passed quickly.
One moment everyone was checking their supplies, and the next, the guides were already calling them into formation.
Damon adjusted the strap of the bag on his shoulder and checked its contents one last time.
Water.
Food.
Basic medicine.
A small knife.
And hidden safely where nobody could see it, the Spark Seed.
Satisfied, he zipped the bag shut.
Around him, the other awakened did the same.
Some stretched nervously.
Some kept checking their belongings.
Others stood quietly, preparing themselves mentally.
Nobody looked as confident as they had during the awakening ceremony.
This was different.
Back then, they had been standing on a stage.
Now they were about to step into a Distorted Zone.
A place where people actually died.
"Move out."
The guide’s voice echoed across the gathering.
Immediately the formation began moving.
Experienced Elemental Users took positions around the group.
Some stayed at the front.
Some guarded the sides.
Others remained at the rear.
The newly awakened stayed protected in the center.
Damon followed along quietly.
As soon as they crossed the boundary of Tempest Hollow, he felt the difference.