Cold white lights illuminated the metallic hall while thousands of people moved through different registration zones under heavy security surveillance.
This was not simply a transportation station.
It was one of humanity's gateways into God's Sanctuary.
And because of that…
security procedures were extremely strict.
Chen Yu stood silently within the registration line while observing the surrounding environment calmly.
Unlike ordinary civilians, armed Alliance soldiers guarded every entrance.
Scanning devices covered the walls.
Several evolvers monitored the hall from elevated platforms.
Even the atmosphere felt tense.
Because humanity's enemies were not limited to creatures alone.
The Asuras existed.
A powerful race possessing intelligence, advanced technology, and infiltrators capable of entering human territory.
Because of this, every official sanctuary entrant underwent strict biological verification.
"Next."
A mechanical voice echoed from the registration counter.
Chen Yu stepped forward calmly.
A female staff member wearing Alliance uniform glanced at him briefly.
"Registration application."
Chen Yu handed over the digital application form.
The employee scanned it quickly before speaking again.
"Blood sample verification."
A small metallic device extended from the counter automatically.
Chen Yu placed his finger onto the scanner without hesitation.
A sharp sting followed instantly.
The machine extracted blood rapidly.
Moments later, blue data screens appeared above the device.
[Genetic verification complete.]
[Human race confirmed.]
[Asura contamination: Negative.]
[Age verification: Sixteen years old.]
[Identity confirmed.]
Only after completing those procedures did the staff member continue processing the application.
Inside modern human society, race verification was mandatory before entering official sanctuary teleportation systems.
Especially after several historical infiltration incidents involving hostile races.
The woman continued typing lazily.
"First Sanctuary entry approved."
"Assigned shelter teleportation will begin shortly."
Assigned.
Not chosen.
That was another reality ordinary people had to accept.
Public teleportation devices did not allow newcomers to choose destination shelters freely.
The system distributed people randomly across nearby human shelters in First God's Sanctuary.
Only elite families possessed private teleportation technology capable of directly entering specific shelters.
That difference alone already separated ordinary civilians from true elites.
Some people started with resources.
Others started with luck.
Ordinary people started with uncertainty.
"Teleportation group C-19."
"Prepare for transfer."
The mechanical announcement echoed across the hall.
Chen Yu picked up his backpack calmly before walking toward the designated teleportation platform.
Around him, many first-time entrants looked nervous.
One teenager whispered quietly:
"I heard some shelters are extremely dangerous…"
Another answered immediately:
"At least it's better than getting sent near spirit territories."
Nearby veterans only laughed coldly.
To experienced sanctuary survivors…
all shelters were dangerous.
The giant teleportation device slowly activated.
Silver light spread across the metallic floor while space itself began distorting violently.
Chen Yu remained calm.
After sixteen years…
the moment had finally arrived.
His younger sister's voice still echoed faintly inside his mind.
"Don't die too quickly!"
A small smile almost appeared on his face.
Almost.
Then—
The world twisted.
Space collapsed inward violently.
An overwhelming pressure crushed against his body for several seconds before suddenly disappearing completely.
Cold air touched his skin.
Chen Yu slowly opened his eyes.
Steel.
Massive black steel walls towered before him like an ancient fortress scarred by endless battles.
Countless claw marks covered the surface.
Some sections looked partially melted.
Others were stained dark red.
Above the enormous gates, several giant words were engraved deeply into metal.
Steel Armor Shelter.
One of humanity's countless survival fortresses inside First God's Sanctuary.
The air smelled dry.
Cold.
Mixed faintly with rust and blood.
Newcomers around him stared silently at the shelter for the first time.
Excitement disappeared rapidly from many faces.
Reality felt very different from imagination.
Veteran hunters watched the arriving newcomers from nearby streets casually.
Some looked indifferent.
Others looked amused.
Most newcomers unconsciously revealed fear through their eyes.
Chen Yu slowly observed the surroundings carefully.
Weapon shops.
Armor repair stations.
Meat processing areas.
Temporary medical clinics.
Shelter guards wearing damaged alloy armor.
Nothing here looked glamorous.
Everything existed for one purpose only.
Survival.
Then—
A deep creature roar echoed from beyond the steel walls.
The sound felt distant.
Yet terrifyingly heavy.
Several newcomers instantly turned pale.
Even some veteran hunters looked toward the wilderness reflexively.
Chen Yu slowly raised his head toward the enormous shelter walls.
Beyond them…
was the real God's Sanctuary.