Chapter 1225: The Mysterious Dimension
Galatea lowered the black crystal as she scanned the four warriors before her.
Daymos was sprawled on the ground, his chest heaving... His body was trembling from the pressure he could not withstand. He had fought valiantly in the tournament, but this test revealed the truth... he was not suited for the mission ahead.
Her gaze shifted to the three who remained standing...
Butcher Bae, whose muscles were still tense...
There was Asad, calm and composed despite the crushing weight... and Hanes, the quiet fighter whose resilience had surprised everyone. These were the ones she needed.
"As expected," Galatea said, her voice carrying across the arena, "the mission cannot be entrusted to all. Only those who endured the crystal’s pressure are worthy. Hanes, Asad, Butcher Bae... you will be the ones chosen."
The crowd murmured, disappointed that the tournament was ending so abruptly.
Many had hoped to see a grand final clash, a spectacle of strength and blood.
But no one dared to question Galatea. She was the Clan Leader, the master of this mysterious shelter. To defy her was to risk exile, and no one wanted to be cast out into the wastelands.
Daymos was helped to his feet by attendants.
Though defeated, Galatea did not leave him empty‑handed. "You fought well," she told him. "Your strength is not wasted. You will receive gifts for your effort... resources, weapons, and protection. But the mission is not yours to bear."
Daymos bowed his head, humbled but grateful.
With that, Galatea raised her hand once more. "The tournament is over."
The crowd could only applaud as they were also entertained with the battles so far.
Soon, they cheered for the victors... Although there were still a few groans of disappointment, many of them could only accept the situation.
Yet all fell silent as Galatea’s gaze swept over them. The message was clear:... this was her decision, and it would not be challenged.
***
After a simple ceremony to close the event, Hanes, Asad, and Butcher Bae were escorted from the arena.
Their bodies were treated with healing elixirs, their wounds closed, and their fatigue had even eased. Servants bowed as they guided the three champions back to the mansion reserved for finalists.
This time, the atmosphere was different.
The luxury was not just a reward... it felt like it was preparation. Each of them was given a private chamber, complete with steaming baths, fresh clothing, and trays of food prepared by the finest cooks. The beds were soft, the rooms warm, the silence comforting after the chaos of battle.
But there was more.
A messenger arrived, bowing deeply before the three. "Galatea has spoken. You are to rest tonight. Tomorrow, she will reveal the mission. Until then, you are to remain here."
The messenger’s words carried weight.
It seemed that they had no choice but to accept it!
"You will each receive Gate Stones," he continued, "not just one among you, but all three. If you choose to work together, more Stones will be yours to wield. This mission requires unity, not rivalry."
The three exchanged glances. Butcher Bae grunted, tearing into a piece of meat.
"Gate Stones for all of us? Hah. That’s better than fighting each other. I don’t care what the mission is... if it means more power, I’m in."
Asad remained quiet. He was considering his next move.
Well, he had already uncovered Hanes’ true identity, and he knew this mission was more than just a test of strength.
"We’ll see what she asks," he said calmly. "But if the Lord of the Realm is involved, it won’t be simple."
Hanes leaned back as he recalled the pressure that came from that Black Crystal...
It was definitely not a simple item. It could really be from the Lord of the Realm at this point.
He had come for the Gate Stones, but now the path was shifting. Working together with Asad and Butcher Bae was not what he had planned, yet Galatea’s words made it clear... this was no ordinary prize.
The mansion was quiet as the night deepened.
The three champions rested, their minds turning over the possibilities.
Tomorrow, Galatea would explain everything.
For now, they need that rest.
***
The next morning, Hanes, Asad, and Butcher Bae were summoned to the great hall of the shelter.
The atmosphere was different as they were filled with expectation.
After all, they should be rewarded by now...
Still, at the far end of the chamber stood Galatea. She looked radiant as before. This time, however, she had four escorts whose presence was as striking as their appearance... tall, disciplined, and handsome, each one radiating the aura of elite guardians. Their silent watch made it clear that this meeting was not casual; it was a moment of consequence.
Galatea gestured for the three to step forward. "You have endured the pressure of the crystal," she said...
"Now you must understand why."
With a wave of her hand, the air shimmered.
A portal opened, revealing a glimpse of a strange, shifting landscape... It was a pocket dimension, carved open through the power of the Gate Stones.
The sight alone was unsettling... the sky was fractured into shards of light, the ground even seemed rippling as though it breathed.
"This," Galatea explained, "is the realm I have opened. It is not part of our world. It exists between layers of reality, and it is where I obtained the black crystal you endured yesterday."
The three exchanged glances. Butcher Bae’s eyes focused...
Meanwhile, Asad’s expression remained calm, but Hanes tilted his head slightly, studying the portal.
Galatea continued, "Inside this realm, the System does not function. Survivor Skills, Talents, enhancements... all of them are suppressed. You will enter stripped of the powers you rely on. Only your physical strength, your endurance, and your willpower will remain."
The revelation struck them hard. Butcher Bae grunted, folding his arms.
"So that’s why you tested us with pressure. You wanted fighters who could survive without the System."
Galatea nodded. "Exactly. The crystal’s pressure is a fragment of what exists inside. The realm itself exerts that force constantly. It is not a place for the weak."
Asad stepped forward, his voice calm but probing.
"What lies within? You’ve told us about the pressure, but is there an enemy? A creature? Or is it simply the environment itself that threatens us?"
Galatea’s eyes lit up. She liked the question and the man’s line of thought.
"There are entities inside. I cannot name them, for they are unlike anything in our world. They are not zombies, not vampires, not beasts. They are... guardians of the realm. They do not bleed, they do not tire, and they do not fall to Skills. They exist only to resist intruders."
Hanes frowned. "So we’re walking into a place where everything we’ve trained for... every Talent, every Skill could become useless. And we’ll face enemies designed to fight without rest."
"Yes," Galatea replied. "That is why I needed you three. Butcher Bae, whose ferocity is unmatched. Asad, who’s still hiding his powers... And you, Hanes... whose resilience and adaptability are unlike any I’ve seen."
Butcher Bae growled. What’s the mission, then? You wouldn’t risk us for nothing."
Galatea raised the black crystal, its surface pulsing faintly.
"The mission is to retrieve more of these crystals. I’m sure that you can do it. The Realm Lord’s will is bound within them. With enough crystals, we can strengthen the shelter, expand its protection, and perhaps even move it freely without limit. But the crystals do not yield easily. They are guarded, and the realm itself resists those who enter."
Asad’s eyes focused. "So we’re not just fighting for ourselves. We’re fighting to secure the future of this shelter. Interesting... There should be an additional payment for this, right?"
Galatea nodded. "Of course, that’s normal... And if you succeed, each of you will receive more standard Gate Stones. They will be yours to wield, yours to command. But only if you all work together..."
The three stood in silence, absorbing her words. The portal shimmered behind her, its strange light casting shadows across the hall.
Hanes finally spoke. "We’ll need more than just endurance. If Skills don’t work, then every strike, every movement has to count. We’ll need to fight smarter..."
Galatea’s lips curved faintly. "That is why I chose you. Tomorrow, you will enter the realm. Tonight, you can be at ease and rest. Prepare yourselves... since there will be no second chances."
The escorts stepped forward, guiding the three back toward the mansion.
Soon, even the portal closed behind Galatea, leaving only the echo of her words.
Butcher Bae sighed as he also returned to his room. "A realm without Skills... just fists and strength. Hah. That’s my kind of fight."
Asad glanced at Hanes, his expression unreadable. "We’ll see if it’s enough."
Hanes walked silently, his mind already turning over strategies.
The mission was definitely weird... endure the pressure, face the guardians, retrieve the crystals. And in that pocket dimension, stripped of the System, only raw human strength would decide their fate.
"But... I didn’t expect Galatea to discover that place." Hanes muttered as he recalled the matters on Eden Island.
Comments