Beast Realms: Eternal Dominion was one of the most popular VR games in the world. In it, players could explore vast realms, each inhabited by unique monsters, and battle powerful beasts to obtain spirit beast companions.
The starting point of the game was a bustling town where players could find spell smiths, weaponsmiths, blacksmiths, spirit beast merchants, and more.
At its center stood the Beast Tower—a colossal structure with one hundred levels. Surrounding it were the Hundred Beast Realms.
The lobby served as the game's hub—a place where players could prepare, purchase equipment, and access both the Tower and the gateways to the Beast Realms.
But the massive structure standing before Wein now left him breathless.
The moment he stepped out of the Realm's Gateway, the first thing he saw was the Tower—familiar, yet impossibly grand.
It was the Beast Tower—just like in the game, but here, it was on a completely different scale. In the game, it had been impressive. But here, it was godlike. It shimmered with an otherworldly glow, its presence pressing against the sky like something alive, something ancient.
Surrounding the Beast Tower were hundreds of Realm Gates—glowing archways that shimmered as people passed through them, moving between realms with practiced ease.
Each floor of the Tower presented a deadly challenge, and conquering a floor granted passage to one of the Beast Realms.
But the thing that truly left Wein speechless was the massive city spread out before him, surrounding the Tower and the gates—a city that was never like this in the game.
In the game, this had been nothing more than a small town. But now, it had grown into a sprawling metropolis.
"What the hell is this place?" he muttered, stunned.
Terr followed his gaze and laughed. "Beautiful, isn't it? This is the Beast City. Come on, we need to get inside before nightfall."
From the gateway of the Racha Realm, they passed through an open field toward a busy hub where dozens of people entered and exited the realm's boundary. There were guards stationed at the checkpoints towards the gateway.
The small town in the game is merely a dollhouse compared to this.
When they finally arrived at the Beast City, They entered through the entrance opposite the Racha Realm.
Wein's eyes widened further, while observing the surroundings.
He saw massive buildings, towering shops, and streets crowded with people in robes, armor, and combat suits. The city buzzed with life, filled with merchants, adventurers, and beast riders.
As they rode through the streets, Wein noticed people staring at him. Some whispered, some openly gawked.
Terr finally paused and turned to Wein, placing a palm to his forehead in realization. "Ah—how could I forget? Younger brother, we need to get you new clothes. I know a great shop nearby."
"Is that really necessary, brother?" Wein asked, a little embarrassed.
Since Wein discovered Terr was only a year older than him, they had started calling each other brothers, growing comfortable with the term.
Terr raised an eyebrow. "Necessary? Of course. You look ridiculous, walking around in those clothes. Also, it's indecent."
'My pajamas aren't indecent—they're hella comfortable! You're the one sweating in that thick robe,' Wein grumbled in his head.
But of course, he didn't say that out loud.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
"But… I don't have any money, big brother."
Terr grinned. "Don't worry about that. I can cover you. Or if you want to keep things fair between us, I can buy your share of the Ratcha beasts in exchange."
Wein nodded. "Brothers or not, it's best to keep trades clean. You can buy them all."
Besides, he might need the money later.
"Perfect! Let's drop these beasts off first, then we'll head to the Central Alliance," Terr said, satisfied.
Wein agreed easily. "I'll leave the arrangements to you."
As they continued, Terr suddenly asked, "By the way, little brother—you said you lost your memory. Do you even know what your current level is?"
Level? There are levels here too? How does that work?
Wein shook his head. "I don't."
Terr smiled and rolled up his sleeve, revealing a glowing tattoo on his upper arm. The number 9 was imprinted in a curving, ancient text, shimmering with silvery threads.
"This is how we track our levels here. After you conquer a floor in the Beast Tower, you earn this mark. It's proof of your achievement—and your pass to enter the corresponding Beast Realm. The number changes as you progress. See? I'm currently Level Nine. I'm planning to challenge Level Ten soon—that's why I needed to hunt the Ratcha. A blacksmith I know promised to make me a new weapon in exchange for a live Ratcha for his son to train on."
Wein's curiosity spiked. He quickly pulled up his sleeve to check his own arm.
There it was—a glowing mark.
On it was the number one, written in elegant cursive.
"Huh? You're only Level One?" Terr asked, clearly surprised.
"Seems like it," Wein answered awkwardly.
But something about the mark made Wein's heart race.
What does this mark really mean?
His gaze drifted to the colossal tower that pierced the sky.
The pull he felt wasn't just curiosity—it was heavier, like a thread tied to his chest, slowly reeling him in.
Was this… calling him? Or was it something worse?
He recalled that he had been teleported here after reaching the peak level in the game.
Am I… supposed to climb the Beast Tower?
Maybe the answer to why I'm here is waiting at the peak.