Into The Realm

The soft light of dawn filtered through Aurel's window, casting a faint glow across the room. He blinked awake, his body already thrumming with the anticipation of what lay ahead. This wasn't just another day of training. Today, he was heading into one of the most dangerous places known to cultivators: the Realms. A place where survival meant more than just fighting—where every element, every second, could be your last.

He pushed himself up from the bed, his mind immediately snapping into focus. The plan was clear. Minimal gear. He couldn't carry too much into the Realms if he wanted to rely on Adaptability. The fewer resources he had, the more his body would be forced to adapt, to evolve.

Aurel moved through the small apartment, gathering what little equipment he needed. He grabbed his combat gear—a sturdy jacket reinforced with mana-infused fibers, basic armor that allowed him to remain agile, and a set of boots designed for rough terrain. Aside from that, he took nothing else. No food, no additional survival tools. His Adaptability would have to cover the rest.

As he fastened the straps of his armor and pulled on his boots, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. This was the challenge he had been waiting for. He had no backup, no team, no guidance. Just himself and the unpredictable dangers of the Realm he was about to enter.

He glanced at his watch, the small screen showing the time. It was early—before most people would even be up. Perfect. The less attention he drew, the better.

With a final glance at the apartment, Aurel stepped outside, the cool morning air hitting his face as he moved through the quiet streets of Citico. The city was still waking up, the hum of distant traffic barely audible as he made his way toward the transport station that would take him to the edge of the Borderlands. From there, he'd sneak into one of the Realm gates.

Most Realms had strict entry requirements. Typically, you needed to have demonstrated at least Tier 1, Strata 8 power to gain access. They weren't meant for low-level cultivators, and certainly not for someone with only two genetic locks unlocked. But Aurel wasn't about to let that stop him. The security on these gates wasn't too tight, especially for the lower-level Realms, which were deemed "manageable." He'd slip in unnoticed, integrate himself with a group if he had to, and get past the guards.

The transport to the Borderlands didn't take long. Aurel sat quietly, his mind focused on the mission ahead. He had chosen a specific Realm—the Frostbound Expanse, a tundra-like dimension where temperatures ranged from freezing to lethal, and the creatures that roamed the landscape were just as deadly. Ice foxes, yetis, and other snow-dwelling beasts dominated the area, but it wasn't just the creatures that made the Realm dangerous. The environment itself was hostile. The temperatures in the colder regions could drop to as low as -80 degrees, and those who weren't prepared didn't survive long.

But that was the point. If Aurel could push his body to adapt to the extreme cold, he'd gain an invaluable advantage.

When he arrived at the gate, Aurel moved through the crowd of cultivators gathered near the entry point, keeping his head low and his aura subdued. The last thing he needed was to draw attention. The gate was a massive, glowing archway, a portal into the unknown, guarded by a few security officers who checked the credentials of those entering.

Aurel spotted a group preparing to enter. They were equipped with thick furs and heavy armor, clearly expecting the cold. He maneuvered himself closer, slipping into the edges of the group, blending in with the flow of people as they moved toward the gate.

As they approached the security officers, Aurel kept his eyes forward, his pulse steady. The officers scanned each member of the group with a quick flick of their mana detectors. No one seemed to notice him, and as the group passed through the checkpoint, Aurel slipped in alongside them, unnoticed.

A flicker of relief passed through him as the gate flared to life, the energy swirling around him as the group was pulled into the Frostbound Expanse. For a moment, everything was cold light and spinning sensation, and then, with a sudden jolt, Aurel found himself standing in the Realm.

The first thing he noticed was the cold. It hit him like a physical force, the temperature immediately dropping to a bone-chilling -20 degrees. His breath fogged in the air, and the ground beneath his boots crunched with layers of packed snow and ice. The sky above was a pale gray, heavy with clouds that promised more snow. Aurel pulled his jacket tighter around him, already feeling the cold seeping into his bones.

He took in his surroundings, the landscape stretching out in all directions—endless fields of snow and jagged ice, with mountains in the distance that looked like the frozen spines of some long-dead beast. It was a world that was alive in its hostility, and every breath Aurel took was a reminder that he didn't belong here.

But something else caught his attention. The group he had integrated with was more organized than he had anticipated. And at the front of the group, leading the way with an air of confidence and power, was someone Aurel hadn't expected to see.

Yujiro Lang.

The blood drained from Aurel's face as he recognized the young master of the Lang family. Yujiro was everything Aurel wasn't—already powerful, born into a prestigious family, and a preawakener who had unlocked five genetic locks before even receiving the Mana Vaccine. And now, he was here, in the Frostbound Expanse, leading the group Aurel had just slipped into.

Aurel's heart pounded in his chest. He needed to get away—fast. Yujiro hadn't noticed him yet, but it was only a matter of time before he did. And once that happened, things would get complicated. Yujiro wasn't the type to let someone like Aurel walk away without making things difficult.

But leaving the group wasn't as simple as walking off. They were moving with a purpose, and the cold was already seeping into Aurel's body, sapping his strength. He needed a plan. Fast.

The group moved through the snow, their footsteps crunching in unison as Yujiro led them toward what looked like a distant mountain pass. Aurel hung at the back, keeping his distance while trying to think of a way out. If he broke off now, it would be obvious. He'd need to create a distraction—something that would allow him to slip away unnoticed.

His eyes scanned the horizon, looking for anything that might help him. The tundra was vast and empty, but in the distance, he spotted movement—small, quick shapes darting across the snow.

Ice foxes.

The creatures were fast, nimble, and deadly in packs. Aurel had read about them before. They hunted in groups, using the snow and ice as camouflage, and their attacks were swift, targeting weak points in their prey.

Aurel's mind raced. If he could stir up a small pack of foxes, they'd provide the distraction he needed. The group would have to focus on defending themselves, and in the chaos, he could slip away.

Without hesitating, Aurel veered slightly off course, moving toward the edge of the group as they continued forward. He could feel the mana in the air, thick and cold, pressing down on him as he activated his Mana Sensitivity, searching for the foxes' energy signatures. It didn't take long to locate them—just beyond a ridge, circling around, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Aurel carefully directed a small pulse of his mana outward, a ripple of energy that would be enough to catch the attention of the foxes without alarming the group. He felt the shift in the air as the creatures responded, their focus turning toward the intruders in their territory.

It happened quickly. The foxes darted out from behind the ridge, their white fur blending perfectly with the snow as they descended upon the group. The first sign of trouble was a sharp yelp from one of the members at the rear as a fox lunged for their leg, followed by the blur of movement as more foxes appeared, attacking in quick, coordinated strikes.

Yujiro's group responded immediately, weapons drawn, mana flaring as they defended themselves against the sudden assault. Chaos erupted as the foxes attacked, darting in and out of the snow, their sharp teeth and claws flashing as they tried to overwhelm the group.

Aurel took his chance.

In the confusion, he slipped away, moving quickly toward a small rise in the landscape that would provide cover. His heart raced as he put distance between himself and the group, the sounds of battle fading behind him.

He didn't stop until he was far enough away that he couldn't hear the clash of metal and the snarls of the foxes anymore. Only then did he allow himself to relax, the adrenaline slowly fading as he looked out across the tundra.

He was alone now. Exactly where he wanted to be.

The cold bit at him harder than before, but Aurel welcomed it. His body would adapt. It had to.

And now, the real test began.

But just as he started moving, Aurel felt a chill run down his spine—not from the cold, but from something else. He glanced back toward the group, his breath catching in his throat.

Yujiro Lang had turned toward where Aurel had just been, his eyes narrowed, his nostrils flaring slightly. His massive frame seemed to grow even larger, his muscles rippling beneath his armor, and Aurel realized with a sinking feeling what had happened.

Divine Beast Transformation.

Yujiro had an ability that made him more beast than man. His senses were sharper, his instincts more refined. And now, he had caught Aurel's scent.

Aurel's heart pounded in his chest as he watched Yujiro scan the area, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. It was only a matter of time before he followed the trail.

I have to move.

Without wasting another second, Aurel turned and sprinted into the snow, the cold biting at his skin as he pushed himself deeper into the tundra.