CHAPTER 47: ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE BATTLE REALM

The [Guild Meetings] were more or less what Sam had expected.

After his late arrival, the conversation resumed almost immediately.

The main topics revolved around the growing number of [Corrupted Rifts], and more importantly, the confirmed appearance of a [Corrupted Layer].

"I believe the daughter of the [Viper] guild leaders was inside that rift," the old man said, adjusting his glasses slowly as his eyes scanned the room.

Instantly, the attention of every person present turned to Chloe.

She flinched slightly but nodded, clearly uncomfortable under the sudden spotlight.

"Yes," she said, her voice low but steady. "Everyone was suddenly turned into these things... because of the [Black Sun]. It was terrifying."

She hesitated, then added, "But... someone helped me."

She glanced at Sam for just a brief second, barely enough for anyone to notice. Sam met her eyes, but she quickly looked away.

It was clear she hadn’t said anything about him. Not his name. Not his actions. Nothing.

The topic quickly moved on.

Within fifteen minutes of Sam’s arrival, the meeting was already close to wrapping up.

"I do not want to alarm anyone," said the man holding the scepter, his voice calm but clear, "but it truly feels like something catastrophic is on the horizon. Please be prepared."

"Continue trying to clear the Fourth Layer," the brown-haired woman added. Her golden eyes shimmered with raw energy. "It’s the only thing we can do for now."

Some among the gathered leaders nodded. Others whispered quietly to themselves.

A few seemed to believe that all of this chaos, the rifts, the corruption, was happening because they weren’t progressing fast enough.

But Sam knew better.

’I mean, they have no clue it’s just because the plot is moving forward,’ he thought with a sigh. ’Doesn’t matter, I just need to keep going.’

But before the meeting could officially end, something changed.

Suddenly, all the holographic screens above merged into one massive display.

"And now, for the final announcement," the old man said. He snapped his fingers, and an image appeared, an intricate, golden token floated in the center of the screen.

"This," he said, "concerns one of the most important events of our time. One that only occurs once every twenty years."

Every person in the room froze.

A silence fell across the table. Everyone except Sam seemed to recognize what he was talking about.

Sam frowned slightly, confused.

Then, the screen shifted again, and new text appeared.

[The Battle Realm will open soon.]

The old man continued.

"This means that anyone at the [Expert] rank or higher will be able to enter and face its challenges. Use this opportunity wisely. With so many recent anomalies, it feels like the very world is starting to unravel. We need every ounce of strength we can get."

Some of the awakeners in the room gasped. Others sat frozen in shock. Some muttered curses under their breath.

Even Sam could tell this wasn’t some ordinary announcement.

’The [Battle Realm], huh...’

He had never heard of it. Not once. Which probably meant it was [Hell]-mode content, something that didn’t appear in easier difficulties.

He didn’t know what it involved exactly, but judging by the reactions and how serious the announcement was, it was clearly something both highly anticipated, and feared.

An event that only happened every twenty years? That alone said enough.

Sam could already tell that it wasn’t a coincidence it was showing up right now. Not with everything else going on.

He stared at the image of the token for a long second, thinking quietly.

"It will open in one month," the old man added. "So until then, prepare. Train. Grow stronger. I must remind you all: while this realm can give you power unlike anything else... many lose their lives inside it."

And with that, the [Guild Meeting] officially ended.

No further details were given about the [Battle Realm].

Sam still didn’t fully understand what it was.

[We’ll find out eventually.]

He nodded to himself. His subconscious was right.

If this event was truly as big as they said, offering awakeners the chance to grow stronger at the cost of their lives, then he had no doubt he would be there.

’I’ve got one month to reach [Expert] rank.’

That was what the old man had said. Only those at that rank or higher could enter.

One by one, the awakeners stood and used [Return Stones] to leave. Most vanished quickly, eager to return to their bases and start preparing.

Others lingered, taking time to speak with allies or rivals.

Sam remained seated.

He didn’t feel like rushing. Instead, he sat there, thinking.

’So many things are happening at once. The sub-layers. The corruption. The [Forsaken Lords]... and now the [Battle Realm],’ he thought. ’And who knows what else will come next?’

The events were coming whether he wanted them to or not.

And he knew the only real option he had... was to survive.

[And the only way to do that is...]

"...To grow stronger," Sam muttered aloud.

He sighed, then leaned back slightly in his chair.

"I guess I just need to level up for now. Getting more skills wouldn’t hurt either."

Most of the others had already left. Lily and Alicia had both followed their fathers out earlier.

Only a few notable guilds remained in the room, [Viper], [Inferno], and a couple of others Sam didn’t recognize.

He didn’t know where they stood in the [Guild Rankings], but they were probably powerful.

They all ignored Sam, which worked out perfectly for him.

Without drawing attention, he took a [Return Stone] from the table and prepared to crush it.

But then—

"It was nice to see you again."

He turned.

Chloe stood there, her expression calm. Her voice was soft, quiet enough that only he could hear.

"I didn’t tell anyone about... you."

Sam glanced at her parents. They were busy talking to other leaders, along with the trio from the [Awakener Association].

"Thanks," Sam said. He meant it. "Next time, try to be strong enough to take care of the monsters yourself."

"I’ll try," Chloe replied, sighing lightly. "The [Battle Realm] is extremely dangerous... but I have to try and reach [Expert] rank before it opens."

"Is it really that good?" Sam asked, curious now.

"It is," she said, nodding with a faint smile. "But honestly, they don’t say much about it. It’s so rare that most awakeners have never even seen it."

"Once every twenty years, huh." Sam gave a quiet laugh. "Guess it’s lucky for us it’s happening now."

"Yeah... but also unlucky," Chloe added. "Most people who enter don’t make it out alive. So just be careful, alright?"

She turned and walked back to her parents, who immediately scolded her for talking to Sam.

Sam didn’t say anything else.

He just focused his aura and crushed the [Return Stone].

Light enveloped him.

...

Fwish! Ding!

[You have returned.]

Sam reappeared in his apartment.

He stood in the middle of the room, silent for a few seconds.

Now, he had more knowledge than before.

He’d seen some of the top leaders of the north region. Watched how they acted, how they looked at him. Met some faces from the [Awakener Association].

And most importantly, he’d learned about the [Battle Realm].

Even without knowing the full details, he could feel it.

This was going to be big. Something dangerous. Something deadly.

But that didn’t matter.

Because, for now, Sam needed to focus on getting to that rank first.