As Nyxaris approached the gates of Astralis, the capital of Astrid, he noticed something strange. The guards at the entrance, instead of standing tall and alert, seemed on edge. Their eyes darted around, hands gripping their weapons tighter than usual.
"Halt!" One of the guards raised a hand. "State your name and purpose!"
Nyxaris hesitated for a moment before responding. "Nyxaris. I'm a traveler."
At the mention of his name, the guards exchanged glances, a flicker of recognition passing between them.
"Nyxaris?" one of them muttered. "You mean the one from the Heavens Speech…?"
Nyxaris's eyes narrowed. So his name had spread even here. He had hoped to keep a low profile, but it seemed the game's mechanics had other plans.
The guard who spoke earlier cleared his throat. "You may enter… but be careful. Astralis is not as safe as it once was."
Nyxaris raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
The guard hesitated before leaning in slightly. "Something is happening inside the city. People are disappearing… and there are rumors of a shadowy figure moving through the streets at night."
A new quest notification popped up.
[Quest Alert: The Shadows of Astralis]
Description: The city of Astralis is plagued by mysterious disappearances. Uncover the truth behind these events.
Rewards: ???
Nyxaris exhaled. "Guess I'm not getting any rest."
Zeraldris, the dragon's voice, rumbled in his mind. "This city reeks of something… unnatural."
Nyxaris stepped through the gates, already feeling the weight of the city's troubles pressing down on him.
Astralis was massive, with towering white stone buildings, bustling streets, and a market filled with merchants shouting their wares. But beneath the lively exterior, Nyxaris could sense it—an unease lingering in the air.
People whispered in hushed voices. Some buildings had boards nailed over their doors, marked with strange symbols. Posters of missing people were plastered on walls.
The city guards patrolled more frequently than usual, but they weren't stopping trouble—they looked like they were searching for something.
Nyxaris pulled up his hood, deciding to gather information before doing anything reckless.
"If I'm going to solve this, I need leads."
His first stop? A tavern. If there was any place where rumors spread quickly, it was there.
Nyxaris entered The Whispering Phoenix, a well-worn but lively tavern near the city center. As expected, the place was filled with travelers, mercenaries, and common folk.
A bard played a soft tune, and groups of adventurers were laughing over drinks, but a closer look revealed nervous glances and quiet conversations.
He took a seat at the bar. The bartender, an older man with a thick beard, glanced at him. "New around here, huh?"
Nyxaris nodded. "Heard the city's having some trouble."
The bartender's expression darkened. "Aye… people are vanishing. No bodies, no traces. Just gone."
"Any theories?" Nyxaris pressed.
The bartender hesitated before lowering his voice. "Some say it's the work of the 'Phantom of the Abyss'… A figure dressed in black, moving through the shadows at night."
Nyxaris frowned. "Has anyone seen this 'Phantom'?"
The bartender shook his head. "Only rumors. But if you really want answers, talk to the Black Dagger Guild. They run the underground networks in Astralis."
A new sub-quest popped up.
[Sub-Quest: Into the Underworld]
Objective: Find the Black Dagger Guild and uncover what they know about the disappearances.
Rewards: ???
Nyxaris smirked. "Guess I'm going underground."
He stood up, tossing a gold coin on the counter.
"Thanks for the tip."
The bartender took the coin, watching him with curiosity as Nyxaris stepped back into the darkening streets of Astralis.
Unknown to him, watchful eyes followed his every move.
Something—or someone—had already noticed his arrival.
As Nyxaris stepped into the dimly lit streets of Astralis, a chill crept down his spine. The once-bustling roads were quieter now, and the flickering lanterns barely pushed back the deepening shadows.
Zeraldris' voice echoed in his mind. "Be wary. The night hides many things… and not all are friendly."
Nyxaris pulled his cloak tighter, navigating through the winding alleys. The bartender had pointed him toward the Black Dagger Guild, an underground organization that dealt in information, smuggling, and mercenary work. If anyone knew about the disappearances, it would be them.
[Quest Update: Into the Underworld]
Objective: Locate the Black Dagger Guild's hideout in the slums.
Progress: 0%
The slums of Astralis were a stark contrast to the elegant city center. Cracked stone pathways, collapsed buildings, and the stench of unclean water filled the air. It was a place where only the desperate and the dangerous survived.
As Nyxaris passed a narrow alley, he felt something move behind him.
He spun around, dagger in hand, but only found a ragged beggar watching him with sunken eyes. The man grinned, showing yellowed teeth.
"Lost, traveler?"
Nyxaris didn't let his guard down. "Looking for the Black Dagger Guild."
The beggar's grin widened. "That'll cost you."
Nyxaris flipped a gold coin into the air. The beggar snatched it mid-air with surprising speed before pointing toward an abandoned warehouse near the edge of the slums.
"You'll find what you're looking for there… or maybe it'll find you."
Nyxaris nodded and turned to leave.
"Be careful," the beggar added, voice lowering. "The Black Dagger doesn't like outsiders."
The warehouse was a ruined structure, its wooden beams rotting and stone walls cracked. A single torch flickered by the entrance, casting long shadows.
As Nyxaris approached, he heard muffled voices from inside.
"Another one disappeared last night."
"That makes six this week."
"Damn Phantom. If the nobles don't do something, we're all next."
Nyxaris took a deep breath and knocked once.
Silence.
Then—a knife flew at his head.
Nyxaris sidestepped just in time, feeling the blade slice through the air.
A figure emerged from the shadows, dressed in dark leather armor. A woman with piercing silver eyes and two daggers at her belt.
"Who the hell are you?" she demanded.
Nyxaris slowly raised his hands. "Just looking for answers."
The woman narrowed her eyes. "That so? Then tell me, traveler, why does the city whisper your name?"
Nyxaris frowned. "What do you mean?"
She smirked. "Everyone's talking about Nyxaris. The first player to be named. The first to discover the Cave of Zeraldris."
His stomach dropped. He had been trying to stay unnoticed, but the game's mechanics weren't making that easy.
Before he could respond, another voice spoke from the darkness.
"Let him in, Aeryn."
A man stepped forward, his presence commanding. Unlike the woman, he was older, with a scar running down his cheek and a cloak embroidered with a black dagger emblem.
"Nyxaris," the man said, studying him. "You've been stirring up quite the storm. If you want answers, you'd better be ready for what comes next."
A new system notification popped up.
[Quest Update: Into the Underworld]
Objective Complete: Locate the Black Dagger Guild.
New Objective: Earn the Guild's trust.
Nyxaris exhaled. "I'm listening."
Whatever was happening in Astralis, he was now in the center of it.