The late morning sun cast long shadows across the VR WORLD as our heroes, their spirits heavy with loss, trudged back towards the familiar gates of Valley Village. But as they approached the entrance, a figure stood waiting, an unexpected sentinel against the familiar backdrop. His hair, a stark, well-groomed black, framed a face partially obscured by a bandage that covered his left eye. His attire spoke of authority: a sharp black suit, a crisp white shirt beneath, a severe black tie, and matching black trousers.
Saland and Haytham exchanged a look of surprise before recognition dawned. It was Crowar, the enigmatic individual who had bankrolled their ill-fated expedition to the abandoned mine.
"What are you doing here?" Saland's voice was flat, devoid of its usual energy.
Crowar's gaze swept over them, a hint of something unreadable in his visible eye. "Last time, my introduction was… lacking. My name is Crowar, and I hold a high-ranking position as an admin. My responsibilities include funding quests, and all information relayed by the lower-level patrol admins flows directly to me. Thanks to Paul's tracking device, I've been privy to the unfortunate events of those two… regrettable encounters. My condolences for both Paul and Benamoth. I never anticipated a glitch possessing such… agency. As it stands, the six of you are the only ones aware of Bruhsuperdoom's true identity. It's highly probable that this village will be his next target, his aim to eliminate you all. Therefore, I'm here to propose an arrangement, one that will benefit both my interests and yours. There's a sector within the VR WORLD normally restricted to admins. Within this sector lies a unique location, a place where admins chosen by the supreme admin undergo rigorous training until they reach their inherent limitations, their 'block.' I will take you there now and explain its purpose."
With a subtle gesture, Crowar conjured a swirling vortex of dark energy around the weary group. The familiar scenery of Valley dissolved, replaced in an instant by the imposing vista of an enormous mountain range. Crowar reached into an inner pocket and produced a sleek, metallic badge. He approached the sheer face of the mountain and inserted the badge into a barely perceptible slit, invisible to the eyes of ordinary players. A heavy iron door materialized from the solid rock, groaning as it appeared. Crowar nodded towards the entrance. "Follow me."
The group, their curiosity piqued despite their grief, complied and stepped through the newly formed doorway.
The interior was a stark contrast to the rugged exterior. "This facility," Crowar explained, his voice echoing slightly in the vast space, "was created by the supreme admin. It's a training base carved into the heart of this mountain." The architecture was a strange fusion of raw, hewn rock and gleaming, advanced technology. Massive windows offered a dizzying view into an immense chasm, and suspended within this void was a colossal white cube, connected to a network of shimmering glass corridors.
Shimmon, his usual playful demeanor subdued, voiced the question on everyone's mind. "But… how will we get stronger in this place?"
Crowar's gaze drifted towards the massive white structure. "That cube you see is a unique environment. Within its confines, those who reside there experience an accelerated process of empowerment, slowly but surely reaching their inherent 'block,' the natural limit of a player's potential. From that point, it will be your own understanding and ingenuity that will determine how you might surpass that limit. That cube is known as the Advanced Enhancement Cube. While you are within its walls, months, even years, could pass for you. Yet, in the outside VR WORLD, only mere minutes or hours will have ticked by. You will have all the time you need to hone your abilities."
He led them down one of the crystalline corridors, the transparent floor revealing the breathtaking drop below. They arrived at the entrance of the massive white cube. Crowar halted. "I cannot proceed further, but you can. The entrance will feel… unusual, like stepping through viscous jelly. But once inside, all will become clear."
With a mixture of apprehension and a flicker of renewed hope, the group exchanged hesitant glances before following Crowar's instructions and stepping into the shimmering, yielding surface of the cube's entrance.