John rapidly made his way toward the forbidden zone.
The closer he drew, the darker his surroundings became.
The forbidden zone formed a stark contrast with the bright desert outside. The sun-baked sands beyond were dazzling beneath the blazing light, yet this place seemed to devour every ray that approached it. It was as though the moment one stepped within its boundaries, one would be swallowed whole by darkness.
…
With a single step, John flashed into the blackened forbidden zone.
The instant he entered, a strange sensation wrapped around his entire body. It was cold, unsettling, and indescribably unnatural, as though the laws governing this place were somehow different from those of the outside world.
"As expected, there's definitely something wrong with this place."
John's eyes narrowed.
On the ground not far ahead, he spotted a brooch.
It was no ordinary ornament. The emblem engraved upon it belonged exclusively to the royal family of the Eaglecrest Empire.
