Klik—The headset released.Ravan opened his eyes in Max’s room. Morning light came through the window. The transfer confirmation was still pending on the screen. He sat there for a moment and flexed his fingers.Divine Epoch had felt like almost a full day. Only one night had passed outside.His thoughts moved through the last session. Blood Asura. Dark Demon Physique. Velkris. Crown Haven. The emergency update.Ravan looked at the headset.“Interesting.”He checked the transfer again. Still pending. Max’s memories came through briefly. Rent. Medicine. Food. Lena’s note on the pot.Ravan closed the screen.Then he checked the time.Morning.Lena should be back.His chest tightened before he decided anything. His hand curled once against the desk.Ravan looked down at his hand.He tried to ignore it but the feeling sharpened as he stood.The apartment was quiet. The pot sat on the stove. The note was still on the lid. Lena’s shoes were not by the door. Her work bag was not back.Ravan

Lena woke later than usual.No second job to rush to. No early shift waiting. No medicine bottle being stretched in silence. Just the small smell of food drifting from the kitchen.Not good food.Just food.She stepped out slowly and found Ravan near the stove.“Max?”“You’re awake.”“I live here. That happens sometimes.”He looked back at the pan. “Food is ready.”Lena walked closer and looked into it. For a moment she only stared.“Did you cook this or threaten it?”“It is cooked.”“That is not the same thing.”He took a plate.Lena watched him for a few seconds. Then her voice softened. “You made breakfast?”“Yes.”“For me?”Ravan paused. “Yes.”She hid her expression by sitting at the table. “Then bring it before it gets colder and more dangerous.”Ravan placed the food in front of her and sat across.She took one bite. Chewed slowly. Swallowed.“Max.”“What?”“How much salt did you put in this?”“Enough.”“For who?”He paused.Lena reached for the salt and shook some over her foo

Welcome back to Divine Epoch.Darkness cleared.Ravan opened his eyes inside the beginner village.The square was louder than before. Players packed around the fountain, the noticeboard, and the market stalls. Some checked weapons. Some called for parties. Some shouted about the emergency update.Then the system rang through the sky.System Announcement: Divine Epoch Online emergency update has ended.System Announcement: Cross-server synchronization has been completed.System Announcement: Main city transfer function has been unlocked.System Announcement: The first player has reached Level 10.System Announcement: All players who reach Level 10 may receive a city transfer recommendation from their Beginner Village Head.The whole village reacted at once.“Level 10 already?”“Who?”“Why didn’t it show the name?”“Has to be the hidden dungeon player.”“Anonymous?”“Or Ravan.”“Aren’t they the same person?”“No one knows, idiot.”A warrior near the fountain checked his own level and cu

The moment they stepped out of the Royal Palace, the noise of Valtheris greeted them once again.Merchants called out from every direction.Horse-drawn carriages rolled across the broad stone streets.Players hurried between districts while NPC guards maintained order without so much as sparing them a glance.Hale stretched his arms.“I don’t know about you two…”“…but I don’t want to see another important NPC today.”Lyra laughed softly.“I thought you enjoyed meeting them.”“I do.”“When they aren’t giving us quests that could get us killed.”Ravan continued walking.“So…”Hale hurried after him.“We’re not heading for the Astral Forest yet?”“No.”“We prepare first.”A grin spread across Hale’s face.“Finally.”“I was beginning to think you didn’t know what resting meant.”Lyra shook her head.“I think this is the first sensible decision you’ve made all day.”Hale placed a hand over his chest dramatically.“That hurts.”Ravan ignored them.Instead of heading toward the eastern gate

The body of a Thunder Wolf collapsed with a pained whimper before dissolving into countless motes of light.Ding!You have slain a Thunder Wolf.Experience Gained.A familiar warmth coursed through Ravan’s body.Another notification appeared.Ding!Level Up!He stopped walking.Hale glanced back.“What is it?”Without answering, Ravan opened his character window.A translucent blue screen unfolded before him.Character InformationName: RavanRace: HumanLevel: 13Primary Class: Blood AsuraSecondary Class: Spirit ArcanistThe corners of Ravan’s lips lifted ever so slightly.Three levels.Ever since entering the Astral Forest, the experience gained from the monsters had far exceeded anything outside the capital.Closing the interface, he resumed walking as if nothing had happened.Hale noticed the faint smile.“You leveled again?”Ravan nodded.“Amazing.”Hale laughed.“This forest is ridiculous.”“I’ve already gone up two levels.”“If we keep this pace, we’ll be monsters before reach