"Aiva, how long until the new world opens?"

The black-haired youth perched on the cliff’s edge gazed at distant peaks.

His dark stand-collar coat fluttered in the icy valley wind, revealing glimpses of twin silver revolvers at his waist.

『Master, the new world opens in two minutes.』

A cool yet gentle female voice emanated from the floating blue orb beside him.

*(Electronic Sprite: An Ultimate Rare Electronic Sprite—a multifunctional, polymorphic digital servant with flawless performance. Only a minuscule fraction of players possess one.)*

"Hmm."

The youth muttered, opening his inventory. His brow furrowed slightly as he scanned the overflowing backpack—stuffed with legendary and mythic items. Its weight limit was nearly maxed out.

『New world launch in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1.』

The Electronic Sprite’s display-eyes flashed brilliantly.

『Ding! Server-wide announcement! The next-gen full-dive RPG *Tremor* has opened its new world!』

『Players may now teleport freely. Have fun, adventurers!』

"Aiva. Teleport destination—New World."

A faint curve lifted the youth’s lips. Excitement flared in his ink-black eyes.

『Command: Teleport. New World.』

The sprite drifted closer. Azure particles swirled like crystalline snowflakes, enveloping the cliff.

Vwoooom!!!

A snow-white, intricately carved hexagram suddenly flared beneath his feet.

Scorch marks seared the ground. Intense heat and a tearing gravitational pull made him grimace.

*What is this? Some kind of magic summoning circle?*

BOOM!!!

Before he could react, thunderous force erupted.

The silver hexagram—and the youth—vanished. Only a smoldering crater remained.

...

..

.

Opulent cathedral-like halls thrummed with raw magic.

Crystal chandeliers clattered overhead. Priceless crimson carpets shredded into tattered ribbons under surging energy.

Hundreds in red-and-white robes knelt reverently along the aisles.

At the hall’s heart, a ten-meter-wide silver hexagram glowed faintly. Within it knelt a silver-haired girl of blinding beauty.

Eyes closed, hands clasped prayerfully against her chest.

Long lashes trembled. Silken silver hair cascaded over her lace-trimmed white gown, hinting at smooth, pale legs beneath sheer fabric.

"Hah... hah..."

Her body jolted violently, as if electrified.

The last drop of magic drained from her. She collapsed, panting heavily, face ashen.

Sweat-plastered strands clung to her cheeks. Her soaked undergarments clung transparently to flushed skin.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly, straining the delicate lace at her collar.

Exhaustion clouded her amethyst eyes—but triumph burned brighter.

"Holy Maiden! Are you unharmed?!"

The white-haired elder at the front rushed forward.

"I’m fine. Merely... depleted. Rest will suffice. No need for concern."

She took slow breaths, then offered the crowd a gentle, spring-breeze smile.

*This... This Hero Summoning drained the Holy Maiden completely? How—?*

The elder’s heart lurched. Her magic was inexhaustible. How could one ritual exhaust her?

"Holy Maiden... did the summoning fail...?"

Another elder stared bleakly at the empty hexagram. All that power... wasted?

"No. The summoning succeeded. This mark proves it."

She raised a slender hand. A vivid crimson sigil pulsed on her wrist.

"An anomaly must have diverted the Hero’s arrival point. But he *is* on Shengluoya Continent. This bond... I can sense his presence faintly. Finding him is only a matter of time."

Pushing herself up, she swayed slightly but smiled—a fragile, radiant thing.

"Disciples of the Light! Proclaim to the world: The Great Hero who shall save us from ruin has arrived!"

Her voice, warm as a lark’s song, soothed every heart in the hall.

"IN THE NAME OF THE HOLY LIGHT!!!"

Fists hammered chests. Every disciple roared—not just the elders.

*Ah... our Holy Maiden. So pure. So noble.*

*Her grace and strength are this land’s true hope. To serve her... is our greatest blessing.*

---

"Ah! Holy Maiden, you’ve returned!"

"Are you my attendant today?"

"Y-yes!!"

"Such a pretty face... I’d love to chat, but I’m utterly spent. May I rest alone for now?"

Back in her chamber, a maid polished a table. The girl brushed the maid’s cheek, leaning close with a whisper of warm breath.

"O-of course! I’ll leave immediately! Please rest well, Holy Maiden!!!"

The maid fled, face burning. *She touched my cheek! I’ll never wash it again!*

"A sweet child."

The girl closed the door, then exhaled a long, weary sigh.

*Heh heh heh...*

Her head dipped. A sharp, grating giggle slithered out—chilling as a demon’s chuckle.

"Great Hero... Great Hero... Great Hero..."

Her voice dripped with obsession. The saintly maiden was gone. In her place writhed a lovestruck phantom, eyes glazed, tracing the crimson sigil on her wrist with trembling lips.

*Ah~ This is our bond~ Our red thread of fate~~~*

She pressed her cheek to the glowing mark, swaying as warm breath fogged the air.

It felt like reuniting with a soul known across centuries—a love echoing through millennia.

This summoned Hero held secrets. Why else would this sigil flood her with such fierce, yearning joy?

"The connection is faint... but I feel him."

She nuzzled the sigil. Her amethyst eyes had bled into molten crimson.

Crimson pupils overflowed with possessive adoration. Pink desire bled into the air.

"My Great Hero~ My darling~ Forgive my clumsy first summoning."

"Fear not. I’ll find you soon. Just wait a little longer..."

"Ah, how I long to meet you... as your bride~~~~"

Her body thrummed with feverish heat.

*When we meet, my Hero... you will cherish me~~~*