Chapter 25 - The Watcher in the Veil

  The battlefield was silent.

  Akari’s breath came in ragged gasps, her body aching from the battle. The Veilbound Guardian was gone, its mist-like remains dissolving into the air.

  But the notification still burned in her vision.

  > Hidden Event Triggered.

  A Higher Being Has Taken Notice of You.

  A cold chill ran down her spine.

  Her summon growled lowly, its hackles raised. It wasn’t over.

  Something—or someone—was here.

  The Presence

  The shadows shifted.

  A presence so vast, so overwhelming, pressed down on her. It wasn’t just powerful—it felt ancient.

  Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

  And then—

  A voice.

  Low. Unreadable. As if coming from all directions at once.

  “You… were not meant to win.”

  Akari’s fingers tightened around her sword.

  A figure stepped forward.

  They were draped in black and violet robes, their face hidden beneath a deep hood. But even though their features were obscured, Akari could feel it—

  Their eyes were on her.

  Watching. Studying. Judging.

  She swallowed. Who… was this?

  > Unknown Entity Detected.

  Name: ???

  Class: Veilborn Arbiter

  An Arbiter?

  She had never seen that title before.

  Her heart pounded. This wasn’t just another boss fight. This was something else.

  Something beyond what she was prepared for.

  The Offer

  The figure raised a hand.

  Immediately, the air shifted, and a rift split open behind them—a swirling mass of deep, endless void.

  A portal.

  The Arbiter spoke again.

  “You do not belong here. And yet… you persist.”

  They took a step forward, the ground beneath them cracking as if unable to hold their presence.

  “You have two choices.”

  Their voice was calm. Controlled. Absolute.

  “Leave now, and forget everything you have seen.”

  The void behind them widened, its pull brushing against Akari’s skin.

  A way out.

  A chance to return.

  But then—

  “Or…”

  The air grew heavier.

  The Arbiter’s next words sent a shiver through her very soul.

  “Stay, and step beyond the threshold of mortality.”

  Akari’s pulse raced.

  They weren’t threatening her.

  They were offering her something.

  Something dangerous.

  Something forbidden.

  And in that moment, she knew—

  This was no longer just about survival.

  This was about fate.

  Her fate.

  The Decision

  Akari looked at the portal.

  She could walk away.

  Go back to the life she had before—before the game, before the Veilbound Realm.

  Or—

  She could take the other path.

  A path of power. Of secrets. Of danger.

  Her summon let out a low rumble, its eyes locking onto hers.

  Waiting.

  She could feel it.

  The choice she made now would change everything.

  Slowly—

  Akari stepped forward.

  And smiled.

  “Tell me more.”