Unrivaled in another world

[: 3rd POV :]

As the unnatural winds of the interdimensional Gate faded behind him, Daniel stood in the shimmering grass of a world not his own.

The crystalline forest at his back pulsed faintly with mana, and the strange golden-lavender sky above swirled with unfamiliar constellations.

Ahead, that impossible city gleamed in the distance—majestic, alive… and filled with beings that shouldn't exist.

But even as the new world stretched before him, his thoughts returned to the Gate.

"System," Daniel murmured, his voice quiet but firm, "what exactly is a Gate?"

[: A Gate is a dimensional portal that links two or more realms across spatial boundaries. It is a tear in the natural order, forcibly opened to connect otherwise separated worlds. :]

Daniel let the silence hang for a second.

"…You make it sound like someone stabbed reality in the ribs."

[: That is… one interpretation :]

"But accurate," Daniel replied, eyes narrowing.

He glanced at the fractured sky behind him.

"If these Gates are being forcefully summoned into this world… then it isn't just some accident''

''Someone's doing this on purpose."

[: Correct. However, the exact intent behind each Gate varies. Their purpose is not fixed. Each one may serve a different role, depending on the realm it originates from. :]

Daniel folded his arms. "So… you're saying you don't know?"

[: I am saying that the true reason behind the appearance of Gates is beyond what the Host—or this world—is currently ready to understand :]

[: Revealing such knowledge prematurely would only accelerate consequences that are better left… delayed. :]

He raised an eyebrow.

"That's unusually cautious coming from you."

[: Some truths are too heavy for even a strong vessel to carry unprepared. You will understand… in time. :]

Daniel let out a slow breath.

"…I see. So it's one of those answers."

He turned his gaze back toward the horizon—the strange city still pulsing with life, its spires scraping at the heavens.

"Fine. Keep your secrets. You've done more than enough for me so far."

His voice softened just slightly, thoughtful.

"I'm not in a rush to uncover everything… not yet."

The wind brushed through the shimmering grass again.

"I just need to get out of this continent alive. One step at a time."

[: A wise approach. Though unusual, coming from you. :]

Daniel gave a dry smile. "Well, even I can act like an adult now and then."

[: Duly noted. Marking is a rare event. :]

"…System."

[: Yes, Host? :]

"Don't push your luck."

[: Understood. Logging behaviour Threat Level: Low. :]

Daniel smirked faintly, shaking his head.

As he tilted his head, his eyes narrowed at the distant city.

It was bustling—impossibly so.

The scale of it stretched far beyond what any monster civilisation should have been capable of building.

Yet, there it stood, creatures moving as if they belonged.

"System," Daniel muttered, the corner of his eye twitching. "...What kind of place is this?"

[: It is a another world where various species thrived :]

Daniel paused. "I'm going to need you to speak with about 70% less vague nonsense."

[: It has existed since aeons :]

With a slow exhale, his irises lit once more—silver-violet energy spiralling through his pupils like twin galaxies.

[: Eyes of Calamity: Far Sight – Activated :]

[: Eyes of Calamity: Status View – Activated :]

The world unfolded before him again, collapsing distance and barriers.

And then, details poured in.

Countless presences flooded his perception. Auras. Heat signatures. Power levels.

He blinked.

"…What the hell?"

[: Entity Detected: Lizardmen ]

[: Race: Draconic Offshoot – Subspecies: Tyrantblood Lizardkin :]

[: Race: Dominant Giant - Subspecies: Greed Green Ogres :]

[: Race: Howling Wolf - Subspecies: Snow Pierce Wolves :]

[: .....

....

..

.

Daniel slowly lowered his gaze.

There were hundreds of thousands of creatures.

Lizardmen, Ogres, Wolves in clothes.

Manticores pulling rune-powered carts.

Wyvernfolk in what looked like government uniforms.

There were schools, marketplaces, and districts—political banners. Everything was… structured.

"Okay…" he muttered. "I don't know whether I'm impressed or deeply uncomfortable."

[: Would you prefer a feral wasteland of beasts? :]

[: You were complaining about a lack of challenge not long ago. :]

Daniel exhaled. "Don't use my words against me."

[: Noted. However, statistically speaking, you did request 'anything more than dumb mobs.' Congratulations. Request fulfilled. :]

"…You're way too smug for a non-sentient interface."

Daniel gave a tight smirk. "You joke one more time, and I'll see if Decay of Nothingness works on programs."

[: …System silence engaged. Threat level: Moderate. Awaiting safe conditions for sarcasm. :]

Daniel chuckled dryly and turned back toward the city in the distance.

"Alright, then," he murmured.

"A city of intelligent monsters. A new realm. And probably a truckload of rules I'm going to break just by existing accidentally."

The shimmering horizon of the city loomed ever closer as Daniel floated above the crystalline plains, the wind trailing behind his dark silhouette.

The mana in the air sparked faintly across his skin, reacting to his presence as though the world itself was holding its breath.

Yet, even as his expression remained calm and focused, a single thought buzzed persistently in his mind.

"System," Daniel finally said aloud, his voice carried through the stillness, "...how exactly does one clear a Gate?"

[: There are only two known methods to clear a Gate once entered. :]

[: Option One: Eliminate every living being within the transported realm. All sentient and non-sentient life linked to the Gate's power must be erased. Once the realm is deemed devoid of resistance, the Gate will forcibly collapse, transporting the Host out. :]

[: Option Two: Locate and defeat the origin point—the being or mechanism responsible for summoning and sustaining the Gate's connection. Destruction or deactivation will forcibly sever the dimensional tether. :]

Daniel arched an eyebrow. "So… basically: kill everything, or kill the one thing hiding behind everything."

Daniel crossed his arms, gaze distant as his mind mulled it over.

"Option two sounds like more trouble than it's worth''

''I'm betting whoever created a Gate like this is probably ten layers underground behind fifty death traps and an army of monsters."

[: Statistically probable. Also, possibly disguised as a helpless bystander. You are in a city of monsters, after all. :]

"Yeah. Sounds like a pain," Daniel muttered with a sigh. "Killing everything sounds easier."

[: …Host. That was not the answer I was hoping for. :]

Daniel shrugged. "Hey, don't look at me like that."

[: I don't have eyes, Host. But you do. Specifically, Eyes of Calamity. You know—the ones that can literally see through truth, lies, illusions, and even the concept of reality itself? :]

[: Maybe try using them to find the Gate's source instead of defaulting to wholesale annihilation. :]

Daniel smirked.

"Yeah, but here's the thing—Option One lets me level up."

He cracked his knuckles and flexed his fingers.

"There are S Rank monsters here. Maybe even some above that. I've been starving for a challenge for months. This way, I get stronger and get out. Two birds, one crater."

[: You're going to vaporise this entire city, aren't you? :]

"I mean," Daniel tilted his head. "Only if they try to stop me."

The time for thought had passed.

"Alright, then," he murmured with a low, dangerous grin. "Let's see how strong this world is."

And with that, the wind screamed around him as he launched forward—toward the beating heart of the monster city, toward power, battle... and whatever secrets this Gate had waiting.