Rioneed: VRMMORPG

Ibro appeared at the gate world, where his teleportation portal led to. He looked around him as he recalled his first steps here, it was the same as now, full of dangers and faced with a trap from his enemy. 

Ibro sighed, this enemy had made him feel helpless a couple of times already, but he was also content with his performance so far, at least he didn't lose everything and still scored many points against that fiend.

'We will hunt villages while we keep going in this world.'

'This would take some time,' the system replied at once.

'I know, but I need to make all the villages here either under the control of this universe indigenous people or being transported into my world.'

'…'

Ibro had thought for any possibility he could take advantage of, including the way to control this universe's gate. He was determined to purify this universe's heart and release all the control over it, even if this meant for him to fall into his enemy's trap in the end. 

Losing control over this universe gate would put the entire universe, including his investments in it, at risk, so if he was going to face this trap, then his enemy had to face his retaliation.

'You will use my divine sense to scan the whole area under it, then move me to the nearest village. If not, just move me towards the direction of the heart.'

'…'

The system started without any delay to move Ibro from one place to another. After a couple of times, Ibro finally found the first village here, so he wasn't polite and took it under his wing. 

He kept moving forward and annexing villages non-stop, during which he met some villages that turned into huge cities. The looks of these cities there in this gate world brought memories to him, as he recalled Shonty's city and his old friend, Ruliv. 

He was eager to go back to his old world, but he didn't have the means to do so. This long journey which he stumbled on by coincidence took a lot of time and effort. 

He wasn't complaining though, as he got far stronger than before and learnt many things he didn't know about the truth of these universes and even about himself. 

The work of this universe NPCs, or old players, was really impressive, as they turned the rudimentary wooden villages into these mighty high walls, strong defenses, and vastly developed cities.

Ibro kept this routine for days without pause, till he reached the outer parameters of this universe's heart. There, he found a very advanced city that was more distinctive than any other cities he had seen. 

It was even more advanced than Shonty's city. Ibro stood against this city's high walls that were supported by inner rows of higher defensive towers that gave Ibro an intimidating feeling, while thinking about the future of here after his departure. 

This world would turn into an exact copy of the gate world of his home, so he knew this city was an equal of the legendary city of Apidon, which he never saw so far.

'Search for this city governor's location.'

'How do I know he is the governor?'

'Just look for the strongest NPC here, he would be the governor or some of his aides.'

'…'

The system took some time while Ibro stood in his place a couple of miles away from this city. He hypothesized that when he purified that universe's heart, this city would face the strongest hit of the demon army. 

He once heard about the concept of a transition world linking this world with outer space, which would work as an actual gate. 

He didn't know how to access this world, or what the rules of it would be, but he supposed that after he finished purifying the heart, this city would have an access to this world. 

If his theories were true, then the old players here need to be well prepared, he also had his share of responsibility, which he was now preparing to do.

'I found a really strong person moving outside the city, I think he is coming to see you.'

'Oh, has he noticed my presence from this far? That's interesting.'

Ibro then started to observe the area around the city to easily find this man, who was moving alone heading straight to Ibro's location. The look of this man seemed familiar, as Ibro saw him before with Remon at the Dogar city, which explained how this NPC recognized Ibro so fast. 

It didn't take long for this man to come here, and when he did he fist saluted Ibro in complete respect and veneration. 

He knew how mighty Ibro was, and he also felt great gratitude that reached the rank of debt towards Ibro. Ibro had saved his soul from eternal torment, also he opened a whole new world to him and all his comrades.

"Drigory salutes your majesty, it's an honor to have you here my king."

"No need for formalities Drigory, are you this city governor?"

"This humble servant is the general administrator of this city, I hope you are satisfied with the work I did."

Ibro smiled widely, this man here was really stuck with formalities. Ibro then replied:

"You did an impressive job here, but I came here today to give you help, guidance, and warning."

The look over Drigory's face changed to complete seriousness, which gave Ibro the impression of the real reason this city reached this advancement in this short time.

Drigory was the kind of a do man, who took everything seriously and never liked to joke around, a serious person was always a perfect candidate to hold the high positions of any organization, including Ibro's growing empire.

"May my king elaborate further?"

"My warning to you is that a huge demon army is coming in the next few days. I don't know the specific details of them or even their time of arrival, but you should expect them any minute from now."

"Lord Remon had briefed me previously of this imminent threat," Drigory replied with the same seriousness, as he believed his king wouldn't take all this trouble to come here and tell him this already spread knowledge.