Endless Extraction in a Game-Like World

The news spread across New York like wildfire.

In Manhattan, office workers gathered around break room televisions, their coffee growing cold as they watched the footage replay.

In Brooklyn, families sat together in living rooms, parents pointing at the screen while children asked endless questions.

In the Bronx, bar patrons abandoned their drinks to crowd around mounted screens, arguments breaking out over whether the footage was real.

Everywhere the story was the same.

Two unknown players had destroyed the combined forces of Crimson Fang and Shadow Halberd.

Inside the headquarters of the Golden Sword Guild, Chad sat frozen in his chair.

The common room was filled with his fellow Guild members, all of them watching the same broadcast.

On screen, Caelus walked calmly toward an army of guild players without a single trace of fear.

Chad’s expression twisted with complicated emotions he could not name.

That was his childhood friend.

That was the same guy who used to lose at video games and complain about homework.

Now he was killing Level 50 guild geniuses on live television.

"Chad," one of his Guild members spoke up. "That’s your friend, right? The one you asked us to help protect?"

Chad did not answer.

He remembered that day clearly.

He had approached the Guild leadership and requested backup for Caelus, explaining that his friend had gotten involved with dangerous people.

The Guild had refused.

They said it was not worth the risk, that Caelus was just an ordinary player with a D-Rank talent.

Now those same Guild members kept glancing toward Chad with mixed expressions.

Some were shocked at what they were witnessing.

Some were envious of Chad’s connection to someone so powerful.

Most were deeply regretful.

They had passed up the opportunity to establish a relationship with someone of Caelus’s caliber, and that chance would likely never come again.

...

At LIC High School, Principal Dickenson sat alone in his office.

The television mounted on his wall displayed the same footage everyone else was watching.

His expression was one of complete disbelief.

The student on screen moved with overwhelming power, crushing enemies that should have been far beyond his level.

Dickenson had taught this boy.

He had seen Caelus walk through these hallways countless times.

They were neighbors in Astoria.

Yet the person on television felt like a completely different human being.

’How did I miss this?’ Dickenson thought. ’How did none of us see what he was capable of?’

The quiet student he remembered had apparently been hiding something extraordinary all along.

His phone suddenly rang, breaking his thoughts.

Dickenson’s expression immediately became serious when he saw the caller ID.

It was his direct superior within the Golden Light Guild.

He answered immediately.

"Commander."

"Dickenson." The voice on the other end was calm but urgent. "I assume you are watching the news."

"I am."

"Good, then we can skip the summary." The Commander’s tone shifted to business. "Caelus Kross and Sylvia Reign have become matters of great interest to the Guild."

Dickenson listened carefully.

"The recent Hollow Beast incidents have not gone unnoticed," she continued. "The Guild believes these appearances are signs of an approaching calamity, something far larger than isolated monster attacks."

"We have begun identifying powerful irregular assets throughout America, players whose abilities exceed normal expectations."

"Caelus Kross and Sylvia Reign are now classified among those irregular assets and also a threat."

Dickenson’s grip tightened on his phone when he heard this.

"Some factions within the Guild wish to recruit them directly," the Commander explained. "Others believe they should simply be monitored from a distance and be considered a threat. Such power from a Non-Player Guild Player is not common sight, after all."

"However, Our greatest concern is still preventing Demonic factions from recruiting powerful talents before humanity can, we cannot afford to lose potential allies to the enemy. Hence, we didn’t outright move to take Caelus Kross and Sylvia Reign into custody."

There was a brief moment of silence before she continued.

"On that note, Miss Lunari from our Faction will soon arrive in New York, she is approximately the same age as Caelus and Sylvia."

"Do not underestimate her, Dickenson."

"Despite her youth, she has already reached a remarkably high level within Elite Rank, her combat ability is exceptional."

"I am instructing you to meet with Miss Lunari immediately after she arrives."

"And If it comes down to things, let her handle Caelus Kross and Sylvia Reign."

Dickenson took a slow breath before responding. "Commander, with respect, I must disagree with treating Caelus and Sylvia as potential threats."

"They are not enemies."

"I have observed Caelus personally, both as his principal and as his neighbor, I believe he stands on humanity’s side."

His voice grew firmer.

"If responsibility must be taken for trusting them, then I will personally shoulder that responsibility."

The Commander was silent for a moment.

"Your faith is noted, Dickenson, but faith alone does not win wars."

Before the call could end, the Commander’s tone shifted slightly.

"On another matter, I have just personally exorcised a Demon here in Washington."

"Demonic activity has noticeably increased across the country, they appear to be moving far more actively than before."

"We believe this is connected to the Hollow Beast incidents that is making the spatial rifts, though we have not yet determined how."

Her voice carried a note of concern.

"The patterns suggest coordination rather than random attacks, which is..."

She stopped mid-sentence.

A loud emergency alarm suddenly began blaring from her end of the call.

"What is happening?" The Commander’s voice carried genuine confusion. "This alarm is..."

The call cut off abruptly.

"Commander?" Dickenson’s expression changed.

....

Caelus jolted awake as his phone erupted with piercing alarm sounds.

The screen flashed with emergency notifications that demanded immediate attention.

Across the city, Sylvia experienced the same sudden awakening.

Both of them grabbed their phones and read the message displayed on their screens.

[Emergency Warning]

[Multiple Spatial Corruption Zones have begun forming across New York City.]

[Citizens and Players are advised to avoid all contact with these Corruption Zones until further notice.]

Caelus’s expression darkened immediately.

This was completely unexpected.

Before he could process the information further, loud screams suddenly erupted from downstairs.