Auron stood on soft, mossy ground, his feet sinking slightly into the vibrant, springy surface. The air around him was warm and heavy with the scent of earth and rain, the faint hum of distant life filling his ears. He turned slowly, taking in the vivid surroundings.

  He was in a lush, jungle-like environment. The trees towered high above, their canopies intertwined with luminescent vines that pulsed faintly, casting shifting patterns of light across the ground. Strange creatures flitted through the air—some resembling birds, their wings composed of iridescent smoke, while others moved like living drones, their sleek forms cutting through the space with precision.

  In the distance, an immense structure loomed. Its weathered stone walls were engraved with intricate designs that glowed faintly in the jungle’s light. Vines crawled up its surface, merging with the carvings to create a seamless blend of technology and nature. The massive doors at its center shimmered as though they were both solid and ethereal, their presence commanding attention.

  Before Auron could move toward the building, he became aware of his own form. His arms and legs felt weightless yet solid, the tactile sensations of movement almost indistinguishable from reality. His gaze drifted down to see a plain grey tunic and trousers—standard starter gear. It was functional but unremarkable. He flexed his fingers experimentally, marveling at the precision of the simulation.

  This was no LiteNet. The InfiNet felt alive, its every detail designed to blur the line between virtual and real. Auron took a tentative step forward, the sound of his footfall soft against the moss. The sensation was disarming. The sheer realism of the environment pulled him further from the memory of the dingy room he'd just left behind.

  Auron allowed himself a small smile for the first time in what felt like years. The jungle seemed to hum in response, its vibrancy promising adventure, danger, and maybe even the freedom he'd been searching for.

  Auron took another step, the weightless quality of his movement both exhilarating and unsettling. The jungle buzzed with a faint symphony of chirps, rustles, and the occasional hum of unseen drones. The warehouse loomed ahead. Its size was almost absurd. Intricate designs covered the vast doors. Auron could make out beings of fable and legend intertwined by circuitry that seemed alive.

  As he approached, the doors slid open without a sound, revealing an expansive interior that seemed to defy the building's external dimensions.

  Shafts of light poured in from skylights far above, casting prismatic patterns across the polished floors. Tables and displays stretched endlessly, each showcasing items that ranged from sleek tools to fantastical artifacts. Newcomers dressed in the same grey starter gear as Auron wandered among the wares, their movements hesitant and filled with awe.

  The atmosphere was charged with energy, both literal and figurative. Auron passed a group clustered around a glowing sword embedded in a pedestal. One avatar reached out and grasped the hilt, and in a flash of light, both the player and the sword vanished.

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  Auron froze, blinking at the now-empty spot. "What the…?" he muttered under his breath. Looking around, he noticed similar incidents happening all over the warehouse. A man picked up a ring, slid it onto his finger, and disappeared in the same flash of light. A young woman strapped on a bandolier filled with gadgets. She gave a casual wave to her companion and was gone a second later.

  It wasn't just that they vanished—it was how the crowd reacted. No one even seemed to notice. Auron scanned the room, half-expecting someone to sound the alarm or ask questions, but the other avatars carried on as if this were completely normal.

  "Okay," Auron said to himself, forcing his feet to move again. "Guess that's… fine?"

  The sheer variety of items made it hard to focus. Auron found his eyes drawn to a staff that pulsed faintly with light. Nearby, a pair of gloves shimmered as their wearer tested them, the air around her warping before she, too, disappeared.

  Auron's attention drifted toward the center of the warehouse, where a crowd gathered around a statue of a woman on a raised dais. Above her, a green arrow pulsed gently, directing new arrivals to approach.

  Intrigued, Auron took a step toward the dais, the allure of the statue pulling him closer.

  Before he could reach it, someone backed into him, sending him stumbling into a display of glowing artifacts.

  "Oh, man, sorry about that!"

  The voice was warm and disarming, and Auron looked up to find a hand extended toward him. The speaker was a rugged man in his early twenties, with dark hair tied into a loose ponytail and stubble that added to his intrepid appearance. His outfit—a sash belt, leather boots, and a loose shirt—stood out among the starter grey garb of the other avatars.

  "Here, Let me help you," the man said, pulling Auron back to his feet. "You good?"

  "Yeah, thanks," Auron replied, brushing off imaginary dust.

  "Didn't mean to barrel into you like that," the man continued, grinning. "Name's Vox. What about you?"

  "Auron," he answered, still catching his balance.

  "Auron—nice," Vox said, his grin widening. "Welcome to the InfiNet." He gestured toward a nearby figure clad in glowing, futuristic armor. The woman stood with a regal yet approachable air, her sharp gaze briefly appraising Auron. "That's Clio, my second-in-command. Say hi, Clio."

  "Hi," Clio said simply, nodding at Auron.

  "First time in the InfiNet, huh?" Vox asked, the question more rhetorical than anything.

  "How can you tell?"

  "Easy! You've got that 'holy crap, what even is this place?' look about you. Happens to all the newbies," Vox teased, clapping Auron on the shoulder. "Don't sweat it; you'll figure things out."

  He reached into the air, snapping his fingers. A glowing card materialized, and he snatched it out of the air before handing it to Auron.

  "What's this?" Auron asked, turning the shimmering card over.

  The card displayed an animated image of Vox and Clio posing heroically with their weapons drawn. Above them, bold letters proclaimed: The Navigators. Below that, the tagline scrolled across the surface: Adventurers Who Have Your Back!

  "Call it a welcome gift," Vox said. "We're part of a guild, The Navigators. Treasure hunters, adventurers, chaos enthusiasts—we do it all. And we're always looking for fresh talent."

  "I'm not sure…" Auron began hesitantly.

  "Hey, no pressure," Vox said, holding his hands up. "Just hit me up if you're ever looking to dive deeper into the InfiNet. Guild life makes all the difference out there."

  With a wink, he turned to Clio. "C'mon, let's see what else looks promising."

  "Good luck," Clio said, her tone cool but not unkind. She lingered momentarily, her glowing gaze flicking over Auron as though weighing him. Then, with a slight nod, she turned to follow Vox into the bustling crowd.

  Auron watched them disappear, the card still in his hand. He hesitated briefly before tucking it into his inventory. The encounter had left him slightly off-balance, but the allure of the statue soon recaptured his focus.