Free Web NovelChapter 6: Chapter 6: The City Beyond the Portal
The victorious hunting party returned to Silverleaf Village shortly before sunset.
Their arrival immediately caused a commotion.
Villagers rushed toward the entrance.
Several fox maidens gasped when they saw the enormous Iron-Tusk Boar being carried back.
The creature’s body was nearly as large as a house.
For a settlement as small as Silverleaf Village, it represented a tremendous amount of food and materials.
"We actually killed that?"
One young fox maiden stared in disbelief.
Sylvia proudly crossed her arms.
"Of course we did."
"Mostly because Luna saved everyone."
The warrior immediately looked offended.
Luna ignored her.
Kai couldn’t help smiling.
The atmosphere within the village felt different than before.
More confident.
The successful hunt had proven something important.
They were no longer helpless newcomers struggling to survive.
They could defend themselves.
They could provide for themselves.
They could grow.
That night, the village held another celebration.
The Iron-Tusk Boar provided enough meat to feed everyone comfortably.
Stories of the hunt spread throughout the settlement.
By the end of the evening, Sylvia’s description of the battle had somehow evolved into a tale involving three giant monsters and an army of wolves.
Nobody believed her.
Not even slightly.
But everyone enjoyed listening anyway.
As darkness settled over the village, Kai quietly left the celebration.
The night air felt cool against his skin.
He walked toward the Sacred World Tree.
Whenever he needed time to think, he found himself returning here.
The giant tree had become the heart of the realm.
Its presence was calming.
Familiar.
Comforting.
As he approached, however, something unusual caught his attention.
A silver object rested among the roots.
Kai frowned.
He was certain it hadn’t been there earlier.
Curious, he stepped closer.
The object appeared to be an envelope.
Its surface shimmered with divine energy.
Ancient runes glowed softly across the edges.
The moment Kai touched it, the envelope opened by itself.
Golden letters emerged into the air.
Invitation to Newly Awakened Gods
Congratulations on your successful awakening.
The nearest Divine City welcomes your arrival.
Services available include:
• Trading Markets
• Resource Exchanges
• Merchant Guilds
• Explorer Associations
• Divine Libraries
• Auction Houses
• Realm Development Services
Portal access available upon acceptance.
Kai stared at the floating words.
Then read them again.
And again.
A Divine City.
For a moment, memories from his childhood resurfaced.
Stories told by traveling merchants.
Legends spoken by retired explorers.
Tales of gigantic cities floating between dimensions.
Places where gods from countless worlds gathered.
Places where civilizations traded resources.
Places where opportunities and dangers existed in equal measure.
Until now, Kai’s focus had remained entirely on Silverleaf Village.
On the realm.
On survival.
Yet this invitation reminded him of a simple truth.
His world was not alone.
There were countless other gods.
Countless other realms.
Entire civilizations beyond his own.
And now a doorway to that wider universe had appeared.
The following morning, Kai called a meeting.
Luna arrived first.
Several village leaders followed shortly afterward.
Even Iris appeared.
Although the child seemed more interested in chasing a butterfly than participating in important discussions.
Kai showed everyone the invitation.
Silence followed.
Then Luna slowly spoke.
"A Divine City..."
The fox maiden’s eyes reflected curiosity. ƒгeewebnovёl.com
One of the builders looked shocked.
"I thought those only existed in stories."
"They’re real."
Kai tapped the invitation.
"And apparently we’re invited."
The room immediately erupted with questions.
"What will we find there?"
"Can we trade?"
"Will there be other races?"
"Other gods?"
"Can anyone attack us?"
Kai raised a hand.
The room gradually quieted.
"The truth is, I don’t know."
Nobody could argue with that.
This was new territory for all of them.
A few moments later, Luna spoke again.
"My Lord."
"Yes?"
"I think we should go."
Several fox maidens immediately nodded.
Kai wasn’t surprised.
The invitation represented opportunity.
Resources.
Knowledge.
Possibly allies.
Perhaps even future trade partners.
Everything a growing civilization needed.
Remaining isolated would be safer.
But safety alone never built powerful civilizations.
Eventually, Kai made his decision.
"We’ll visit."
Excitement instantly spread through the room.
Even Iris cheered despite having no idea what was happening.
Preparations lasted two days.
Silverleaf Village wasn’t large enough to spare many people.
After careful consideration, Kai selected only one companion.
Luna.
The fox maiden would accompany him.
The rest would remain behind and continue developing the settlement.
On the morning of departure, the entire village gathered near the Sacred World Tree.
Kai activated the invitation.
Golden light erupted from the envelope.
The ground trembled.
Ancient runes appeared in the air.
Then a portal formed.
The portal stood nearly five meters tall.
Its surface resembled liquid gold.
Energy radiated from it in gentle waves.
Many fox maidens stared in awe.
For some, this was the first portal they had ever seen.
Kai wasn’t much better.
The sight was impressive.
Luna stepped beside him.
"Ready?"
Kai smiled.
"Not really."
The fox maiden laughed softly.
Together, they approached the portal.
The villagers gathered behind them.
Several offered encouragement.
Others wished them luck.
Little Iris looked particularly concerned.
"When are you coming back?"
Kai knelt beside her.
"Soon."
The child narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
Satisfied, Iris finally nodded.
Kai stood.
Then he and Luna stepped into the portal.
The sensation was strange.
Not painful.
Not unpleasant.
Simply strange.
The world twisted.
Colors blurred together.
Space seemed to fold around them.
Then everything stabilized.
Kai blinked.
And froze.
The sight before him stole his breath.
An enormous city stretched beyond the horizon.
Floating islands hovered throughout the sky.
Bridges of crystal connected gigantic towers.
Countless portals opened and closed across massive plazas.
Airships sailed between districts.
Thousands upon thousands of people filled the streets.
Humans.
Elves.
Dwarves.
Beastfolk.
Winged races.
Even species Kai couldn’t identify.
Everywhere he looked, life thrived.
Movement.
Trade.
Conversation.
Civilization.
The scale was beyond imagination.
Luna stood silently beside him.
For once, the normally composed fox maiden appeared speechless.
Kai understood exactly how she felt.
Compared to this city, Silverleaf Village was smaller than a grain of sand.
A golden sign floated above the portal district.
Aurelis Divine City
The words gleamed beneath the sunlight.
Nearby, countless newly awakened gods stood staring in amazement.
Apparently Kai wasn’t the only newcomer.
For several minutes, he simply observed.
Merchants advertised their goods.
Explorers negotiated contracts.
Divine beasts carried cargo through the streets.
The city felt alive.
Vast.
Endless.
And suddenly Kai realized something important.
His journey had only just begun.
Silverleaf Village was his foundation.
But the wider universe stretched far beyond his realm.
Somewhere within this city existed opportunities capable of changing his future.
Trade agreements.
Rare resources.
Knowledge.
Treasures.
Perhaps even new races.
Kai’s heart began racing.
The excitement felt impossible to suppress.
Luna glanced toward him.
"What now, My Lord?"
Kai looked across the sprawling city.
Then smiled.
"We explore."
Together, the god and his fox maiden stepped into the endless crowd.
Behind them lay the small beginnings of a civilization.
Ahead of them lay a universe of possibilities.
And somewhere within Aurelis Divine City, fate was already preparing their next opportunity.
