A New Gate

Novas Etier, Seventh Floor, Strategic Conference Room.

Higashino Makoto leaned back in his armchair, his golden eyes gazing at the portal of light that floated in mid-air before him.

The door was not large, about two meters high and one meter wide, with a frame made of silver-white metal and its surface engraved with complex runes.

The light curtain inside the door flowed like mercury, shimmering with a faint emerald green glow.

The fourth gate is now stable.

Alice Kuonji stood behind him, holding a stack of documents in her hands, her dark pupils staring at the door of light, her face expressionless.

"Alice Kuonji, report on the situation on the other side."

Alice Kuonji opened the file and cleared her throat.

"The fourth gate leads to a world of swords and magic. A Demon King exists there, waging a continuous war against humanity. Besides humans, various Wisdom races coexist... mermaids, Elf Kingdom, cyclops, bird-men, and more. Overall, it's relatively Peace, but the Demon King is an exception; his level is low, almost identical to the humans in the Overlord World."

Higashino Makoto's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest.

Where is the Demon King?

"Level unknown, but based on the observations of the Doppelganger, it cannot exceed level fifty."

Level 50...

Higashino Makoto thought for a moment. The average level of humans in the Overlord World is less than level ten, and even in the Hero Realm, it's only around level thirty.

Level 50 was already top-tier combat power in that world.

But for him, it wasn't enough.

Where is the main gate located?

"The Central Great Forest is mainly inhabited by the Elf Kingdom and Orc. The environment is suitable for human survival, with water sources, edible plants, and a small number of magical beasts, none of which are above level 30."

Higashino Makoto nodded.

"Continue."

Alice Kuonji turned a page.

"In addition, Ms. Momo added a note at the end of the report."

"Say what?"

"... Many races have a multitude of exceptionally beautiful girls~ A multi-racial harem, Higashino- san will definitely love it."

The meeting room fell silent. Higashino Makoto looked at her, and she looked at him.

After a moment, Higashino Makoto spoke.

"... Momo, she knows me very well."

"Does your master think she's seducing you?"

"It's not just a feeling, it's a certainty."

Alice Kuonji was silent for a moment.

Are you going?

Higashino Makoto did not answer immediately.

He stood up, walked to the portal, and gently touched the emerald green light curtain.

The moment his fingertips touched the light screen, a warm, living sensation came through him, as if something was testing him, or as if something was welcoming him.

Will it be similar to Dragon Ball or A Certain Magical Index, where characters have low combat power in the early stages but explode in power later on?

After thinking for a moment, I shook my head. Whatever.

Escaping shouldn't be a problem; we have a small world, spatial magic, Authority.

If you can't beat them, run; if you can't run, hide; if you can't hide, run away... Hmm, it shouldn't be that bad, right?

"Go."

Alice Kuonji looked at him.

"... Now?"

"Now."

Higashino Makoto turned around and walked towards the conference room door.

"Alice Kuonji, bring some food and tea; the tea there might not taste good."

"... yes."

The two walked out of the meeting room. Sunlight streamed in through the windows of the corridor, casting their shadows on the floor.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto."

"Um."

"You really only went because of Miss Momo's contact information?"

Higashino Makoto glanced at her.

"No."

"Then why?"

"Out of curiosity."

"What are you curious about?"

"I'm curious about that world. Demon kings, war, multi-race coexistence, and those 'rarely seen beautiful girls'."

Alice Kuonji remained silent for a moment.

"... So you're still drawn to Miss Momo's nickname after all."

Higashino Makoto did not deny it.

"It's an old problem, I can't change it. But it's not a big deal. If the other side is really a world you can't escape from, then not going won't really make a difference."

"Yes, you've considered everything very thoroughly."

Higashino Makoto's lips curled up slightly, revealing a keen interest.

Let's go.

Central Forest.

Higashino Makoto stepped out of the portal, his long, silvery-white hair swaying gently in the forest breeze, with Alice Kuonji following behind him.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the tree canopy, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

The air was filled with the scent of earth and grass, mingled with the babbling of a distant stream.

"Alice Kuonji, what do you think of this place?"

Alice Kuonji looked around.

"... It's beautiful."

"Is it more than you imagined?"

"It's quieter than I expected."

Higashino Makoto nodded and stepped forward.

The two walked through the forest, their footsteps rustling on the fallen leaves.

Something is moving in the distance.

Higashino Makoto stopped in his tracks.

"Come out."

A rustling sound came from the bushes, and then a figure emerged.

Not human.

She is about 1.6 meters tall, with delicate features, fair skin, pointed ears, and emerald green eyes.

He was dressed primarily in green and white, with a short bow hanging at his waist and a quiver of arrows on his back.

Elf Kingdom.

Not bad, compared to the Elf Kingdom of the Overlord World, the Elf Kingdom of this world are actually a little bit cuter.

Momo's words are quite credible.

She looked at Higashino Makoto, her emerald green eyes filled with wariness, but she did not draw her bow and shoot.

After all, the relationship between humans and Elf Kingdom in this world is quite good.

"Who are you?"

"Higashino Makoto, the traveler."

"It looks like a human. Where did it come from?"

"It's very far away. Could you tell me where the nearest human city is?"

The Elf Kingdom remained silent for a long time, then turned around.

"Come with me."

Higashino Makoto strode forward to catch up, with Alice Kuonji following behind.

What's your name?

"Lily."

"Lily, that's a nice name."

The Elf Kingdom didn't speak, but her ears twitched slightly.

That was Higashino Makoto's first day in the Fourth World.

He met an Elf Kingdom named Lily.

She will show them around.

He didn't know what he would see, but it was going to be interesting.

After all, Momo had said that there were many "rarely seen beautiful girls".

Judging from Lily's appearance, Momo's words seem quite credible.

Indeed, Higashino Makoto is quite satisfied with this matter.

However, when Higashino Makoto looked up, he couldn't help but frown.

Why do the "gods" of this world give off such a dilapidated and lifeless feeling?

Like old clothes that have been washed many times, they are faded and have holes.

Moreover, it seems to be --

SOS?

This was the first time Higashino Makoto had encountered such a "god".

Despite lacking self-awareness, it instinctively cried for help.

Is this why the door connects so easily?

The world not only didn't stop them, but instead opened its doors and invited them in.