Things were vastly different in the Source Realm.
The Source Realm was no stranger to spacetime fragments. Similar rifts had appeared before, but they had never led to stable spaces. Most were passages that collapsed at random.
Of those who entered the spacetime fragments, aside from a fortunate few who managed to return, no one knew where most of the others had drifted off to.
When grayish-white stone archways appeared throughout the Source Realm, the various races of the Source Realm were clearly wary.
The human kingdoms designated them forbidden zones. Scouts patrolled the outskirts of the Elven Forest. The dwarves dug new barrier layers underground. The orc tribes simply camped away from the areas where those archways stood.
In the second month after the archways appeared, the Adventurers' Guild officially named them "Demon Gates" and posted investigation quests.
The quest board read: Investigate the Demon Gate, confirm its internal structure, Record environmental characteristics, and return safely. No rank requirement. Reward: 100 gold coins and 2,000 contribution points.
At the same time, a newly formed adventuring party was established that very day.
It consisted of the elven ranger Mia, the human warrior Carl, and the dwarven shield guard Copperbeard—a proper three-man melee party.
The three formed the lowest-ranking Black Iron adventuring party and vowed to raise it to King rank.
The newly established Hero Adventuring Party was full of ambition, ready to make a name for itself.
On the day of its founding, the three celebrated the momentous occasion by drinking themselves silly at a tavern all night, much to the delight of the alcohol-loving dwarf.
The next day, the three headed toward the Adventurers' Guild building.
The elven ranger Mia walked in front, carrying a wooden shortbow in her hand.
The dwarven shield guard Copperbeard walked in the middle.