World of Rules

... 

Three days passed in silence, as if time itself was preparing for what was to come. No one moved, and no sign of the plan's execution appeared. Yet in the shadows, the gears were turning, and preparations were unfolding quietly.

On the third day, a merchant ship departed from the Blazing Coral Island.

The ship appeared ordinary, just one of the many vessels crossing the seas daily, carrying goods and transporting passengers. Nothing in its appearance hinted at anything unusual. But in reality, it was far from ordinary.

Deep within the ship, hidden in places no one would reach, the three great family lords sat in silence. They could not reveal themselves openly—traveling together on such a voyage would raise too many questions, questions they could not afford. Everything had been planned meticulously, down to the finest detail. No one on board knew their true identities.

But they were not alone.

Somewhere on that ship, another shadow lurked.

"Di" was following them.

He left no trace, gave no indication of his presence, yet he was there. This was no coincidence, nor mere curiosity. He knew that this journey was important, and he knew he had to be a part of it—even from the sidelines.

---

One night, as the waves gently struck the ship’s hull, the head of the Shu family suddenly lifted his head.

He felt something... A strange sensation, as if unseen eyes were watching him from somewhere.

It was illogical—no one should have been able to approach them unnoticed. And yet, he could not shake the feeling.

His eyes narrowed as he scanned his surroundings cautiously, but he saw nothing. Only darkness, the sound of the sea, and the ship steadily sailing forward.

With a slow exhale, he refocused his mind. Perhaps it was just an illusion.

But he could not completely dispel the doubt.

---

Days passed, then weeks.

No one on board knew that Di was among them. He was not simply hiding—he had become a part of the ship itself. There was no need for him to remain concealed all the time, nor did he need to reveal himself.

He ate and drank the finest foods, as if he were in his own home. It was not difficult—there was always a way into the kitchen, always a pot to open, always a bite to steal. It was never a challenge; it was more like a game.

At times, he sat on the ship’s deck beneath the open sky, watching the stars, unnoticed by anyone. At other times, he wandered silently between the stored crates, listening to conversations, observing everything without being seen.

The ship continued its journey, and the distance to Frostfall Island grew shorter by the day.

And yet…

A full month passed without incident.

No storms, no battles, no unexpected encounters. Just the endless sea, the unchanging sky, and a ship carrying secrets known only to a select few.

But silence… never lasts forever.

---

After a month of sailing across an endless sea, something appeared on the horizon.

At first, it was just a faint shadow dissolving into the waves. But little by little, it became clearer. This was no ordinary island—this was Frostfall Island.

It was vast, larger than anyone might expect. Its end was not visible from this distance, as if it were an independent world in the middle of the sea. As the ship drew closer, the air began to change. The warm breeze of the voyage faded away, replaced by a strange chill—cold, but not deadly, just a faint touch that hinted this place was unlike any other.

Everything about the island was gray—the sky, the rocks, even the trees, which seemed to have grown in defiance of relentless winds. High cliffs lined the shores, standing like natural fortresses guarding against invaders. Beyond them, icy blue peaks loomed, glistening under the sunlight.

This was not a place that welcomed strangers.

And yet… something about it was alluring, as if the island was trying to conceal a secret beneath its frozen exterior.

When the ship docked at the port, everything about the island seemed to shift.

The waters, calm throughout the voyage, grew rougher, as if resisting the ship’s arrival. But the sailors were used to this and showed no concern.

On the docks, a crowd of merchants, workers, and ordinary folk waited for the ship, as if it were just another among the hundreds that arrived daily. Their voices mingled with the clatter of barrels, the creaking of cart wheels, and the clinking of gold coins exchanging hands.

Di was unremarkable in this crowd.

He descended from the ship like any other passenger, his steps quiet, his expression unreadable. He seemed like just another traveler, arriving at a new island, searching for opportunities—or perhaps adventure.

But he knew the three family lords were not here.

They had not disembarked with the others. They had already left—before reaching the island.

The night before, when everyone was asleep, they had taken a small boat and silently departed the ship.

This did not surprise Di. He had felt their movement, but he did not pursue them.

It was not necessary… His mark was still on them.

They were already here.

He could feel them—not close, but not far either. They were still on the island.

---

Before him, a massive city stretched out.

It was larger than he had anticipated, crowded and noisy, a stark contrast to the quiet, desolate-looking island seen from afar. Its streets were narrow and winding, its buildings made of black stone dusted with frost, banners adorned with mysterious symbols fluttering at every corner.

The people here were not ordinary.

Their eyes were sharp, their steps deliberate, their hands always close to their weapons.

This was not a city that welcomed the weak.

Di wandered aimlessly, his eyes absorbing everything.

He was in no rush.

The game had already begun… but there was no need for him to reveal himself just yet.