The fog covering Bandung that morning felt different.
Not like the one in Cipularang.
There, it was cold. Wild. Wet.
Here, it felt heavy.
The fog didn't move.
It wasn't pushed by the wind.
It just stayed there.
Hanging.
Like a curtain hiding something underneath.
Arlan stopped about ten meters in front of the gate.
The sound of his boots scraped against the cracked asphalt.
Too loud.
Behind him, five people stood in formation.
The Neo Bandung gate towered ahead.
It used to be a symbol of hope after the Distortion.
Now, half of it was destroyed.
Steel structures stretched upward.
Like frozen hands reaching for something that never came.
The calm blue system light was gone.
"I don't like this," Bara muttered.
He adjusted his shield.
"It's too quiet. Even monsters aren't here."
Arlan didn't respond.
His eyes stayed forward.
Trying to see through the fog.
A city like this should be alive.
People. Movement. Noise.
But there was nothing.
"This isn't normal for a player city," Desta said.
He stepped forward, boots crushing broken glass.
"There should be defenses. At least something."
Raka moved at the back.
Silent.
His eyes scanned every corner.
"Something bad happened here," he whispered.
"This isn't just a monster attack."
"It smells wrong."
"Like rotten energy."
Arlan stepped forward.
The moment he crossed the gate, something shifted.
Not physical.
Deeper.
Like the system reacted.
An interface appeared in front of him.
Red.
New Area Detected Neo Bandung Sector
Danger Level 50 Plus
Warning This area is under the influence of Pride Domain
"Fifty?" Bara growled.
"We just entered."
"This isn't even the core," Vila said.
Her face had gone pale.
"The structure of reality has changed."
"This isn't Bandung anymore."
"We're inside something."
Maya walked slowly behind them.
Her staff tapped the ground.
Then she stopped.
Her hand trembled.
"Arlan… look."
Arlan followed her gaze.
Several people walked along the sidewalk.
Normal clothes.
A man with a suitcase.
Like he was heading to work.
He stopped at a bus stop.
Still.
Three seconds.
Then turned.
Walked back.
Same pattern.
No variation.
His movements were stiff.
No sound.
No expression.
His eyes were open.
Empty.
Vila raised her hand.
A small magic circle formed.
She analyzed.
Then froze.
"This isn't normal control…"
"What do you mean?" Arlan asked.
"It's worse."
She pointed above the man's head.
"Look closer."
Arlan focused.
For a moment, he saw it.
Chains.
Thin. Black.
Descending from the fog.
Entering the man's head.
Not touching physically.
But binding him.
Maya lowered her head.
"They're not dead."
"Their consciousness is still there."
"But locked."
"Forced to move according to a script."
Desta clenched his fist.
"So they're aware?"
"…maybe," Maya answered quietly.
"They're trapped inside their own bodies."
"They can't stop."
The air grew heavier.
Streetlights flickered.
Digital billboards glitched into red symbols.
Raka suddenly raised his hand.
"Quiet."
Everyone stopped.
He pointed ahead.
At the intersection, something stood.
At first glance, it looked like a statue.
As they got closer, Arlan stopped.
It wasn't a statue.
It was a player.
High level armor.
Combat stance.
But his entire body was covered in black crystal.
Like obsidian.
"…a player," Bara said quietly.
Desta stepped closer.
He touched the figure's shoulder.
"Cold."
"Too cold."
"And… something's inside."
Arlan stood in front of the face.
Through a small gap in the crystal helmet, he saw the eyes.
Open.
Frozen.
But still there.
Fear.
Locked in place.
"He's alive," Vila said.
Her hand pressed against the chest.
"The consciousness is still there."
"But trapped."
Desta tightened his jaw.
"So they're just… standing here?"
"They can't move?"
Maya nodded slowly.
"This isn't death."
"This is punishment."
Arlan stayed silent.
Then spoke.
Low.
"This is a warning."
His gaze moved toward the city.
"The Tower doesn't kill."
"It keeps us."
"Displays us."
A growl broke the silence.
Low.
From a dark alley.
Two red eyes appeared.
Then the creature stepped out.
Fast.
Its body looked like solid shadow.
Unstable.
Skinless.
Monster Detected Shadow Hound
Level 41
"Level forty one at the gate?" Bara scoffed.
Bara moved first.
His shield slammed into the ground.
A shockwave pushed the first monster back.
The second one leaped.
Heading straight for Maya.
"Raka!"
Raka was already gone.
He appeared mid air behind it.
Twin daggers pierced its neck.
The creature shattered into light.
Desta followed.
His blade struck the first monster.
It crashed into a wall.
Arlan moved.
Flash Step.
In an instant, he was above it.
One clean strike.
Finished.
Silence returned.
Player Status AzureBound
Level 38
EXP Increased
Arlan sheathed his sword.
His eyes moved forward.
Through the fog.
In the distance, the Tower of Pride stood tall.
Dark.
Watching.
Beside it, Gedung Sate looked… wrong.
Like something had taken root inside it.
"We're not stopping here," Arlan said.
His voice flat.
"Too many people are trapped."
He stepped forward.
"And I'm not letting this continue."