Veer Raheja adjusted the strap of his simple backpack and glanced at the teleportation gate, heart pounding. The swirling portal shimmered in front of him, a whirl of golden light surrounded by cold steel. Beyond it lay God's Sanctuary—an entirely new world, full of danger, beasts, and unimaginable opportunities. He had trained for years for this moment, but nothing could truly prepare him for what awaited.
Veer took a deep breath. His mother and younger sister's faces flashed in his mind. He didn't know that he was born into a wealthy and influential family, or that he had every resource the world could offer. All that mattered was giving them a better life. And for that, he had to survive God's Sanctuary.
With one final nod to himself, Veer stepped through the teleportation gate.
The air changed instantly. The familiar sterile scent of the Academy was gone, replaced by the sharp metallic tang of blood and the earthy musk of wild creatures. Trees with obsidian bark towered overhead, their leaves dark green with a faint shimmer, as if reflecting some hidden energy. He instinctively crouched low, scanning for movement.
Veer had been taught to expect the unexpected. He had weapons training, basic combat techniques, and the fundamentals of survival, but the creatures of God's Sanctuary were unlike anything he had imagined. Even small animals radiated a dangerous aura.
A rustle behind a bush caught his attention. Veer tensed, reaching for his dagger. His eyes locked on a strange creature—it looked like a horse, but smaller and glowing faintly with a green aura. It was moving in a peculiar, almost playful way.
Veer misread its motion as hostile. The lessons in reflex kicked in. Without hesitation, he dashed forward and thrust his dagger…
Right into the creature's rear.
The horse-shaped being squealed in shock and pain, twisting violently. Veer froze, heart racing. His vision cleared, and he saw the figure shift—its true form revealed itself. The horse-like creature shimmered, transforming into a young woman with silver hair and eyes that glowed like jade.
"Ah! What did you do?" she cried, holding her tail-like appendage.
Veer blinked. The words "Ass Freak" popped into his mind spontaneously. It wasn't just a nickname—every survivor in the Sanctuary would soon know him by it. The young woman glared, but there was also a flicker of amusement in her expression.
"I-I'm sorry! I thought you were a… a beast!" Veer stammered, stepping back cautiously.
The girl, now clearly human but with faint animal features, studied him carefully. "A beast? That's what they all say before they get themselves killed here. You'll survive if you're lucky, Ass Freak."
Veer's cheeks burned, but he forced himself to stay calm. "Veer Raheja. I'm new here. Just arrived."
The girl raised an eyebrow. "Qin Xuan. And you should know—this Sanctuary doesn't forgive mistakes. One wrong move, and you won't live to regret it."
Veer nodded, absorbing the intensity of her gaze. He had heard of survivors who adapted quickly and became legends in the Sanctuary, but he also knew that a single misstep could end his journey before it began.
As they walked together, Veer's thoughts wandered to the black crystal he had discovered in a Sacred Black Beetle he had slain earlier during training exercises in the Academy's simulation zone. The black crystal had an incredible power—it could level up creatures, and more importantly, it had given him a suit of golden armor that clung to his body, sleek and elegant yet brimming with power.
He hadn't shown it to anyone yet. In God's Sanctuary, he would need to maintain a low profile. Everyone would see him as the awkward, reckless Ass Freak. But beneath that surface, the golden Sacred Black Beetle armor lay hidden, ready to be activated when necessary. That armor, that hidden identity, would be his key to surviving—and thriving—here.
Veer followed Qin Xuan through dense foliage. She moved with a grace he had never seen in humans before, yet there was an aura of wild unpredictability about her. Suddenly, a low growl echoed from the shadows. A green-scaled beast, roughly the size of a dog, leaped out, eyes glowing with feral hunger.
Veer's instincts screamed. He reached for the black crystal in his pocket, considering feeding it to the creature as he had done before. The creature hesitated, sniffing the crystal, and then greedily swallowed it whole. Its body shimmered, scales darkening and claws growing sharper.
Veer's heart raced. The transformation reminded him of the Sacred Black Beetle's evolution. Could he control this power here? Could he use it to level up creatures and gain strength without exposing his hidden identity?
"Veer, focus!" Qin Xuan shouted, yanking him back just as the creature lunged.
Veer's hands shook, but he activated his armor. The golden plates spread over his body, shimmering like liquid metal. Reflexively, he struck with precision, felling the evolved green-scaled beast in a single blow.
"Not bad," Qin Xuan said, a trace of respect in her tone. "But don't get cocky. There are stronger creatures, and even more dangerous humans, waiting for us."
Veer nodded. He felt the weight of responsibility, the hidden burden he carried—not just for survival, but for the people he loved. And now, with his armor and the black crystal's hidden power, he had a chance to carve out a place for himself in God's Sanctuary.
As night fell, the forest grew quieter, but Veer knew this was only the beginning. He had survived his first real encounter, earned a new nickname, and realized that the hidden power he possessed could change everything. Qin Xuan was strong, intelligent, and unpredictable—but he had a feeling their paths would cross again.
And deep down, Veer smiled behind his mask of awkwardness. The Ass Freak of God's Sanctuary was ready to leave his mark.