Location: Southern Atheria – Lake Selvaris, Day 26 in Atheria
It took them four days of peaceful travel by sky-boat to reach Lake Selvaris—a stretch of endless, silver-blue water that shimmered beneath the sun like a polished mirror. The air was still. The sky stretched wide and cloudless. Even birds gave the place respectful distance.
There were no visible shores. No islands. No boats.
Just silence.
"This lake's magic is older than most temples," Yoori whispered. "It watches everything that touches its surface."
Eunsol nodded, eyes closed. "And it listens."
---
The Story of the Drowned City
At a lonely shrine on a cliff's edge, an old caretaker named Imera greeted them with warm tea and soft words.
She spoke of Caelumar, the once-glorious city that stood atop the lake's surface thousands of years ago.
"They say it was a city built by song," she murmured. "Floating gardens, glass towers, and stairs that reached the clouds."
"What happened to it?" Jihae asked.
"The Sunder came," Imera replied. "And the waters rose in a single night. It was never seen again."
"But the magic remains."
---
System Ping – Key Detected
That evening, as Jiwoo stood at the edge of the lake, watching the moonlight ripple on the waves, his system chimed silently.
> [Gold Key Signature Detected]
[Status: Submerged – Depth: 920 meters]
[Area Enchantment: Water-Locked City, Ward Class: Ancient Sacred]
A small map appeared before him, overlaying the lake with a glowing point at its center.
Another system window followed:
> Do you wish to activate temporary environment adaptation?
Breath Control: Yes
Pressure Protection: Yes
Visibility Magic: Enabled
Jiwoo accepted.
He turned to the others. "Time to go underwater."
---
Descent into Silence
The group descended together using magical air orbs and crystal-lit cloaks provided by Yoori and Eunsol. Jiwoo led the way, his system providing directional pulses toward the submerged city's location.
As they passed the 500-meter mark, the water became darker—but not cold.
At 800 meters, towers began to appear, their stone etched with glowing moss. Staircases spiraled into nothing. Statues floated, untouched by time.
And at 920 meters…
They arrived at Caelumar.
---
The Drowned City
Despite the water, the city remained intact—frozen in silence. Floating gardens still shimmered with soft blue plants. Music runes vibrated from street corners. And in the center of it all…
A vault, shaped like a shell with golden etchings.
The second system key was inside.
Jiwoo raised his hand.
> [Attempting Access – Validating Owner ID…]
But before the vault could respond—
A voice echoed through the water.
"You're late, Sovereign."
---
The Mystery of the Golden Diver
A figure swam into view—draped in white and gold, with silver fins adorning their shoulders like wings. Their face was covered with a mask shaped like a whale's eye.
"I've waited fifty years for your signal," they said, voice smooth and calm. "I'm called Cressil, Keeper of the Second Vault."
Everyone froze.
Jiwoo floated forward cautiously. "You know about the system?"
"I knew of its locks," Cressil replied. "Not what it truly was. Only that it would awaken when a certain gold frequency touched the city again."
Cressil reached toward the vault and sang a single note.
> The shell unlocked.
> Inside: A golden charm – shaped like a wave curling around a sun.
> [Second System Key Acquired – Water Sector Unlocked]
7 Remaining.
---
The Warning
Before they could leave, Cressil placed a hand on Jiwoo's shoulder.
"There are others," he said. "Not of this world. Not like you. They move between realms like tides… searching for you."
Jiwoo's eyes narrowed. "Enemies?"
Cressil tilted his head. "Perhaps. Or worse—collectors."
Then Cressil's form began to fade—like mist dispersing into the water.
"One key leads to the next. But remember, Sovereign: not every vault wishes to be opened. Some were sealed… for good reason."
With that, he vanished.
---
Surface Return
The group surfaced slowly as the sun began to rise. The waters were still again, the lake quiet and whole.
On Jiwoo's wrist, the second charm now glowed—pale blue, flickering gently like waves.
Baek clapped his hands behind his head. "So… that was a water temple arc. With an NPC warning. Nice."
Jihae shook her head. "Except that NPC knew about the system. That's new."
Yoori bit her lip. "This world… it wasn't made randomly."
Jiwoo remained quiet.
He looked at the charm glowing on his wrist.
> Two down. Seven to go.
And something was watching him now.
Something outside of Atheria.
---
Final Scene – Back at the Shrine
Old Imera offered them warm soup and fresh blankets.
No one spoke of the vault.
But when Jiwoo sat alone later that night, his system pulsed again.
> [Optional Feature Unlocked: Global Wealth Flow – Water Domain]
Would you like to activate passive wealth influence on surrounding aquatic regions?
Effect: Control fish trade, marine currents, and waterborne transit hubs across 23 nations.
Est. Weekly Gain: 1.9 Trillion Gold Coins.
Jiwoo did not activate it.
He closed the window.
He wasn't here to dominate the world.
Not yet.
> He was here to walk through it, quietly—and understand.