Some time before the main events…
Rayn hadn't seen his sister in a month.
"Where could she be? Please, not this… She's strong, this can't be happening."
At the time, Rayn was carrying out another one of Krayk's assignments. He had just destroyed a supply base belonging to the Administrators' forces in one of the dimensions under their control. The smell of smoke clung to him, his clothes stained with blood. It was time to return home.
Rayn approached the spot where he had first appeared in this dimension—a snow-covered forest. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, but only a select few knew the true significance of such places. Rayn felt as if home was just a step away while standing in this forest—a sure sign. He formed a series of hand seals, stretched out his hand, and uttered a few words. Suddenly, space itself seemed to vibrate. A rift tore open, revealing something that shouldn't exist in this snowy woodland—a lifeless wasteland. Rayn stepped through. The portal closed behind him shortly after.
– "Krayk. Mission complete."
– "Excellent. Let them learn what the Griefers are capable of. They'll never achieve what they desire. Never." Krayk sneered maliciously. "This world belongs to chaos, Rayn. Don't take after the Administrators. Remember what I taught you?"
"Where is Eileen? No leads at all…" Just as Rayn was lost in thought, he noticed a strange glint near a cracked tree stump.
– "This… It can't be…" he whispered, as if solving a riddle. Then, in a burst of speed that kicked up a gust of wind, he dashed toward the forest.
Rayn reached the location—a crooked, partially collapsed structure, its walls entwined with ivy. Ominous shadows hinted at something sinister. A group of men awaited him. Among them stood a Griefer—Steve.
– "Oooh, the legendary Griefer Rayn! What brings you here?"
– "Where's Eileen?"
– "Who's Eileen?" Steve smirked.
Suddenly, Rayn lunged forward, drawing his katana. Steve pulled out a weapon resembling a rifle with a bayonet.
A gunshot.
A fireball erupted, hurtling at blinding speed. But Rayn sliced through it as if it were nothing more than a training dummy.
Then, the bandits attacked from all sides. But Rayn, consumed by rage, held nothing back. Blood sprayed. Limbs and heads flew in every direction.
The surviving bandits fled in terror.
– "Talk. Where is Eileen?"
– "W-wait… She's… inside."
Steve's bloodied head already lay at Rayn's feet.
Rayn stepped inside. Eileen was tied to a post. It looked as if some kind of ritual had been performed on her.
– "Eileen! What did they do to you? Answer me!"
Rayn freed her from the post. Strange markings covered her body, but they faded after a moment. On the table lay cryptic inscriptions.
– "You're alive… Stay here for a minute, okay?"
Rayn rushed outside. The bandits hadn't gotten far…
He beheaded one of them. The second he pinned to the ground.
– "What did you do to her?! Talk!"
– "M-mercy…" the bandit stammered. "I'll tell you."
What he heard would have shocked anyone…