Chapter 274 - 273: SMD
Alexander stepped inside the building, his sharp eyes scanning the area. This place belonged to the Spatial Management Division (SMD)—a special division run by both the government and top guilds. Their job was to monitor sudden changes in terrain, new dungeon formations, and any shifts in spatial energy across the world. If something dangerous appeared, they were the first to know.
Inside, the room was filled with large monitors displaying maps, live satellite feeds, and real-time dungeon activity. Dozens of specialists were at work, typing furiously, speaking into headsets, and analyzing strange readings. The air was tense.
A man in a black suit approached Alexander immediately. "Chairman, we have a problem."
Alexander crossed his arms. "What kind of problem?"
The man turned to one of the largest screens. "We detected strange notifications appearing across the world. They're not coming from the usual system messages. These signals are underground, in the sky, deep in the ocean… places where there shouldn't be any system messages."
Alexander's expression darkened. "Have you identified what they say?"
The man shook his head. "That's the problem. We can't read them. They show up as blank or corrupted text. But the global system reacted to them. Every single detector we have went off at the same time."
Another specialist, a woman, spoke from her desk. "Chairman, whatever this is… it's not normal dungeon activity. It's something bigger."
Alexander exhaled sharply. "And you have no idea what it is?"
The man clenched his fists. "None. We've searched every location where the signals appeared, but there's nothing there. No monsters, no dungeons, no visible changes in terrain. It's as if something is there, but we just can't see it."
Alexander's gaze stayed fixed on the screen. Something was happening with the global system. Something unseen, yet powerful.
The tense atmosphere inside the Spatial Management Division (SMD) was suddenly interrupted by a loud voice.
"Chairman! We found something!"
Alexander immediately turned towards the source of the voice. A group of analysts had gathered around one of the main screens. Without hesitation, he walked over, his eyes narrowing at the flashing data on the monitor.
On the screen was a seismic tremor detection map, a tool used to locate sudden shifts in terrain—whether caused by dungeon formations, underground mana activity, or unknown spatial distortions.
A young man, wearing a headset, quickly explained. "Chairman, we detected abnormal tremors in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan. It's different from a dungeon formation. The pattern is erratic, almost as if the terrain is trying to reshape itself."
Alexander's gaze sharpened. "Are you saying a new zone is forming?"
Another analyst spoke up. "It's highly likely, but we need to confirm. We're enhancing the satellite feed now."
The large screen flickered as they adjusted the data, zooming in on the affected location. They watched as the satellite imagery updated in real-time, revealing a massive land distortion. The terrain was shifting unnaturally, parts of it sinking while others rose slightly, as if the land itself was breaking away from reality.
"This isn't normal…" one of the specialists muttered. "Even high-level dungeon formations don't behave like this."
Before anyone could respond, another analyst from a different workstation called out. "Chairman, I can decipher part of the Global System's notification regarding this!"
All eyes turned toward him. He quickly typed on his keyboard, his fingers moving at lightning speed as he forced a system synchronization.
"It's not a regular system message, but I'm attempting to force synchronization so we can all hear it," he explained, his voice filled with urgency. "Give me a second… there!"
A deep hum echoed throughout the room as the speakers crackled to life. Then, the Global System Notification finally played:
— [System Alert: New Zone Formation Detected] —— Location: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan —— [Warning: Zone Type Unknown. Full Formation Time: Unknown.] —
A new Zone was forming, but the system itself couldn't even classify what type it was.
In another monitoring station located in a different part of the world, alarms suddenly blared. The analysts stationed there scrambled to check their screens as multiple alerts popped up.
"Sir! We have a situation!" one of them shouted.
A senior officer rushed over. "Report!"
"A new zone is forming here as well!"
The senior officer's expression hardened. "Location?"
"Atacama Desert, Chile! The same terrain distortion as the one detected in Kyrgyzstan!"
The officer's brows furrowed. "Are we getting a system notification from this one?"
"I'm deciphering it now!" The analyst quickly forced system synchronization as his screen flickered with code. Moments later, the Global System Notification echoed through the room:
— [System Alert: New Zone Formation Detected] —— Location: Atacama Desert, Chile —— Warning: Zone Type Unknown. Full Formation Time: 92 Days Remaining.] —
A tense silence filled the air.
Back in the Spatial Management Division (SMD), Chairman Alexander listened to the reports flooding in from multiple locations. His fingers tapped against the table as he pieced things together.
He looked at the two system notifications.
Kyrgyzstan: Unknown formation time.
Chile: 92 days remaining.
His eyes narrowed. The timing was different. If it were a typical dungeon or new zone, the formation time should have been consistent. Yet, this… this was irregular.
Then, another analyst called out from yet another monitoring station.
"Chairman, we've found another!"
Alexander's gaze snapped to the screen as a third zone formation appeared.
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— Location: Off the Coast of Greenland —— Warning: Zone Type Unknown. Full Formation Time: 187 Days Remaining.] —
Alexander clenched his jaw. This wasn't just an isolated incident.
He turned to his team, his voice calm yet firm. "Find the locations with the shortest time remaining. The ones closest to forming. I want a full list immediately."
The entire division moved at once.
A few minutes later, the analysts handed Chairman Alexander a list of locations where new zones were forming.
He scanned through the list, but all of them still had at least a month left before they fully materialized. Some were at 30 days, others at 45, and some even longer.
Alexander exhaled sharply. "Still too early… We need something that's already complete."
Then, another alert rang through the room.
"Sir!" One of the analysts in charge of the radar system suddenly stood up. "We've detected a fully formed zone!"
Alexander's gaze sharpened. "Location?"
"Black Forest, Germany!"
The room fell silent for a moment.
"Are you sure?" he asked, walking closer.
The analyst nodded. "Yes, sir. It's not in the formation stage anymore—it's already complete. The system registered it just a minute ago!"
"Get me a visual."
The screen shifted as satellite images and mana-detection scans pulled up the newly formed zone. At first, it looked like an ordinary dense forest, but as the team adjusted the view, the changes became clear.
The trees inside the zone twisted unnaturally, forming strange walls and paths. Some floated in mid-air, defying gravity, while others shifted positions, creating an ever-changing layout.
A specialist analyzing the readings muttered, "It's a maze."
Chairman Alexander crossed his arms. "A maze zone..."
Another analyst spoke up. "The layout keeps changing. We can't determine an entrance or an exit. The system isn't marking it as a standard raid zone either—it's something new."
The system decipher specialist finished extracting the notification and played it aloud.
— [System Alert: Newly Formed Zone Detected] —— Location: Black Forest, Germany —— Zone Type: Everchanging Maze] —— Warning: Uncharted Territory. Enter at Your Own Risk.] —
The warning sent chills through everyone in the room.
Alexander's fingers tapped against the desk as he thought. he straightened up and gave his orders immediately.
"Send me a copy of the visuals, recordings, and data reports. I want everything compiled and ready to be reviewed on the way."
The analysts nodded quickly, working to send the files to his secured device.
"This is an urgent situation," he continued. "I'm leaving now. Prepare a secure line for a video call meeting with Germany's Awakeners' Association and their government officials. We need official clearance to send a team there immediately."
"Understood, sir!" one of the staff replied, already working on the request.
As he headed toward the exit, he activated a hologram screen on his watch and called Alex. Alex's face appeared, looking slightly surprised but quickly serious when he saw his grandpa's expression.
"Grandpa? What's wrong?"
"Set up a meeting in Germany as soon as possible," Chairman Alexander said firmly. "We need permission to enter. I want you to handle the arrangements on your end."
Alex adjusted his glasses, immediately understanding the urgency. "A new zone?"
"A fully formed one."
Alex's expression darkened. "That fast? Where?"
"Black Forest."
Alex sighed. "Understood. I'll arrange a formal request for entry and set up the meeting with Germany's Awakeners' Association and security officials."
"Good." The chairman ended the call and stepped into a portal, disappearing as he rushed to handle the crisis.
Few days later...
As the Hamliton private jet smoothly landed on the runway of Jeju International Airport, Seojun glanced outside. The island stretched beyond the glass, its green mountains and blue sea shining under the midday sun. The moment the wheels touched the ground, a soft jolt ran through the plane, signaling their arrival.
"We will be landing shortly at Jeju International Airport. Please prepare for arrival."