I WAS The Rank–1 Hero

"W-Wow!"

"Is this a… dream?"

"Where are we?"

"Look at the stars…"

"How are we even breathing underwater?"

A few comments echoed around me as I held Ruby tightly in my arms. After setting her free, I stood up.

"What is this place?" She asked while standing up.

The crewmates’ faces tightened in shock as several astonishing scenes unfolded around us.

The water glowed with a glittering blue, and shiny stars surrounded us. We were floating midair. Breathing underwater, I tilted my head upward.

The most astonishing sight was the transparent dome we were inside. In front of us loomed a giant metallic door, its surface marked with intricate gears and various patterns I had never seen before.

Alone on the surface of the ocean, the door stood motionless.

But as I turned my focus to it, a raw surge of energy emitted from it, engulfing me in its warmth.

Sera, did you feel it?

Noticing the strange energy, I inquired with Sera.

—’It’s welcoming us.’ Sera said.

She felt the same way I did. The giant door was calling me, asking me to push it open. And for a brief second, my mind just melted.

My body screamed to me, Just walk there and pull the door open.

"You’ll be lost." A melodious voice came from the side, instantly snapping me out of my thoughts.

Maria from the bow walked in my direction, wearing her usual cold expression.

"Don’t let it consume you." She placed her hand on my shoulder as she said that.

My mind got lost for a brief second.

What was I doing exactly?

—’You fell for the door’s trap.’ Sera informed me.

Is that so?

Well, I don’t exactly remember.

"If you let your thoughts focus entirely on the door of endless, then it will consume you from the inside out."

Addressing me, Maria delivered the same message to the rest of her crew.

"Think of something else, anything but that door, if you want to live!"

"Aye, aye, captain!"

Her command was clear and authoritative. She turned to Ruby and said.

"If you don’t trust my crew, you’re welcome to stay here on the ship with Lily. Only Paradox and I will go through that door."

Ruby gulped and clenched her hands together, weighing her options. Finally, she made her decision.

"I’ll follow him," she declared. "So, don’t expect me to leave him alone."

To her words, Maria smiled warmly. "What a lovely lady you are, I’m jealous of your boyfriend."

"Eh?!" Ruby’s face burned red for a short period before her attention turned to me.

I shook my head.

Don’t look at me like that; that chick is weird as hell!

—’Language, human.’

I know…

"Sigh, what are we doing next?" Sighing, I asked Maria.

Maris pointed to the door and simply stated.

"Me, you, and Jasmine. Only we will go inside; the rest will guard the ship and wait for our arrival."

Ruby and I exchanged glances.

"Come to my office; I’ll tell you what to do and not do when we open the door."

….

Fifteen minutes passed.

I was currently polishing my katana and checking my items inside my inventory ring. Just in front of me, Ruby was giving instructions to one of Maria’s maids on how to handle Lily.

I saw the maid note down each of the points Ruby was saying into a notepad.

Then, my focus shifted to Lily.

She was soundlessly sleeping on one of the maids’ arms. She wasn’t even crying, and witnessing this, I once again got jealous.

She hates me; there’s no point denying it.

The maids took Lily to another room, leaving Ruby, Maria, and I alone in the office.

"Shall we get going?" Maria asked.

Confidently, without any delay, both Ruby and I nodded.

One single ranker and two authority holders were about to set foot inside one of the pieces of evidence left behind by one of the gods.

And I would be lying if I said I was not thrilled by it.

"Great," Maria said, opening her office door. "Just remember to follow my every instruction."

And with that, after a final check-up, the three of us jumped out of the warship.

Spush—

I landed on what felt like sand, and the strange thing was, it was dry.

"Weird...?" Ruby whispered from my left, looking up, inspecting the transparent dome. "It doesn’t feel like we are underwater. Everything was just so still and quiet. It’s as if…"

"The time has frozen." Completed, Maria.

Indeed, I have the same thought. The glowing stars, the sparkly water, and the continuous warmth in the atmosphere. It’s as if the insides of the dome were completely frozen in time.

"Time ends whenever you set foot in any of Lord Karton’s temples," Maria said, moving forward.

Time stopped, huh…

That’s a new piece of information. If that’s the case, different gods may have distinct effects when we enter their temples.

"Be careful with your steps."

As far as my eyes can see, there’s only white sand surrounding the giant door. Walking on it slowed my pace.

"Jasmine, you’re from Pyrestone, right?"

"Huh? Yeah." Ruby answered Maria’s question.

"That’s pleasing to hear."

What does that mean?

"Ah...!" Maria suddenly halted on her steps. Then, turning around, she gave both of us an apologetic look.

"I forgot to mention…"

What is she talking about now?

And whatever that was must be bad for my mental health; just by looking at her face, I can tell.

She continued.

"Your disguise will be pointless once we get closer to the Door of Endless, so you better be prepared for it."

"..."

"..."

Is she for real?!

I hate this chick!

And how the hell does she even know about this?

And forgot about that, what did she mean by, Our disguise will wear off?

A surge of cold, bone-chilling energy spread through my body as I thought beyond the obvious and took one more step forward.

"Ugh..." Ruby and I let out a surprised voice as my eyes fell on Ruby’s face.

Her yellow hair turned back to crimson red, and so did her eyes.

I blinked in surprise.

"Zane, your hair…" Ruby pointed to my hair.

And just like her, my appearance reverted back to my original self.