MMORPG: Rebirth as an Alchemist Chapter 909 NEXUS

Ren's eyes widened in shock, stunned by the bizarre scene unfolding ahead. He never expected a lizard to serve as the conductor for the interdimensional train, and it hadn't crossed his mind that they'd have to queue up and show their tickets just like ordinary people.

Still, he swiftly dipped his hand into his pocket, grasping the well-known form of his [Green Card].

"Hurry up, let's move. I don't want to linger here a second more," Joker pressed, impatience lacing his words.

Angelica gestured toward the train, her face signaling Ren to quicken his pace. "Come on, Ren. Make sure your [Green Card] is prepared."

While they awaited their chance to reach the conductor, Ren noticed the others in line, their faces marked by wonder and bewilderment.

"Uh . . . we lack this [Green Card]. How do we acquire it?" a freshly evolved player asked, desperation coloring their voice.

The lizard conductor merely blinked and disregarded them, concentrating only on his duties. "Without it, no entry to the train. Nexus admits only [Green Card] holders."

Concern creased Ren's forehead as he caught the conversation. Clearly, securing a [Green Card] was essential for boarding the interdimensional train.

"Where do we find these [Green Cards]?" another voice called out, mirroring the urgency.

With a frustrated sigh, the lizard scanned the group briefly. "Hunt Stingfeeders or any mutated beasts and monsters for them. That is . . . if luck smiles on you and you discover one."

Unease spread through the crowd like wildfire, as the harsh reality sank in.

"Slay those monsters?" a voice cried out in disbelief, shaking with incredulity.

The lizard rolled his eyes dismissively. "Exactly, and you'd better get moving. The world could end anytime, and the train departs . . ." he checked his watch, ". . . precisely in thirty minutes."

"How can we take down those creatures in so little time?" another protested, frustration mounting.

"Will you accept something else instead?" a frantic plea echoed from the throng, laced with despair.

Angelica watched the chaos unfold. "Poor unfortunate souls," she whispered softly.

"No card, no train," Joker stated flatly, showing no pity.

"Can't they bend the rules a bit?" Ren wondered aloud.

Joker burst into laughter at the idea. "No chance. Nexus is a sanctuary, sure, but it tightly regulates its population growth. The [Green Card] serves as your entry pass—proof you're worthy of its protection. Zero exceptions."

Silence fell over Ren as his eyes dropped to the [Green Card] gripped firmly in his palm. Evie had handed it over, yet its source remained a nagging puzzle in his mind.

How did Evie get hold of such a thing? She wasn't an Evolve, and no mutants lurked in their room for her to loot it from.

What's more, [Green Cards] were incredibly scarce. Most came from slaying monsters after fierce battles, or pilfered from careless owners.

A lucky handful lay discarded, ready for whoever stumbled upon them first.

The puzzle of the [Green Card] grew thicker, weaving more intrigue into their desperate plight.

Ren could only wait for its true meaning to reveal itself eventually.

Perhaps Evie had foreseen the evolution from the start?

Ren dismissed the thought with a shake of his head. No, that didn't fit—Evie would've shared it with him for sure, unlike his own habit of overanalyzing and keeping silent.

A wave of self-anger boiled within Ren, urging him to lash out at himself.

All his doing.

Had he only warned them about the looming apocalypse and evolution, events might have unfolded far better.

A sudden uproar snapped Ren from his reflections. Looking forward, he saw the new evolutions challenging the lizard, a few even trying violence.

"Fools," Joker grumbled, shaking his head.

Angelica stayed stoic as she commented, "Newly evolved always exist who can't grasp the universe's rules."

The lizard inspector fixed a fierce glare on the agitators, his tolerance snapping as his nose flared. In a flash, he transformed into a raging dragon, spewing flames from his maw while he roared.

"I said . . . YOU CAN'T ENTER!" he roared, his blazing breath searing the atmosphere.

A ferocious blast erupted from him, reducing the defiant newly evolved to ashes. Those wretched souls shrieked as they dissolved in the overwhelming blaze, their toughened hides helpless against the dragon's hellfire breath.

"Idiots," Joker sighed. "The train guardian is the last creature you should anger. Nexus doesn't just send anyone to guard this train, after all."

Shrinking back to its usual size, the lizard restored its stoic expression. "Next."

The queue flowed onward like nothing had transpired, while the newly evolved stood frozen in shock.

At last, Ren stepped up. The lizard snatched his [Green Card].

"You may enter," it declared.

Yet Ren refused to budge.

"What?" the lizard demanded, its narrow eyes locked on Ren.

"Hey, Ren, let's go." Joker dragged him aboard the train and murmured into his ear. "Didn't I say that the train guardian is the last creature you should anger?"

Ren stayed silent. His gaze lingered on his empty palm, where the [Green Card] had rested moments before. That card marked Evie's final gift to him, now seized by the lizard.

"He's going to give it back, right?" Ren muttered, voice distant. "That [Green Card]."

Joker gawked at Ren in disbelief. "I know the [Green Card] is important, but at the end of the day, it's just our ticket to ride this train. Besides, you'll get a new one. Let it go."

Like an automaton, Ren collapsed into an empty seat, while Angelica and Joker lounged in the expansive compartment.

The image of the [Green Card] haunted Ren's mind, but he lacked any means to reclaim it. Thus, he forced himself to release the worry. After all, far graver issues pressed upon him now.

Minutes passed before the train heralded its launch.

As the train glided smoothly ahead, Ren gazed out the window, beholding hordes of newly evolved stranded behind, despair twisting their features.

Angelica sealed the window. "You can't do anything about them."

"You'd better lose that compassion of yours, Ren, before it gets you into trouble. Besides, you're not that type. I peg you to be more of an indifferent person."

Ren propped his head on his hand and averted his eyes. "What will happen to them?"

Angelica shut her eyes and spoke gravely, "It's better if you don't know."

The train surged and flickered, hurtling them across the universe at blinding speed in an instant.

Ren derived zero enjoyment from the voyage. Even without external force, a relentless hum plagued his skull, and breaths came hard.

The train's halt nearly triggered Ren's vomit, his cranium throbbing wildly.

Joker chuckled. "Don't worry, you'll get used to traveling the multiverse soon."

"All first-timers are like that," Angelica chimed in.

"I didn't puke."

"No, you didn't. You merely passed out."

Joker's grin wavered.

Angelica peered out the window. "Anyway, we're here."

Nausea briefly vanished from Ren's thoughts as he first glimpsed Nexus. He could scarcely fathom a wholly alien realm existing beyond his known world.

Far from resembling Earth, it floated like a grand metropolis.

An enormous suspended city rose, crowned by a massive light fountain exploding from its core. That had to be the Great Lighthouse Angelica and Joker described.

Beams of radiance extended from the Great Lighthouse across myriad paths, some fading into oblivion. Their train pursued one such glowing trail, drawing ever nearer to the city.

First sight of Nexus etched an indelible mark on the soul.

"Ahem . . . as protocol to the newcomers, let me give you a brief context about Nexus." the lizard's voice thundered.

"Between the fabric of space and time lies the impossible city of Nexus — a metropolis of cosmic proportions where magic flows like water and epic heroes are found drinking in every tavern.

"Nestled in an extradimensional pocket between universes, Nexus serves as an interdimensional crossroads linking the fantasy multiverse. Countless beings from a thousand different worlds have made their way to the City of Legends, sharing their knowledge, power, and magic with its residents.

"The city is huge and home to over a quarter million residents and nearly as many visitors. Each of the city's districts is divided into colossal segments expanding out from the city center in a great disk.

"Every district is distinct in its fantastical display of culture presented through architecture, color, and sound. Creatures of all creeds and types walk its streets, each on a path to glory made possible by the extraordinary opportunity Nexus provides

"In Nexus, clothes from a thousand worlds can be purchased, secret magic from a dead universe learned, or bounties collected for slain deities. No matter your background, skills, or aspirations, the City of Legends holds a spot for you."

Ren found it impossible to shake off the surreal sensation enveloping him as he listened.

That everyday existence of his, devoted to gaming while chasing riches and the top ranks, had abruptly morphed into this extraordinary reality.

Still, amid the fresh ordeal, his purpose stood firm. The game had evolved, yet its heart stayed unaltered: evolve, gain power, and carve a path back to Evie and the group.

"Evie . . ." Ren murmured, clenching the pendant concealed under his attire. "I will definitely find you."

I swear it.