Preparing to Enter a Rift

Beside the layers of the [Forsaken] Realm, there was another type of place that awakeners could explore to grow stronger: [Rifts].

Unlike the layers, which often had strict progression limits, rifts varied much more in terms of challenge and were found scattered all across the world, mostly within the [Outer Rings].

These rifts served as condensed zones of chaos, spawning monsters, corrupted mana, and rare resources. Most importantly, they gave awakeners the experience needed to level up.

The first layer of the Forsaken Realm was ideal for beginners. The monsters inside usually ranged from level 1 to level 5.

It was the perfect place for new awakeners to get used to their powers, but it also meant that those who needed more experience, like Sam, had to either grind for weeks or seek alternatives.

Going straight into the second layer was an option, but it came with its own share of dangers. The monsters there started at level 10 minimum, and that wasn't something most people were willing to handle right away.

It wasn't just the levels that made them dangerous either, their intelligence, skills, and strength jumped drastically.

Sam felt confident that he could handle it, but trying out his new abilities in a controlled setting first just made more sense. No need to risk his life when there was a smarter path.

That smarter path was through a rift.

These rifts appeared naturally and were assigned a rank depending on the level of awakeners they were suited for. The further out into the Outer Rings you went, the harder they became. But some of them, especially those currently classified under the [Novice] rank, were ideal for people like Sam.

After finishing his preparations, Sam left the hotel room he'd stayed holed up in for the past two weeks. He made his way back to the [Awakener Association], now ready to act.

The familiar clean scent of the marble-floored lobby greeted him.

Screens floated in the air, showing news, guild rankings, and recent rift clear times.

A few novice awakeners were gathered around a display screen, talking about the latest realm stats.

Sam stepped toward the main reception desk. The same woman from before, with her polite smile and professional tone, welcomed him.

"Hello again, sir," she greeted.

"Hi," Sam replied. "I wanted to ask about [Novice Rifts]. If any are available, I want the hardest one."

She blinked at him, surprised by the boldness in his voice. "Are you… sure, sir?" she asked cautiously. "There is a rift scheduled to open later today, but I must warn you—it's one of the toughest we've had in quite some time."

"How tough are we talking?" Sam tilted his head slightly, genuinely curious.

She pulled up a screen. "We don't have too much detail, but according to the initial scan, it's classified as a peak [Novice] rank rift. That means the recommended level to enter is 10. It's not a place for someone who just recently awakened."

A peak-rank [Novice] rift… that was exactly what Sam wanted.

"I'll be fine," he said with a confident smirk. "Just give me the info."

The receptionist hesitated for a second longer before bowing her head. "Very well. But please be aware that multiple parties, including small guilds, will be entering. It won't be empty in there."

"Noted. Thank you."

A moment later, she handed him a small card the size of a credit card. A faint glow pulsed in the center of it.

"You can tap this card to project a directional arrow. It'll guide you to the rift entrance."

Sam nodded and took the card.

"I hope to see you again," the receptionist added, her voice soft with genuine concern.

"I hope so too," he said, pocketing the card before making his way out of the building.

---

[Name: Undead Graveyard]

[Rank: Novice]

[Recommended Level: 10]

---

That was the only information given on the rift, and that was all Sam needed. It was enough. If this didn't help him reach [Apprentice] rank, then he'd either have to grind multiple rifts back-to-back or go all in and throw himself into the second layer of the Forsaken Realm.

The second layer fascinated him the most. Not just for its strength curve, but because it was unexplored territory for him.

According to what Lily told him, every layer beyond the first had its own unique mechanic, something special that made it unlike anything else.

And the deeper the layer, the more deadly the mechanic became. He especially wondered what the mechanic of the fourth one was that it stopped awakeners for so long.

Still, that was for later. For now, Sam had a rift to conquer.

He boarded a bullet train heading toward the Outer Ring. As the engine roared to life and began gliding across the tracks, Sam tapped the card. A faint blue arrow shimmered in front of him, pointing directly toward his destination.

[We are heading toward the first Outer Ring. Please confirm that you are an official awakener.]

The robotic voice echoed throughout the train, and Sam leaned back against the seat, arms crossed, thinking deeply.

"Alright," he murmured, "Just need to do what I do best, kill and absorb."

The receptionist had warned him about this rift being unusual. The most dangerous novice rift they'd seen in months. Sam couldn't help but wonder… was that because the game's events were starting to trigger?

Even though the protagonist no longer existed, Sam had the sense that the world would still follow the path of the game. Major events, chaos, hidden bosses, they would all happen regardless.

[You have a bad feeling about this.]

Sam rolled his eyes. It was the second time that system message had shown up. But just like before, he ignored it.

A few hours passed, and eventually the train slowed to a stop.

[We have arrived at the Outer Ring. Please depart.]

Sam stood up. There weren't many people on the train, but a few other awakeners exited alongside him. Some looked like solo adventurers, others were clearly in small teams.

As Sam stepped onto the platform, he found himself on a flat grassy plain stretching far in every direction. In the distance, a dense forest loomed, and the arrow projected from his card pointed straight toward it.

Without hesitation, he sprinted forward, feet barely touching the ground as he crossed the distance with practiced ease. The forest closed in around him, shadows stretching from every direction.

Eventually, he reached a small clearing. There it was. The rift.

It looked like a floating vertical slit, but closed, like an eye that hadn't opened yet. Dormant but humming with power.

'Not late. Good,' Sam noted.

Others had already arrived before him. Dozens, in fact. Most were standing in formation, clearly organized parties. 

"Another guy?"

"Wait, is he alone?"

"Is he insane? He's going to die in there!"

Sam heard them, but he ignored them.

Instead, he walked to a quiet spot near the edge of the clearing and sat down, legs crossed. His crimson eyes scanned the surroundings calmly.

He began thinking about how to approach the rift.

'I'll need to test all of my abilities,' he thought. 'But I should also focus on grinding. My class takes more monsters than any other to level up.'

He activated [Hell-Mode Analysis] and scanned every single person in the clearing. As expected, none of them noticed.

They were all level 10. That told Sam two things: they were here either to attempt their [Advancement Task]... or they had chosen to remain at the peak of the novice rank permanently.

Some people actually lived their entire lives like that, avoiding danger and further advancement by choosing stability over strength. Sam didn't get it. He couldn't understand why anyone would willingly remain weak.

He wasn't here to survive. He was here to rise.

Twenty minutes passed.

Then...

Fwish! Fwish! Bang!

The air suddenly shifted, and reality itself seemed to ripple as space tore open.

The rift, which had remained sealed until now, suddenly opened wide, a crack of energy expanding with a sharp burst.

A flood of dark, malevolent energy rushed out of it, coating the area in a thick, heavy aura that made it hard to breathe for the weaker ones present.

Sam stood up slowly.

'She wasn't lying, this rift is actually… weird,' Sam thought, 'The aura is strong.'