Chapter 28: The Dimensional Rift
The air was unnaturally cold as the MC and Shadow Fang moved through the silent academy grounds. It was well past curfew, and the usual hum of students' chatter was replaced by an eerie stillness. The Eye of Origin continued to pulse faintly in his pocket, guiding him toward the source of the anomaly.
The notification replayed in his mind:
Dimensional anomaly detected. Source: Northwest quadrant of the academy.
He had no idea what to expect, but the system's tone carried a sense of urgency he couldn't ignore. Shadow Fang moved silently at his side, its eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.
"System," the MC whispered, "give me a detailed analysis of the anomaly."
Analysis in progress… Dimensional Rift detected. Unstable energy signatures indicate a connection to an unknown plane. High risk of hostile entities emerging.
His grip tightened on the hilt of his dagger. A Dimensional Rift? He had heard of such phenomena in passing—rare occurrences where the fabric of reality thinned, creating a portal to another dimension. They were dangerous, unpredictable, and often fatal to those unprepared.
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The Rift Unveiled
As he approached the northwest quadrant, the temperature dropped further, frost forming on the stone pathways. A faint glow illuminated the area ahead, casting strange, shifting shadows on the walls.
When he rounded the corner, he froze.
In the center of the courtyard was a swirling vortex of energy, its colors shifting between deep purples and vibrant blues. The air around it crackled with electricity, and the ground beneath it was fractured, as if the very earth was rejecting the rift's presence.
"Shadow Fang, stay alert," he muttered.
The system chimed:
Warning: Dimensional Rift is unstable. Immediate action required to prevent expansion.
"How do I close it?" he asked, his voice tense.
Unknown. Additional analysis required. Be advised: hostile entities may emerge at any moment.
No sooner had the words left the system than the rift pulsed violently, and a figure began to materialize. It was humanoid, but its form was distorted, its body composed of shifting shadows and jagged edges. Its eyes glowed a sickly green, and its presence exuded malice.
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The Riftspawn
The creature stepped fully through the rift, its claws scraping against the stone. It let out a guttural growl, its gaze locking onto the MC.
"Fang, take point," he commanded, stepping back to analyze the creature.
Shadow Fang lunged without hesitation, its claws clashing against the Riftspawn's jagged body. Sparks flew as the two engaged, each strike reverberating through the courtyard.
The MC activated Dimensional Insight, his vision shifting to reveal the creature's weak points. Glowing lines ran along its body, converging at a pulsating core in its chest.
"Aim for the core!" he shouted.
Fang adjusted its attacks, its claws striking with precision. The Riftspawn howled in pain, its body flickering as if struggling to maintain its form.
But the rift pulsed again, and two more creatures began to emerge.
"Damn it," the MC muttered. "This isn't good."
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A Desperate Fight
The MC activated Temporal Flux, the world slowing around him. He moved quickly, throwing daggers infused with energy at the emerging creatures. Each dagger struck true, delaying their full materialization.
Shadow Fang continued to battle the first Riftspawn, its movements a blur as it darted around the creature, avoiding its deadly claws.
"System, I need options!" the MC demanded.
Recommendation: Stabilize the rift using the Eye of Origin. Warning: High risk of backlash.
"Of course," he muttered. He pulled out the Eye of Origin, its surface glowing faintly. The moment it was exposed, the rift seemed to react, its swirling energy becoming more erratic.
"How do I stabilize it?"
Focus your energy into the Eye and channel it into the rift. Be warned: this will temporarily drain your stamina and may attract further attention.
He had no choice. Gritting his teeth, he held the Eye of Origin toward the rift and began channeling his energy. The artifact grew warm in his hand, and a beam of light shot out, striking the rift.
The effect was immediate. The rift's edges began to stabilize, its chaotic energy calming. But the backlash hit him like a wave, a searing pain shooting through his body.
"Hold… steady," he hissed, his vision blurring.
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A New Ally?
Just as the rift began to shrink, a voice rang out behind him.
"Step back. You'll kill yourself."
He turned to see the red-haired Elite Division member from before, her expression grim. Without waiting for a response, she extended her hand, and a glowing sigil appeared in the air.
"Let me handle this," she said.
The sigil pulsed with energy, and she thrust it toward the rift. The beam of light from the Eye of Origin combined with the sigil's power, and the rift began to collapse. The remaining Riftspawn screeched in agony before disintegrating into ash.
Moments later, the rift was gone, leaving only silence in its wake.
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Questions and Tensions
The MC staggered, his body screaming in protest. Shadow Fang was at his side instantly, its concerned gaze meeting his.
The red-haired girl approached, her sharp eyes scanning him. "You're either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid," she said.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
"I could ask you the same," she shot back. "But I think we both know you're not going to answer."
He didn't respond, his mind racing. How much had she seen? Did she suspect the true nature of his powers?
"You owe me," she said, her tone light but firm. "Next time, try not to get yourself killed."
Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving him with more questions than answers.
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A Warning from the System
As the MC returned to his room, the system chimed again.
Warning: Dimensional anomalies are increasing in frequency. Unknown forces are at play. Remain vigilant.
He sat down heavily, exhaustion weighing on him. The night had been a close call, but it was only the beginning.
"If these rifts keep appearing, the academy won't stay safe for long," he murmured.
Shadow Fang nuzzled his hand, its presence grounding him. He took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. Whatever was coming, he would be ready.