Signs of the Coming Storm

Aurora sat on the edge of a rooftop, staring down at the bustling streets below. It had been a few days since the dungeon break incident, and while the city had returned to normal, she knew it was only temporary.

The first wave was approaching.

Her system interface flickered to life before her eyes.

[Time Until First Wave: 20 Days]

Two-thirds of the preparation time had already passed, and humanity was still struggling to adapt. Governments were forming task forces, factions were recruiting members, and ordinary people were either training relentlessly or trying to ignore the inevitable.

And then, there was her—someone who stood outside the system of factions and alliances, growing stronger in her own way.

Aurora had spent the last few days experimenting with her abilities, learning how far she could push her Herrscher of the Void Template without making it obvious.

Gravity control, space-warping distortions, teleportation—these were the safest abilities she could use in public without screaming, "Hey, I'm Kiana Kaslana!"

But she had also discovered something concerning.

Whenever she pushed her Herrscher powers to their limits, her Template Integration increased.

[Template Integration: 35%]

Each battle, each use of her abilities, brought her closer to fully merging with Kiana's power.

And what would happen at 100%?

Aurora exhaled slowly, pushing the thought aside. It was both a risk and an opportunity. She would deal with it when the time came.

For now, there were other matters to handle.

The Growing Tensions

In the heart of the city, rumors had started spreading—whispers of a growing conflict between factions.

The Hunters' Guild and The Guardians were both vying for influence, trying to establish themselves as the dominant force in defending humanity. The Ascendants, on the other hand, remained an enigma, operating in the shadows with unclear motives.

But the biggest concern wasn't the factions themselves.

It was the people within them.

Aurora had noticed a shift in attitude among the awakened. The stronger ones were starting to see themselves as superior, treating those with weaker abilities as expendable. It was subtle, but it was there—the beginning of something dangerous.

The coming invasion wasn't just a battle against monsters. It was a test of humanity itself.

Would people unite? Or would power tear them apart?

Aurora wasn't interested in choosing a side, but she needed to keep an eye on these developments. The last thing she wanted was a civil war before the real enemy even arrived.

A Shadow Looms

Late at night, Aurora walked through a secluded alleyway, her senses sharp.

Someone was following her.

She could feel their presence—a faint trace of mana lingering in the air, unnatural and controlled. Whoever it was, they weren't just some random thug.

They know how to hide.

Aurora continued walking, pretending not to notice. Then, in an instant, she vanished.

Reappearing behind her pursuer, she grabbed them by the collar and slammed them against the wall.

"Talk," she said, her voice calm but firm.

The person—a hooded figure—let out a short chuckle. "Impressive. No wonder the Guild is watching you."

Aurora narrowed her eyes. The Hunters' Guild?

"What do they want?" she asked.

"You've caught the attention of some important people," the figure replied. "People who want to know where you stand when the war begins."

So that was it.

They weren't after her specifically—they were trying to determine if she was a threat, an ally, or a wildcard.

Aurora released the figure, stepping back.

"Tell them I stand wherever I want," she said, her tone indifferent. "And if they try to control me, they'll regret it."

The figure smirked. "Interesting answer." Then, with a flicker of mana, they disappeared into the night.

Aurora sighed. Things were getting complicated.

She wasn't planning to join any faction, but if they kept pressing her, she might have to make a move.

For now, she would continue preparing.

The storm was coming.

And she intended to be ready.