Nato7

The Awakening: Around 150 years ago, a mysterious event known as "The Rift" caused a dramatic shift in the world. This event opened portals from another dimension, bringing Essences—mysterious and powerful entities—into the world. These Essences granted some individuals extraordinary abilities and set in motion a global conflict.

Essence Warriors: These are people who possess the power of an Essence, which can take various forms depending on the individual’s soul and affinity. Some are born with their Essence powers from birth, while others awaken them later in life. These warriors are ranked according to their power level, and the rankings play a significant role in their status, training, and missions.

Essence Reborn

The gates of Rift Zone C-42 creaked open as Riku, hands tucked in his jacket pockets, led Renji, Takumi, and Reina into the fog-wrapped terrain. Pale green mist drifted across broken stone paths and gnarled trees pulsing with faint Essence energy.

"Stay sharp," Riku said, scanning the warped surroundings. "C-Rank Rift Zones are unpredictable—but I'm letting you three take the lead. Prove to me that the last few weeks weren't a waste."

Renji cracked his knuckles. "You'll see."

Takumi's palms lit with steady fire. "We've been waiting for this."

Reina nodded, eyes focused. "We won't disappoint."

C-Rank Essence Beasts came fast—hulking lizard-hounds, slithering vine-serpents, and winged reavers.

But the trio worked like a team. Renji led the charge with brute strength. Takumi supported with explosive cover. Reina danced between enemies, her Essence-blades flashing through beast necks.

Riku watched silently from a high ledge, arms crossed, only stepping in once when a surprise ambush threatened Reina's flank.

"Watch your left next time," he said calmly, then vanished back into the mist.

Halfway through the week, the terrain shifted.

The Essence readings spiked unnaturally—B-Rank Beasts wandered into the C-Zone. Riku frowned from a distance, sensing something was off, but allowed the fight.

Renji held down a charging iron-boar. Takumi blasted aerial wyverns. Reina sliced through a twin-headed serpent after a dazzling sky-leap combo with Takumi's flames propelling her up.

Riku smiled faintly. "They're finally syncing like real warriors."

A massive A-Rank insect-beast tore through the zone on the final day—its carapace like obsidian steel, legs crushing trees.

Riku landed beside them. "This is your final test. I'll only step in if you're dying. Don't die."

The battle was grueling. Renji took the brunt. Takumi melted its armor. Reina pierced its eye in the final strike with a wind-dagger made of compressed rage and focus.

They stood, panting, bruised, alive—and triumphant.

One day later, reports of their feats flooded into Essence HQ. Combat footage, energy readings, and beast corpses confirmed what Kensei Gojuro had hoped.

Riku received a call that morning. Kensei's voice was crisp with approval.

"You trained them well. They're officially A-Rank Essence Warriors."

That night, Riku took the three out to celebrate.

Reina picked a cozy rooftop sushi bar overlooking the city. Renji ordered steak twice his size. Takumi devoured three ramen bowls with a fire-sauce challenge and lost, coughing for ten minutes.

They laughed, relaxed—finally just teenagers again.

Before he dropped them off at their homes, Riku turned to them and said, "This is just the beginning. Train harder. You're A-Rank now… which means the real battles are coming."

Reina looked up at Riku, then softly smiled. "Thank you… Riku."

He nodded and drove off into the night.

But in the dark sky above, storm clouds gathered far on the horizon. Unseen. Waiting.

Chapter 75: Rise Through the Rift