Chapter 7: S-level Rift

The S-Rift on Eastwind Shore

It was past midnight when the sensors picked it up—an unstable spike of dimensional pressure on Eastwind Shore, a well-known tourist beach on the eastern coast. At first, it was thought to be a false alarm. But when the waves began glowing faint purple and the air shimmered unnaturally above the water, the local Awakened station sent an immediate alert to AHCA Headquarters.

By the time dawn colored the sky in shades of amber, the confirmation came in:

An S-level rift had opened.

AHCA's emergency sirens wailed across the capital.

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Crisis Room, AHCA Headquarters — 7:03 AM

Dozens of agents rushed through corridors, phones rang nonstop, and Division One was already on high alert.

Inside the briefing hall, a digital map showed the rift slowly growing just off the coast of Eastwind Shore. Rotating analysis logs displayed estimated timelines and risk factors.

A voice cut through the noise.

"Estimated first phase—10 hours remaining. Full rift breach expected in twenty-four," said the lead analyst.

Rosalind Farley stood near the head of the table, her black and silver uniform crisp, her long dark coat trailing behind her.

"Get everyone. S-levels. A-level squads. Guild reinforcements. No delay."

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Emergency Response Strategy Meeting — 10:12 AM

Nine S-level Awakened sat around a long roundtable deep beneath AHCA's war bunker. Tactical displays hovered in the air.

Present:

Carl Kureyama – Shadow manipulation. Newly recognized S-level.

Rosalind Farley – Division One Chief. Multi-elemental burst type.

Adrian Darius – Close-combat specialist. S-level body enhancement and flame infusion.

Richard Farley – Long-range kinetic manipulation. Known for chaotic, high-impact attacks.

Two teenage prodigies, around 17 and 18—twins known as Eli and Elara Vale. He controlled light; she controlled space distortion.

Guildmaster Irene Blackthorne, master of illusion and soul threads. S-level Hunter and leader of Obsidian Coil.

Guildmaster Roque Thorne, a powerhouse from Ironveil, capable of metal transmutation and weapon summoning.

Two more elite S-levels—one from Seraphim Order, another independent with telekinetic storm control.

Carl stood quietly while the others discussed terrain mapping, response rotations, and containment range.

He observed.

He listened.

Until Rosalind asked him directly, "Carl, how far can your shadows spread under full release?"

Carl tapped the table. "At full output—roughly two kilometers diameter. If the environment has minimal light, I can extend slightly more. In full sunlight, less."

Irene Blackthorne smiled. "Shadows at a beach? You'll have to be creative, boy."

"I'll handle it," Carl replied calmly.

Adrian nodded. "We'll use him to maintain rear perimeter during first-phase waves."

Rosalind projected three phases on the holo-map:

1. Phase One: D and C-level monsters. Fast, chaotic. The frontline would be led by A-level hunters and mid-tier units.

2. Phase Two: B and A-level monsters. Bulkier, more organized. They would require combined squad support.

3. Phase Three: Elite monsters—A-level alphas and S-level bosses. Final defense would be handled by all attending S-level Awakened.

Carl raised a concern. "Do we have a reading on potential rift anomalies? Last S-rift recorded an elemental zone shift."

The analyst replied, "The energy signature fluctuates. Possibly unstable terrain mutation mid-battle."

Rosalind folded her arms. "Prepare for water-based variants. Eli and Elara, you'll handle distortion barriers on the waves. Carl, shadow anchor the beach."

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Unity Before the Storm

As the meeting closed, Carl stood on the rooftop alone, wind rustling his coat. His mother had called earlier. She told him to be careful. She always did.

He remembered his father's words, from long ago.

"Sometimes, it's not about defeating the monsters. It's about holding the line long enough for others to live."

He looked out at the eastern horizon, where somewhere, a rift rippled reality like a festering wound.

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The S-rift would open fully in less than twenty-four hours.

Nine S-level Awakened.

Dozens of A-level hunters.

Hundreds of lives at stake.

But among them stood one—Carl Kureyama—who did not fight for glory, or vengeance.

He fought to protect what remained of peace.