Chapter 43 – Night Hunt in the Twin Rifts
The city's neon lights flickered against the darkening sky, casting long reflections on rain-slick streets. The hum of hovercars blended with distant sirens, but beneath it all, something deeper stirred—energy anomalies, faint rifts, and creatures drawn from the fractures of reality. Biro Kael and Lyra Kael moved cautiously through the alleyways, fragments pulsing faintly, ready to guide, ready to warn.
"Twin rifts tonight," Lyra murmured, scanning the air with her blade glowing softly. "Both F-level, but close to D in potential. Instinct says they're feeding off each other… something more is lurking."
Biro nodded, fragments humming in agreement. "We can't underestimate them. If they've adapted to the city… they'll be unpredictable." His voice was calm, yet beneath it, a thrill ran like electricity. These first real hunts outside the controlled academy grounds were dangerous, but also the perfect chance to awaken more of the fragment's latent power.
The first rift shimmered faintly against the brick wall of an abandoned warehouse. Its edges warped subtly, a thin veil between reality and chaos. Biro extended his hand instinctively, and the fragment responded—a small orb of pale light hovering above his palm, pulsing with his heartbeat. The alley was quiet, but the energy was alive, almost sentient.
"Watch for shifts," Biro whispered. "They'll try to lure us, test reactions."
The fragment pulsed as if agreeing, sending a subtle vibration along his spine. Together, they stepped closer, instincts heightened, senses reaching beyond ordinary perception. Then, without warning, two quadrupedal creatures burst from the rift, black scales reflecting the dim light, eyes glowing faint green. Both were slightly larger than a grown wolf, their energy fluctuating as if sensing each other and the hunters.
[System Panel – Rift Encounter Detected]
Monster Type: Rift Spawn – Dual
Power Grade: F → D
Behavior: Coordinated, adaptive
Recommended Action: Extreme caution
EXP Reward: Moderate
Biro's pulse quickened. The fragment hummed, a faint resonance between predator and prey. Lyra raised her blade, energy cutting a soft arc in the dim light. "We engage together. Hit, retreat, repeat. Let the fragment guide us."
The creatures lunged simultaneously. Reflexes honed by instinct and fragment pulsed into action, Biro rolling and twisting mid-air to evade the first strike, the fragment flaring slightly, nudging his movement toward advantage. Lyra slashed, energy arcs slicing through the air, drawing one creature back, buying Biro space.
Biro focused, extending the fragment into a thin barrier—a faint, translucent shield that intercepted the creatures' claws. The orb flickered violently, barely holding, as if testing its limits. "We can push them into the alley corner!" he shouted, adrenaline sharpening every thought.
Together, they maneuvered the creatures, guiding them with precise strikes, evasions, and fragment-assisted bursts of energy. The creatures reacted, adapting quickly, coordination between them becoming eerily synchronized. But Biro and Lyra's synergy grew with every movement—their instincts, fragment responses, and awareness forming a seamless dance of survival.
Finally, Biro gathered the fragment into a concentrated pulse, releasing a controlled shockwave that staggered both creatures. Lyra lunged simultaneously, energy blade connecting, leaving a burn mark that shimmered with lingering distortion. The rift flickered, destabilizing as if the monsters' energy was its anchor.
With a final combined strike, they pushed the creatures back into the rift, which snapped shut with a soft pop, leaving only the echo of energy in the alley. Both hunters collapsed slightly, breath heavy, hearts racing—but the fragment pulsed warmly, acknowledging success, growth, and adaptation.
Lyra exhaled, brushing sweat from her brow. "We've… we've grown stronger, haven't we? Even just a little."
Biro smiled faintly, eyes scanning the alley, fragments settling into a calm glow. "A little," he agreed. "But tonight was more than survival. The fragment responded, guided us, and… we understood each other better. That's how we'll keep improving."
The streets were quiet again, but the pulse of the city continued—hovercars, distant rifts, and hidden hunters moving unseen. Somewhere high above, unseen, their parents observed with subtle pride. The children were awakening, not just to raw power, but to coordination, awareness, and the thrill of hunting—lessons far beyond the mundane.
Biro's fragment pulsed faintly against his chest, a promise, a whisper of potential. "The Twin Rifts weren't just monsters," he said softly, watching the last shimmer fade. "They were a test… and we passed. But stronger challenges await. Always stronger challenges."
Lyra reached for his hand, grasping it firmly. "Then we face them… together."
The fragment pulsed in agreement, sending warmth and subtle light, illuminating both determination and the unspoken bond forming between them. The night stretched ahead, full of dangers, monsters, and opportunities. And Biro Kael—reborn, fragment-guided, and destined—felt the thrill of the hunt surge through him once more.
This was the beginning of many nights like this. The city, rifts, and hidden powers were only the first steps. The fragment had awakened, the bond had formed, and destiny waited.