The rift fragment sat on the dining table like a beating heart of darkness—cracked, pulsing, leaking black smoke into the small apartment. Midnight crouched in front of it, fur standing on end, teeth bared in a warning snarl.
CRACK… CRACK…!
The stone fractured further.
Cold air swept the room.
The system flashed:
[Warning: Rift Fragment Stability: 7%]
[Mini-Rift Activation Imminent]
[Risk Level: Severe]
Charles tensed.
If this thing activates even for a second, the Bureau will sense it. Creed will come. My whole family will be dragged into chaos…
He stepped forward, shielding his younger brothers with his body.
"Everyone behind me. Don't touch the table," he said firmly.
Charlie and Christian scrambled behind the couch.
Christopher, trembling, held a frying pan like a shield.
"Big bro… the rock is scary," Charlie whispered.
"Stay behind me," Charles repeated.
The fragment screeched.
A tiny demon burst out—small as a puppy, but its body a writhing shape of shadow, claws dripping black energy.
Midnight leaped forward instantly.
"MEOW—!!"
His claws slashed across the demon's face.
The imp shrieked, stumbling backward.
It retaliated with a swipe—
Charles moved without thinking.
He thrust out his hand.
"Light Burst!"
A small flash of concentrated light exploded from his palm—weak, shaky, but enough to blast the demon backward into the wall.
The system chimed:
[Skill Used: Light Burst — Beginner]
[Holy Effectiveness: +200% vs Demon-Type]
The imp screeched in pain.
Midnight pounced again, delivering a barrage of swipes.
---
Charles Protects His Family
The imp recovered and lunged toward the couch—where his brothers were hiding.
"NO!"
Charles raised his hand again, instinctively.
"Light Barrier—!"
A thin sheet of light formed—unstable and flickering, barely the size of a door.
The demon slammed into it.
CRACK!
The barrier shattered instantly, but it bought a moment of safety.
Christopher gasped. "Big bro used magic!"
Charles gritted his teeth, stepping between the demon and his siblings.
"I won't let you hurt them."
The imp shrieked and lunged at Charles.
It slashed—
but the moment its claws touched Charles—
SSSHHHH!
Black smoke hissed from its body.
The imp recoiled in terror, claws burned as if touching fire.
Charles blinked.
My passive…? Even though it isn't unlocked yet… I'm resisting corruption automatically?
The demon trembled.
Midnight seized the opening and sank his claws into its throat.
The imp dissolved into black dust.
But the danger wasn't over.
---
Purifying the Fragment
The fragment on the table shook violently—cracks expanding, darkness escaping like steam.
The system warned:
[Stability: 2%]
[Mini-Rift Activation: Seconds Away]
Charles grabbed the fragment with both hands.
Dark corruption surged up his arms like poison.
Cold.
Burning.
Hungry.
But—
[Corruption Attempt: FAILED]
[Reason: Host's Divine Affinity Resists Darkness]
Charles focused all his energy.
"Light Burst—!"
He forced the light directly into the fragment—
not as an attack, but as purification.
FWOOOM!
The fragment glowed—
Cracked—
Shuddered—
SHATTER!!!
It crumbled into pure white dust.
The room fell silent.
Midnight let out a victorious meow.
Charles exhaled in relief.
Then the system message appeared:
[Quest Complete]
Reward: +15 Points
Bonus Reward Unlocked: SSS Passive Skill — Lightbearer's Apostle
Initializing Passive…
Charles froze.
A warm pulse spread through his body.
Midnight's fur stood up—not in fear, but awe.
---
⭐ THE SSS PASSIVE ACTIVATES
A gold interface appeared before Charles.
Words formed in radiant text:
[LIGHTBEARER'S APOSTLE — SSS Passive Skill ACTIVATED]
Charles read the effects, and his breath hitched.
---
❖ LIGHTBEARER'S APOSTLE (SSS Passive)
Type: Divine • Absolute • Authority-Class
Effect: Permanently Active
1. Divine Mind
Complete immunity to:
• Mind control
• Illusions
• Psychic manipulation
• Fear manipulation
• Memory tampering
2. Sacred Body
Total immunity to:
• Curses
• Poison
• Bleeds
• Paralysis
• Debuffs
• Shadow corruption
3. Radiant Core
+60% holy energy regeneration.
4. Consecrated Aura
Within 5 meters, demons suffer:
• -30% attack
• -20% defense
• -20% speed
• Fear instinct
5. Holy Recoil
Reflects 20–40% of ALL damage received:
✓ Physical
✓ Magical
✓ Shadow
✓ Demon-type
6. Dawnshield
Permanent 20% damage reduction.
7. Radiant Amplification
+50% potency to all of Charles's Bishop skills.
8. Apostle's Authority (Anti-Boss Effect)
Against A–S rank demons:
• +50% penetration
• +20% resistance
• Their attacks weaken
• Their accuracy drops
• Their debuffs fail
• They hesitate instinctively
---
A soft, golden glow washed over Charles's body—pure, warm, divine.
Midnight sat politely, tail wagging, as if bowing in respect.
Christian whispered, "Big bro… you were glowing again."
Charles panicked.
The system reacted instantly:
[Concealment Protocol Active]
[Visible Holy Aura: Suppressed]
The glow vanished.
Christian blinked. "Oh… maybe I imagined it."
Charles sighed in relief.
This power… it's insane. If anyone in the world finds out—
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
A heavy fist slammed against the front door.
Midnight hissed violently.
That knock…
that force…
Charles felt his soul drop.
A deep, cold voice spoke:
"Charles Reyes.
Awakening Bureau.
Open the door."
Inspector Varron Creed.
The worst possible person right now.
The system flashed:
[Immediate Danger Detected]
[Bureau High-Rank Investigator Identified]
[Warning: Residual Rift Energy Detected Outside]
[Recommendation: Stay Calm]
Charles swallowed hard.
"…This is really bad."
He reached for the doorknob, heart pounding.
---