The morning sun crested the walls of New Haven, painting the city in gold and hope. Kael stood at the main gate, his pack slung over one shoulder, the rune-etched sword at his side. The city was alive with purpose children laughing, Awakened training, unawakened tending gardens and repairs. For a moment, Kael let himself believe that things could be normal again.
But the world outside the walls was a different story.
Evelyn Grant, the guild master, met Kael's gaze as the supply team assembled. "You know the route. Get in, get the supplies, and get back. No heroics."
Kael nodded, feeling the weight of the badge in his pocket. "We'll be back before sundown."
Sera, Ryu, and two Awakened from the guild Marcus and Lila checked their gear. The gates creaked open, and the team slipped into the wilds beyond New Haven.
---
The Mission
The ruins of the old city sprawled in every direction, choked with weeds and the bones of the past. Today, the path to the supply cache was eerily quiet. Too quiet.
They moved quickly, following the map Evelyn had provided. The cache was hidden in the basement of an old grocery store, its entrance concealed by a fallen sign. Kael and Marcus cleared the debris, while Sera and Lila kept watch.
Inside, the shelves were mostly bare, but the cache was untouched crates of canned food, medical supplies, and bottled water. They loaded their packs, working in silence.
On the way back, they encountered only minor resistance a pair of mutated hounds, dispatched quickly by Kael and Marcus. The monsters seemed almost lethargic, their attacks uncoordinated.
Kael frowned, wiping blood from his blade. "This is too easy."
Sera nodded, her eyes scanning the shadows. "I don't like it. Feels like the city's holding its breath."
But nothing else challenged them. They made it back to New Haven with full packs and no casualties.
---
As they passed through the gates, the system's interface flickered to life in Kael's mind.
---
**[QUEST COMPLETE: SUPPLY RUN – WEST SECTOR]**
**Reward:**
- +1 Level
- +1 Strength
- +1 Endurance
- +1 Perception
- 400 XP
- Item: [Guild Supply Token] (Redeemable for gear or rations at the Guild Hall)
**[MONSTER KILLS: 2 Mutated Hounds]**
- 200 XP
- +1 Level
---
**[LEVEL UP!]**
**Current Level: 14**
**XP: 1020/1600**
**Stats Increased:**
- Strength +1
- Endurance +1
- Perception +1
---
A surge of energy coursed through Kael, his senses sharpening. He felt the familiar rush of a level-up, the world seeming to slow for a heartbeat as his body adjusted to the new power.
---
The Return to New Haven
The team was greeted as heroes. The supplies were quickly distributed, and the guild clerks marked the mission as a success. Evelyn met them at the gate, her expression a rare mix of relief and approval.
"Well done," she said, clapping Kael on the shoulder. "You've proven yourself, Ardan. I'll authorize the rescue mission for your people. We'll start planning tomorrow."
Kael smiled, exhaustion and pride warring in his chest. "Thank you, Commander."
He turned toward the guild hall, eager to redeem his supply token and maybe get a hot meal. Sera and Ryu followed, their spirits high.
---
As they crossed the square, the air changed. A low hum vibrated through the ground, and the sky above the guild hall shimmered with unnatural light.
A tear opened in the air, jagged and pulsing with blue and violet energy. The ground cracked, and a wave of pressure sent people stumbling back. The guild's alarm bells rang out, and Awakened rushed to form a perimeter.
Kael stared, heart pounding. He recognized the phenomenon—a dungeon gate, but larger and more unstable than any he'd seen before.
Evelyn appeared at his side, her face pale. "C-grade anomaly. We haven't had one this close to the center in months."
The gate pulsed, and a system message flashed before Kael's eyes.
---
**[DUNGEON ALERT: C-GRADE ANOMALY GATE]**
**Location: New Haven Central Square**
**Time to Dungeon Break: 48:00:00**
**Warning: Anomaly gates cannot be closed from the outside. Only internal clearance or dungeon break will resolve the event.**
---
Panic rippled through the crowd. The guild's best Awakened were already suiting up, but the gate's energy was growing, warping the air around it.
Kael's mind raced. This was his chance his test. He could prove himself, not just to Evelyn, but to everyone. He stepped forward, drawing his sword.
"I'm going in," he said, voice steady.
Evelyn grabbed his arm. "Don't be a fool! We go in as a team, not alone."
Kael shook his head. "If I wait, the monsters could pour out. I'm the highest-level Awakened here right now. I can buy you time maybe even clear it."
Evelyn's eyes blazed. "You're not invincible, Ardan. If you die in there, we lose our best hope for the rescue mission. And if you fail, the city could fall."
Kael met her gaze, determination burning in his chest. "If I don't try, we lose everything anyway."
Sera stepped forward, her voice trembling with anger and fear. "Kael, don't do this alone. Please."
He looked at her, at Ryu, at the crowd gathering in the square. "I have to. I can't let this city fall. I can't let you fall."
He turned, sprinted toward the gate, and leapt through the swirling energy.
---
Chaos Outside the Gate
The world twisted. For a moment, Kael felt as if he were being pulled apart and reassembled. Then he was gone, swallowed by the anomaly.
The gate pulsed, its energy growing more violent. The city held its breath, waiting for a sign—any sign—that Kael was still alive.
Evelyn stood at the front, her heart pounding. "He just jumped in?" Lila asked, disbelief in her voice.
Evelyn's jaw clenched. "He's reckless. But if anyone can clear it, it's him."
Sera stood at the edge of the perimeter, her fists clenched. "He'll make it. He has to."
Ryu nodded, though his face was pale. "He always does."
The hours dragged on. The gate's energy warped the air, sending ripples through the square. The guild's best Awakened stood ready, but the gate was too unstable to risk a full team entry. Evelyn paced the square, barking orders and trying to keep the crowd calm.
"He's in there alone," she muttered, anger and worry warring in her voice. "If he fails, we're all in danger. If he dies, we lose our best hope."
The city was in chaos. Rumors spread some said Kael had gone mad, others that he was a hero. The unawakened huddled in their homes, the Awakened prepared for the worst.
Evelyn could only hope and wait.
---
Dungeon Entry
As Kael vanished into the gate, the system's interface flashed for all registered Awakened in the square:
---
**[ANOMALY GATE SEALED]**
**Participant: Kael Ardan (Sovereign, Level 14)**
**Status: Solo Entry**
**Time to Dungeon Break: 48:00:00**
**Warning: No entry or exit until dungeon is cleared or breaks.**
---
Evelyn stared at the message, her fists clenched. "Damn you, Kael. You better come back."
---
The city settled into a tense vigil. Sera refused to leave the square, her eyes never leaving the swirling gate. Ryu brought her food and water, but she barely touched it.
The guild hall was a flurry of activity preparing defenses, organizing evacuation plans, praying for a miracle. The unawakened whispered Kael's name, some in hope, some in fear.
Evelyn stood at the front, her face a mask of command. But inside, she was terrified. She had seen too many die in anomaly gates. She had seen cities fall.
But she had never seen anyone like Kael.
---
The Edge of the Rift
As the sun set, the gate's energy reached a fever pitch. The city was silent, every eye fixed on the swirling anomaly.
Inside, Kael faced the unknown.
Outside, New Haven waited, hoping for a hero.