Hot Topic: "NEW CLEAR SPEED WORLD RECORD - WHO DID IT?"
RiftRunner22:
"WHAT?! 3 back-to-back F-Tier solos!? That's literally impossible without bleeding out. We talking about some kind of system glitch or what?"
NoviceSlayer:
"Bet it's one of those trust fund raiders with triple modded gear. No way a legit F-tier could chain 3 rifts without running out of juice for their mobility. They must have one right?"
TierClimber7:
"Whoever it is, they're probably running [Hidden Potential] or some other rare trait. Normal F-9s don't have the mana or stamina pool for this."
BitterBlank:
"Another 'achievement' that ensures F-tier pass prices keep rising. Solos should be banned. Regular people can't even get started anymore."
Tourist:
“What do you guys think which city is he from? Can’t be Lighthouse that place is a dump.”
OldTimer_Status:
"You youngbloods forgetting your history. Last record was set by Sable before her rise to S-tier. That was... what, 12 years ago? Doing this solo means someone's following her trajectory. Stability's probably already contacted them."
RiftSage_47:
"Correct. Sable held that record. Set it when she was F-9, right before her meteoric rise. Smart move considering what happened to record holders who got too famous too fast..."
DuskRaider:
"Sable's record run used gravity destabilization it’s in the network archives you can watch it—everyone thought it was a fluke until she repeated it at D-tier. Makes you wonder if this new record-holder discovered something similar."
StrategicMind_C6:
"Anonymous submission = smart. Stability monitors record-breakers for 'irregular growth patterns’. They all destabilize the rifts somehow. Last three who publicized fast solo clears got mandatory Oversight assignment. One 'disappeared' during Trial."
FrequencyAnalyst:
"Math doesn't add up. F-tier rifts have standardized monster density. Even with perfect execution, resource drain should prevent 3 consecutive clears where did the damage come from solo? Must be some broken trait.
MercenaryGuild_Official:
"Betting pool open: Who set the record? Current odds:
Rich kid with full boss gear: 2:1
It’s a glitch: 3:1
Stability plant: 8:1
Emperor’s kid: 12:1
Actual F-tier talent: 20:1"
EliteHunter_B2:
"Why is everyone obsessing over F-tier records? It's like celebrating winning a race against toddlers. Call me when they do something at C-tier where actual challenges exist."
ConceptualMaster:
"Interesting pattern emerging. Sable set her record shortly before The Shift. Now another record during increasing rift frequency. System might be selecting for specific traits."
ShadowKnight:
"Records submitted anonymously often precede significant events. Sable's anonymous record preceded her joining Eclipse Squad. Wonder if Stability already knows who this is."
GearAnalyst_D7:
"Speed stats alone can't explain this. My top theories: Exploiting rift environment for recovery/Previously unknown gear synergy/Boss kill exhaustion reset timing perfection."
BigSeven
"Remember how everyone dismissed Sable's [Spatial Intuition] trait until she reached S-tier? What if this record holder has something similar? F-tier 'trash traits' might have hidden scaling potential."
ModdingExpert:
"Check Market prices—anything with speed or recovery is spiking. Might reveal what they used."
TruthSeeker:
"Timing suspicious. Anonymous record right when Stability announces C-tier queue restrictions? Classic distraction tactic."
WhistleBlower2:
"Source: record set by someone with system marker similar to Sable's early pattern. Stability's already deployed observers to identify them."
HopefulRecruit:
"Can someone explain how this affects F-tier unlock prices? Saved for two years... Now they're saying 'premium slots only'?"
AntiStatus:
"Sable breaks record, becomes S-tier, now works directly for Emperor. This new record-holder? Same trajectory, different puppet. Wake up."
RedMarket_Verified:
"Selling exclusive data on rift configurations matching record run conditions. 50,000cr. No guarantees but sourced from Stability terminal. DM for access."
AnonymousSource477:
"Betting pools already formed in Junction Point. Odds favor it's a Stability Plant. Remember how Sable 'coincidentally' set her record right before becoming Stability's poster child? History repeats."
I scrolled through the Network forums and witnessed absolute chaos. Users were analyzing every detail of the new record, creating speculation threads that stretched for pages. Thankfully, I had opted for anonymity—publishing my name would have made public appearances a mess.
Triple-modded, boss-class F-tier gear was essential. It was the only thing that could withstand the dimensional stresses of E-tier. I slammed my fist on the display. The price of F-tier Nanoweave had tripled overnight – all thanks to my stupid record. The prices made no sense. Spending exorbitant amounts on F-tier gear felt completely wasteful when E-tier access was potentially within reach.
The system had effectively blindsided me. I had no knowledge of any record-tracking functionality within the Network. I hadn’t even tried to go fast I simply wanted to complete the mandatory observation period efficiently.
Nothing to be done about it now. I redirected my focus to my upcoming E-tier solo rank-up attempt. This challenge would significantly exceed the difficulty parameters I'd grown accustomed to. The tier thresholds consistently present the greatest obstacles, but advancement required clearing an E-tier raid. Success meant E-tier gear, a new ability, and maybe, just maybe, a slightly less suicidal run next time. I really should just join a raid group, preferably a corpo-premade or a stability team, but there was no way I was going to do that.
The E-tier portal shimmered with a distinctive emerald luminescence that pulsed with mathematical precision—exactly 1.7 seconds between each wave of dimensional energy. I'd spent most of my credits on a solo pass, a decision that even the Network terminal had flagged as "High Risk - Confirmation Required." The system's warning still glowed in my mind: "F-tier equipment functionality disabled in E-tier rifts."
[TIER ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITY]
E-09981: SHATTERED CONFLUENCE
Risk Assessment: EXTREME (Solo Attempt)
Warning: F-tier equipment non-functional in E-tier environments
I'd prepared as thoroughly as possible, studying the limited public records of previous clear F-tiers attempting what I was about to do—only 8% successful. Every statistic, every probability calculation screamed against this attempt. But progression demanded risk. One Fracture Charge already pulsed within me, a remnant from my last rift.
I stepped through the portal. The Shattered Confluence materialized around me, instantly overwhelming my senses. Reality itself seemed fragmented here—landscape pieces from completely different environments fused together at impossible angles. Desert plateaus intersected with frozen tundra. Sections of ancient city infrastructure jutted from crystalline formations. Above it all, the sky itself appeared broken into geometric panels displaying different atmospheric conditions.
My Domain Engine immediately highlighted dozens of environmental hazards within my 50-meter detection radius:
Gravity wells: Localized areas of intensified gravitational pull, some strong enough to crush bones.
Temporal distortion zones: Patches where time flowed at different rates, causing potential desynchronization of internal organs.
Dimensional thinning: Areas where reality weakened, risking uncontrolled energy bleed from adjacent planes.
Perception-warping fields: Zones that distorted sensory input, causing disorientation and potentially permanent cognitive damage.
Radiation pockets: Concentrations of dimensional energy known to cause rapid cellular decay.
[E-TIER RIFT: SHATTERED CONFLUENCE]
Base Requirement: Locate and defeat the Convergence Guardian
Despite my meticulous preparation, a sinking realization settled as the dimensional energy signatures registered. This environment wasn't just marginally more dangerous than F-tier rifts—it represented an exponential increase in lethality. I left most of my gear in my apartment. The Nanosteel Blade felt like dead weight in my hand, its edge dulling before my eyes as higher-dimensional energies negated its molecular bonding. It wouldn’t be good for much.
The first Rift Strider materialized 30 meters ahead—a humanoid entity composed of overlapping reality fragments. Its movements created visual echoes as it phased partially in and out of dimensional alignment. Two more appeared on its flanks, their forms rippling with emerald energy. Not normal entities—these were Elites, immediately recognizable by their multiple phase cores.
I needed to be methodical. Rushing would be fatal.
The Striders hadn't detected me yet. My passive Hazard Sense highlighted a promising approach—a narrow path between two gravity wells that would provide cover from their sensory range. The wells themselves posed significant danger, pulling with force sufficient to fracture limbs, but the 50% damage reduction from my Resilience passive would make them survivable if I maintained precise positioning.
Moving with deliberate care, I edged between the gravity wells, feeling their pull tugging at my extremities. The Fracture Charge in my chest pulsed brighter as I neared the wells, resonating with their dimensional properties. The central Strider paused, its fragmented head turning toward my position—some form of dimensional awareness.
The terrain ahead formed a killing field—open exposure with minimal cover and at least four environmental hazards overlapping in complex patterns. My speed was my only advantage, but moving quickly would alert the Striders. I needed to create a controlled chaos.
"Create Hazard," I commanded, focusing on a radiation pocket near the Striders. Dimensional energy flowed from my core, manipulating the existing environmental properties to manifest an amplified radiation field. The energy drain was immediate—10% of my mana. Second Fracture Charge accumulated, triggering Reactive Fracture Tether.
My speed surged by 50%, the world seeming to slow around me as the radiation field expanded rapidly I had 3 seconds to reposition. The Striders reacted immediately, their forms distorting as they attempted to phase away from the hazard. Two succeeded, but the third became caught in the radiation's influence, its dimensional stability compromised. Perfect.
With enhanced speed, I darted past the gravity wells, using the momentary distraction to close half the distance to what appeared to be a more stable section of the rift. One Strider detected my movement, its fragmented arm extending impossibly to intercept my path. The limb passed through empty air as I changed direction, using my speed advantage to remain ahead of its perception.
A temporal distortion zone lay directly in my path—a shimmering field where time moved at approximately 0.3x normal flow. Entering it would dramatically slow my movement from an external perspective while subjectively extending my time within. Useful for recovery, but a death trap if the Striders surrounded it.
"Invert Hazard," I commanded, targeting the temporal field. The distortion inverted instantly, becoming a zone of accelerated time—approximately 3.3x normal flow. The mana cost hit harder than expected.
The air shuddered violently as reality tore open. The three Fracture Charges consumed themselves, creating a chaotic dimensional fracture above the accelerated time zone. From the tear emerged something utterly alien—a gelatinous mass of semi-transparent fluid that defied normal physics, spreading across the ground in mathematical patterns.
Crystallization Fluid—a substance I'd only read about in high-tier reports. It solidified anything it touched into crystalline structures, preserving them in dimensional stasis. The fluid flowed with unnatural intelligence, spreading primarily toward the Striders. One was caught instantly, its form crystallizing into a frozen sculpture of fragmented reality.
The fluid's spread created new cover opportunities while eliminating one Elite. However, its unpredictable flow patterns created an entirely new environmental hazard that my Domain Engine immediately highlighted. The crystallization spread would reach my position in approximately 12 seconds.
I used the momentary advantage to sprint through the accelerated time zone, experiencing several minutes of subjective time in what would appear as a blur to outside observers. The remaining Striders lost track of me completely as I emerged on the far side of the zone, finding myself in an area resembling a shattered cathedral with sections of stained glass floating in mid-air.
My hazard detection immediately identified three new environmental dangers:
Glass Storms: Shards of dimensional glass periodically orbiting central points at lethal velocities
Reality Anchors: Pulsing orbs that stabilized local physics but attracted elite and boss- class entities
Memory Fog: Translucent vapor that eroded short-term recall, potentially causing disorientation
The cathedral space was partially enclosed, offering temporary shelter from the crystallization fluid spreading throughout the open area behind me. I needed to restore resources before proceeding deeper.
"Consume Hazard," I commanded, targeting a small pocket of memory fog. The fog dissipated as its energy flowed into me, restoring vital resources but adding another Fracture Charge. My Mana was back to full.
The crystallization fluid had created an unexpected advantage—the newly formed crystal structures provided a map of safe paths through the cathedral space. The fluid had solidified around areas of intense dimensional instability, effectively marking the most dangerous zones.
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
Ahead, my hazard detection identified a series of interconnected chambers with gradually increasing energy signatures—the path deeper into the rift would be through the cathedral's central altar, where a reality anchor pulsed with unusual intensity.
Moving methodically between glass storm orbits, I approached the anchor. Its presence stabilized the local environment, temporarily reducing the range and intensity of other hazards. The trade-off was immediate—two more Elite Striders phased into existence near the anchor, drawn to its stabilizing field. These weren't standard Elites; they bore distinctive energy signatures marking them as Resonant Striders, entities capable of amplifying each other's abilities when in proximity.
The anchor itself presented both opportunity and threat. Destroying it would destabilize the local environment, potentially creating new hazards, but would also eliminate the attraction point for additional entities. Preserving it would maintain relative stability but ensure continued Elite manifestation.
I chose the controlled chaos approach.
"Amplify Hazard," I commanded, targeting the nearest glass storm. The orbiting shards tripled in density and velocity, creating a lethal maelstrom. As the amplified storm intersected with the reality anchor's field, the glass shards began absorbing dimensional stability, transforming from transparent to obsidian-black silica projectiles that left tears in reality wherever they passed. My hazard detection flagged this as a rare environmental chain reaction that would persist for a short duration, after the initial hazard faded. With enhanced speed, I circled the amplified glass storm, positioning myself so the Striders would be caught between the storm and the reality anchor. One Strider attempted to phase through the storm—a critical error. The dimensionally-charged glass shards disrupted its phasing ability, shredding its form into fragments of crystalline energy. Second Fracture Charge accumulated, triggering my speed boost.
With enhanced speed, I circled the amplified glass storm, positioning myself so the Striders would be caught between the storm and the reality anchor. One Strider attempted to phase through the storm—a critical error. The dimensionally-charged glass shards disrupted its phasing ability, shredding its form into fragments of crystalline energy.
The second Strider demonstrated higher intelligence, manipulating its own dimensional frequency to create a destructive resonance wave aimed directly at me. The Strider had recorded my movement patterns from the previous seconds, enabling it to predict my dodge angle. I tried to deliberately brake my established pattern, sacrificing efficiency for unpredictability, but the Strider immediately adjusted, its fragmented head displaying a lattice of probability calculations as it analyzed my new movement set. I couldn't dodge completely—the wave clipped my left side, sending burning pain through my body as it partially desynchronized my cellular structure.
HP: 75/100
The injury was concerning—not just the numerical reduction but the nature of the damage. Dimensional desynchronization couldn't be healed through normal regeneration. Parts of my left arm flickered semi-transparently, temporarily existing in multiple dimensional states simultaneously.
I needed to eliminate the remaining Strider and secure the area before more manifested. I circled behind the anchor, using it as partial cover from the Strider's perception.
"Negate Hazard," I called out, targeting the reality anchor itself. The field collapsed instantly, its stabilizing effect disappearing. The dimensional energy contained within released in a concussive wave that staggered the Resonant Strider. Third Fracture Charge accumulated.
Reality fractured once more, this time pulling something even more dangerous—a gravity inversion field that instantly reversed the directional pull in a 30-meter radius. Everything not secured was violently thrown upward, including myself and the Resonant Strider.
I had anticipated this possibility, grabbing a protruding crystal formation as the gravity shifted. The Strider wasn't as prepared, its form helplessly suspended in the inverted field. The glass storm, no longer bound by normal gravitational constraints, spread in three dimensions, becoming an omnidirectional field of lethal projectiles.
The Strider's form was systematically dismantled by the glass fragments, its resonant energy dispersing into the environment. I maintained my grip on the crystal formation, fighting the upward pull while reorienting myself to the inverted perspective.
The cathedral's ceiling had become a new floor, revealing previously hidden architecture—walkways and chambers designed for inverted navigation. My hazard detection adjusted, highlighting new dangers that had been concealed by dimensional folding:
Vertigo Zones: Areas that disrupted inner ear function and spatial awareness
Phase Traps: Devices that would forcibly shift targets into adjacent dimensional planes
Echo Chambers: Acoustic anomalies that amplified sound waves to tissue-damaging levels
The inverted gravity simplified progression through these areas by making previously inaccessible paths viable. However, the strain of fighting constant upward pull was rapidly increasing my Exhaustion
EXHAUSTION: 15/100
I pulled myself along inverted walkways, moving deeper into the rift structure while conserving energy where possible. The dimensional fracture's effects would likely persist for several minutes—enough time to reach the next major area if I maintained efficient movement.
The inverted path led to what appeared to be a central chamber dominated by a massive crystalline structure—a dimensional confluence where multiple reality fragments converged. The energy readings were far more intense than anything I'd encountered in F-tier rifts, suggesting this might be the Guardian's domain.
As I approached the chamber entrance, my suspended position proved advantageous—three standard Rift Entities patrolled below (now above from my perspective), unaware of my presence on the inverted walkway. Their forms resembled conventional humanoids but with limbs that occasionally split into multiple probability states, existing in several positions simultaneously.
The gravity inversion began to weaken, its effect diminishing as the dimensional fracture started to seal. I had perhaps thirty seconds before normal gravity reasserted itself, which would drop me directly into the patrol path.
"Create Hazard," I commanded, manifesting a vertigo zone at the patrol's intersection point.
MANA: 70/100
FRACTURE CHARGES: 1
The vertigo zone manifested as a subtly distorted section of air, almost invisible except for slight visual refraction. The patrolling entities walked directly into it, immediately losing spatial orientation. Their movements became erratic, some firing projectiles at imagined threats while others lost balance completely.
The gravity inversion collapsed suddenly rather than gradually, catching me mid-preparation. I fell toward the disoriented entities, using my enhanced reaction time to adjust my trajectory toward a relatively clear landing zone.
The impact knocked the breath from my lungs, but I rolled to distribute the force, coming up in a defensive stance as the nearest entity noticed my presence despite its compromised perception. Unlike the Striders, these entities used conventional projectile attacks—bursts of crystallized energy that shattered on impact, releasing secondary dimensional shrapnel.
I dodged the first volley, but the second caught me in the right leg, embedding crystalline fragments into my thigh. The pain was immediate and intense, the fragments attempting to crystallize surrounding tissue.
HP: 60/100
EXHAUSTION: 25/100
The wound limited my mobility—exactly what I couldn't afford against ranged attackers. I ducked behind a crystalline formation for temporary cover, analyzing the environmental hazards within range. My Domain Engine highlighted a promising interaction—an echo chamber intersecting with a minor gravity well. The acoustical properties could be weaponized if properly manipulated.
"Invert Hazard," I commanded, targeting the gravity well. It reversed instantly, becoming a repulsion field that pushed outward rather than pulling inward. Second Fracture Charge accumulated, speed boost activating.
MANA: 60/100
With enhanced speed, I repositioned to lure the entities toward the manipulated hazards. The first entity approached cautiously, firing continued volleys that forced me to remain in constant motion despite my injured leg. Blood soaked my pant leg as crystalline fragments worked deeper into muscle tissue.
The entity entered the edge of the echo chamber just as I ducked into it from the opposite side. The acoustic properties amplified every sound to damaging levels. I slammed my fist against a resonant crystal structure, creating a focused sound wave that the chamber amplified exponentially.
The entity's form vibrated at the resonant frequency, its dimensional stability compromised by the specialized acoustic attack. It collapsed into component energy, unable to maintain cohesion under the assault.
The remaining entities demonstrated adaptive intelligence, avoiding the echo chamber completely while maintaining suppressive fire from multiple angles. The crystalline fragments in my leg were spreading their effect, gradually immobilizing the limb entirely.
I needed a more dramatic approach.
"Amplify Hazard," I called out, targeting the echo chamber itself. The acoustic properties tripled in intensity, creating an expanding wave of devastating sound that shattered nearby crystal formations. Third Fracture Charge accumulated.
MANA: 50/100
FRACTURE CHARGES: 3
Reality tore open once more, this time manifesting a temporal storm—a chaotic distortion of time itself that spread throughout the chamber in rippling waves. Different areas experienced dramatically different time flows, creating a patchwork of accelerated, slowed, and even reversed temporal zones.
The temporal storm created a strategic opportunity I hadn't anticipated. My cursed-trait mapped the pattern of temporal zones, highlighting how each affected dimensional stability differently. Where temporal acceleration met deceleration, razor-thin boundaries formed that exhibited unique physical properties — "time shears" that could slice through the Guardian's dimensional defenses if properly utilized. I positioned myself at the convergence of three temporal zones, feeling the disorienting tug as my body experienced different time flows simultaneously. The strain was enormous, adding +5 Exhaustion per second, but it allowed me to observe the Guardian from multiple temporal perspectives simultaneously. Its attack patterns, previously chaotic, revealed themselves as a complex but predictable sequence when viewed across different time flows. This must be how higher-tiers fought — not just reacting to threats, but manipulating dimensional fundamentals to gain perceptual advantages. The revelation was worth the pain.
The entities were caught unprepared, one trapped in a reversed time flow that decomposed its form back to component energy. Another became trapped in an accelerated zone, experiencing minutes of existence in seconds until its energy reserves depleted completely.
I wasn't immune to the effects. My perception fractured as I passed through temporal boundaries, experiencing disjointed sequences of events. My consciousness remained continuous, but the relationship between action and reaction became unpredictable. My injured leg experienced cellular regeneration in accelerated zones only to revert to damaged states in temporal backflows.
The chamber itself was transforming under the temporal storm's influence—structures aging to dust in some areas while reverting to earlier forms in others. Through the chaos, I detected a pattern—the central confluence remained relatively stable, protected by some form of temporal shielding.
That had to be my destination.
Navigating the temporal patchwork required precise timing and pattern recognition. I mapped the flow rates, identifying paths where I could use accelerated zones to heal temporarily while avoiding reversed zones that would worsen my injuries.
The strain of navigation was rapidly depleting my resources. I needed to reach the central confluence before I capped out on Exhaustion. The temporal storm was beginning to collapse, zones merging and normalizing as the fracture's influence waned.
There—a momentary alignment of accelerated zones creating a path directly to the confluence. I pushed through, feeling the strange sensation of compressed time as my body experienced several minutes of biological processes in seconds. The crystalline fragments in my leg partially dissolved as accelerated healing fought against their spreading effect.
The central confluence rose before me—a massive crystalline structure with countless reality fragments embedded within its surface. Each fragment showed glimpses of different dimensions, some recognizable as Earth locations, others completely alien in composition.
At the core floated the Convergence Guardian—not a conventional entity but a self-sustaining dimensional anomaly that had achieved primitive sentience. Its form constantly shifted between states, sometimes appearing humanoid, other times geometric or completely abstract. Energy readings indicated E-tier Boss classification with unique defensive properties.
The temporal storm collapsed completely as I approached the confluence, reality reasserting standard temporal flow. The sudden normalization hit like a physical blow, my body struggling to readjust to baseline dimensional constants.
EXHAUSTION: 60/100
The Guardian detected my presence immediately, its form coalescing into a rough approximation of human shape composed entirely of crystalline fragments. Each fragment contained a captured reality, creating a mosaic entity that shifted and rearranged continuously.
Its first attack came not as a physical strike but as a dimensional pressure wave that compressed space around me, threatening to crush my body. The pressure increased exponentially, constricting blood vessels and compressing organs.
"Create Hazard," I gasped, targeting the pressure wave itself trying to cancel it with an acoustic zone. It did not work but I the speed boost allowed me to barely avoid the attack.
MANA: 40/100
FRACTURE CHARGES: 1
The Guardian retaliated with a barrage of reality fragments—crystalline projectiles containing pocket dimensions that could partially phase targets into alternate realities upon impact. One grazed my shoulder, instantly numbing the entire left arm as it desynchronized from baseline reality.
HP: 45/100
With enhanced speed, I circled the confluence, analyzing its structure for vulnerabilities. The Guardian was intrinsically linked to the confluence itself—destroying the physical structure might eliminate the entity entirely. But the density of dimensional energy made direct attacks ineffective.
I needed to use the environment itself.
"Create Hazard," I commanded again the moment my 60 second cooldown reset, manifesting a dimensional thinning zone at the confluence's base. The zone would weaken the barriers between dimensions, potentially destabilizing the entire structure. Second Fracture Charge accumulated, refreshing my speed boost.
MANA: 30/100
The Guardian recognized the threat immediately, abandoning its attack on me to reinforce the affected area. This defensive response revealed its vulnerability—it prioritized structural integrity over target elimination.
EXHAUSTION: 75/100
I passed the Exhaustion threshold my passive ability would no longer boost my Speed. I couldn't maintain this strategy much longer. The Guardian began to adapt, prioritizing threats based on severity rather than responding to each equally. Its learning capacity exceeded standard E-tier entities, suggesting it might be an evolutionary step toward higher classification.
One final opportunity presented itself—a pattern of resonant frequencies within the confluence structure. If properly manipulated, these frequencies could create a cascade failure throughout the entire system.
"Amplify Hazard," I commanded, targeting a natural resonance point within the crystalline structure. The frequency tripled in intensity, creating visible vibrations throughout the confluence. As the third Fracture Charge accumulated, faint dimensional telltales manifested around it. The air developed a subtle violet undertone and pressure differentials created an ultrasonic hum— I could feel that the coming hazard was related to gravity. Understanding the coming fracture's nature gave me precious seconds to brace myself against nearby crystalline formations before reality tore open.
MANA: 10/100
Reality fractured for the third time, manifesting the most dangerous phenomenon yet—a gravity collapse that temporarily created a miniature black hole at the center of the chamber. The gravitational pull was immense, drawing everything toward a central point of infinite density. Without preparation, it would have caught me completely exposed.
The Guardian's form was pulled apart, fragments of its composition drawn inexorably toward the singularity. It fought against the pull, attempting to stabilize the dimensional distortion, but the combined effect of gravity collapse and resonant vibration was too severe to counter.
I anchored myself to a secured crystal formation, fighting against the gravitational force with rapidly failing strength. The black hole consumed the Guardian fragment by fragment, each absorption releasing bursts of dimensional energy that lashed out in random patterns.
One energy burst struck me directly, burning through my remaining defenses and sending crippling pain through my nervous system. My grip weakened as consciousness threatened to fade.
HP: 25/100
EXHAUSTION: 95/100
The black hole began to destabilize as it consumed the Guardian's energy, dimensional laws reasserting themselves against the artificial singularity. The gravitational pull weakened momentarily, providing a slim opportunity for retreat.
I released my anchor point, using the last of my strength to push toward the extraction zone now visible as the Guardian's defeat initialized rift completion protocols. The gravity collapse began to invert, transitioning from attraction to violent repulsion as the singularity prepared to explode outward.
EXHAUSTION: 100/100
Maximum exhaustion hit like a physical blow, my body instantly beginning to deteriorate under the strain. Health drained at an alarming rate as vital systems began to shut down, the dimensional stresses exceeding biological tolerances. A strange calmness came with complete exhaustion—the "adrenaline" effect granting one final push beyond normal limits.
HP: 15/100 → 5/100
With trembling hands, I activated a Rejuvenator, its energy flowing through me and pushing back the crushing exhaustion just as my body began to fail completely.
EXHAUSTION: 100 → 50
HP: 5/100
The gravitational repulsion launched me toward the extraction point as the singularity collapsed behind me, releasing a final wave of dimensional energy that washed over everything. The extraction point pulsed with stabilizing energy, Network protocols engaging as the rift recognized completion conditions.
The last thing I saw before extraction completed was the confluence shattering into billions of crystalline fragments, each containing a captured reality now released back into the dimensional flow. Reality shifted as I materialized back in the Raid Management Center.
[RIFT CLEARED: SHATTERED CONFLUENCE]
SURVIVAL RATE: 100% (SOLO)
CONTRIBUTION: VOLT (100%)
TIER ADVANCEMENT: F → E
LEVEL: 9 → 10
[ABILITY SELECTION AVAILABLE]
The tier advancement registered in my status, dimensional energy restructuring my core identity to align with E-tier resonance patterns. The physical changes were subtle but significant—slightly increased dimensional stability, enhanced energy conductivity in cellular structures, improved hazard adaptation.
I collapsed onto the chamber floor, dimensional desynchronization still affecting portions of my body. I groaned as medical drones swarmed, injecting stabilizers and running diagnostics. More credits down the drain, but survival always came with a price.
As medical drones worked to stabilize my condition, the initial assessment appeared on my wrist implant: “DIMENSIONAL SCARRING (Left Arm): Reality desynchronization affecting 32% of tissue. Projected recovery: 72 hours minimum. Maximum functionality capped at 80% until treated with specialized E-tier nanobots. NERVOUS SYSTEM DAMAGE: Temporal exposure has created micro-fractures in neural pathways. Higher function complexity limited to 65% efficiency for next 48 hours. CRYSTALLINE CONTAMINATION: Trace fragments embedded in right thigh. Recommendation: Allow dimensional half-life decay or seek specialized resonance therapy."
With E-tier status now secured, I could access improved equipment, more advanced rifts, and higher resource allocation. But the experience had revealed a crucial insight—The gap between F and E had nearly killed me. Defensive attributes… the very thought made me fall asleep. But could I really afford to keep ignoring them?
How then could anyone playing it safe hope to reach S-tier, where entities wielded reality itself as a weapon?
As medical drones worked to stabilize my condition, I contemplated the path ahead. E-tier was merely the second lowest classification in a system that extended to incomprehensible heights. If advancement remained this demanding at each step, the percentage of raiders reaching S-tier would remain vanishingly small.
Maybe that's why we're losing ground –too few S-tiers to hold back the rifts. Or maybe Stability just wants to keep the competition thinned out.
I had survived by exploiting environmental chaos, a strategy that became increasingly risky as my Fracture Engine generated more instability. To progress further would require new approaches, better control.
My wrist implant displayed my updated status as the medical system completed initial stabilization. I stared at the glowing "E-TIER" designation, feeling not triumph but the crushing weight of how far I still had to climb—and how close I'd come to dying.
This was just the beginning of the real challenge. Before I could second-guess myself, I reopened my status and immediately allocated my attribute point to Speed.
LOOT BREAKDOWN:
E-tier core ×1 = 999cr
Dimensional Silica: 18 × 150cr = 2,700cr
Temporal Shards: 12 × 200cr = 2,400cr
Graviton Particles: 9 × 175cr = 1,575cr
Resonant Essence: 3 × 300cr = 900cr
Convergence Fragments: 2 × 500cr = 1,000cr
BASE TOTAL: 9,574cr
SOLO BONUS (×10): 95,740cr
POST-RIFT PENALTIES:
Medical deduction: 23,000cr
NET GAIN: 72,740cr
LEVEL UP:
+1 to SPEED: 9 → 10 (Baseline)
