A strange tranquility had descended upon Jurica City, as if the storm of violence had never occurred. The rays of dawn painted the city with a soft, golden hue, rendering the ruined landscape oddly serene. Each breath, each moment was a testament to their survival against the nightmarish onslaught.
'This peace... it's surreal,' Johan pondered, 'but also precious. A moment of reprieve in a world that has turned upside down.' His thoughts were interrupted by the deep voice of Gabriel, the epic Card Master who had saved them all.
"I assume you're wondering why this happened," Gabriel began, his gaze sweeping over the gathered survivors. There was an authoritative air about him, his presence demanding attention. "This is the result of the Great Shift."
The Great Shift? Johan mused. 'I've never heard of that before...'
Gabriel continued, "Every so often, our world experiences a period of intense change. Territories shift, monsters multiply, and new species appear. It's a natural disaster of sorts, a purging of the old and an ushering in of the new."
'It's like evolution, but on a massive, violent scale.' Johan's mind raced, trying to comprehend the implications. 'So, these humanoid bats... they're a part of this 'Great Shift'. And us... we're caught in the middle.'
"Every Great Shift brings forth unprecedented threats," Gabriel continued, his tone grave. "Our world becomes a playground for chaos, and survival becomes a daily battle. Even a city's protection can falter against this tide."
Johan swallowed hard, his gaze sweeping over the ravaged city around them. The still bodies that lay amidst the ruins were a somber reminder of the night's horrors. 'If this is what the world has become, then every day is going to be a struggle. We're constantly on the brink of disaster.'
Around him, the surviving inhabitants of Jurica City wore similar expressions of shock and fear. Their lives had been irrevocably changed; their perception of reality, shattered. The safety and certainty they had taken for granted were gone, replaced by an ever-looming threat of annihilation.
"I'll begin an investigation now." Gabriel's voice broke through the heavy silence. "We need to know why Jurica City's defense mechanism failed, and what caused these humanoid bats to target us."
Gabriel's investigation was thorough. He walked through the devastated city with a steady pace, his eyes taking in every detail. The destruction, the patterns of the assault, the remnants of the bats - everything was a clue, a piece of the puzzle.
Johan watched as Gabriel knelt, examining a piece of shattered crystal embedded in the ground. 'That must be part of the city's defense mechanism,' he guessed, noting Gabriel's furrowed brow.
"Did anyone notice any abnormalities before the attack?" Gabriel asked, addressing the crowd. He looked for signs of tampering, any hints that could explain the failure of the city's protective measures.
Johan found himself drawn into Gabriel's investigation, his mind spinning with questions. 'What if this wasn't a natural disaster? What if someone engineered it?' The terrifying possibility sent a shiver down his spine. 'But who would do such a thing? And why?'
This new world was more complex and dangerous than Johan had ever imagined. But he was a part of it now, entangled in its mysteries and battles. And he would find a way to survive, no matter what.
Gabriel's gaze then fell on Johan. "Tell me, what did you see? How many waves were there? Did you notice any anomalies?"
Johan met Gabriel's stare, his mind racing as he revisited the chaotic scenes of the night. 'Two waves. Two horrific onslaughts of humanoid bats,' he thought, his voice shaky as he relayed the information out loud. "Two... there were two waves, Gabriel."
"And a dark blue portal," Johan continued, his tone firmer now. "I saw a strange dark blue portal right before the Great Shift."
Gabriel looked visibly taken aback. "A portal?" he echoed, his eyes reflecting curiosity and a hint of surprise.
Johan nodded, remembering the surreal sight. 'The portal... could it be related to the humanoid bats? Or to the Great Shift?' The questions swirled in his mind, a jigsaw puzzle slowly coming together.
"I think...," Johan began, his voice barely a whisper, "the portal might be connected to the Great Shift. And maybe... the bats came from there. Maybe... it's a dungeon?"
His words hung in the air, and Gabriel's silence was deafening. Johan's heart pounded in his chest as he waited for a response. 'Did I say something wrong?' he wondered, anxiety gnawing at him.
Finally, Gabriel broke his silence. "You... you might be closer to the truth than you realize, Johan," he said, a hint of admiration creeping into his voice.
His words sent a chill down Johan's spine. 'So, I'm right?' His mind was reeling, the implications of his deductions sinking in. He was standing on a precipice, staring into an abyss of uncertainty. His journey in this world was just beginning, and he was part of a narrative far greater than he could have ever imagined.
'Surviving isn't going to be easy,' Johan realized, the gravity of his situation dawning on him. But he knew he had no choice. He had to adapt, to learn, to become stronger. For his brother, for his new world, and for himself.
Intrigue bubbled within Johan. Gabriel's words spun a world of uncertainty, danger, and unknown possibilities. Turning to the man standing before him, he asked, "How many of these dungeons are there in the Iron Cities?"
Gabriel rubbed his chin in thought before replying. "In an Iron City, usually, there's one or two. We have a minimum of two Tier 9 Card Masters to handle any emergency. In case of a dungeon explosion, they're enough to secure the city."
Johan listened intently, the gears in his mind already in motion. 'Only two?' he thought. 'But why? Why only two Tier 9 Card Masters per city?'
"Two..." Johan muttered, more to himself than anyone else. His gaze turned distant, looking at something only he could see. 'Is it about the balance of power? Or maybe it's a matter of resources? Or perhaps... it's about control.'
A new thought struck him, lighting up his mind like a bolt of lightning. 'Could it be that the Card Master Association can only spare two per city? But then, that would mean...'
Johan's eyes widened in realization. "Could it be that in a Bronze City, there might be four E-rank and two F-rank dungeons?" His voice held an undertone of confidence, his deduction feeling right.
'Fuck! Is this kid a detective in disguise?' Gabriel's gaze sharpened on Johan, a mix of surprise and respect flashing through his eyes. Yet, he remained silent, leaving Johan to wonder if his deduction hit the mark. 'I'm sure of it. It's the only explanation that fits...' he reassured himself, his mind whirling with understanding.