The District C of Osca is an urbanized area an hour's drive from the central business district. Buildings aren't as tall as in the CBD, but the establishments are crowded, and the streets are wider.
The area was quiet. It had only been a few hours after the door appeared, but it seemed that the rescue team had already swept everyone away out of the district. The administration was quick on the uptake, and every citizen was disciplined and obediently obliged to the relocation.
Until the nature of the door hasn't been determined yet, the district will be closed.
I yawned as I stepped out of the van.
"Sir Atlas!"
Hm? That voice is familiar. I looked up while rubbing my eyes, which widened after seeing Serin waving at me. Okay? What happened to her quiet and awkward personality? She seemed lively. I bet after only an hour; her social battery will soon run out.
I waved back. Ryder caught my attention as well. He nodded at me before he helped the researchers to unload their instruments. Aside from him, Ivan Ridle is the only other person I knew from Kyle's team.
I walked to Serin, who stood beside Alexis, and whispered, "Not to sound offensive but, why are you here?"
Her ability is mind-related. I doubt it'll be helpful in that situation. Serin slightly tiptoed and whispered back, "That mind-reading ability is just a sub-power. My main ability is Spatial Manipulation. It was the one I've been training for weeks now."
Space manipulation?! I gaped at the kid. For an E-rank to possess such power. It made me wonder what the limits of her powers were.
"Serin Olivers," Vice Mayor Aina called, Serin excused herself to me and ran to the vice mayor, "Do you think you can isolate the entire district area?"
Area isolation. It was a good strategy. Barricades won't hold any up against monsters, but if a barrier is put up, the damage will decrease. However, what I thought was different from what Serin's ability was.
As I watched her hold the entire map of District C, and write down the coordinates of every point and boundary, I realized it wasn't a simple task and a simple barrier. Nothing changed in the vicinity and the area wasn't enclosed, however, a strong force passed through everything, and a hazy green sheet of transparent light shot out from Serin's hands, and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Serin mumbled as sweat broke out on her forehead, "It's done."
I quickly ran to her and supported her staggering figure. "Are you okay?"
Serin nodded. Vice Mayor Aina patted her shoulder and commended her. Then, she spun around and gathered everyone. They proceeded to the street where the door appeared. I sat Serin on the trunk of the pick-up truck and gave her water.
"That ability must have consumed your strength too much."
Serin, "Yes, it consumes the user's strength, rather than mana. Area isolation isn't a barrier, but it is an illusion that replaces the real space for a given amount of time. Damages sustained from the illusionary space I created won't happen in the real space."
"Does it include the damages on living things within that illusion?"
"No, sir. It only applies to the nonliving things. The illusion won't erase your injuries or protect your mind from the pain, even after it vanished. Only the district will revert to its old state before the isolation happened."
"I see. Does the vice mayor know of this?"
Serin nodded. Of course, that makes sense.
The door was huge. It looked small on the screen in the laboratory, but it was almost as tall as a two-story building. Commander Kyle's team where helping the researchers set up their instruments and equipment in an establishment they occupied near the area.
"Sir Atlas," Dr. Molly came to me. "The researchers are all nervous to come closer to the door. Can you help us?"
This again. The risky task is for them, of course. I just nodded and went ahead. Kyle followed me, asking me why I was sporting a long face.
"Aren't you the least bit nervous, commander? What if it opens once we touch it?"
Kyle shrugged his shoulders and answered nonchalantly, "Then, we ran or we die."
"Sounds like a great plan," I sarcastically replied. Soldiers are really different in the face of deathly situations.
The key that was pasted at the center of the lotus flower was bigger than I expected. I thought it was just the size of the normal key.
Kyle clicked his tongue while roaming the entire door with his eyes, "This door doesn't have a keyhole, where do you think it is for?"
I carefully touch the door, using only my index finger. As soon as it touched, a loud alarm rang in my ears. It almost blew my eardrums away, which made me bent slightly and covered my ears.
"Ugh!"
I glanced at the side and found the other awakeners wincing from the alarm. I'm not the only one who can see the red blinking screen!
[Advent of the Waterborne Abysmal Door]
[Door Availability: 7 days
Number of Entry per Trial: 5
Door Rank: B
Total of Victory Required: 200
Note: The door will vanish after the required number of victories is met.]
[WARNING: DOOR BREAK WILL COMMENCE AFTER 3 DAYS OF NO ENTRY!!]
The alarm went off after three repeats. The sound disappeared. I stepped away from the door and breathed heavily. When the notification popped up, it felt like I stopped breathing for a moment.
"What happened?!"
Dr. Molly came rushing to us, bewildered. Everyone was looking in our direction. Kyle ran his hand over his face and started explaining the situation.
"Door break? It means the door will just explode and vanish in thin air, is it?" the doctor asked hopefully.
I cleared my throat and calmly answered the doctor who was panicking, "It means it might open after three days, and the monsters will attack once again. We don't know what kind of monsters it will bring, but if we're going to battle them, it'd be best to do it inside."
"Inside the door? We have no idea what lies ahead!"
I looked at Vice Mayor Aina seriously, "Do you prefer to let the monsters break here and cause chaos again? The door will be accessible for seven days, which means a week to fight inside with only five people. Imagine the casualties you'd count if you let them in instead."
Dr. Molly sighed. She looked at me with troubled eyes, and muttered wearily, "I don't get you. You were so against using the awakeners whenever we pleased as if we have no regard for their lives, but look at you suggesting a rather foolish idea."
Silence reigned among us. I cursed inwardly. What the hell did they want to do then? Welcome the enemies with open arms and excited smiles while posing each of their battle stances…? Do they really think they've all become invincible?!
I was merely trying to suggest a plan with fewer casualties, if the first five get defeated, then send another, until we succeed! Why does it feel like I'm the one who doesn't f*cking care about their lives?!
I'm pissed. I don't care anymore. Whether they hold a banquet for those human-eating ugly creatures or decide to grace them with their presence beyond the door, I won't care anymore.
Vice Mayor Aina looked at me, before she turned away, and declared, "Let's discuss this inside."
I followed silently. My gaze passed by Serin who was looking at me worriedly. I think I might have realized why the vice mayor is considering the option of holding a monster-filled soiree. Run, Serin. You'll get used beyond your capability.