[OUTSIDE]
The mountain convulsed, a rumble so deep and primal it felt as though the earth's very core was being torn asunder. Boulders cracked and tumbled, cascading down the jagged slopes as the peak erupted with a thunderous roar that seemed to shake the heavens themselves. The once-quiet air was alive with chaos—a soundless scream of power that vibrated through the bones of every creature within miles.
From the gaping wound at the mountain's summit, a fiery red beam burst forth, a cataclysmic surge of energy that split the sky in two. It spiraled upward with unrelenting ferocity, twisting the atmosphere like a serpent of molten light. The heavens answered with a furious storm, dark clouds swirling and clashing as they fled the beam's radiance, leaving an open chasm in the sky that reached into infinity.
The light was blinding, its intensity so fierce that shadows fled, replaced by an eerie crimson glow that bathed the land below. Trees stood still as if frozen in fear, their leaves painted in ominous scarlet. Rivers reflected the blood-red hue, rippling with unease, while the winds carried an oppressive heat that seemed to choke the air itself. The ground beneath the mountain cracked and splintered, forming a web of glowing fissures that pulsed in time with the beam, as though the mountain had become a living, breathing entity of destruction.
The beam roared louder, a guttural, otherworldly sound that sent flocks of birds scattering from distant forests. The animals of the valley fled, their instincts screaming of an impending doom. The crimson column of light burned brighter, its presence undeniable—a grim herald of catastrophe that painted the sky with apocalyptic brilliance.
Far beyond the horizon, eyes turned skyward in dread, hearts pounding with the unshakable certainty that something monstrous had been unleashed. The world itself seemed to hold its breath, bracing for whatever cataclysmic force was about to descend.
Far from the chaotic scene, in the quiet confines of a study cluttered with books and parchment, a man immersed himself in scribbling notes. His brows furrowed in concentration, each stroke of his quil deliberate. The muffled sound of hurried footsteps broke his focus as the door to his office swung open.
A sharp voice called out, "Guild Master, you need to see this immediately!"
The man looked up, his expression one of irritation. "Momo," he said in a tone dripping with displeasure. "What is the meaning of this interruption? You dare barge into my office without—"
"Sir!" Momo cut him off, her tone urgent, almost frantic. "Please, come outside. Now!"
Her uncharacteristic demeanor gave him pause. With a reluctant sigh, the branch guild master rose from his desk, straightened his robes, and followed her. His steps were slow, measured, a clear display of his reluctance.
As they moved through the guild halls, the master noticed an eerie silence. The usual chatter of adventurers and the hum of busy reception desks were conspicuously absent. His eyes scanned the empty space, confusion etching lines into his face.
"Where is everyone?" he muttered.
Momo didn't answer, only quickened her pace toward the large double doors at the guild's entrance. The master followed, his curiosity piqued. As they stepped outside, the sight before him froze him in his tracks. A massive crowd of adventurers had gathered, their gazes fixed on the horizon.
When his eyes followed theirs, he finally understood.
There, far in the distance, the red beam split the sky, a column of power so fierce it was almost blinding. The crowd murmured in hushed tones, their voices tinged with a mix of awe and exitment. The guild master's heart sank.
"Abyssal Rift…" he whispered under his breath, his eyes narrowing.
Turning back, he re-entered the guild, Momo trailing closely behind. In the quiet halls, he stopped abruptly, his voice firm. "Momo, assemble a team of B- and A-Class adventurers. I want scouts sent to the source of that beam immediately."
Momo hesitated for a moment. "Sir, are you sure it's—"
"A red-tier dungeon," he interrupted, his tone heavy. "There's no doubt about it. And if my instincts are correct, this isn't just any ordinary rift."
Momo nodded, her face pale but resolute, and hurried off to gather the team. The guild master stood alone for a moment, staring back at the beam in the distance, the weight of its implications pressing heavily on his shoulders.
****
[INSIDE THE MOUNTAIN]
Aeloria slowly regained consciousness, the world coming back into focus like a haze lifting from her mind. She fluttered her eyes open, blinking against the strange weight pressing down on her. There was a dull ache in her jaws, a tightness that made her feel uncomfortable. She tried to move, but the sensation was disorienting, as if something was... lodged inside her throat.
It wasn't until she focused that she realized what was happening. Her breath hitched in surprise as she saw Yomi above her, his face twisted in what could only be described as a look of ecstasy. His expression was one of deep concentration, eyes closed, as if lost in the moment. But as Aeloria's mind slowly caught up with the situation, the realization hit her like a tidal wave.
Her face flushed a deep crimson, and her heart raced with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. What is he doing in my mouth?! she thought, mortified.
Before she could process further, the disgust surged through her. Reflexively, her hand shot up, gathering her mana. A blast of energy surged from her lips, the sound muffled but the power unmistakable. The mana blast exploded in the air, hitting Yomi squarely and sending him crashing across the room like a ragdoll. His body slammed against the far wall, the impact rattling the stones, as he crumpled to the ground, unconscious and motionless.
Aeloria lay there for a moment, trying to steady her breathing, her chest heaving in both fury and humiliation. The air around her was thick with tension. Disgusting. How dare he? She closed her eyes, trying to block out the images that played through her mind.
Then, her senses kicked in. Despite the anger clouding her thoughts, she noticed something that made her pause. Lirien was standing nearby, her hand covering the eyes of the beast girl. The look in Lirien's eyes caught Aeloria's attention—something she hadn't expected. It wasn't the look of anger or betrayal, but one of shock, as if she was witnessing something incomprehensible.
Aeloria's mind reeled. She had thought she knew the woman, but this—this reaction was unexpected. Before she could speak, Lirien turned and rushed toward Yomi, her footsteps quick and frantic. Aeloria's heart skipped a beat, her mind confused and conflicted. What's happening here? she wondered, unable to make sense of the scene before her.
She sat up, watching as Lirien bent over Yomi's unconscious form, her face pale, and her movements hurried. Aeloria couldn't understand what was going on, but she knew something was wrong, terribly wrong.