As I stepped out of my apartment, the cityscape of The Eternal Bastion sprawled before me, a masterwork of divine symmetry. The streets stretched with precise alignment, their polished white surfaces reflecting the soft glow of the aether-lamps lining the pathways. Buildings, towering and pristine, stood like monuments to Order itself, their designs harmoniously blending sharp edges with sweeping curves. Even the air seemed to hum with structure, as though the very fabric of the city was woven with the essence of perfection.
The people moved in measured steps, their actions deliberate and calm, embodying the ideals of the world they inhabited. Yet, beneath the serene façade, I could sense it—a faint, persistent tension humming like a taut string. Harmony, it seemed, could never fully silence Chaos.
As I walked through the bustling streets, my thoughts began to wander, circling back to my new reality.
'I'm an Eternal now—the True Eternal—but Eternal nonetheless.'
This meant I was now part of the Rendbound, a brotherhood and sisterhood forged in the crucible of necessity. The Rendbound stood as humanity's shield against the Rends, dimensional scars left by the Primordial Gods' endless meddling, each tear unleashing horrors into the mortal world. They were protectors, warriors, and scholars bound by oaths that carried the weight of civilization itself.
They work closely with the Ascendant Order, relying on their resources, training, and the Aetherium Lens to identify Charisms and track threats. However, tensions sometimes arise, as the Rendbound prioritize action and protection, while the Ascendant Order focuses on regulation and balance.
The Rendbound had their own divisions:
Eternals: Those gifted with divine Charisms, using their powers to explore, fight, and seal the Rends. From newly awakened novices to seasoned veterans, each Eternal bore the weight of their sacred duty.
Mundane Rendbound: They might lack Charisms, but their roles as strategists, engineers, medics, and researchers were no less critical. Without their expertise, even the mightiest Eternal would falter.
Corrupted Hunters: A specialized subgroup tasked with locating and neutralizing Corrupted Eternals (those who have succumbed to Overbinding or Charism misuse) and Anti-Eternals who work to spread chaos by opening more Rends.
Our objectives were clear: Close the Rends, protect the people, and uncover the gods' schemes. It was a daunting mandate, but hesitation wasn't an option.
Leaving the ordered streets behind, I made my way to the outskirts of the Bastion. Here, the pristine beauty of the city gave way to rugged terrain—a wild and untamed landscape where the gods' influence faltered, and the cracks of Chaos could be found. At the edge of this border stood the gateway to the unknown.
The Rend Gate loomed before me, an imposing structure of obsidian and purple. Its surface shimmered with ethereal energy. My badge began to radiate softly as I approached.
Standing guard were two stern-faced gatekeepers clad in gleaming armor, their breastplates marked with the sigil of Harmonia. One of them looked me over, his eyes lingering on the badge I carried before a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
"An E-Ranked Charism? You might as well go ahead and work a desk job, kid." he said, his tone dripping with derision.
The other snickered. "Haha, that's if you even make it out of this D-Rank Rend. We wish you luck, though."
'So that's what the Phantom Rewrite skill did.' I thought, suppressing a laugh.
I brushed past them, smirking. "Laugh now. I'm sure you'll eat those words later."
"Whatever you say, kid." Their laughter echoed behind me as I stepped forward.
For my first Rend, I decided to use Death [(Mortis)] [Necrotic Veil LV.1] [Rank] B
Inflict withering damage on enemies in an area, draining their life essence.
And Time [(Chronos)] [Fleeting Step LV.1] [Rank] E
Increase movement speed slightly by distorting time around your body.
[D-Rank Rend ahead]
[Type] : Pandemonium (Chaos)
[Floors] : 3
[Monsters] :
[Shrieking Wretches]
[Twisted Sentinels]
[Abyssal Hounds]
[Chaos Behemoth (Final Boss)]
[Objective] :
[Reach the third floor and close the Rend by defeating the Chaos Behemoth.]
"Okay.." I muttered, inhaling deeply. "I got this. Let's go." My voice steadied as I stepped through the Rend Gate.
The world on the other side was a fractured nightmare. The ground beneath me twisted unnaturally, jagged formations rising like the bones of some ancient beast. The sky churned in chaotic hues of green and purple, streaks of lightning crackling across its surface. The air was heavy, carrying an oppressive energy that clung to my skin and made each breath feel like a battle.
"Stay calm, breathe, and keep pushing." I whispered to myself. Flexing my hand, I activated [Necrotic Veil]. A dark mist coalesced around me, cold and oppressive, draining life from anything within its radius. Tendrils of necrotic energy curled at my feet as I took my first step into the chaos.
"First time having superpowers after wanting to for the longest and I gotta say..this shit is priceless." I smiled slightly as I started to walk. "Hopefully I can reach a level where people can ask 'can he beat Goku tho?' and the response is an immediate yes." I chuckled. After a minute though, I calmed down and turned back serious.
The first floor was eerily silent, save for the faint screeches echoing in the distance. Then I saw them—Shrieking Wretches. Their spindly, malformed bodies twitched and jerked unnaturally as they skittered through the mist, their hollow eyes locked onto me.
Activating [Fleeting Step], I felt a shift in the air around me as time distorted. My movements became faster, smoother, as though the world had slowed just enough for me to dance through it.
The first Wretch lunged, its maw gaping wide, but I was ready. I unleashed a surge of necrotic energy, the dark mist consuming the creature in an instant. It shrieked as its form withered to ash, its life force drained completely.
The others hesitated, circling warily. I smirked, releasing another wave of [Necrotic Veil]. Two more Wretches succumbed, their forms crumbling into nothingness. I decided to handle the rest the old-fashioned way.
"Thought that jumping shit would work, huh?" I muttered, shaking off their ashen remains from my hands.
The remaining Wretches darted in, their claws slashing at the air. I ducked under one's attack, driving a fist into its chest with a sickening crunch. It stumbled back, convulsing, and I followed with a spinning kick, sending it sprawling.
The final two Wretches hesitated, then turned and fled, their shrieks fading into the distance. I let the mist dissipate, taking a moment to catch my breath.
The floor's layout was a labyrinth of jagged rocks and shifting pathways. The hum of chaotic energy grew louder the deeper I ventured. Then I saw it—a shadow, larger and more deliberate than the Wretches, moving through the mist.
A Twisted Sentinel emerged, its grotesque, humanoid form armored with jagged protrusions. Its glowing red eyes locked onto me, exuding an air of menace.
Flexing my fingers, I prepared to face the monstrosity head-on.