At the Beaumont Manor, Lucien had kept pushing his limits.His Blacksmith class had reached Level 6, and his skill Temper Resilience had evolved to Rank C.
Two newly forged blades rested on the anvil they were identical in weight and balance. He had learned from experience: always carry a spare. Monsters in this world could crush cars with their fists and tear through stone walls. Being prepared wasn't optional in this world it was survival.
Lucien wiped the sweat from his forehead and lifted a glass of water to his lips.That's when the world trembled.
A sudden chime echoed in his mind. The System's voice followed cold and inescapable.
[Global Announcement] Warning: All persistent rifts worldwide are entering Breakout Phase. Cause: Penalty from S-Class Rift [Purge of the Shard]. Containment Failure: Imminent.
Lucien froze mid-step. His hand tightened around the glass until it cracked in his grasp.
He looked up toward the horizon through the manor's tall window.Even from here, he could feel it, the danger coming.Every persistent rift… opening at once. Which means...
Without hesitation, he turned back toward the forge, grabbing both swords and fastening his armor. The faint scent of oil and steel still clung to him, a reminder of what he had become, a warrior hidden behind the title of craftsman.
As he stepped outside, one of Mira's guild members was already sprinting across the courtyard, eyes wide, weapon in hand.Their gazes met for half a second.No words were needed.
Lucien nodded once.The other man returned the gesture.
Both ran toward the same direction, the persistent rift outside Lyon, where chaos had already begun.
Sirens echoed in the distance, lights flickering red and blue against the stone walls of Lyon. The mana in the air was heavy and dense enough to taste.
Lucien and the guild member ran side by side through the night, boots striking the pavement in rhythm.
Between breaths, Lucien glanced at the man."What's your name?"
The archer adjusted his quiver mid-stride. "Hassan. Rank B, Blades of Lyon."He shot a quick look at Lucien. "And you? You're not one of ours. You're the blacksmith, aren't you?"
Lucien didn't slow down. His gaze stayed locked ahead,
"It doesn't matter what I am," he said quietly. "What matters is who I am."He tightened his grip on his sword, voice firm but calm."And I'm a man who swore to protect. That's all that matters."
Hassan blinked, caught off guard by the weight of his words and then smiled. "Heh. Guess that makes two of us."
He raised his bow mid-run and drew an arrow in one smooth motion.A flicker of movement on the rooftops it was two goblins leaping from above.Before they could land, Hassan released.Two streaks of mana flashed in the dark, and both creatures fell before their feet hit the ground.
Lucien didn't even look back. "Nice shot."Hassan grinned. "Just getting warmed up."
They kept running past overturned cars, shattered windows, and the first cries of battle echoing through the streets.
Lucien's pace didn't falter.This was no longer just another hunt.It was war.
And war he knew...
Screams all over the streets. Goblins were dragging women and children by their hair, laughing in shrill voices.
Lucien sprinted toward them, blade flashing. Hassan stayed behind, drawing and loosing arrows as fast as he could breathe, each shot finding its mark.
Lucien moved like a storm. One swing, two heads fell. Another step, and his blade cleaved through three goblins at once. He kicked open the door of a locked building and shouted,"Everyone who can't fight, get inside! Now!"
A mother clutched her daughter's hand and ran toward him. "Thank you! Thank you!" she cried as Lucien ushered them in. More civilians followed, stumbling and terrified. Hassan and Lucien held the entrance, cutting down anything that came close until more Hunters arrived to reinforce them.
"Lucien!!"He turned toward the voice through the chaos.
Léon. Behind him were Clara and Romain, their faces pale and weapons trembling in their hands.
"There are orcs.... coming out of the rift!" Léon shouted.Lucien's expression hardened. "How many?""Several!" Clara replied.Romain added, "And they're armed with shields and armor!"
Hassan frowned, lowering his bow for a moment. "Armor and shields? Those are C-Rank rift orcs… That makes no sense."
Clara shook her head. "The system mentioned a penalty. Maybe that's what it meant?"
Lucien didn't hesitate. "Stay here and protect the civilians. Help anyone you can... but don't play hero. You can't save anyone if you're dead."
All three nodded in unison. "Yes, Lucien!"
Lucien turned, gripping his sword tighter. "Hassan, with me. Leave the goblins to the others and let's deal with the real threat."
"Got it."
They dashed through the burning streets, hearing the screams and roars ahead. Smoke and dust filled the air as the mana pressure from the rift grew heavier with every step.
When they turned the corner, the ground trembled beneath their feet.There, emerging from the black mist, stood five orcs, hulking brutes wrapped in cracked armor, their shields etched with faint runes.And behind them, towering over the rest, a sixth figure, a monster with a massive double-headed axe and eyes burning crimson.
Lucien's grip tightened. "Hassan… you take the flank."The archer nodded, already nocking an arrow. "And you take the head."
Lucien smirked. "Exactly."
The orcs roared and charged.
Lucien met them head-on.