SSS Rank Awakening: The World Beyond Redemption

Rael sat across from Samantha, both hands wrapped around the warm cup. He wanted to finish the coffee quickly and leave, but it was still too hot. Every sip burned a little. The silence between them stretched, thick and uncomfortable. He decided to break it first.

”So, Samantha... you’re from Bloomingdale?”

She stopped mid-sip and looked at him. She understood he was trying to ease the tension. A small, polite smile appeared.

”No. I only moved here last month.”

”Oh. Why?”

”I’m sorry, I can’t really say. It’s work-related.”

”Okay. I understand.”

She tilted her head slightly. ”What about you, Rael? Did you live in Bloomingdale?”

He paused, choosing his words carefully. ”No. I’m from Ashfort.”

Ashfort was a small city on the outskirts. Most people from the capital or larger towns barely knew anything about it. It felt safe enough to mention.

”I remember that place,” she said. ”I lived there for a while once. Which part?”

Rael kept his expression calm. ”Near the river.”

For a second he thought he had said too much. Her eyes stayed on him a moment longer than necessary, but then she only nodded.

”Oh, that river. I lived nearby too. Weird that we end up meeting all the way here in Bloomingdale, huh?”

He managed a small smile. ”Yeah. Weird.”

The conversation settled into something almost normal. Samantha looked down at her cup, then spoke again, quieter this time.

”I’m sorry for barging in on you while you were changing.”

He shook his head. ”It’s fine.”

She hesitated. ”There’s something else. I don’t know if I should tell you, but... maybe it’s better if you know. For your own safety.”

Rael set his cup down. ”What is it?”

She took a breath. ”You know the latest awakening didn’t go like the others.”

”What do you mean?”

”A lot of people who entered the First Realm never came back. Some of the ones who did escape said they saw high-level monsters in there—things that shouldn’t exist in the beginner stage. The whole city feels like it’s in mourning right now. So many families lost their children on their first awakening. It’s... really sad.”

Rael already knew the reason. Aurelia. He kept his face neutral.

”Yeah,” he said quietly. ”It’s very sad.”

Samantha continued, her voice lower. ”There’s more. Before the authorities arrived, there was a string of killings in this area. A lot of people died. Once the officials showed up, the murders stopped. Still... it’s better to be careful.”

She watched his reaction for a second, then waved a hand as if dismissing the heavier topic. ”Anyway. Let’s leave it at that.”

Rael understood more than she realized. Aurelia had been here looking for him. The thought settled cold in his chest.

He finished what was left of the coffee and stood up. ”I should get going.”

Samantha looked a little surprised, as if she had only just started feeling comfortable talking. ”Oh... okay. Maybe see you later?”

”Yeah. Take care.”

”Bye.”

He stepped out into the hallway and closed the door behind him. The moment it clicked shut, he pulled out his phone. In this world, smartphones charged under sunlight. The moment the light touched the screen, it flickered to life.

A chilly wind moved through the open corridor. He checked the date.

Novar.

He had awakened in the month of Jular. Four months. He had been gone for four entire months.

He typed his own name into the search bar. Article after article appeared.

[WHERE IS RAEL BLACKTHORN?

Rael Blackthorn was a failed awakener and has been missing since the month of Jular. No body has been found, and no one knows his whereabouts.

Dead? Missing? Or still alive?

Authorities have yet to confirm his fate.]

[RAEL BLACKTHORN: DEAD OR MISSING?

The disappearance of Rael Blackthorn has sparked rumors across the city. Some believe he was killed by a powerful beast. Others believe he is still somewhere within the city, hiding in shame. His current status remains unknown.]

[THE MYSTERY OF RAEL BLACKTHORN

Rael Blackthorn hasn’t returned.

His family remains silent, while rumors continue to spread.

Was he killed? Is he trapped? Or is Rael Blackthorn still alive? For now, no one knows.]

He stared at the headlines for a long moment. He could not walk around looking like himself. Samantha might not have recognized him, but plenty of others would.

He opened his status and focused on the bloodline skill.

[Conceal]

A skill that allows the user to alter their physical appearance, including face, hair, and other recognizable features, making true identity difficult to recognize. Can be activated at all times. Requires only concentration. No mana cost.

It was the same skill Aurelia had used to hide as Suzy for so long. He still didn’t know how he still retained this skill. Maybe it is because it’s an Bloodline skill different from normal skill and his class can make Bloodline skill permenently. He smiled and said ”How convenient.”

Rael concentrated. A faint shift passed over his features— his face started to mold as he wants he kept molding nothing dramatic, just enough to make his face ordinary, forgettable. When he checked his reflection in the dark screen of the phone, the person looking back was no longer Rael Blackthorn.

He slipped the phone into his pocket and started walking toward the lift, the cold wind following him down the empty corridor.

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