Chapter 1: Challenge

Clouds gathered, veiling the vast sky and obscuring the scorching sun. As raindrops descended, Eridan Frowned, feeling the dampness on his forehead. His deep red pupils were revealed as he slowly opened his eyes, gazing up at the sky above. "Ah, did I pass out here yesterday?" he Groaned , standing up. A pungent stench of rotting trash assaulted his nostrils, a harsh reminder that he hadn't found any food in the trashcans the previous night. "Lucky me, I guess," he sighed, stepping out of the trash-ridden corner. Suddenly, blaring sirens echoed through the streets. "ALERT! ALERT! A NASCENT TIME FRACTURE HAS OCCURRED! HEAD TO THE EVACUATION CENTER BEFORE A TIME CRACK FORMS! I REPEAT, HEAD TO-" The mechanical voice was drowned out by the frantic footsteps of citizens rushing toward the evacuation center. Eridan, however, moved leisurely against the crowd, heading toward an unassuming, humble building. As he pushed open the door, a small bell chimed.

"We're closing. Come back later," a voice called from the back. "It's me, old man," Eridan replied, making his way to the front table. Footsteps echoed, and an elderly man stepped out, a beer can in hand. Eridan raised a brow, amused. 'How can he be drinking at a time like this?' "What are you doing here, brat? Shouldn't you be evacuating?" Hans asked, ignoring Eridan's unimpressed stare. "Look at me, " Eridan said dryly, gesturing at himself. "Ragged clothes, sunken cheeks, dark circles under my eyes... With an appearance like this, they probably think I'll start a pandemic. You think they'd take me in?" Hans studied him for a moment before shaking his head. 'What am I supposed to do with you..." he mumbled under his breath.

"Alright then," he said, exhaling. "What do you want?" "A bottle of water, not for free, of course, " Eridan said, pulling a few coins from his drenched pockets and placing them on the table. Hans Frowned, eyeing the money suspiciously "Where'd you get that?" "I stole it," Eridan answered, clearing his dry throat. They stared at each other in silence before Hans sighed, grabbed a bottle from the shelf, and tossed it to him. Catching it, Eridan unscrewed the cap and drank hurriedly, as if he hadn't tasted water in days. Hans pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with a small flick of his lighter. Puffing out a breath of smoke, he asked, "Now tell me the real reason you come here."

Eridan exhaled, sat the empty bottle down, and met Hans's gaze with a somber expression. "I'm going to challenge a fracture." Hans stared at him in silence. Then, Hans let out a strangled sound, clutching his stomach. "Ha... Ha... Hahaa! Hahaha! Hahaaaaa! " His laughter filled the small shop. Eridan's eye twitched, "What the hell are you laughing at?! Shut up!" Hans wiped the corner of his eye, shaking his head. "You? Challenging a fracture? Has starvation driven you mad?" He scoffed. "Even guilds train their recruits for years before sending them into a fracture. And even then, many fall. But you? A slum rat? You'll be dead in seconds. And when you die, the fracture will crack, causing even more deaths. Is that what you want?" "Whether I stay in the slums or step into a Fracture, I'll die either way," Eridan muttered. Hans sighed, "So you'd rather die trying?" Eridan nodded.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

"Even if you want to challenge a fracture , you can't," Hans continued, exhaling another puff of smoke. "They're heavily guarded. Only Reversers are allowed in." "I have my ways. Just tell me what you know about them." Hans sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "Alright, listen carefully. Time fractures are classified into seven categories based on their strength. The only one you might survive is a Category One nascent fracture. It's the only type that allows an unawakened person to become a Reverser, someone who seals these Fractures. If you attempt anything stronger... Well, you'll either die, or your soul will be shredded into nothingness. Not a great way to go, if you ask me. The moment you enter a fracture, you'll be assigned a specialty.It could be body, soul, wisdom, power, or even divinity. That depends entirely on you. If-and that's a big if you succeed in closing the fracture, you'll gain your talent and tada!, you officially become a Reverser" Hans took a final drag of his cigarette before stomping it out. "That's all I've got for you."

"Thanks," Eridan said, standing up and heading for the door. As he stepped outside, his reflection stared back at him from a puddle, his dark hair still damp due to the rain. "Oi, brat!" Hans called after him. "If you survive, don't forget my favor."Eridan scoffed. 'How shameless' Ignoring the blaring sirens, he walked toward the fracture. 

***

A Nascent Fracture black rift hovered ominously in the air, exuding a dreadful aura, Space itself crackled and sizzled as it slowly devoured Its surroundings. Armed soldiers stood guard, preventing anyone from approaching. Owen, one of the stationed soldiers, stifled a yawn. He lazily counted the clouds overhead to pass the time until an unfamiliar presence caught his attention. Frowning, he lowered his gaze. A pale, ragged boy stood before him, his sunken cheeks and hollow eyes giving him a ghostly appearance.

"Kid, you shouldn't be here. Go away," Owen said sternly. Eridan tilted his head "How does it feel to be cannon fodder?" Owen blinked. "You think you're here to guard the Fracture?", Eridan continued, his voice light, almost amused. "In reality, you're just a sacrificial pawn. If the fracture cracks, you're the first to die just to reduce civilian casualties. And if you refuse to do your job, they'll just force your family to replace you. Either way, they die too, don't they?" Owen's face darkened. In a flash, he grabbed Eridan by the throat and lifted him off the ground.Eridan's vision blurred as his air supply was cut off, yet through the pain, he smiled wickedly. Tears began to pool in his eyes. Realizing something was off, Owen hesitated. Eridan suddenly thrashed, screaming in terror "A-AHHI M-MONSTERII HELP-H-HELP ME"he shrieked hoarsely. The other soldiers spun around, guns raised. "Drop that child, monster," one of them barked, Owen's eyes widened, "Albert, w-what are you talking about? It's Me, Owen! This kid is lying" Eridan cobbed, crawling away. "NOI I SAW HIM!! THE MONSTER POSSESSED HIM AND HE TRIED TO KILL ME!!" The soldiers stiffened, their fingers tightening on their triggers. "You know the saying, kids don't lie," Albert said coldly. "On your knees, Owen. We'll check the security footage to confirm." Owen opened his mouth to protest but then he saw it. The boy was gone. "Shit! The kid's running toward the fracture" a soldier shouted. "F*ck!! Told you he was lying!" Owen snapped. "SHOOT HIM DON'T LET HIM REACH THE FRACTURE!" Albert roared. Gunfire rang out. Eridan fell as bullets tore Into his legs. Clenching his teeth, he crawled forward, blood smearing beneath his fingertips. "Now! KILL HIM!" Just as the final shot was fired, Eridan's fingers brushed the fracture and darkness swallowed him whole.