It was rare for the air in Astralis to feel this clean.
Not the kind of "clean" filled with the scent of greenery and oxygen—no, this was an industrial city, a concrete labyrinth of high-rises and ceaseless traffic that breathed out exhaust like a living beast.
Still, Serein would rather inhale the fine dust and smoke than the acrid tang of iron that spilled out whenever a gate opened.
Lately, Awakeners had been working to exhaustion. Gates were appearing faster than anyone could close them, and researchers were still scrambling to understand the reason behind Astralis's sudden surge in rifts.
And on her first day back to the old path, Serein had already been dragged into an A-rank gate. She could only wonder what else waited to trip her next.
Whatever it was, the sky could crumble for all she cared, she still needed to eat and sleep to stay alive.
