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Chapter 7 - Into The Rift 2

Morning mist curled around the towering spires of the ACI, mana lanterns flickering as the dawn sun bled across the sky.

Students gathered in the massive training plaza, the air tense, eyes darting toward the obsidian gates that led to the Rift Chambers. This was the day they would be tested not by numbers, but by battle.

Muzan stood alone at the edge, black coat swaying in the breeze, silver irises calm and cold as he watched students huddle together, forming groups out of fear, ambition, and desperation.

> [Mission: Survive the Combat Assessment Trial]

[Optional Objective: Rank First]

His fingers brushed the Onyx Edge's hilt, the katana humming softly with restrained flame.

---

A ripple passed through the plaza as Instructor Lei appeared, flanked by other robed instructors.

"Today," she began, "you will enter an F-Rank Rift within the ACI grounds. Inside, you will find E to F-Rank beasts, environmental hazards, and mana storms. Your task is to survive, subdue, or kill as many beasts as you can, and collect the cores as proof."

She raised a finger, her eyes cold.

"Those who fail will be expelled."

---

Mana screens flickered to life in the air, displaying names.

> [Group 13: Renka Muzan, Alice White, Kai Tenrou, Mira Gale]

Muzan's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Alice…"

---

A soft voice broke his thoughts. "Muzan."

He turned, silver eyes meeting clear blue ones. Alice stood there in the ACI novice uniform, white hair tied back, determination replacing the gentle hesitation she once wore.

"I didn't plan this," she said quickly, clutching her staff. "They assigned it."

Muzan looked at her silently before turning away. "Don't slow me down."

She flinched, then nodded, clutching her staff tighter.

---

Two others approached:

A tall boy with messy grey hair, carrying a black spear across his back, eyes cold and dismissive.

"Kai Tenrou," he said without looking directly at Muzan. "I don't care who you are, just don't get in my way."

Next to him, a slim girl with short blue hair and sharp green eyes adjusted the daggers at her waist.

"Mira Gale," she said, flashing a grin. "I'm here to collect points, not to babysit."

Muzan's gaze swept over them, unbothered.

"Do what you want. Just don't die."

---

Moments later, the gates to the Rift Chambers opened, swirling with blue mist and distorted air.

Instructor Lei's voice echoed:

"Enter."

---

Stepping into the rift felt like being submerged in icy water.

The world bent, colors bleeding before snapping into harsh clarity.

They stood in a dense forest of twisted black trees, mist coiling around the roots like living things, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and blood.

> [F-Rank Rift: Shadowed Grove]

[Objective: Survive, Slay Beasts, Collect Cores]

A distant howl echoed, followed by the rustle of leaves.

Kai readied his spear, Mira flipped her daggers, and Alice held her staff close, eyes scanning the darkness.

Muzan's aura flickered, cold and heavy, pressing down on the group.

He drew the Onyx Edge, the black blade humming faintly.

"Stay close if you want to live."

---

They moved.

Through the mist, shadows darted, red eyes blinking in the gloom.

Then they struck.

A pack of Shadowfang Wolves, their fur like liquid darkness, jaws snapping with eerie silence, lunged from the underbrush.

Mira darted forward, her daggers flashing as she cut down the first wolf, blood spraying across the black leaves.

Kai roared, his spear whirling in a wide arc, skewering two wolves before kicking them aside.

Alice chanted softly, blue light gathering around her staff before she slammed it into the ground, ice spikes erupting from the soil, impaling three more.

---

Muzan didn't move at first, watching, studying.

A massive wolf, larger than the rest, its fangs dripping black mist, lunged for Alice.

Muzan blurred.

Lightning Step activated, his body flickering as he appeared before the wolf, his katana cleaving through it in a single, silent motion.

Blood splattered across the mist, the wolf collapsing in two halves.

Alice looked up at him, breathless, eyes wide.

Muzan's silver eyes were cold.

"Focus."

---

The battle continued as they advanced.

Muzan moved like a phantom, his blade cutting down beasts with precision, each strike efficient, conserving energy while maximizing kill count.

Kai gritted his teeth as he tried to keep up, sweat pouring down his face. Mira's grin faded as she realized the gap between them and Muzan.

Alice supported from the rear, casting Ice Lance and Barrier Veil spells, her mana control surprisingly refined.

---

Hours passed.

They gathered cores, blood soaking the earth beneath their feet, the air filled with the scent of ozone from Muzan's Lightning Step clashes.

Finally, they reached a clearing, where a mana well bubbled, surrounded by cracked stones.

> [System Alert: Mini-Boss Detected]

A low growl rumbled as a Shadowfang Alpha stepped forward, its fur rippling with black mana, eyes glowing violet.

Kai stepped forward, raising his spear.

"Let me handle—"

Muzan's aura flared, cutting him off.

Everyone staggered as the oppressive cold of Muzan's killing intent washed over them, the trees creaking under the weight.

He stepped forward, katana lowering into a ready stance.

"I'll handle it."

---

The Alpha lunged, a blur of shadow and fangs.

Muzan vanished.

A single slash, black flames igniting along the blade.

The Alpha's head fell, its body crumpling as the flames devoured it silently.

---

> [Core Acquired: Shadowfang Alpha]

[+300 Sovereign Points]

Muzan sheathed his katana, the clearing falling into silence, the mist beginning to recede.

Alice fell to her knees, exhausted, while Kai stared at Muzan with clenched fists.

Mira simply shook her head, a slow grin spreading.

"You're a monster, Renka Muzan."

Muzan's cold gaze turned toward her, unfazed.

"I know."

---

As the rift began to collapse, pulling them back to the ACI, the system chimed softly:

> [Mission Complete: Survive the Combat Assessment Trial]

[Optional Objective Completed: Ranked First]

[Reward: +3000 Sovereign Points, Intermediate Tier Shop Unlocked]

Muzan's silver eyes glowed faintly as the world dissolved around him.

The path of his ascension was only just beginning.

---

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