The crimson light dimmed behind us as we crossed the boundary of the Rift.
One step—and we were back under the blazing heat of Davao's coastal sun. The roar of the wind across the cliffs was nothing compared to the system notification that echoed just moments before.
[World Announcement: The Fifth Floor Boss — The Lich of the Fifth Vein — has been Defeated.]
[Challenger Noel Bora registered as First-Time Clearer.]
[Synchronized Challenger: ???]
Noel stared at the message, stunned. His name—his name—flashed across the world feed in gold.
He barely had time to react before the real-world chaos hit us.
A wall of reporters and media personnel surged past the checkpoint barriers. Drones hovered like insects, cameras flashing. Microphones were shoved toward our faces as a crowd formed within seconds, hungry for answers.
"Was it you who cleared it!?"
"Are you the new rising star of Davao!?"
"Are you Vassaled under the Rift Reaper?! Is this a new Guild alliance!?"
