Chapter 24: Inside The Rift I
After the incident within the Miasma Zone, Andre and Noir scavenged the area around the jagged skyscraper as they waited for the rescue team to arrive.
"When will they arrive?"
Andre pondered as he rummaged through the ruins.
"It's only been 15 minutes since you called them... they will arrive in 30 minutes."
"I know, but... can't they arrive early?"
Noir peeked at Andre. That guy's spirit had been crushed since he lost his friends.
30 minutes later, the rescue team arrived along with the survey team.
The survey team's arrival was to be expected since it was their job to investigate and clear the remains of the Miasma Zone.
If they were lucky, they could find valuable items, whether it was antique goods that had become a Curio or stayed as it was. Either way, those would sell at a hefty price.
In the case someone unrelated to the League (in other words, not an official member) found the goods, they would try to buy them from that person at a high price. Of course, they could reject their offer and become the antic's owner.
'Well, that occurs when the one who found the goods is a newbie.'
As soon as the two groups settled a camp in the area, they started working.
At first, both teams worked together to search for the truck's remnant and the crew's corpses. After finding them, they would go a separate way.
Meanwhile, Noir and Andre were asked to give testimony. One of the investigators asked them how they found the source and cleared them.
Noir had no reason to lie, even more so when the person who experienced the life-and-death situation was still alive, standing beside him. So, they told the investigator the truth of what happened.
After they were done, Andre and Noir parted ways.
Andre joined the rescue team to return to the city. He had to make sure his friend's corpses were delivered safely to their family.
On the other hand, Noir continued his trip to his destination with the help of one of the survey's team drivers.
'Huft... back then, who was it? The one who purified the source?'
An hour later...
Noir arrived at the post where Resonants could stay and rest before entering the rift or after leaving it.
Besides the resting place, there were also traveling merchants. Although their goods weren't as good as the city's fresh products, they could be useful for emergencies.
Not all merchant's products were inferior. Sometimes, a merchant who sold unique items would settle in the post.
'Well. Not in this rift's post, though.'
Because those merchants usually came to a famous and crowded rift, not this beginner-zone rift.
After verifying his license, Noir walked through the main road leading directly toward the rift. He didn't have the luxury of time to look around.
Noir glanced left and right briefly as he walked, noticing this place was filled with people. Upon closer inspection, he noticed they were the academy's students.
'Oh, right. It's the time when the second-year students will enter the rift for the first time. If it's Virgos...' Noir thought, recalling the ruby-eyed senior. 'I wonder where she is?'
Just as he thought about the senior he had bumped into, the rift's guard stopped him.
"Please wait for your turn."
Noir waited as a group of students led by an instructor entered the rift.
'Oh? There she is.'
Coincidentally, the senior Noir was searching for was among that group. The ruby-eyed that captivated him stared at the supernatural presence before her.
"..."
When the students finally entered, the guard allowed Noir to pass.
But he turned around and approached a merchant instead.
"Do you have a blank map? And a pencil?"
The merchant smiled.
"Of course, I have. But why do you want a blank map? I have a lot of good-quality maps right here if you want."
"No thanks. Just give me a blank map."
The merchant didn't try to persuade Noir.
As the merchant looked for the item in his bag, Noir observed him.
'No wonder he settles in the beginner-zone rift. His persuasion skill sucks... he's too honest to be a merchant in this world.'
"Is it a trend to buy a blank map instead of a filled map in the beginner zone?"
Hearing the merchant's questioning, Noir raised an eyebrow.
"Pardon?"
"That red-eyed girl who recently entered the rift, she's also buying a blank map. Oh, by the way, is there anything else you want to buy? If not, it would be 1000 LC."
'She did?'
Transferring the money through the FT Phone, Noir received the blank map.
"I'm not sure. I just happen to possess the ability to create a detailed map using a blank map as a medium."
Surprised, the merchant gasped.
"Really? I mean, why are you telling me that? Isn't that a sensitive matter for Resonants?"
Turning around, Noir chuckled and waved his hand.
"I don't mean it as my Resonance, anyway."
Returning to the gate in front of the rift, Noir had to wait for his turn again as the next group of students were preparing to enter.
Not having many choices, he pulled the blank map and leaned on the fence, drawing a map from his memory.
Before deciding to set this rift as his destination after successfully sneaking out of the city, Noir had memorized the top-quality rift maps from the top secret. All of them.
Why did the Resonants still use a paper map when the technology was more advanced?
'Since there is a mysterious energy that can disrupt some devices from working, a map becomes necessary when you're exploring the rift.'
Noir chuckled as he thought about the mysterious energy.
'Even discrimination is occurring to a dead object.'
By the time Noir completed the map, the group of students had already entered.
'Finally, it's my turn...'
Putting the map inside his clothes, Noir entered the rift.
'According to the file I read, this rift is similar to that of a wonderland...'
Grinning, Noir continued:
'I hope there are candies inside...'
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone