Chapter 48: Solo Rift

One week.

That was how long it took for Emeric to feel like himself again.

The poison was gone. His strength had returned. His body no longer ached when he moved. He could breathe without pain. He could train without collapsing.

He spent the week recovering while resting and planning his next move..

Isolde watched him. She always watched him now like he would spontaneously combust or something. There was something in her eyes that felt akin to fear. Or maybe, just maybe he was overthinking it.

He knew that she was worried he would put himself in danger again. She didn’t need to say it, he knew.

And maybe she was right because he had to get stronger to protect her. That came with risks.

He also knew he couldn’t stay idle.

The gold from the Hunt hadn’t been delivered yet. Bureaucracy moved slowly. The Royal Court had sent a letter, informing him that his winnings would be transferred within the month. He had enough silver to get by. But not enough for what they needed.

The wyvern’s heart was safely tucked into his inventory and he would need the other components to make a cure.

Tatia’s care also cost money.

He was getting restless.

So on the eighth day, he went to the Vessel Guild.

Tatia had come to as early as usual to take care of Isolde so he wasn’t worried about leaving her alone.

She had been so kind, working without payment. But that would change soon.

---

The Guild was a massive building in the Vessel Registration Bureau’s headquarters. Stone walls. Iron gates. Banners bearing the Guild’s emblem, a crossed sword and staff over a rift symbol hung from the entrance.

Inside, it was chaos.

Vessels of all ranks crowded the hall. Some were fresh, nervous, eager, clutching their licenses like talismans. Others were veterans with scarred looks, moving with the confidence of people who had survived things others hadn’t.

Bulletin boards lined the walls, covered in notices. Party recruitment. Rift schedules. Equipment sales. Bounties. Everything a Vessel could need.

Emeric pushed through the crowd.

He found an empty spot on one of the boards and pinned his notice.

"E-rank Vessel seeking party for E and F rank rifts. Will split earnings evenly. Contact Emeric Halden."

He stepped back and looked at it.

It was a gamble. A long shot even, but it was something.

He turned to check the recruitment listings.

That was when he heard the laughter.

A party stood nearby, five of them.

They were a C-rank by the look of their gear. Clean armor. Polished weapons. Smug expressions.

The leader was tall with close-cropped hair, cold eyes. He stood with his arms crossed, watching the hall like he owned it.

The others flanked him, one of them—younger was laughing at something on the board.

"Ah, this could be trouble."

"Look at this," he said. "An E-rank. Posting for a party."

The others snickered.

"Don’t waste your time," the leader said. "No one wants a liability."

Emeric ignored them. He kept reading the board.

The younger one stepped closer. "Hey. I’m talking to you."

Emeric didn’t look up. "I heard you."

"Then answer."

"There’s nothing to answer."

The younger one’s face flushed. He stepped forward. His fist was clenched.

"You think you’re better than us?"

He swung and Emeric sidestepped him easily.

The punch sailed past his ear, causing the momentum to throw him off. He stumbled, almost falling flat on his face.

The Guild hall erupted in laughter.

Other Vessels and bystanders, even the younger one’s own team smirked.

The younger one’s face went red. He turned on Emeric.

"You—"

The leader put a hand on his shoulder.

"Enough." His voice was cold. "He’s not worth it."

The younger one glared but he stepped back.

The leader looked at Emeric. His eyes conveyed a sense of hostility but they didn’t linger.

"Watch your back, E-rank." He said as they walked away.

Emeric watched them go.

Then he turned back to the board.

He found it at the bottom of the listings.

A rift that was solo permitted.

[RIFT — RANK E: SLIME CAVERNS]

[STATUS: OPEN — SOLO PERMITTED]

[ESTIMATED DURATION: 3-4 HOURS]

[RECOMMENDED TIER: 9th — 8th]

[REWARD: Core Drops, Guild Credits, Possible Artifact]

He briefly read the details before reaching up to snap the paper.

He ripped the paper off the board, folded it and put it in his pocket.

Then he left.

He didn’t go home immediately.

He found a quiet alley near the Guild. Leaned against the wall, closed his eyes and reached for the system.

---

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

[SYSTEM SHOP — ACCESS]

[CURRENT DP: 619]

---

He had gained a lot of devotion points in the last week being in her company.

He browsed.

He needed equipment. The sword he had was basic. He needed something better.

He found two items.

SHADOWFANG DAGGERS

COST: 30 DP

DESCRIPTION: Dark steel daggers. Light. Fast. Enhance speed +7%. They feel like an extension of your hands.

CLOAK OF THE UNSEEN

COST: 25 DP

DESCRIPTION: A dark cloak woven with shadow-thread. Boosts agility +10% and muffles movement. Perfect for stealth and one who needs to move quietly.

He bought them both.

[DP: 619 → 564]

The daggers appeared in his hands. He tested their weight. They felt right and balanced quite nicely too.

The cloak settled across his shoulders. It was lighter than it looked. Warmer than it should have been.

He felt faster just wearing it.

He left the alley. Headed for the rift.

He felt it on the way. There was a prickle at the back of his neck.

Like he could feel eyes on him. Someone was watching him?

He glanced over his shoulder but he saw nothing.

He kept walking and the feeling didn’t fade.

He ignored it and kept moving.

---

The rift entrance was a cave mouth in the hills outside the city.

Emeric stood before it. The tear in reality shimmered—pale grey energy swirling at the edges, the interior dark and indistinct. A faint hum emanated from it.

He adjusted his cloak, feeling for his daggers in his hands as he stepped through.

The world twisted. His vision blurred. His stomach lurched.

And then he was inside.

The Slime Caverns were exactly what the name suggested.