Ascension Code (System)

The Qiyun Rift Operations Center was a massive building that stood tall on the edge of the city. It was modern, shiny, and full of people who worked to protect the world from the dangers of the Xuan Gates—mysterious cracks in reality that unleashed monsters and chaos.

Inside, the main hall sparkled under bright lights. The floors were spotless, reflecting everything like a mirror. Workers moved around, focused on their jobs, but one person barely got noticed.

Li Feng quietly pushed his mop across the floor. His uniform, a dull gray jumpsuit, was too big for his slim frame. Sweat trickled down his neck as he wiped away dirt that wasn't even there. Cleaning this huge hall was part of his daily routine, and he'd gotten used to being invisible.

Above him, a massive holographic screen lit up. It showed a spinning image of Baichuan Tower, the proud headquarters of the Hunters. Golden text scrolled across the bottom:

"Hunters: Protectors of Qiyun. Defenders of Humanity."

Li Feng stopped mopping and looked up at the display. His lips curved into a bitter smile.

"Protectors? More like celebrities who get all the credit," he muttered.

As if to prove his point, a group of Hunters walked by. Their armor shone like new, covered with glowing runes. They carried powerful weapons that hummed with Rift energy. They laughed and talked loudly, acting as if they owned the place.

The leader of the group noticed Li Feng standing there. He was tall, with a sharp jawline and hair that looked like it had been styled for hours. His armor was polished to perfection, not a single scratch in sight.

"Hey, janitor!" he called out, grinning. "You missed a spot."

Li Feng gripped his mop tightly. He didn't even look up. "I'll take care of it," he said through clenched teeth.

The Hunter chuckled. "You do that." He turned to his group, and they all laughed as they walked away, their voices echoing down the hall.

Li Feng stood there for a moment, staring at the floor. His hands shook slightly.

"Arrogant bastards," he whispered to himself before going back to work.

The hall was quiet now. Most of the staff had gone to other parts of the building, leaving him alone with his thoughts. As he mopped, his mind wandered.

He imagined himself as a Hunter, wearing powerful armor and carrying a glowing weapon. He'd step into the rifts and fight the terrifying monsters inside. People would cheer for him, and he'd finally be someone important.

His daydream was cut short by a loud alarm.

"Warning: Xuan Gate Breach Detected. Rift Emergence Imminent in Zone 14."

The robotic voice echoed through the building, and red lights began flashing on the walls. Li Feng looked up, his heart pounding.

The giant screens switched to a live feed of the breach. On the screen, a swirling black hole floated in the air. Its edges sparked with electric energy, and the space around it warped and twisted unnaturally.

Hunters rushed past him, moving with purpose. Their faces were serious as they headed toward the armory. They looked like real heroes now, ready to fight for the city.

Li Feng stayed where he was, staring at the screens. His chest tightened with a mix of fear and something else—something like jealousy.

"What would it be like," he wondered quietly, "to step into a Xuan Gate? To fight... to matter?"

The ground beneath his feet began to shake. At first, it was just a light tremor, but it quickly grew stronger. The walls rattled, and the ceiling lights flickered.

Li Feng froze, gripping the mop for support. "What's going on?" he said aloud, panic creeping into his voice.

Before he could move, a rift tore open right in front of him.

It appeared out of nowhere, a swirling vortex of dark energy. Its pull was immediate and powerful, dragging everything nearby toward it. Loose objects slid across the floor, vanishing into the rift's center.

Li Feng staggered backward, struggling to stay on his feet. The force was too strong. His mop was ripped from his hands, disappearing into the void.

"No, no, no!" he shouted, desperately clawing at the floor.

The rift grew larger, its energy crackling loudly. The pull lifted him off the ground, and he flailed helplessly in the air.

"Help!" he screamed, but there was no one left to hear him.

The last thing he saw was the bright, polished floor of the Qiyun Rift Operations Center disappearing into the swirling darkness.