Voulton City is just like any other city, with towering buildings that pierce through the clouds.
It has all the facilities one could imagine. Unlike the districts outside the city where River lived, the residential zones and business districts of Voulton can only be described as made for the rich.
The restaurant where River worked—or used to work—was located in the business district, right beside the residential zones. Polished roads, clean sidewalks, and glowing signboards made it look like a different world compared to where he came from.
At the center of the city stood the tallest structures of steel and glass, flickering with mana lights and holographic billboards. Surrounding them were various other districts, each with its own purpose—like the red-light district filled with neon and smoke, the Guild Districts where Hunters go to their Guild buildings, and the park where people who had time and money went to relax.
The grandeur of the city was in stark contrast to the civilization outside of it, such as the dystopian district where River lived—also known as the poor side of Voulton. Cracked buildings, unstable mana lines, and malfunctioning lights were normal there. They even built a bridge just to highlight the division between the two sides, a move that exposed the true nature of those sitting in high places.
Further north of Voulton City, River stood before one of the Hunter facilities, also known as the Awakening Center. The building was quiet, but there was something heavy in the air—like the tension before stepping into a dungeon.
As he dismounted from his bike, River glanced up at the massive structure, a flicker of nostalgia in his eyes.
This was the place where he awakened as a Hunter—and also where he was first mocked for awakening the Bubble Skill. The painful memories came flooding back, but to the current River, they were just a fart not worth mentioning.
After deciding he wouldn't be pushed around or bullied anymore, River made another decision: to become stronger. Stronger than he ever was in the original timeline.
If he wanted to save this world from those beings he couldn't even see, River couldn't stay the same Level 50 Bubble Mage. He had to go beyond that—especially now that the Chosen One would never exist.
If time travel was real—a theory once laughed at—then ceasing to exist to send someone back in time must also be real. River refused to cling to the faint hope that the Chosen One might still be alive, especially with the high chance that he was never going to be born in the first place.
With all this responsibility, River couldn't afford to be weak. He had to become stronger.
As he pondered this, he wheeled his bike into the parking lot reserved for bicycles. Staring at his lone bike nestled in the rack, he shook his head in mock sadness."You are alone in this world," River whispered—then, with renewed determination in his voice, added, "But I'll make sure you become the best bike there is!"
After declaring those words, he headed toward the entrance of the Awakening Center.
Along the way, he passed a number of vehicles—until one in particular caught his attention.The same damn sports car that tried to hit him on the bridge.
It was idly parked between two reserved spots.
Clearly, the owner didn't want any other vehicle parked near his, shamelessly reserving three spots just for himself.
"So this motherf*cker is here?" River muttered with a frown, frustration evident in his voice. "Arrogant… but extravagant. I hate him."
Hunters acting high and mighty, thinking they own the world—yeah, they were common. River had met plenty of them. The kind of people who always made fun of him, always trying to belittle him—especially his Bubble Skill. They were one of the reasons why, at one point in his life, River had just wanted it all to end.
As he thought about it, anger began to rise in his chest—but only for a moment. His experienced soul worked quickly to calm his raging heart.
They're not worth it. Not worth mentioning. I should only focus on my goal, River thought, his eyes hardening with resolve as he walked toward the front door of the Awakening Center.
Mulling over these people wouldn't do him any good. But if they stood in his way—if they dared try to stop him from moving forward—then one day, they'd understand why the last-standing Hunters would call him Master.
River Faelan entered the center as the automatic doors slid open. The moment he stepped inside, his gaze was immediately drawn to the black and blue portal standing at the center of the building.
It stood at least five meters tall and two meters wide—oblong in shape, radiating a black and blue aura. Its edges twisted in a slow, clockwise motion, like smoke drifting lazily through the air, seeping downward and licking at the tiled floor like it was claiming territory.
At its core was darkness. A black hole that swallowed all light—and all life.
A hundred years ago, a sight like this would've sent people into a blind panic. But now? People had grown used to it. Desensitized. The portal had become part of the mundane. No longer a source of fear—it was now a tool. A symbol. A chance to grow stronger, to rise above weakness, to stop being on the receiving end.
This portal in the middle of the Awakening Center was just one of five in the city. Though, River suspected that number wouldn't stay the same for long.
Still, this particular Dungeon Portal wasn't going anywhere. Not as long as the Hunter Association wanted it open. This was the Awakening Portal. No sane Hunter would ever try to close it.
And yet, considering how Dungeon Portals could spawn out of nowhere, anytime and anywhere, once the number in the city began to decline… more would come. That was certain. When and where, though? No one could say.
Well… after checking the calendar for the past week and wracking his brain for all the memories he could recall, River remembered a few Dungeon Portals that would appear in the future. And those portals were part of his goals.
I'll conquer them when the time comes. But for now, the important thing is finishing this Awakening—so I can have my Bubbles, River thought as he made his way toward the table at the side, where a few attendants were busy with their work.
As he walked, he looked around, his eyes scanning the room—settling on the different groups scattered throughout the center.
On one side, River could see young men and women wearing the Voulton City Hunter Academy's uniform—a black and white ensemble with simple defensive features built into their suits. They were accompanied by a middle-aged man whose very aura screamed battle, his face unable to hide the weight of experience.
These young men and women brimmed with confidence as they stood in line, waiting for the Dungeon Portal to open. The way they carried themselves was soldier-like—disciplined, precise. Clearly well-trained in manners and protocol, even without their instructor barking orders.
After giving them a glance, River's eyes moved to another group—a six-person team.
These people also wore uniforms, but they looked more like battlesuits that covered their entire bodies. They wore grey suits with a lion insignia printed boldly on their chests. They sat around like they owned the place, a few of them even sleeping on the floor.
Hunter Guilds… Grey Lion Guild? River narrowed his eyes, locking onto the woman who appeared to be in her late twenties. She stood among her team, quietly observing the crowd around her while ignoring her own companions.
Their eyes met, but the woman's gaze lingered for only a second before she dismissed him outright. Not that River cared—it was better that way.
He continued surveying the area, carefully sizing up the people around him. Most had come in groups—the smallest being two-person teams. No one came alone.
Well, except him.
Most were affiliated with Hunter Guilds. A few came from other organizations, like the Hunter Academy or private institutions.
Looks like I picked a day when the ceremony's a bit more crowded than usual, River thought, his gaze sweeping the area, as if searching for someone. "But where is he?" he whispered—then stopped in his tracks as his eyes landed on someone standing in a corner, surrounded by women.
There you are, Golden Boy, River narrowed his eyes, observing the man closely.
The young man caught River's stare and responded with a smirk—mockery shining in his eyes.
So he recognized me… d*mn, I hate that smirk, River sighed inwardly.
"Hello, are you here for the Awakening?" one of the attendants behind the counter asked, noticing the new arrival.
"Yes. I've already paid. I just need my badge number," River replied as he was snapped back awake while handing over his phone with a screenshot of the payment.
The attendant took the device, confirming the reference number and matching the picture with the person in front of her. Once verified, she handed the phone back along with a small plastic badge.
"You'll be the 29th person to enter the Portal," she said.
"Alright. Thanks," River nodded, then went to find a chair to sit in.
The attendant watched his back as he walked away, a lone figure with only a bag full of essentials.
She opened her mouth to speak—but didn't. She wanted to say something, but held her tongue. If someone came with the intention to die, then so be it. She'd seen too many like him already.
Going into an Awakening Ceremony alone, unaffiliated with any Guild or Organization, was basically suicide. There'd be no guidance, no one to watch their back. They'd wander alone inside the Portal—and only death would be waiting for them.