Soran looked at him with disdain.

  “Do you really think I would give these items to my precious granddaughter without taking precautions?”

  Omar was unable to respond for a moment. Garuda was hardly different from a living Mecha—it was something that fought entirely on instinct. Soran had not designed its cockpit like a conventional one; instead, it was worn like a suit, allowing the user to move as if it were their own body. PLD-01, on the other hand, was a complete enigma—an unfinished product. It had been constructed from the skeleton and scales of a platinum dragon, but before it could be tested, an SS-rank rift rupture occurred near the facility, and the entire area was completely isolated.

  “What about PLD-01? Even you couldn’t get past the monsters around it!”

  Soran chuckled.

  “I’ve thought of everything—don’t worry. Garuda for large monsters, PLD-01 for smaller ones. Once Elenor awakens and receives these two, no one will be able to kill her! These three devices are among my greatest masterpieces. I trust my granddaughter—after all, she’s even smarter than I am… Anyway, let’s close this topic for now.”

  Omar asked curiously,

  “Soran… what are you planning to do with Elenor? What if she doesn’t want to awaken? And even if she does, what if she wants to walk her own path? What then? Will all these preparations be for nothing?”

  Soran froze for a moment. After thinking for a while, he sighed.

  “Don’t worry, I have something in mind… Anyway, I need to make some adjustments. Keep driving.”

  Omar sighed and turned on the music, while Soran opened holographic screens and focused on his research.

  Just outside the city of Lotus stood a solitary structure surrounded by high walls, covering an area the size of five football fields. Soldiers wearing various types of armor stood guard atop and within the walls. Outside the structure, three newly built Mechas were undergoing testing. The facility was heavily guarded, as it was Soren’s personal laboratory.

  Inside the laboratory, in various rooms, scientists whom Soren trusted most—some of whom he considered his students—were conducting research. There were multiple research centers inside the facility, each personally overseen by Soren. Some rooms focused on weapons, Mechas, armor, armored vehicles, artillery, and similar projects, while others specialized in biology, alchemy, chemistry, physics, medicine, and agriculture. The laboratory functioned as both a research center and a living space.

  There were numerous facilities where researchers could relax and spend their time—massage parlors, hot springs, cafés and restaurants staffed by top-tier chefs, gaming halls, gyms, training grounds, walking parks, and more. Additionally, there was a residential complex for their families, complete with a school for children and employment opportunities for adults. The Turanya and Azera Empires valued their researchers immensely, which was why they built comfortable research centers for them and spared no expense when it came to budgeting.

  Beneath the laboratory lay an additional research complex spanning four underground levels, with the third and fourth floors belonging entirely to Soren. At this moment, Soran was working alone in his most secure room on the fourth floor. He was preparing the device he intended to give to Elenor, carefully checking the panels outside a high-tech glass dome with extreme precision. He was alone—this project was being developed in absolute secrecy. If this technology fell into the wrong hands, it would be catastrophic, and there was a specific reason Soran insisted on working alone.

  Inside the dome, the device floated in a special liquid. It was an elegant, minimalistic yet extremely advanced smartwatch with a silver-colored, circular 50 mm casing, crafted from various metallic alloys, and a strap adorned with runic engravings. However, it was currently disassembled. It contained nano-technological circuits, sensors embedded beneath the casing, along the edges, and even within the metallic, clasp-like strap. The most striking sight was the vein-thick cables extending from the interior, drifting within the liquid. Every component of the watch bore magical symbols and runic inscriptions.

  The runic inscriptions were tied to Soren’s awakened ability. His power was that of an ancient sage mage, granting him a mental library of knowledge in runes, alchemy, and magic. Rune knowledge was an invaluable discipline for enhancing equipment, and its greatest advantage was that it could be taught. Soran had poured every fragment of knowledge in his mind into perfecting this device. After long months—indeed, years—of work, the device was nearly complete. He was now applying the final touches.

  After a few minutes, he muttered to himself,

  “This is the final point.”

  Robotic arms inserted a chip into the watch’s core. The chip glowed blue, sending a wave of light coursing through every part of the device. As the process completed, Soran let out a relieved breath and tapped a few commands to finalize it. The scattered components of the smartwatch gathered together, retracting the micro-cables into compact compartments within the strap, then absorbing all the liquid within the capsule. Once the process ended, the capsule opened. Soran stepped forward, retrieved the device, and placed it into a sleek black, high-tech case resting on the table.

  He walked calmly to the main console and inserted the case into a designated slot. As the case slid in, the compartment shrank to secure it, and several indicator lights illuminated. When Soran activated the panel in front of him, the following text appeared:

  [Lifelink Yoked Reprogramming Activator = L.Y.R.A.]

  Soran carefully entered several lines of code. The text changed, and a loading screen appeared.

  [System initialization starting… 3%]

  Soran exhaled in relief. Years of work had progressed without issue. The system installation would take some time—the system’s size was immense—but even this speed was fortunate. While the process continued, Soran quickly adjusted several settings.

  “Alright, now let’s handle authorization.”

  His fingers moved rapidly.

  [Administrator: Soran Altarez]

  [Administrator transfer in progress…]

  [New administrator: Elenor Altarez.]

  [Do you accept this action? Yes / No.]

  Without hesitation, Soran made his choice.

  [You selected YES… Authorization confirmed.]

  [Administrator privileges transferred. Primary key designated as L.Y.R.A.]

  Soran let out a relieved breath. Next, he would need to copy the knowledge within his own mind into LYRA, but first he would wait for the system installation to complete. Stretching, he leaned back into his chair to rest. Smiling contentedly, he tapped the touch panel on the armrest to order a cup of coffee. A few seconds later, a drone flew in and delivered a steaming cup. Soran took it with satisfaction and began drinking, softly humming a melody Elenor loved.

  “With this, all my laboratories on the continent, my shelters, even all my artifacts will be under Elenor’s command… Of course, she’ll have full authority after me.”

  He sipped his coffee peacefully as the loading bar continued to advance on the screen.

  [System installation: In progress Status: 7% Estimated completion time: 6 hours 36 minutes]

  Soran sighed. The system was enormous—even this speed was remarkable. As the process continued, exhausted from days without sleep, he decided to take a nap. After finishing his coffee, he tapped the panel on his chair, which slowly transformed into a comfortable bed. After setting an alarm, Soran yawned, lay back, and gradually drifted into sleep.

  After three hours of peaceful rest, Soran awoke to the alarm. He stared blankly at the ceiling for a few seconds before restoring the chair to its original form and stretching his arms.

  “Ahhh… seems that wasn’t enough sleep.”

  After rubbing his eyes, he checked the screen. Seeing the installation proceeding smoothly, he nodded, yawned, and reached for the device he had prepared for transferring his mental knowledge. He placed it on his head, then began inputting commands on the touch panel before him. Crossing his arms, he leaned back, calming his mind while simultaneously solving calculations and problems in his head. Time passed quickly, and after three and a half hours, the system installation was complete.

  [L.Y.R.A. system active. Please attach to your wrist for integration.]

  Upon seeing the notification, Soran swiftly checked all systems and confirmed everything was functioning correctly. He exhaled in relief, entered several more codes, and transferred the copied portion of his memory into the watch, then redirected the live data stream directly into it.

  [Transfer progress: 64%]

  Soran began waiting patiently, pondering what to have for dinner.

  “Maybe I should go eat some meat with Omar… I certainly wouldn’t say no to a nice rack of lamb.”

  Just as he was indulging in pleasant thoughts, the screens suddenly turned red and an alarm siren blared. In huge letters, the following warning filled the displays:

  [WARNING: RIFT FRACTURE DETECTED.]

  Soran froze in shock and immediately tapped the screen, but at the same time countless messages began to pour in.

  [WARNING: RIFT FRACTURE DETECTED.]

  [WARNING: RIFT FRACTURE DETECTED.]

  [WARNING: RIFT FRACTURE DETECTED.]

  ...

  [WARNING: RIFT FRACTURE DETECTED.]

  [WARNING: RIFT FRACTURE DETECTED.]

  Seeing hundreds of notifications arriving simultaneously, Soran sprang to his feet, his eyes wide open in sheer disbelief.

  “WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!”

  His fingers flew across the interface as he desperately tried to assess the situation.

  [Region: Sector B6 — Multiple rift fractures detected!

  Rift Grades: E, D, D+, B, B+

  Time until rupture: 1 hour 37 minutes]

  [Region: Sector T7 — Multiple rift fractures detected!

  Rift Grades: D, C, B+, A, A+

  Time until rupture: 3 hours 20 minutes]

  ...

  [Priority Alert! Multiple fractures detected in Star City!

  Rift Grades: E, E+, C, C+, D, D+, S

  Time until rupture: 1 hour 40 minutes]

  [Priority Alert! Multiple fractures detected in Crescent City!

  Rift Grades: B, A, A+, S

  Time until rupture: 2 hours 33 minutes]

  With every new notification, Soran’s shock deepened. He had calculated the possibility of multiple fractures before… but never this many at the same time. Worse still, the alerts showed no sign of stopping—they had already surpassed the thousands.

  As he evaluated the data, a grim realization struck him.

  ‘Not just Turanya… this is happening in Azera as well—and in the surrounding kingdoms.’

  Soran opened a planetary map and used satellite signals to measure rift energy traces across Nevarion.

  ‘NO… IT’S HAPPENING ACROSS THE ENTIRE PLANET!’

  For the first time since the tragedy, Soran completely lost his composure and shouted at the screen.

  “CONTACT THE ENTIRE ALLIANCE COUNCIL IMMEDIATELY! EMERGENCY CODE ALERT—DO NOT ALLOW ANY BLOCKS OR REJECTIONS!”

  The system responded to the voice command, and dozens of faces appeared on the massive screen. Some were sitting at home, some sipping tea, others in the middle of training. Several high-ranking officials looked tense, having just received reports from warning centers. The two emperors and their heirs appeared at the center of the screen.

  The Emperors of Turanya and Azera frowned gravely. The others followed suit—Soran’s panic alone was enough to convince them that this was far more serious than a standard emergency alert.

  The Emperor of Turanya spoke calmly, yet with unmistakable authority.

  “What happened, Soran?”

  Soran explained urgently, his fingers moving like a storm.

  “EMERGENCY SITUATION! PLANET-WIDE DIMENSIONAL ANOMALIES HAVE BEEN DETECTED! CURRENT DATA SHOWS OVER EIGHT THOUSAND RIFT FRACTURES OF ALL GRADES! MY LORD, THE NUMBERS ARE STILL RISING!”

  Every person on the screen—man or woman—immediately stopped what they were doing and stood up, issuing commands to those around them as they moved toward their assigned posts, never taking their eyes off the screen.

  Fully aware of the gravity of the situation, the Emperor of Azera spoke carefully.

  “Are you certain, Soran?”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  At that exact moment, communication devices across the screen began to ring. Panicked aides rushed into several rooms to deliver urgent updates. Despite the chaos, the two emperors remained calm and began issuing rapid orders. The attendants acknowledged them with sharp nods and hurried off.

  Left alone in his chamber, the Emperor of Azera began donning his battle armor as he spoke.

  “How much time do we have?”

  Soran replied immediately.

  “I’m sending everyone the time limits for their respective regions.”

  As the Emperor of Azera reviewed the incoming data, he muttered a quiet curse before barking out commands.

  “Mobilize the entire military! Evacuate all non-combat civilians to shelters immediately and activate military doctrine! We need every single person capable of fighting! Female militias will coordinate evacuations with elite units! Deploy all mechs, troops, warships—everything we have! I don’t want a single weapon left idle in the hangars!”

  The military leaders saluted in unison and answered loudly as they rushed toward their posts.

  “AS YOU COMMAND!”

  The Emperor of Turanya continued.

  “Notify all Awakened and deploy them to the most critical zones! Ensure they receive full support! I authorize the use of all weapons—banned or experimental—excluding nuclear and biological arms! Secure supply routes, maintenance points, and hospitals! Underground city protocol is now active! Evacuate all civilians underground! Remember—your top priority is protecting civilians!”

  Both empires had long prepared for such contingencies due to constant rifts and territories lost to monsters. Underground shelters and entire subterranean cities had been constructed, their defenses specifically designed to withstand monstrous threats. Cities, military fortresses, and bases were protected by cutting-edge barrier technologies designed by Soran himself—strong enough to repel monsters. Yet rifts remained an unsolved enigma. The only known method was to eliminate every creature inside and wait for them to close.

  The Alliance General Yavuz, a hardened man in his late forties with scars marking countless battles, spoke firmly.

  “My lords, we must focus on urban areas and activate the shield generators. At the very least, we can prevent surrounding monsters from entering. If we can hold the cities, we’ll have a chance to counterattack. We cannot retreat entirely underground.”

  The Emperor of Azera nodded in agreement.

  “General Yavuz is right. We must especially protect agricultural regions. If this is happening across all of Nevarion, humanity is facing a fight for survival.”

  After the Emperor of Turanya nodded, he spoke solemnly.

  “May our campaign be blessed, and may our martyrdom be glorious.”

  Everyone on the screen repeated the words in unison.

  “May our campaign be blessed, and may our martyrdom be glorious.”

  The Emperor of Turanya looked at the Emperor of Azera.

  “Take care of yourself, brother. Don’t die before me.”

  Wearing his specialized combat armor, the Emperor of Azera chuckled, sealed his helmet, and spoke in a robotic voice.

  “I return the same words to you, brother.”

  He cut the connection and moved to command his forces. Still connected, the Emperor of Turanya turned to his heir.

  “I trust you, my son. Right now, you are the strongest individual across both empires. If anything happens to me, you must take command.”

  The black-haired, brown-eyed Crown Prince replied resolutely.

  “I will not fail your trust. Take care, Father.”

  The connections began to close as everyone rushed to their posts. This was a true crisis, and mass mobilization alone would not solve it—there was no single enemy. Some would fight flying monsters, others ground-based beasts, ghosts, undead, synthetic horrors, or mechanical abominations. The sheer variety was terrifying.

  The Emperor of Turanya addressed Soran one last time.

  “Soran, come to the palace immediately! We must discuss countermeasures!”

  Soran nodded.

  “I’ll be there shortly—I just need to run a quick calculation!”

  After the Emperor cut the connection to lead his forces and protect the populace, Soran’s laboratory fell silent. Only the glow of screens and holograms illuminated the room.

  Soran rapidly analyzed spatial and dimensional data. The deeper he went, the tighter his chest became. The results appeared on the screen.

  [Analysis Result: Mass fractures will persist for more than 20 years.]

  Soran’s body trembled violently. He refused to accept it and recalculated.

  [Analysis Result: Mass fractures will persist for more than 20 years.]

  “Again.”

  [Analysis Result: Mass fractures will persist for more than 20 years.]

  “AGAIN.”

  [Analysis Result: Mass fractures will persist for more than 20 years.]

  No matter how many times he ran the calculations, the result never changed. Shaking with fear, Soran staggered back and collapsed into his chair, staring blankly at the screen.

  “Twenty years is the minimum I can calculate… and even then, dimensional energy doesn’t decrease. At best, this will last forty years. Empires will collapse… only a handful of cities might survive—and even that is uncertain.”

  His breath caught, his face pale. He never expected this… and even if he had, he never imagined it would be this bad. He had believed—no, he had been certain—that accelerating development could counter the rifts.

  But time had run out.

  At that moment, LYRA’s progress bar completed.

  [Transfer complete. Do you approve the transfer of all knowledge?]

  Soran’s breath stopped.

  “Elenor!”

  He rushed to the screen and entered the coordinates of Elenor’s town and its surroundings. Reviewing the data, he relaxed slightly. Only a single A-rank rift was present; the rest were C-rank or lower.

  Omar’s wife was a retired A-rank marksman-class Awakened and a former commander of Azera’s special forces.

  She could protect Elenor.

  “But this won’t be enough…”

  Soran moved quickly—time was running out. He tapped the watch on his wrist to call Elenor, then turned back to the computer and began making adjustments on LYRA. His fingers moved at a frantic pace.

  [All knowledge and projects are being uploaded…]

  Soran hesitated for a brief moment while adjusting certain parameters. His eyes drifted to the calculations related to the rifts, then to a childhood photo of his granddaughter. He clenched his teeth and refocused on his work.

  “I’m sorry, little one… but I need to be sure you survive. I have to push you.”

  [Monster DNA synthesis module activated.]

  [Training module activated. (Modifiable by authorized personnel only)]

  [NEXT-GENERATION MEKA PROJECT

  Type: Assault / Agility / Speed / Semi-biological

  Code Name: Blood Queen Garuda

  Meka Generation: 4th Generation

  Authorization: Soran Altarez >>> Elenor Altarez

  Link Key: Biological signature >>> L.Y.R.A]

  As Soran worked, a voice came from the call interface.

  [The person you are trying to reach is unavailable…]

  “Call again!”

  Soran continued configuring the next parameters.

  [Military combat armor project…

  Code Name: PLT-01

  Construction Status: 80% (Incomplete)

  Authorization: Soran Altarez >>> Elenor Altarez

  Key: Biological signature >>> L.Y.R.A]

  He kept adding new modules, but not being able to reach his granddaughter was driving him mad. On the third attempt, the call finally connected. Elenor sounded clearly displeased at being woken up.

  “Mhmm… Hello? Grandpa? Do you have any idea what time it is?”

  “Elenor, we don’t have much time. Listen to me carefully!”

  “Is something wrong?”

  “DON’T TALK! Just listen! Take Amanda, Jacob, and Ada immediately and go to my hidden laboratory in the mountains as fast as you can! Take as much food as you can carry—focus on dried goods and canned food! Also take as many seeds as possible for planting! There’s a greenhouse in the lab, you’ll be able to sustain yourselves for a long time!”

  “Grandpa, what are you talking about? I don’t understand! Explain it properly!”

  Soran exhaled deeply and began to explain.

  “Listen carefully, little one…”

  He quickly explained the current crisis and its uncertain duration. Elenor listened without interrupting. Finally, she spoke calmly.

  “What about you?”

  “…I need to stay here and find a solution with the Emperor. We’ll most likely head to the Phantom Base. I can’t come to you in time—and I can’t turn my back on the people here. I have to stay and save as many lives as I can. Do you understand?”

  “…Yes. That’s why I’ve always been proud of you…”

  Soran smiled proudly—almost narcissistically.

  “I’ve always been perfect!”

  “…Please stop talking like that! It’s embarrassing!”

  At that moment, alarms began blaring. The underground city protocol had been activated across the empire. Understanding what that meant, Elenor sighed.

  “Grandpa… Amanda and the kids aren’t here. They went to Azera. I’m home alone.”

  Soran froze in shock. He remembered—this week was Amanda’s sister’s birthday. His precious granddaughter was alone.

  Soran grabbed his hair and tugged at it.

  “AAAH! WHY DID THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN NOW?! MY PRECIOUS LITTLE GRANDDAUGHTER IS ALL ALONE!”

  “Hey! I’m not a kid! I can take care of myself! Stop being so dramatic!”

  Soran sighed and continued—this time, his tone was serious.

  “Elenor, in approximately 1 hour and 42 minutes, fractures will begin in your region—but it could be earlier. Don’t waste time. Go to the laboratory and activate the shelter protocol. And don’t take anyone with you. Anyone. There’s information there about some very special projects of mine. The lab isn’t very large, but it’s secure—you can live there for a long time. It generates its own electricity and is connected to underground spring water. There’s also a private armory Omar built for himself there. You can defend yourself now. Go immediately! The lab recognizes Omar’s SUV—take it! You remember where the lab is, right?”

  When Elenor confirmed, Soran smiled and continued.

  “Oh, and I left a special gift there just for you. I was going to give it to you on your birthday. You’ll be very surprised when you see it!”

  Elenor chuckled, then spoke in a cold, dark tone as unpleasant memories surfaced.

  “I hope it’s not something absurd like the previous gifts… Is there anything else?”

  Ignoring the gloom in his granddaughter’s voice, Soran spoke seriously.

  “Yes. I was working on a new device—it’s for you. You’ll learn the details once you use it. I’ll send it to the lab via cargo drone now. Take it and use it once you arrive—but don’t use it until you’re sure the lab is locked down…”

  Soran’s voice trembled for a brief moment, then softened.

  “Don’t forget to brush your teeth. Eat properly. Work hard. And don’t go outside until you’ve grown stronger. Don’t let anyone into the lab. If you’re ever forced to abandon it, destroy all my research—or destroy the lab entirely. Stay away from men! Good luck, my little rabbit… I don’t know when we’ll see each other again.”

  Elenor didn’t speak for a moment. She understood now. She wasn’t a small child anymore—she had matured early after watching her family die before her eyes that night. And now, she was saying goodbye to her last blood relative.

  She took a deep breath and spoke with a slightly trembling voice.

  “You take care of yourself too. Don’t forget to eat and rest while focusing on your work… See you later, Grandpa…”

  [Connection terminated.]

  Soran stared at the screen for a brief moment, then let out a long, deep, sorrowful sigh. Slowly, he turned and picked up the small box containing LYRA, opened it, and looked inside. To an outside observer, the silver device looked like an ordinary smartwatch—but it was one of the most advanced devices in the world, and Soran’s greatest creation.

  Holding the box, Soran walked toward a section of the laboratory. Passing through a door, he entered a vast hangar filled with drones of various sizes.

  Ignoring most of them, Soran walked forward and stopped. In front of him stood a gray drone, one meter tall, equipped with four rocket thrusters and glowing blue neon lines—an advanced machine of cutting-edge design. It was the fastest drone he had ever developed.

  Soran opened the drone, placed the box into its compartment, entered the coordinates, and stepped back. Seconds later, the drone slowly lifted off and exited the hangar. Soran watched it disappear and let out another deep sigh.

  Turning back toward the laboratory, he began calling another person.

  From this day forward, everything would be different…

  …

  At the same hours, far to the east, in the heart of a dense forest rising right beside the Azera border, a luxurious residence stood hidden among the trees. This structure was a futuristic and minimalist architectural masterpiece, blending the wild green of nature with the sharp lines of human ingenuity. The contrast of black and white on its exterior fa?ade, harmonized in flawless geometric order, gave the house the imposing air of a modern fortress.

  This three-story structure was not merely a home, but a meticulously designed living complex. In the expansive garden encircling the outer perimeter of the house, carefully cultivated fruit and vegetable trees stood in neat rows, while between the garden and the main entrance stretched an enchanting resting area. Here, a gently winding path paved with fine stone craftsmanship passed through vibrant flowerbeds, leading to a small, crystal-clear pond where exotic fish glided peacefully beneath the surface. Right beside the pond rose a large pergola, welcoming the cool relief of summer nights.

  The interior layout of the house was just as functional as its exterior design. The first floor had been transformed into the heart of daily life, featuring a spacious living room, a technologically advanced kitchen, a comprehensive training area, a study, and a library that extended all the way up to the ceiling. The upper two floors were devoted entirely to privacy, consisting of bedrooms and guest rooms.

  It was well past midnight now, and the forest had fallen into a deep, suffocating silence; yet the dim light leaking from a few of the house’s windows was the only proof that someone inside was still awake.

  This house belonged to Omar and his family. Usually, his wife, their two children, and Elenor stayed here, though at times Omar’s parents would also come and remain for weeks. It was the home of a warm, close-knit family. At the moment, however, there was only one person inside. Elenor had chosen to stay behind alone for the week.

  Elenor was twenty-four years old, a woman who drew attention the moment she entered any room. Her waist-length, snow-white hair and sharp ruby-red eyes, combined with her slim yet well-defined facial features, gave her a striking presence. Standing at 1.75 meters tall, her body bore the athletic, lightly muscular build shaped by regular training. With a narrow waist contrasted by notably wide hips and exceptionally full, eye-catching breasts for her height, she possessed a curvaceous yet powerful physique. Despite this physical dominance, every movement she made carried a sense of natural elegance.

  As a reflection of the events she had lived through in the past, she kept her emotions sealed off from the outside world. To strangers, her cold and distant demeanor made her resemble an untouchable queen. She revealed her true self and feelings only to a very small circle within the house and to her grandfather—and even then, with great restraint. Quiet on the surface, she analyzed everything in the background down to the finest detail; she was highly intelligent and capable of adapting rapidly to any situation.

  At that moment, Elenor was moving rapidly around her room, the countdown she had set on the smart watch around her wrist steadily ticking down. She needed to finish preparing and get to the laboratory as soon as possible. She grabbed a large suitcase, placed it on the bed, and opened it, stuffing in every piece of clothing from her wardrobe—anything she could possibly wear. Then she rushed to the garage.

  Inside the garage stood a silver sports motorcycle and a blood-red SUV. Elenor quickly opened the SUV’s trunk and placed the suitcase inside, then folded down the middle seats, adjusted the position of the luggage, and ran back into the house. She headed straight for the kitchen and began gathering all the food.

  “For now, we’ll take everything. The distance between here and the laboratory is forty-two minutes and thirty-two seconds; if I drive at full speed, I can make it in thirty-seven minutes and twelve seconds.”

  As she placed the packages, she glanced at her smart watch.

  [1 hour 34 minutes 23 seconds]

  “I need to be on the road within forty minutes. Any later would be far too risky.”

  After filling the first bag with legumes, Elenor carried it toward the garage.

  “Collecting everything in the kitchen and pantry will take approximately twenty-one minutes and thirteen seconds. Packing the bathroom supplies will take three minutes. Gathering vegetables from the garden will take twelve minutes and twenty-three seconds. Taking all the medicine in the house will take seven minutes and six seconds… That’s a total of forty-three minutes and forty-two seconds… Damn it, there’s not enough time! I need to move faster!”

  After placing the package in the SUV, Elenor ran back into the kitchen and began emptying the refrigerator. At that moment, she felt a vibration on her left wrist. Glancing sideways, she saw that Amanda was calling. She tapped the screen with her finger, accepted the incoming call, and heard Amanda’s anxious voice.

  “Sweetheart!”

  “Aunt Amanda, I really don’t have any time to waste right now—I need to get ready!”

  “I understand. I spoke with the old man. What’s the situation?”

  “I’m preparing. I’m going to load everything useful I can into Uncle Omar’s SUV and head to my grandfather’s hidden laboratory in the mountains.”

  “That’s a smart decision. Elenor, now go to my safe and take everything inside. The code is 6479928. Also take all the jewelry in the house. Even if the rift collapses continue, surviving people will use either currency or a barter system! These may help you. I know you, my girl—you won’t be able to stay in that laboratory forever. Sooner or later, you’ll have to go outside.”

  After taping the box shut, Elenor lifted it to carry it to the car, speaking while running.

  “Understood.”

  Amanda continued.

  “Most importantly, you need to take weapons with you for self-defense! The code to the armory is BlackHunter 763567. Take as many weapons and as much ammunition as you can, then put the room into heavy security mode and lock it down completely. I don’t want the weapons falling into the wrong hands. Put the house into emergency security mode as well—if monsters don’t destroy it, no one should be able to get inside. I’m hanging up now. Don’t forget what I taught you. Train plenty before going outside, but don’t stray too far from the laboratory or take risks. You are not an Awakened.”

  After placing the third box into the SUV, Elenor ran back to the kitchen.

  “I know, Auntie. I’ll be careful. I’ll be safe in my grandfather’s laboratory. I’ll call you once I arrive.”

  “I love you, sweetheart.”

  “Love you too.”