My Supreme Magus System

It was their second day in Solara City, and the bustling streets were alive with energy. After what felt like ages, Sherry allowed herself a rare indulgence.

She wandered through the vibrant markets, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she dove into a shopping spree. Her arms quickly filled with bags of trinkets, books, and clothing, her smile radiating a joy that Alex hadn't seen in a long time.

Meanwhile, Alex, flush with a hefty sum of money after his recent quests, found himself swept up in the thrill of spending. He splurged on luxurious clothes, rare and exotic items, and a selection of tools he knew would come in handy for future adventures.

Yet, amidst the excitement, there was one task that truly occupied his mind: finding a skilled blacksmith to craft a set of gear from the rare loot he'd gathered during his last expedition.

Solara City's market was immense, stretching far and wide with countless shops showcasing wares from across the kingdom. The city was renowned for its blacksmiths, and Alex quickly discovered several high-end forges boasting impeccable craftsmanship.

But there was a catch—price.

Even with his own materials, some of the finest he had ever acquired, the crafting fees alone were astronomical. Millions of gold coins, they quoted him, their tone unapologetic. It was far beyond what he had budgeted.

Frustrated but determined, Alex sought advice from the locals. A kindly vendor, noticing his plight, suggested a different route. "Try the outer city." he said with a knowing smile. "There are many blacksmiths there as well. They may not have the fancy shops, but their prices are much more reasonable."

Intrigued, Alex decided to follow her advice.

Solara City was divided into two distinct sections. The inner city, where they had spent most of their time, was home for the wealthy and elite. It housed the grandest attractions, luxury shops, and opulent mansions.

The outer city, in contrast, was home to the working-class citizens. Though less polished, it pulsed with its own vibrant charm—a raw, unfiltered side of Solara that Alex was eager to explore.

Sherry, however, was not as enthusiastic. She was visibly tired from their long day of wandering and carrying her many purchases. Knowing she needed rest, Alex left her at the hotel, promising to return soon.

As Alex strolled through the outer city, basking in the golden glow of the afternoon sun, a sense of calm washed over him.

But then, the atmosphere shifted.

The bright sky dimmed unnaturally, as if a shadow had fallen over the city. A sharp, crackling sound broke through the lively ambiance, unnatural and foreboding, drawing Alex's attention.

"Hmm? Is it going to rain? Or maybe a thunderstorm?" Alex muttered, his gaze darting around in confusion. The abrupt change was unsettling.

Aurora's voice, unusually tense, broke through his thoughts. "Alex, look up—straight ahead. Toward the sky."

He obeyed, his eyes narrowing as he tilted his head. Around him, others in the crowd mirrored his action, their murmurs of curiosity quickly turning to uneasy silence.

High above, the sky seemed to fracture. A jagged rift tore itself open, glowing with a menacing, otherworldly light. The edges shimmered and crackled, pulsing with an energy that felt alive—and hostile.

The rift was no more than a few hundred meters away from where Alex stood.

A wave of dread swept through the onlookers as the rift expanded, its eerie glow casting an ominous light on the streets below. The unease in the crowd deepened, and whispers of fear spread like wildfire.

Then, it happened.

The rift stretched wider, its chaotic light intensifying. One by one, grotesque shapes began to emerge—monsters, their forms twisted and unnatural, pouring out in droves.

Gasps turned to screams. The streets erupted in chaos as panic seized the crowd. People fled in every direction, their cheerful day shattered by terror and desperation.

Alex stood frozen for a brief moment, his instincts screaming at him to prepare. The peaceful vibrancy of Solara City was no more, replaced by the raw, unrelenting force of the unknown.

Without warning, the monsters unleashed their fury on the city. Buildings cracked under their might, stalls were overturned, and the air filled with the sound of destruction and despair.

In an instant, everything changed.

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As Alex stood frozen, a looming threat confronted him. The chaos around him blurred as his mind raced. 'Should I just run away?' The thought flashed through his mind, and logically, it made perfect sense. Fear gripped him, every instinct screaming for him to flee.

But then, deep within, a burning desire to overcome that fear ignited. He clenched his fists, remembering the last time he faced a C-rank monster—the paralyzing terror that had left him powerless.

'Never again!' he thought, determination beginning to seep into his veins.

Aurora's voice cut through his swirling thoughts like a blade. "Alex, what are you doing? Run! This place is about to be swarmed by monsters!" Her tone was sharp, carrying a mix of urgency and worry.

Alex closed his eyes and took a deep breath, grounding himself as the chaos swirled around him. When he opened them again, his gaze was calm, his voice steady. "This is too good an opportunity to farm points. And… I want to see how far I've come. Besides, if things get too dangerous, I can always retreat."

Aurora blinked, her semi-ethereal form shimmering faintly beside him. "You're insane, you know that? This is all real!"

Before she could say more, a city-wide announcement blared from magical speakers, its voice cutting through the noise:

"Citizens are requested to evacuate the area immediately. Adventurers and personnel in the vicinity are requested to assist with the evacuation and hold the line until reinforcements arrive. I repeat..."

Alex glanced around. The panicked crowd surged past him, fleeing for safety, while a handful of adventurers and city guards stepped forward, weapons drawn, preparing to face the encroaching monsters.

His resolve hardened as he turned to Aurora. "See? I just need to hold out long enough for reinforcements to arrive. Besides, most of these monsters look low-level. I've got this."

Aurora sighed, her voice softer now. "You're impossible. But if you're staying, don't you dare go die on me."

He smirked, unsheathing his weapon and stepping into the fray. "Not planning to die again. Let's see what I can do."

A system notification also appeared, issuing a side quest to clear the monsters emerging from the rift.

The tide of monsters was a chaotic swarm of grotesque, deformed creatures. Their bodies twisted unnaturally, some covered in jagged scales, others oozing a viscous, black substance.

Most of them were low-level, around E-rank or D-rank, though a few ominous C-rank monsters prowled the edges, radiating a far more menacing aura.

Alex skillfully avoided the C-rank monsters, his movements sharp and precise as he cut through the E-rank and D-rank monsters with ease.

His blade moved like a blur, each strike clean and decisive, turning the lesser creatures into nothing more than fodder. It was almost too easy—like slicing through butter with a heated knife.

His heart pounded, adrenaline surging through his veins. He couldn't help the grin spreading across his face as system notifications flooded his interface. Each one was a dopamine hit, signaling a steady increase in both experience and system points.

Between swings, Alex called out to Aurora, his curiosity piqued. "Hey, what exactly is this rift? Why are these monsters spilling out like this?"

Aurora's voice responded, sharper and more serious than before. "The rift is a natural phenomenon—a tear in the fabric of space from where monsters come out in waves. Normally, these rifts are rare and would be prevented by the city's magic barrier."

Her golden eyes glimmered with unease as she hovered beside him. "But for some reason, this one bypassed the barrier entirely. That shouldn't have happened. Something's wrong."

Alex sidestepped a lunging monster, decapitating it with a single slash before turning back to Aurora. "So, the city's magic barrier failed. What happens if this thing stays open?"

Aurora's gaze darkened, her translucent form flickering slightly. "The monsters will keep pouring out in waves, and they'll get stronger—far stronger. If it's not closed soon, the rift will start spawning high-rank monsters, and the entire city could be overrun."

Alex tightened his grip on his weapon, his expression hardening. "So, sealing this thing is priority one."

Aurora nodded gravely. "Exactly. The city's in danger, and time is running out. Reinforcements better arrive soon, or this place is doomed."

Soon, more high-rank monsters began pouring from the rift, their roars shaking the air. Each step of these creatures reverberated through the ground, sending waves of fear rippling through the crowd.

Despite Alex's earlier confidence, he knew his limits. The absence of reinforcements was glaring, and staying any longer would be suicide.

It was time to leave.

As Alex turned to make his retreat, a massive shadow loomed over him, blotting out the dim light from the rift above. Instinctively, he froze and glanced behind him, his heart pounding.

A towering humanoid monster stood there, its grotesque form radiating malice. Its sinewy muscles rippled beneath its scaly skin, and its glowing red eyes locked onto Alex like a predator sizing up its prey.

"Fuck!" Alex cursed under his breath. His escape had just become a lot more complicated.