The transition was instant.
Heat turned to humidity. Silence turned to chaos.
And just like before, the Earth's skies loomed over the Rift site—this time swollen with more eyes, more drones, and more noise.
Crowds had tripled. The Astral Guild enforcers were lined up with scanning units, shouting commands. Media teams screamed over each other. Broadcasters held up holograms of my previous feats.
"—Blank cleared the 8th Floor!"
"Confirmed!"
"Where is he?! Where is Blank?!"
They were ravenous for a glimpse, but I was already walking past them.
The moment I returned to earth, the Nullshade Set activated fully.
My aura didn't ripple. My steps made no sound. Even the scanner drones passed right by me without so much as a flicker.
In their eyes… I wasn't even there.
It was as if Blank never returned.
And that's exactly how I wanted it.
