SSS-Rank Awakening: My Talent Multiplies Everything novel Chapter 155

Chapter 155: The Safe Zones [2.]

Jonas remained silent as he observed Kael, allowing the young man the time he needed to digest everything he had just heard. He made no attempt to interrupt his thoughts. Information like this wasn’t something one could simply hear and immediately accept. It challenged everything a person thought they knew about the world.

He understood that better than anyone.

After all, years ago, when he had first learned this very truth, he had worn the exact same expression currently sitting on Kael’s face.

Confusion.

Disbelief.

Curiosity.

It had taken him quite a while before he was finally able to wrap his head around it.

Several moments passed in silence before Kael finally lifted his head. His brows remained knitted together as countless thoughts swirled through his mind.

"So..."

He looked directly at Jonas.

"This news you told me about the Safe Zones and the existence of other human civilizations..."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"Isn’t that a good thing?"

"If we’ve discovered other surviving human civilizations, why hasn’t the Hunters Association made it public? Shouldn’t everyone know that our civilization isn’t alone?"

Jonas slowly nodded.

"They should."

Kael’s expression relaxed ever so slightly.

Then Jonas continued.

"But it would do more harm than good."

Kael’s brows furrowed once more.

"Why?"

He genuinely couldn’t understand it.

"If humanity can reestablish contact with one another, conduct trade, exchange knowledge and resources..."

"It sounds like nothing but good news."

Jonas let out a quiet sigh before speaking.

"Because it’s impossible to reach them."

Kael blinked.

"...Impossible?"

Jonas nodded.

"Tell me, Kael."

"Do you think the Rift phenomenon is unique to our Safe Zone?"

Kael immediately shook his head.

"No."

"Exactly."

Jonas folded his hands together before continuing.

"The Rifts appeared across the entire world."

"Every piece of land."

"Every corner of humanity."

"They weren’t exclusive to us."

His eyes remained fixed on Kael.

"Now think carefully."

"The world expanded countless times over after the Apocalypse."

"The continents merged into one gigantic landmass."

"Now imagine that enormous world."

"Imagine countless Rifts scattered throughout it."

"Now imagine nobody clearing them."

"No Hunters."

"No Guilds."

"No Association."

"For over fifty years."

"What kind of place do you think that world has become?"

Kael’s pupils slowly contracted.

A realization struck him.

Within the Eastern Safe Zone, Rifts had gradually become... manageable.

The Hunters Association monitored them.

Guilds cleared them.

Hunters entered them every single day to hunt monsters, gather materials, and level up.

To modern hunters...

A Rift represented danger.

But it also represented opportunity.

Resources.

Money.

Strength.

Over the decades, people had slowly begun overlooking the true horror of what a Rift actually was.

The first generation hadn’t.

Back then, the appearance of a single Rift could erase an entire city from existence overnight.

Humanity had nearly gone extinct because of them.

Only after decades of relentless fighting had they finally managed to establish some level of control.

But outside the Safe Zones...

There was no one maintaining that balance.

No one suppressing the monsters.

Kael slowly imagined the wilderness Jonas was describing.

A land stretching thousands upon thousands of kilometers in every direction.

An endless continent where Rifts had remained active for over fifty uninterrupted years.

A world where monsters had been left completely unchecked.

They would reproduce.

Evolve.

Expand their territories.

Fight amongst themselves.

The strongest would continue growing stronger while the weaker either adapted... or were devoured.

How many monsters would exist out there now?

Millions?

No.

Billions.

Perhaps even more.

Simply imagining a journey across such a place sent an involuntary chill down Kael’s spine.

Seeing the realization appear in Kael’s eyes, Jonas slowly nodded.

"You understand now."

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