[11:47:04]
The southeastern sky of the continent's capital was now filled with dark clouds, and a bright red number continued its relentless countdown.
This time, the signs pointed to something far worse than before. The clouds were even darker, thunder roared through the sky, and the crack overhead—one that had slightly closed after humanity's last two victories—was now expanding again, if only a little.
The shrill wail of ambulance sirens and the urgent commands of rescue workers echoed through the streets. Some people, unable to resist the compulsion, had harmed themselves after gazing too long at the fissure.
Silvanus gazed coldly at the crack, his mind inevitably weighed down by unease over his earlier decision.
Just then, the system's voice suddenly rang out:
