The tram slowly passed the pitch-black buildings, heading towards the bright places.
The city of Opus is very modernized, filled with tall chimneys spewing black smoke, and trams transporting workers. They move countless people from one district to another, like the arteries of this city, injecting fresh blood into the factories, making the city operate with a roar.
"It feels like I haven't been gone for long, but the city has really changed a lot."
Watching the passing scenery, Bologue's thoughts wandered, recalling stories related to this city.
Since the death of King Solomon sixty-six years ago, the former Holy City and its master were destroyed in the flames of war.
After the war, the Rhine Alliance and the Kagader Empire negotiated peace on these ruins, rebuilding this city caught between great nations, transforming it into a neutral city. It would become a bond linking the two giants together.
The pledge of non-war was made, and thus Oubos was reborn from the ruins. Alongside the establishment of the oath, the continental rage of scorched earth came to an end.
"Please hold onto the handrail."
A lifeless female voice echoed from the broadcast within the swaying tram compartment. Bologue held onto the handrail, and the entire compartment tilted, ascending at a steep angle.
Bologue looked out of the window as the compartment ascended, seeing the scar that spanned across the land.
A bottomless, gigantic rift.
There are conflicting opinions about the origin of the rift. Some say it was caused during the war sixty-six years ago, while others argue that even now, no weapon could create such a terrain. Some claim the rift has been here since ancient times, yet others cite records indicating that in King Solomon's time, this place was still a plain...
No one can explain clearly what happened; the Great Rift exists there, coldly answering all queries without words.
"Is that the Great Rift?"
An exclamatory voice echoed as someone leaned against the window, gazing in the direction of the Great Rift.
"Yeah, I heard from a friend that they are still hiring workers over there... I plan to apply, though the working conditions seem quite harsh."
The passengers beside chatted, they looked rough and were clearly dressed like outsiders.
"It's not just harsh; it's said that working there requires wearing protective clothing and gas masks at all times," another person joined the discussion, speaking with concern.
He wasn't wrong; the Great Rift is a really bad place.
"It's so bright."
Bologue murmured to himself, staring at the Great Rift.
The light inside the Great Rift shone brightly. Even from this far away, the light was still clear.
Through the light, the sharp silhouettes could be seen, of the cable cars and platforms built along the Great Rift. After the war, a large amount of metal ore was discovered inside the Great Rift, turning it into part of the factory, where mining and excavation took place.
Later, multiple surveys were conducted, but the bottom of the Great Rift was never found, as if the Great Rift connected to an abyss, with no end.
Following failed surveys, factories started treating the Great Rift like a dumpster, disposing all kinds of industrial waste there. Over time, toxic gray fog began to permeate the Great Rift.
Many impoverished people live near the Great Rift because, with the existence of the gray fog, the housing prices here are unbelievably cheap. If it weren't for Adelle's shelter, Bologue initially planned to live there.
"However, working at the Great Rift seems to pay quite well."
Someone said, looking towards the Great Rift with a hint of longing.
Bologue withdrew his gaze; everyone had their own worries, these outsiders were thinking of ways to earn money, while he was contemplating what lies ahead.
Should he escape? Leave this city?
This thought emerged in Bologue's mind, but after a brief consideration, he temporarily shelved the idea.
During this year's internship period, Bologue was like a free man, "those people" only sent Geoffrey to contact him, and apart from that, Bologue's life was no different from ordinary people.
Yet the more things were like this, the more Bologue felt a subtle sense of fear, like facing a deep sea where you can only see the calm surface but have no idea what lies beneath.
As a debtor, he was not being supervised, there were no regular reports, nothing at all.
Bologue didn't think the other party was careless; they had absolute confidence, confident that he was under control... after all, they were so mysterious.
He knew too little about the unknown in this world.
It's possible that Bologue could walk out the door and get shot dead, though with the "Blessing," Bologue wouldn't easily die, but getting shot still hurt quite a bit.
With that thought, the tram came to a stop, and Bologue reached his station.
Shenbei District, a newly built area known within Opus for its cheap housing prices, abundance of outsiders, and over two-hour commute time to the city center.
Walking on the empty streets, cold winds swept through, carrying dust and torn newspapers, like ghosts passing through the street corners.
Bologue arrived at the glowing iron gate and knocked hard on the rusted iron bars. Footsteps sounded soon after, and a small window behind the bars was opened, revealing an elderly man with white hair.
"Oh, Bologue, just got off work?" the old man said to Bologue, "Still the same as usual?"