Gray tide smog.

A peculiar phenomenon unique to the Oubost City of Oath, it originates from the periodic mist eruptions within the Great Rift. When the time comes, the surging mist breaks the confines of the air dome, covering the surrounding regions of the Great Rift.

In the past, this anomaly was always pre-announced to allow citizens to take precautions. But today, its eruption was too sudden and far too fierce.

"This concludes the current impact report on the gray tide smog. Please, take care of yourselves, listeners."

After finishing the broadcast, Dudel walked out of the studio, both physically and mentally exhausted, and anxiously went to the window.

It’s been several minutes since the sudden outbreak of the gray tide smog. Its eruption was swift, and the surrounding urban areas of the Great Rift were already completely engulfed by dark dust. This wave continued spreading outward without any sign of abating. It seemed that it wouldn’t be long before it fully enveloped the city.

"It’s like the end of the world..."

A nearby staff member looked out, uttering a numb exclamation.

This could hardly be described simply as smog; it resembled more of an enshrouding sandstorm. The sky grew dark, and the wind whistled, lifting dust through the streets.

The terrifying smog swallowed every street, including the alleyways and street corners where people quickly fled. Birds flapped in panic, and the piercing screech of tires skidding over the road roared like rolling stones, followed by loud collisions, and horns blaring one after another.

Even thick windows couldn’t block the fierce wind and sand. People covered their mouths and noses, fleeing in all directions with tense and exhausted eyes, irrepressibly filled with fear. Trees in the greenery didn’t escape either, getting swallowed by the storm of sand and dust, becoming more blurry as if wandering in the Dune.

Dudel soon couldn’t see this terrifying sight anymore. The sky had completely darkened; although it was daylight, it was as if night had fallen.

Someone beside him was shouting something. Just as Dudel looked over, the smog driven by the sand collided with the building with a deadly shockwave.

Instantly, the glass shattered, shards cutting Dudel’s cheeks, and both he and others were knocked over by the impact wave.

Grayish fog surged in through the broken window panes, quickly filling the corridors. The heavy, humid air was laden with an intense dust aroma, and Dudel started coughing painfully, feeling severe pain all over his body.

He struggled to breathe, but the air seemed laced with some toxic substance, soon causing a fiery pain in his nose and respiratory tract.

Dudel rolled in agony, tears squeezed from the corners of his eyes. Amidst the howling sandstorm, more screams echoed, resembling ghostly souls lost in this gray world. They too were coughing painfully, scorched by the gases.

The roaring of engines approached slowly. In the streets plunged into absolute darkness, out-of-control vehicles crashed into each other. People could only hear the roaring sound, seeing nothing, merely praying silently not to be hit.

Seconds later, explosions sounded on the street. Flickering flames appeared in the darkness, and the wails became more distinct, blending into the wind.

Dudel scrambled back into the broadcasting room, closing the door against the whistling wind. He sat down, breathing heavily, having shut the smog and sand outside.

This catastrophe was not isolated; it occurred in every part of the city, in every place engulfed by the smog.

Afeiya struggled against the gale, laboriously moving the pots arranged outside back indoors, trip after trip.

"Afeiya, leave those flowers alone!"

The elderly woman reached out to pull Afeiya, motioning her to look into the distance. At the end of the street, the Sea of Mist advanced swiftly like rising tides.

One figure after another was swallowed by the rolling mist, like being seized by a nightmare. Amidst the mist, sirens and collision noises, and people’s cries of anguish echoed.

The mist was about to advance in front of the flower shop. Afeiya hesitated, moving a few more pots indoors until there was nothing else she could save. Reluctantly, she retreated into the flower shop, forcefully closing and locking the door.

Seconds later, the mist struck the door, pounded on the glass with a force resembling an earthquake, causing the whole flower shop to shake a few times before all light vanished, leaving only absolute darkness.

Afeiya felt a chill at heart. Having lived in Opus for so long, she had encountered gray tide smog before but never one as violent as this. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

A crisp sound came from above, followed by an increasingly dense pattern. Afeiya noticed that, under the impact of the mist, the glass windows were now filled with cracks.

Afeiya’s heart tightened. She had witnessed the mist’s horror, and if they flooded into the flower shop, they would deal a devastating blow to the fragile flowers.

Fortunately, a collapse didn’t occur, allowing Afeiya to breathe a sigh of relief. But the next moment, a series of knocks sounded. In the endless darkness outside the window suddenly appeared one hand after another. They slapped against the glass, and the next moment, terrified faces emerged from the darkness, pressed against the windows, their distorted expressions shouting out in fear.

Afeiya immediately headed towards the door, intending to open it, but the elderly woman stopped her.