24 Energy Refiner Industry

According to the knowledge Aldrin learned from school, Dimensional Rifts would always stay open until closed by someone.

That's why it was always nothing short of a disaster every time the Dimensional Disruptor failed and the Rift opened in the middle of a city.

The infrastructures that were built to withstand any sort of natural disaster would suffer the most damage and casualties would be inevitable.

Paradise Hall being relatively safe was no more than a coincidence. Even without checking them, Aldrin believed that those who failed to run inside Emergency Shelters or those who ran out of establishments in panic were just running to their deaths.

Dimensional Rifts were abrupt and apart from Energy Refiners and trained soldiers, it would be a miracle for a normal citizen to survive the onslaught pouring out from it.

If not for his encounter with IDLE Database, he would be like his friend and their classmates, hiding inside a shelter while hoping that they would be safe until the rescue arrived.

"Will you stay here? I contacted the corporation I belonged to. They will send me a Metadome for my use. Moreover, I also received an order to join the efforts in closing the Rift. I can't help but think that I am now more in danger after becoming an Energy Refiner."

While scouting the situation outside the Paradise Hall where the same quadrupedal winged beasts could be seen either running or flying towards the source of explosions and engine sounds at the distance, Aldrin heard Renissa's words that was coated with her lamentations over her changed life.

Upon hearing that, Aldrin also began thinking about his own situation. He was enticed by the chance to change his life. Furthermore, when he became aware that he had the possibility to become an Energy Refiner, he was truly elated.

However, at this moment and after becoming one, he was finally faced with the fact that... his life had just become more complicated than how it was originally.

As a slacker, he would probably die of old age living a normal life or if he's unlucky, die from an accident like a Dimensional Rift or just an ordinary accident.

As an Energy Refiner, he would truly go up the ladder of society but at the same time, he would be exposed to the complicated world which every Energy Refiner was facing. The dangers would also be far more possible than the low probability of being caught in a Rift incident like this.

But if he asked himself whether he had begun regretting his decision, Aldrin would instantly answer no.

As for the reason... his family.

At the moment, that's the reason why he wanted to change into something else.

He had already decided that if he ever survived this day, he would return, apologize and show them what changed in him.

And through IDLE Database, he was going to make sure that his family would be living a more comfortable life in the future.

"I guess I have no other choice but to stay here. Even if I became an Energy Refiner this time, that's the limit I could do. Help you to show my gratitude for earlier." Aldrin answered.

The two dead Rift Monsters inside this restaurant were only a small number compared to hundreds or perhaps thousands of the same beasts from the Dimensional Rift.

Even if they rejoiced earlier, it was only for their survival. But the threat wouldn't end unless the opened Dimensional Rift was closed.

Upon hearing his answer, Renissa put a palm on her forehead, reprimanding herself. "That's right... I keep forgetting you had just awakened because of your stellar performance... I am also new to this world but unlike you, it took me this long to settle myself in this new life."

"I bet you also have no idea about the Corporation I mentioned. So here, let me give you some tidbits. When I registered at the Refiner's Association, I was approached by the City Hall and two private Corporations offering incentives and benefits to become an Energy Refiner who will work as an employee to them."

"And you can probably guess why Energy Refiners like us will be recruited by the City Hall. To fight for and defend the City from threats. On the contrary, the Corporations are essential for us Refiners who don't want to be tied to the government. They will offer us the alternative of doing contractual work instead. In exchange for them providing us benefits and the essentials for Energy Refiners; not limited to equipment and training, we will be sent by them to fight in cases like this."

"As for how they will earn from us... See that corpse of the Rift Monster we killed? It's a valuable resource that could be sold or made into ingredients and materials. By sending their employed Energy Refiners, they will earn a share of looted resources. Naturally, the government or the City Hall will also offer the same thing but... your freedom will be limited. When you register, if we ever survive this day, choose wisely."

Renissa ended her explanation by patting Aldrin on his shoulder and whispering her gratitude to him for appearing back then.

Following that, Renissa bid him take care as she dashed out of the Paradise Hall to welcome the vehicle transporting her Metadome as well as fellow Energy Refiners employed by the same corporation she belonged to.

Upon counting, there were at least four of them, five including Renissa who were all operating a five-meter tall bulky humanoid mechanical construct.

Engraved on the shoulder of each Metadome was a snowflake logo of the corporation they belonged to... the Frostland Corporation.

At this moment, Aldrin was enlightened with one fact: The announcement from the City Hall wasn't counting Energy Refiners from Corporations like them. They're only highlighting those who belonged to them to instill the fact that the city was defended by the City Hall Guards.

But those who were working in this industry and risking their lives in frontlines like these were aware of what's really going on.

Perhaps it was to make sure that there would be peace and order for the normal citizens and to make them trust the government more. Or perhaps there were other different explanations.

Either way, for Aldrin at this moment, his eyes were slowly being peeled to what's really happening in the world or the wide universe.

-

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A few minutes after the five Metadomes from the Frostland Corporation charged and pushed the frontline of the battlefield towards the vicinity of the Dimensional Rift, rescue vehicles finally arrived to evacuate those hiding in the Emergency Shelter.

"Aldrin, are you not going to evacuate with us?" With a hint of worry to his voice, Aldrin heard Bert's question when he and Alisa stopped for a bit upon noticing him remaining standing at his spot.

As his answer, Aldrin shook his head, "I want to watch how this will all end. Even if I will not be able to contribute more, this is my world now, Bert. Besides, the spot I will be leaving means another life rescued."

"Stop trying to be a hero, dude. Tell him, Alisa."

Having the baton suddenly passed to her, Alisa was initially surprised but regained her composure soon after. "Eh? What should I say? He doesn't look like he is going to be persuaded, even by me... Then let me say this instead... Take care, Aldrin. I still have to apologize to you."

"What? I'm not dying anytime soon. I'm just going to watch it here. And if it's about how you use me to dodge Oliver earlier, you don't need to apologize. Go on now, you two. The vehicle is waiting." Aldrin put on a calm smile to reassure them before urging the two.

He still had no heroic thoughts in his mind after all that he experienced. The talk about his supposed seat was just him stating a fact.

After seeing Bert and Alisa leave and board the rescue vehicle, Aldrin moved out of the ruined Paradise Hall to get a better view of the battlefield.

He wanted to see how they would close the Dimensional Rift. Moreover, he got taken in by his curiosity to look at what's on the side of the rift.

He still remembered what the IDLE Database warned him about...

[The Dimension at the other side of the Rift is currently too dangerous for the Host.]

'Does that mean it's possible to pass through that Rift and arrive in another Dimension?' Aldrin wondered.