Survival was instinct.
The will to live was something buried deep within human nature.
Some would say—
"Better to die standing than live kneeling."
But for most people…
A more honest truth was—
"A miserable life is still better than a good death."
Yangcheng remained prosperous.
Bright.
Glorious.
But beneath that brilliance—
Countless people discarded their dignity for a single meal, just to stay alive.
And at the same time—
Others lived in excess.
With power.
With weapons.
With control.
Enjoying everything the city had to offer.
Night.
Jinbi Huihuang Hotel.
True to its name, one of the luxurious private rooms was dazzling, dripping with gold and extravagance.
Inside, four people sat around the table.
Three men.
One woman.
"Damn it, what the hell is Old Dai doing? Called us here, then disappears himself?"
A burly man in a black shirt, his face full of rough flesh, lit a cigarette and spoke impatiently.
They had already been waiting for half an hour.
His temper was running thin.
"Relax."
A bald middle-aged man casually rolled a string of prayer beads in his hand.
"Old Dai's been making big moves recently. Probably wants to talk business."
"Hehe~"
The woman, dressed in a tight red gown, her makeup heavy and voice theatrical, smiled faintly.
"Let's wait a bit longer. I heard… Mr. Dai has changed quite a lot recently."
"Hmph! I don't care what he—"
Before the burly man could finish—
Click.
The private room door opened.
"My apologies, everyone. I've kept you waiting."
Mr. Dai stepped in, dressed neatly in a suit, a refined and gentle smile on his face.
The moment they saw him—
All four of them frowned slightly.
Because—
His left eye.
Within that eerie white sclera…
Were three words.
Lower Rank Six.
That… definitely hadn't been there before.
"Oh? Old Dai…"
The burly man leaned back in his chair, smirking mockingly.
"You trying to act like the youngsters now? Those contact lenses look pretty real."
"If that's what you think…"
Mr. Dai's smile didn't change in the slightest.
Calm.
Composed.
As if the ridicule meant nothing.
After all—
Soon enough…
The man would regret it.
"Mr. Dai, you're a busy man. Calling us here out of nowhere…"
The woman spoke again, dragging her words with a playful tone.
"There must be a reason, right?"
They were all players in Yangcheng's underground.
No need for pointless probing.
Straight to the point.
The other three remained silent.
If not for Dai's insistence—
They wouldn't even be here.
"Looks like Sister Hua is eager to get back to her girls."
Mr. Dai chuckled softly and took a seat.
His gaze swept across the four of them.
Each of them—
Controlled a channel in Yangcheng's shadow world.
And they all shared one thing in common.
They were—
Non-ability users.
"Since that's the case, I won't waste time."
Mr. Dai's smile deepened.
"First… let me introduce someone."
"I promise—starting today…"
"You'll be grateful to me."
His eyes turned toward the door.
A black-haired young man stepped in.
Dressed plainly.
Unremarkable—
At first glance.
Behind him followed a quiet young woman.
Mammon.
And Nakime.
"Old Dai… what the hell are you playing at?"
The burly man stood up, his expression turning fierce.
He might not be an ability user—
But he was trained in martial arts.
He had clawed his way to this position through sheer brutality.
And yet—
The moment he looked at the boy—
A chill ran down his spine.
It wasn't a person walking in.
It felt like—
A beast.
A disaster.
Something that should not exist.
"Oh?"
Mammon glanced at him.
His crimson eyes were indifferent, almost lazy.
Yet…
Sharp.
Like a predator observing prey.
"Quite a sharp instinct."
He nodded slightly.
"Not bad."
"You little—"
The burly man's expression darkened.
That gaze—
It was as if he was being evaluated.
Like livestock.
Ding—
Blood Demon Art: Spatial Shift.
Before he could finish—
A crisp, eerie bell rang beside his ear.
His vision blurred.
For a split second—
The world twisted.
And suddenly—
He was standing right in front of Mammon.
His pupils shrank violently.
When did I—?!
What just happened?
Then—
He noticed the girl behind Mammon.
Her slender arm slowly lowered.
On her wrist—
A small golden bell.
That girl…?!
An ability user?!
"Mr. Dai!"
"What is the meaning of this?!"
The others reacted instantly.
They stood up, voices sharp with anger.
At the same time—
Their bodyguards moved.
Guns were drawn.
Aimed directly at Mammon and Mr. Dai.
This was the underground.
No one walked unprepared.
The atmosphere—
Exploded.
"Relax."
Mr. Dai raised his hand gently, still smiling.
"Don't be nervous."
"Don't be impulsive."
"This…"
"Is your opportunity."
Only then did the woman notice—
In his palm—
There was an eye.
A living eye.
It twitched.
Looked around.
Alive.
Watching.
A cold shiver ran down her spine.
Blood Demon Art: Crushing Pressure.
The air—
Suddenly grew heavy.
BOOM.
An invisible force descended.
Brutal.
Overwhelming.
The bodyguards—
The three leaders—
All slammed to the ground.
Bones creaked.
Muscles screamed.
They couldn't move.
Not even a finger.
"Come."
Mammon stepped forward slowly.
His voice calm.
Almost gentle.
"Try my blood."
Under their terrified gazes—
He extended a finger.
And without hesitation—
Drove it straight into the burly man's forehead.
Half his finger—
Sank in.