The alley fell silent.
Three bodies hit the ground almost at the same time.
Nyra stood in the middle of it, chest rising and falling slowly.
The dagger in her hand dripped with blood.
Her vision blurred.
Her hearing…
Was nearly gone.
Only a faint ringing remained.
"…tch…"
She steadied herself against the wall.
The Echo Dagger pulsed once more—
Then went still.
The fight was over.
Five hunters.
All dead.
Nyra let out a slow breath.
"…I lived."
But just barely.
Her legs trembled slightly.
Her senses felt… distant.
Muted.
"That thing takes more than it gives…" she muttered.
But even as she said it—
She knew.
Without it—
She would be dead.
A faint distortion appeared in front of her.
The market.
Calling her back.
Nyra didn't hesitate.
She stepped forward—
And vanished.
Abyss Market
She reappeared in the center of the hall.
This time—
It felt different.
Not cold.
Not empty.
But… alive.
Watching her.
Judging her.
Ren Kairo sat on the throne above.
Visible now.
Not fully—
But enough.
A silhouette.
Eyes faintly glowing in the dark.
Nyra looked up.
For the first time—
She saw him.
And understood.
This… is the one in control.
She dropped to one knee.
Not out of fear.
But acknowledgment.
"…the task is complete."
Ren studied her silently.
Her breathing.
Her injuries.
Her fading senses.
[Agent Status: Critical but Stable]
"Five targets," Ren said calmly.
"All eliminated."
Nyra nodded.
"…they won't chase me anymore."
Ren leaned forward slightly.
"Correct."
A pause.
"But now…"
"…others will."
Nyra's eyes narrowed.
"…word spreads fast."
Ren nodded once.
"Exactly."
The market pulsed.
[Reputation Gained]
[First Blood Event Recorded]
[Black Market Awareness Increased]
Nyra frowned slightly.
"…that's not good."
Ren's lips curved faintly.
"It is."
She looked up.
Confused.
Ren's voice echoed softly.
"Fear attracts attention."
A pause.
"And attention…"
"…brings customers."
Silence.
Then—
Understanding.
Nyra exhaled slowly.
"…you planned this."
Ren didn't deny it.
"From the moment you accepted."
Nyra looked down at her hand.
The contract mark glowed faintly.
"…so I'm bait."
Ren tilted his head slightly.
"No."
A pause.
"You're proof."
That hit differently.
Nyra's eyes shifted.
Not anger.
Not fear.
But something sharper.
Purpose.
"…then what's next?" she asked.
Ren raised his hand.
The screen appeared again.
But this time—
It wasn't a map.
It was a list.
Names.
Targets.
Potential buyers.
[New Quest Issued]
Objective:
Recruit 3 new participants for the Abyss Market
Conditions:
Must have value
Must accept invitation willingly
Reward:
Enhanced Agent Authority
Access to new items
Nyra scanned the list.
Her eyes paused on one name.
"…this one."
Ren followed her gaze.
A young cultivator.
Talented.
Rising.
But desperate.
"…good choice," Ren said.
Nyra stood slowly.
Her body still weak—
But her eyes steady.
"…I'll bring them in."
Ren watched her carefully.
Then—
He added one more thing.
"Don't force them."
Nyra paused.
"…even if they refuse?"
Ren's voice was calm.
"Especially if they refuse."
A pause.
"People who choose power…"
"…are far more valuable."
Nyra nodded.
"…understood."
The market opened again.
This time—
She didn't hesitate at all.
She stepped forward—
And disappeared.
Alone Once More
The hall fell silent.
Ren leaned back slowly.
[Market Status: Stable]
[Active Agent: 1]
[Next Phase: Expansion]
He closed his eyes briefly.
Then opened them.
Cold.
Focused.
"This is just the beginning," he murmured.
Because now—
He had:
Power
A system
An agent
A reputation
And most importantly—
A path.
One that didn't follow the rules of the world.
But rewrote them.
Ren Kairo stood from the throne.
Looking out over the empty market.
"…soon," he said quietly,
"This place won't be hidden anymore."
The shadows shifted.
Responding.
Waiting.
Because the Abyss Market…
Was no longer dying.
It was rising.
And the world—
Was about to feel it.