The night felt longer than usual.
Kaien Voss didn't sleep.
He sat alone in the courtyard long after the torches burned low, staring at the empty space where Nyra had stood.
A market…
"…ridiculous," he muttered.
But his hands—
Were clenched.
Because no matter how much he tried to ignore it…
Her words were right.
Three months.
No progress.
No matter how hard he trained—
He was stuck.
"…why?" he whispered.
His breathing grew uneven.
"I'm doing everything right…"
But deep down—
He already knew the answer.
Talent has limits.
And his—
Had been reached.
The wind shifted.
Cold.
Unnatural.
Kaien froze.
Because suddenly—
He felt it.
That same presence.
Watching.
Waiting.
The space in front of him distorted.
Just slightly.
Then—
The symbol appeared.
The same one Nyra showed him.
Dark.
Shifting.
Alive.
His heart started pounding.
"…this is real…"
The symbol pulsed once.
And a voice echoed—
Calm.
Distant.
Unavoidable.
"Do you seek value?"
Kaien's breath caught.
"…who—"
"Answer."
Silence.
His mind raced.
This is insane.
This shouldn't exist.
I should walk away.
But his body didn't move.
Because another thought—
Louder.
Stronger—
Rose up.
What if it's real?
His fists clenched.
"…what do I have to lose?" he said quietly.
The symbol pulsed again.
"Everything."
A chill ran down his spine.
"…and what do I gain?"
A pause.
Then—
"Anything you're willing to pay for."
Silence.
Kaien closed his eyes.
His life.
His limits.
His future.
All of it…
Was already decided.
If he stayed.
"…then I accept," he said.
The moment the words left his mouth—
The world shattered.
Abyss Market
Kaien stumbled forward—
Catching himself just before hitting the ground.
"…what is this place?"
The hall stretched endlessly before him.
Dark.
Cold.
Watching.
He wasn't alone.
Nyra stood to the side.
Silent.
Observing.
And above—
A figure.
Sitting on a throne.
Kaien's body froze.
Because the pressure—
Was overwhelming.
Not physical.
But absolute.
"…you're the one…" he whispered.
Ren Kairo looked down at him.
Calm.
Unreadable.
"You accepted the invitation," Ren said.
Kaien swallowed.
"…what is this place?"
Ren's voice echoed.
"A place where value is exchanged."
A pause.
"And where limits are broken."
Kaien's eyes burned slightly.
"…prove it."
Nyra's gaze flickered.
Bold.
Ren didn't react.
Instead—
He raised his hand.
A small object appeared on the stage.
A pill.
Clear.
Perfect.
Radiating faint energy.
"Meridian Cleansing Pill."
Kaien's breath caught.
"This…" Ren said calmly,
"…will remove your blockage."
Silence.
"…how much?" Kaien asked immediately.
Ren leaned back slightly.
"Not much."
A pause.
"Ten years of your lifespan."
Kaien froze.
"…ten years…"
His mind spun.
That wasn't small.
That wasn't cheap.
That was life.
Nyra said nothing.
Watching him.
Because this—
Was the moment.
The choice.
Kaien clenched his fists.
Ten years…
For a chance…
He looked at the pill.
Then at the throne.
"…and if I refuse?"
Ren's answer came instantly.
"Then you leave."
A pause.
"And nothing changes."
Silence.
Again.
The same choice.
Stay weak.
Or risk everything.
Kaien exhaled slowly.
Then—
"…I'll pay."
Nyra's eyes flickered slightly.
He chose.
Ren raised his hand.
The market responded.
A faint glow surrounded Kaien.
He gasped.
"…what—"
Something left him.
Not physical.
Not visible.
But real.
Time.
The pill vanished—
And appeared in his hand.
The transaction was complete.
[Transaction Successful]
Kaien stared at the pill.
No turning back now.
He swallowed it.
The reaction was instant.
Pain.
Sharp.
Burning.
His body trembled violently.
"—AH—!"
His meridians—
Cracked.
Then—
Opened.
Energy surged through him.
Freely.
Wildly.
His aura rose.
Stabilized.
Expanded.
"…it worked…" he whispered.
Disbelief.
Shock.
Relief.
Nyra watched silently.
Another one.
Ren observed from above.
Calm.
Because this—
Was only the beginning.
Kaien looked up at him.
Eyes filled with something new.
"…what else do you have?"
Ren smiled faintly.
"Everything."
The market pulsed.
And just like that—
Another piece had been added.
Another player.
Another source of value.
The Abyss Market…
Continued to grow.
One choice at a time.