[Chaos Tier Entry Confirmed][Ranking Initialized: #9,847][Public Tag Applied: "Auction Thief"][New System Feature Unlocked: Chaos Broadcast Feed]
The moment Ren stepped past the shattered stormfield, his body shivered. Not from cold. From recognition.
The world… shifted.
Colors deepened. Gravity felt thicker. The air itself seemed more alive, more aware. As if everything in this tier was watching—judging who belonged and who would be eaten alive.
Beside him, Lyra reached out and grabbed his wrist.
"You feel that too?"
Ren nodded. "The Chaos Tier. We're not in the same game anymore."
[Chaos Broadcast Feed Activated — Global Bounty Issued on Your Name][Active Viewers: 12,389][Top Comment: 'Is that the idiot who punched Jeyun?' – @MoonReaper_97][Your Soul Auction Record: Leaked][Reputation Tag: Dangerous | Rogue Bidder | Pact Breaker]
Ren's lips twisted into a smile.
"Good. Let them come."
They camped near the edge of a crystal-ravaged canyon, the light from the cracks in the earth reflecting off the waifus' skin like soft neon.
Arin leaned against the cliff wall, breathing slowly, sparks flickering in her fingers.
The chrono girl sat cross-legged again, fingers trailing in slow circles through air no one else could see. Time warped slightly around her, as if every breath took twice as long to arrive.
And Lyra… watched him.
She didn't say anything at first.
Just stared.
"You've changed," she said finally.
Ren turned. "I haven't. The world just caught up."
She stepped closer. Her flame aura was low now, subtle—like warmth on a winter morning.
"You fought a god for us," she said.
"I fought for myself. I don't like people taking what's mine."
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "So I'm just property?"
"You're fire," he said. "You don't belong to anyone."
Lyra blinked.
Then smiled. "Smart answer."
[Emotional Sync Deepened – Pact Strength: +4%][Shared Affinity Upgrade Triggered: Flame-Link Connection (Heat Share)][Effect: Minor Healing + Fire Resistance when near each other]
"You're burning brighter," Ren said, staring at the notification.
"It's not the system," Lyra whispered. "It's you."
That night, while the others rested, Ren stepped away to check his status panel.
[Host: Ren Zian][Linked Pacts: 3]– Lyra (Phoenix Flame)– ??? (Chrono-Sealed)– Arin (Stormblood Heiress)[Power Rating: C+][Chaos Rank: #9,847][Bounty on Head: 13,200 Chaos Points][Next Unlock: 4th Pact or Arena Entry]
Then it blinked.
[Incoming Broadcast Request – From: Chaos Rank #289 – "Xirath the Red Moon"][Do You Accept?]
Ren frowned. He hadn't expected attention so soon.
He tapped [Accept].
A projection flared in the sky above him—a floating crimson image like blood on glass.
The man who appeared had long, white hair streaked with crimson tips. His eyes glowed gold, and his body was wrapped in obsidian armor etched with silver vines. Several women sat around him—beautiful, silent, ethereal.
The man smirked.
"So you're the thief everyone's been whispering about."
Ren didn't answer.
Xirath laughed. "Good. You know how to shut up and listen."
"I know how to ignore self-important rankers too," Ren muttered.
"Oh, I like you already."
The man's eyes gleamed.
"But I need to tell you something, Ren Zian. Chaos Tier has rules—unwritten ones. You don't steal from the auction and live."
Ren's voice was calm. "Then why am I breathing?"
Xirath grinned. "Because I want to see if you're worth breaking."
A pause.
Then—
[Duel Invitation Received – Chaos Tier Challenger Xirath][Terms: Survival Duel | No Death Blow | Pact Bonds Temporarily Sealed][Stakes: Winner Claims Chaos Points + Reputation Boost][Spectators Watching: 22,391]
[Accept or Decline]
Ren stared at the message.
Then clicked [Accept].
The arena appeared instantly—a mirrored void under a shattered sky.
Two men faced off on a platform of obsidian glass, their reflections dancing beneath their feet like ghosts.
Xirath cracked his knuckles.
"I won't take your pacts," he said. "Not yet. I just want to test your worth."
Ren said nothing.
But he smiled.
Because this was what he'd waited for—a rival.
Xirath struck first—his body turning into a blur of crimson shadows. His fist moved faster than thought, slamming toward Ren's chest.
Ren twisted, catching the blow on his forearm. Pain radiated through his body—but he held ground.
Then countered.
His foot came up in a savage kick, forcing Xirath back half a step.
"That all?" Xirath asked.
Ren smiled. "Not even close."
For five minutes, they exchanged blows in silence—every movement met with an equal answer. Ren's training in brutal underground brawls showed; Xirath's precision was divine, honed through years of elite combat.
But Ren didn't rely on technique alone.
He relied on rage.
[Emotion Build-Up: Pact Fusion Echoing][Temporary Skill Unlocked: Chaos Counterstrike – Reflect + 18% of Received Damage]
Ren caught Xirath's blade with his bare hand—bleeding—and drove his elbow into the other man's ribs.
Xirath gasped. "You really are crazy."
Ren smirked. "You have no idea."
When the match ended, both men were bruised, bleeding, and smiling.
[Duel Ends – Draw][Chaos Points Awarded: 5,000 Each][Rank Increased: Ren Zian – Now #4,123][Reputation Gained: "Worthy Opponent" | "Blood Pact Challenger"]
Xirath dusted himself off.
"Join me," he said suddenly. "We're not so different, you and I. I'm building something… and I could use a wild card."
Ren stepped back. "I don't play second to anyone."
"You will one day," Xirath said with a smile. "Either beside me… or beneath me."
The projection vanished.
Ren stood in the empty arena, blood dripping from his knuckles.
Then he looked at the sky.
[Next Chaos Auction Begins in 48 Hours][Target: "Silent Crown Maiden – Locked in the Astral Garden"][Tier: A-Rank • Memory Fragmented • Awakening Risk: High]
Ren's heart beat faster.
Another waifu. Another soul in chains.
And a war that had only just begun.