As time passed, the moment everyone had been waiting for finally arrived, the auction. A side door in the hall creaked open, revealing a staircase leading underground. One by one, the guests began making their way down, leaving only a handful behind, those who had no interest in what lay below.
Ren and Lira waited until most of the crowd had descended before slipping in near the end. Though they were heading underground, the passage was well-lit and lavishly decorated, making it feel less like a hidden basement and more like an exclusive venue.
At last, they emerged into a vast underground arena. The auction stage stood at the center, surrounded by tiered rows of seats forming a circular structure, almost like a stadium.
Instead of taking a seat, Ren quickly stood behind a balcony pillar, scanning the area. The heavy doors slammed shut behind them, sealing everyone inside.
Just then, bright lights flickered on, illuminating the stage. A man dressed in sleek black attire stepped forward, his voice smooth and commanding as it echoed through the arena.
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen."
Lira leaned in close to Ren, whispering, "Why are you hiding like a thief?"
Ren shot her a deadpan look. "Well, I am originally a thief, remember?"
"Ah, right." She grinned, completely unfazed.
"Idiot." Ren said.
On stage, the announcer continued, "Tonight, we present to you the rarest and most valuable items from across the world! Only the wealthiest and most powerful will have the chance to claim them." His voice was smooth, practiced, like a seasoned con man selling a dream.
Before Lira could respond, the first item was revealed: a black case placed on a pedestal. The crowd leaned in with anticipation.
The announcer smirked. "For our first item of the night… the legendary Moonveil Dagger!"
Ren narrowed his eyes. That was no ordinary weapon. The faint aura around it felt sharp, like it could cut through the air itself. Definitely dangerous.
Lira let out a low whistle. "That thing's gotta be worth a fortune."
"Yeah. And it's probably the cheapest item here tonight."
Ren and Lira nearly jumped out of their skins. Snow was right behind them, smiling like he hadn't just given them a heart attack.
"Will you stop sneaking up on people?!" Ren hissed.
Snow just chuckled, clearly enjoying himself.
Lira cleared her throat. "So, they're just selling items they found?"
"Mmm, yeah, that can be said. Some players are selling their items granted by the system and, umm items they found, runes, things like that. And lastly, tamed demons and high rank monsters," Snow said, continuing to watch the auction. Ren didn't know if he was imagining it or not, but for a moment, Snow's eyes lit with pure anger.
"What's the point of selling demons?" Ren asked, more out of curiosity than concern.
"It depends on your class. Some use them for potions, others as combat pets. But basically, most of the time, they're forced into contracts, nothing more than slaves," Snow said, his voice calm, but his fingers gripping the railing a little too tightly.
Ren shrugged. "Makes sense. This is a world of criminals, after all."
Snow's jaw tightened. "Sure, demons are our enemies. But they're also the original creatures of this land. Some are harmless. Yet people raid them, torture them, and sell them like objects. It's disgusting."
Ah.So that's what's pissing him off.
Ren smirked. "This place looks fancy, but it's hell. A playground for criminals. Kill or be killed. Your soul shatters, or you get eaten by a demon. That's the way it goes… right, Mr. Snow?"
Snow turned to him, eyes wide. He looked like he had something deep to say, something profound-
Then, after a long pause, he finally spoke.
"…You talk like an old man."
Ren's eye twitched.
THAT'S ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY, YOU LITTLE FREAK?!
Lira burst into laughter, completely ignoring the tension in the air. "Pfft- old man, Ryuu! 'This is hell, where all criminals go…' Wow, so poetic." She wiped a fake tear from her eye.
Ren shot her a glare. "Shut up."
Snow chuckled. "I'm just saying, you sound like someone who's been through a lot."
Ren folded his arms. "Maybe I have."
Snow tilted his head, as if sizing him up. "Maybe you have," he echoed.
For a moment, the three of them fell silent, watching as the auction continued. The Moonveil Dagger was quickly sold to a masked bidder in the front row. Other items followed: enchanted armor, rare artifacts, spellbooks imbued with ancient magic.
Then, the air in the room shifted.
The next auction item was brought onto the stage, covered by a heavy black cloth. The announcer smiled wider than before, a glint of greed in his eyes. "And now, ladies and gentlemen… our most valuable offering tonight."
With a dramatic flourish, he pulled the cloth away.
Silence~
IT WAS EMPTY!
The announcer froze. A few murmurs rippled through the audience. Some bidders leaned forward, expecting a trick, but the glass case remained completely, undeniably empty.
A tense silence settled over the arena.
"…Is this a joke?" someone finally called out.
The announcer's confident smile twitched, but he quickly recovered. "Ah, l-ladies and gentlemen, there must be some mistake. Our most valuable item was right here just moments ago-"
Before he could finish, the stage lights flickered. Then, all at once, they shattered.
Darkness swallowed the arena.
A low, bone-chilling laugh echoed through the air.
Ren's instincts kicked in immediately. He grabbed Lira's wrist and yanked her back, pressing against the balcony pillar. Snow, standing beside them, was eerily still, eyes gleaming in the faint emergency lights.
Then, the case on the stage exploded. Shards of reinforced glass rained down, and through the chaos, something moved.
A shadow.
No, a person.
A tall figure stepped out from the shadows, dusting off his shoulders. He was draped in dark, tattered robes, and his silver hair reflected the dim lights like a blade. His golden eyes burned with an unnatural glow.
Ren exhaled slowly. "Well. That's not good."
The man lifted his gaze to the frozen crowd. Then, without a word, he raised his hand.
And the entire arena erupted into flames.
Thankfully, Snow was there. And, as his name suggested, he could use ice magic.
…Wait. Isn't he an assassin type?
Flames roared toward them, but the fire struck a transparent ice barrier, hissing as it failed to break through. Snow clicked his tongue. "Ugh. I really hate fire."
The emergency doors burst open. Irregulars rushed to escape while players stood their ground, weapons drawn, ready to take on the stranger. Ren spotted three of them moving in sync: Azrael, Frost Fang, and Little Sparrow. A deadly trio.
"Let's go," Snow said, already heading for the stairs.
Ren frowned, following him with Lira. "Wait, you're leaving? You're one of the strongest players here. Don't you want to fight?"
Snow didn't even look back. "That guy's aura is wrong." His tone was sharp, almost wary. "I'm glad we have three S-Ranks here, but… I don't think they'll stand a chance."
Lira blinked. "Three S-Ranks won't stand a chance?"
"That demon…" Snow's voice lowered as they hurried up the staircase. "He's not just strong. He's at least an S-Rank, maybe even SS. Judging by his energy, I'd say he's from the Tiger Tribe of the South."
They finally reached the party room. It was empty; whoever had stayed behind earlier had already fled. The air was thick with tension.
Lira exhaled sharply, stopping to catch her breath. "That demon… He wasn't the one in the cage, was he?"
"No," Snow said, his eyes flickering with something unreadable. "But I think he's here for the one who was."
Before Ren could respond, the ground shook, a deep, violent tremor that rattled the walls and sent glasses crashing to the floor.
They didn't wait to see what would happen next.
Splitting from Snow, Ren and Lira sprinted out of Aurum House, pushing through the midnight streets but still full with lights. The moment they made it a safe distance away-
BOOM!!!!!!!
The entire building went up in a blinding explosion, golden flames swallowing everything in their path. The blast should've wiped out the whole city, but-
Ice.
A thick, glacial barrier had coated the structure, dulling the destruction.
Ren let out a breath.
"…Snow really doesn't mess around."
And again!
Ren felt it- someone was watching him.
He spun around, scanning the city, but saw nothing. Without a word, he took off running.
"Eh? What's wrong?" Lira asked, confused, but she still chased after him.
They darted into a narrow alleyway between towering buildings. The darkness swallowed them, with only the moonlight cutting through. Lira caught her breath. "Are you that scared of fire?" she teased, exhaling sharply.
Ren wasn't listening. His shoulders were tense, his eyes darting around. Finally, he sighed. "Damn… What was that?"
Lira blinked. "…Huh?"
Before she could react, someone grabbed Ren from behind, locking their arms under his.
"WHA-?!"
Lira's eyes widened.
Ren thrashed. "Hey! What the hell are you doing?!" He couldn't even turn to see who was clinging to him.
A low, young voice murmured, "Take responsibility."
Lira gasped dramatically, covering her mouth. "Ohhh, so that's why you weren't jealous when I was with another man!" She shot Ren a knowing look. "I'm not judging, Ryuu, but… he looks kinda underage," she whispered.
Ren's eye twitched. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU SAYING?!" he yelled.
"And you! Who are you?! First, let me go!" Ren snapped at the boy still hugging him.
The boy tightened his grip, voice filled with anger. "You don't remember me?! You took everything from me, and you don't even remember?"
Ren was completely lost. "What the hell are you talking about?!"
Lira gasped again, hands on her cheeks. "OH MY GOD! Someone call the police!"
"YOU SHUT UP FIRST!" Ren shouted, veins popping on his forehead.
The boy suddenly let go- only to kick Ren's leg out from under him. Ren yelped as he hit the ground.
"You destroyed my home, remember?" The boy stood over him, hands on his hips, clearly pissed. "And now what? You don't even recognize me?! I even healed you!"
Ren blinked.
Oh… right. The Mandora Man.
"So it wasn't my imagination…" he muttered. Back then, when he was passing out from blood loss, he had heard someone talking to him.
He finally got a good look at the boy.
Hazel eyes, soft but sharp. Brown hair, streaked with orange hues, a long section of his hair is braided neatly to one side, draping over his shoulder. His bangs hung over his forehead carelessly. He wore a fitted black coat and matching trousers, giving off a mix of elegance and wildness.
Yeah. No doubt. It was him.
"…Thanks for saving me," Ren said, standing up and bowing slightly. The boy looked about sixteen or seventeen.
"Then take responsibility."
Ren frowned. "Huh?"
"You destroyed my Mandora home."
Ren stared. "That… was your home?"
"It was my safe zone. I'd been hiding there for years. No one had ever destroyed it before!" The boy's frustration was clear. "Most people with common sense would flee the moment they saw it! But you, who the hell just charges in like that?!"
"But you looked like you needed help!" Ren protested.
"I didn't!" the boy yelled, his face turning red. "I was trying to scare you away! But you clung to me like a damn bubblegum!"
Ren: "...???"
"S-Sorry!"
"I don't want your thanks or apology! Just take responsibility for me!"
"…Yeah, sure. But how?"
"Make a pact with me."
Silence.
"…I don't wanna."
Lira, who had been quiet this whole time, turned to Ren with the dumbest expression. The boy looked just as stunned.
"Huh? What?"
Ren crossed his arms. "You're clearly a teen demon. I'm not making a slave contract with a kid." He swatted away the glowing system messages popping up in front of him.
The boy twitched. "I knew you were an idiot… but you're actually brain-dead."
"Hah?! What did you just say, you little brat?!" Ren fumed.
"He's right, Ryuu." Lira sighed. "You're dumb. Just check your system notifications, at least." She looked like she was barely holding back laughter.
Ren clicked his tongue and finally checked his system.
First message:
[How dare you block me, you asshole?!]
...…???
Second message:
[The last of the Seven Soul Guardians, Eternal Healer Zero-Seven, is asking to form a pact with you. Will you accept?]
[Yes] [No]
"Huh?!"
The boy crossed his arms, his confidence back. "I am the seventh Soul Guardian, the Eternal Healer." His voice was full of arrogance. "And I am offering you a pact. Not a slave contract. How dare you say no?"
Ren hesitated.
Soul Guardians. Yeah. He remembered the system explaining them when he first arrived. Having one was a huge advantage.
"You shouldn't say no," Lira added. "He's the seventh Soul Guardian. No one's ever been able to form a pact with him. But he's asking you. Don't be a rude piece of shit."
Ren squinted. "…You just wanted an excuse to curse at me, didn't you?"
Lira looked away, whistling. "Aha~ Got caught~!"
Ren narrowed his eyes. "And this pact... what exactly does it mean?"
The young man, a Soul Guardian, met his gaze. "I'm a healer. I can't fight, but I can heal any wound, so long as you're still alive. In exchange, you protect me from danger."
Ren hesitated.
A guardian who needed guarding? It felt ironic. The boy was young, fragile even. But having a healer at his side was undeniably valuable. But was this really okay?
After a moment, he gave a firm nod. "Fine."
As soon as he agreed, a soft, cyan mist curled around them, swirling in the air like a living thing. It wrapped around the Young man's wrist, vanishing into a silver bracelet that now rested there. He barely had time to process what had just happened before a commotion erupted at the alley's entrance.
A group of armed men stormed in, their auras heavy, C-rank or higher. Their eyes locked onto the young man immediately.
"There he is! That sneaky little brat actually escaped the auction!" one of them snarled.
The boy flinched, fear flashing across his face as he instinctively stepped back.
"Wait... Did he just form a pact?" another man scoffed.
"Looks like it."
"Tch. What a pain. Now we gotta kill some extra rats." One of them turned his gaze to Ren, assessing him. "Hey, you. Judging by your clothes, you were at the auction, but your aura's pathetic. Just hand over the kid and break your pact. Maybe then, we'll let you walk away."
Another laughed darkly. "That is... if we feel like it."
A cold wind swept through the alley, rustling the shadows. The only sounds that remained were the distant cries of night creatures, unseen but ever present.
Ren stepped forward, bathed in moonlight. His usual self faded, replaced by something far colder. Something without hesitation. Without mercy.
"You... kill right?" he asked in a cold emotionless tone. "Why?"
"Why you ask? Well, of course, we have to clean up idiots like you. Isn't that super fun and has more benefits than killing monsters?" One of them said and smirked.
"Alright." Ren said.
Before they could react, Ren moved. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of the closest man, a crimson dagger flashing in the pale light.
A single, swift slash.
Blood sprayed into the night.
The man staggered, clutching his throat, eyes wide in shock.
Ren's gaze was empty, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I understand now."