Night settled over the city.
But in the Lower District—
Darkness meant movement.
Nyra moved like a shadow across the rooftops.
Silent.
Focused.
Her senses were still dulled—
But improving.
Slowly.
The cost fades… but not completely, she thought.
Her grip tightened slightly.
The Abyss Market wasn't a gift.
It was a trade.
Always a trade.
She stopped on a rooftop.
Below—
A courtyard.
Torches burned along the walls.
Disciples trained in formation.
At the center—
A young man stood alone.
Sweat covered his body.
His breathing uneven.
But he didn't stop.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Nyra watched silently.
"…so that's him," she muttered.
Target: Kaien Voss
Talented disciple of a minor sect
Recently suppressed by higher-ranking members
Potential value: High
Nyra's eyes narrowed slightly.
Talented… but desperate.
Perfect.
She dropped down silently behind him.
No sound.
No warning.
"Your form is wrong."
The young man froze.
He turned instantly—
Sword already halfway drawn.
"…who are you?!"
Nyra didn't move.
"Someone who can fix it."
He frowned.
"…fix what?"
Nyra stepped forward slowly.
"Your stagnation."
Silence.
The word hit.
Hard.
His grip tightened.
"…leave."
Nyra tilted her head slightly.
"Or what?"
The air tensed.
His aura flared—
Weak.
Unstable.
"…I said leave."
Nyra watched him carefully.
Then—
She spoke again.
"You've been stuck at Qi Gathering for three months."
He froze.
"Your meridians are blocked."
His breathing hitched.
"You train harder every day…"
A pause.
"But you're not improving."
Silence crushed the space between them.
"…how do you know that?" he asked quietly.
Nyra's voice didn't change.
"Because I've seen it before."
A lie.
But a useful one.
He looked away slightly.
Frustration.
Anger.
Doubt.
All visible.
"…what do you want?" he asked.
Nyra smiled faintly.
"There's a place."
A pause.
"Where people like you…"
"…find answers."
He scoffed.
"…sounds like a scam."
Nyra shrugged.
"Then don't come."
She turned—
And started walking away.
No pressure.
No force.
Just choice.
"Wait."
She stopped.
Slowly—
Turned back.
"…what kind of place?" he asked.
Nyra's eyes met his.
"A market."
A pause.
"But not the kind you know."
He hesitated.
"…what's the cost?"
Nyra's expression didn't change.
"Everything has one."
A step closer.
"But you decide what you're willing to lose."
Silence.
Long.
Heavy.
"…and if I refuse?"
Nyra shrugged again.
"Then nothing changes."
A pause.
"You stay here."
"Keep training."
"Keep failing."
His jaw tightened.
Because deep down—
He knew.
That was the truth.
Nyra raised her hand slightly.
A faint mark appeared in the air.
A symbol.
Dark.
Shifting.
"Think about it," she said.
"This is your invitation."
The symbol flickered—
Then vanished.
Nyra turned—
And disappeared into the night.
Abyss Market
Ren Kairo watched everything.
Every word.
Every reaction.
[Target Status: Unstable]
[Acceptance Probability: 67%]
Ren leaned back slightly.
Good.
She didn't force him.
She didn't rush.
She let the idea sink in.
Because the strongest hook…
Was curiosity.
Ren's eyes shifted slightly.
Another screen appeared.
Not Nyra.
The newcomer from the auction.
Standing alone in a dark room.
His aura—
Still unstable.
Still growing.
"…Devouring Heaven Art…" the man muttered.
Ren's eyes narrowed.
He noticed something.
The man looked up suddenly.
As if sensing something.
"…you're watching, aren't you?" he said quietly.
Silence.
Ren didn't respond.
The man smiled.
"…good."
A pause.
"Next time…"
"…I'll bring something worth your attention."
The screen faded.
Ren sat in silence.
Thinking.
Calculating.
The market was expanding.
Slowly.
Carefully.
But now—
It wasn't just him anymore.
There were others.
Watching.
Interested.
Changing.
Ren Kairo closed his eyes briefly.
Then—
Opened them.
Sharp.
Focused.
"Let's see who comes next," he said quietly.
Because the invitation had been sent.
And soon—
Someone would answer.
And when they did—
The Abyss Market…
Would grow stronger again.