The Next Morning
Sunlight spilled through the massive windows of our apartnt, casting golden beams across the sleek flooring. The skyline of Davao stretched beyond the glass, buzzing with anticipation. The entire city felt it — today wasn’t just another day.
It was the official opening of the Rift Market.
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of my dark jacket, slipping on a pair of black gloves that matched the tone of subtle authority I preferred. I tapped the mask clipped to my belt — the Faceless Cloak — just in case I needed it.
Behind , Noel erged from his room, his outfit simple but clean, a rare sense of excitent visible on his face.
"Hard to believe," he muttered as he rubbed his eyes. "We’re going to the Rift Market. The real one."
"We deserve a look," I replied calmly. "Especially now."
He raised a brow. "Even if people from the Astral Community are gonna be swarming it?"
"That’s why I brought this," I said, lifting the mask. "I’ll be cloaked the mont we get near the crowd. As for you, just act natural."
"Natural?" Noel smirked. "I’m literally walking next to a guy who cleared eight damn floors solo and fought a titan that almost blew up the Rift."
I shrugged. "Then walk taller."
After a light breakfast, we left. I took the wheel of the Lamborghini Huracán once again, the roar of the engine slicing through the morning air. Davao’s streets were alive—vendors, news crews, and hundreds of Vassals of all kinds were making their way toward the massive glass-dod structure that lood ahead: the Davao Rift Market, officially sanctioned by the Rift Authority.
And today, it was finally open for business.
Vast banners fluttered in the wind:
"A New Era of Exchange Begins.""Empowernt Through Trade."
Hovering screens showed countdowns and Rift-clear stats, most of which had my na censored or marked as "Unknown Entity."
"Here we go," Noel muttered as the building ca into full view.
Without another word, I slipped the mask over my face.
The cloak activated in silence.
[Faceless Cloak: Passive – Hidden Presence Engaged.]You are invisible to all identification scans while stationary or walking. True invisibility activates when crouched or hidden.
I faded from perception, even Noel could barely see if he didn’t look directly.
"Alright, Nile," he said under his breath, "let’s see what this market really has to offer."
We stepped into the crowd, walking toward the heart of the largest hub of Rift comrce in the entire region—where power was traded, secrets were whispered, and sowhere... eyes were watching.
-
We passed through the grand archway of the Davao Rift Market, a colossal entrance guarded by twin statues of ancient beasts—both slain Rift entities preserved in mana-stone. Security was tight. Scan barriers, enchanted detectors, even hovering caras—all designed to identify Vassals, catalog gear, and prevent smuggling of cursed items.
But none of that mattered to .
The Nullshade Veil still humd with its invisible presence. I moved undetected.
Noel, on the other hand, was imdiately recognized. So hunters waved at him, others whispered. A few snapped pictures. I stayed close, walking at a pace slow enough to remain undetected, slipping between shadows and murmurs like I never existed.
The inside of the market was nothing short of majestic.
Floating booths, suspended walkways, elental lights trailing through enchanted air vents—it felt more like a high-fantasy palace than a market.
’Earth has adapted way faster than before. It’s scary yet amazing’
Vendors shouted deals over magical loudspeakers:
"Epic-grade healing potion, limited batch!"
"Ta-class Rift creatures for lease!"
"Weapons imbued with C-class fragnts—genuine!"
There were zones for:
Rift Crafters, forging items with materials pulled from anomaly zones.
Relic Traders, who dealt in cursed and forgotten equipnt.
Auction Houses, where credits ant power and secrets sold faster than steel.
Noel stopped to gawk at a stall showcasing a floating crimson staff laced in obsidian veins.
"That thing... isn’t it cool? How the hell—"
But my eyes weren’t on the staff.
I felt a pressure, a subtle aura of soone who brings death. It was suffocating, not because of its sheer power, but because of how it disgusts .
And when I turned slowly, there he was, the PK King.
His real na was irrelevant. Most didn’t even know it. He didn’t need an introduction.
Clad in dark leather laced with crimson threads, blades sheathed at his hips—each one stained with blood from past Vassals. A mocking grin etched on his face like he wore it by default.
He walked leisurely through the crowd with two Executioners flanking him—his known lieutenants. Their eyes scanned the crowd, but they didn’t see . Of course they didn’t. I was still cloaked.
But the King paused.
And for a terrifying second...He looked directly at .
Noel was still focused on the staff.
I didn’t move.
’Did he see through the mask?’
The PK King’s eyes narrowed—those blood-red irises briefly glowing. His smirk widened... then he walked past.
Noel turned. "Hey, did you see that psycho just now?"
We continued walking, weaving through the market—past auctions of rare grimoires, mana-reactive gear, and whispers of an Artifact Vault opening soon. All the while, the presence of the PK King lingered like poison in the air.
I knew he wasn’t here just to shop.
He was hunting.
And I had a feeling... our paths were going to collide sooner than later.
"Go on," I told Noel, eyes still locked in the direction the PK King and his Executioners had disappeared into. "Explore the market. See if anything’s worth grabbing."
Noel blinked at , half-hesitant. "You sure? I an... after that guy just walked past?"
I gave him a subtle nod, the tone in my voice even and sharp. "I’ll be fine. I just want to see what they’re up to."
Noel’s lips tightened into a grim line, then he sighed. "Alright. But if you get stabbed while invisible, I’m gonna be pissed."
"Noted," I muttered with a faint smirk under the mask.
He turned and lted into the crowd of buyers and vendors, vanishing behind floating banners and alchemical display booths.
I, on the other hand, took a different path.
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