Liam, Kai, and ECHO moved swiftly through the abandoned cityscape, their steps barely making a sound on the cracked pavement. The ruins of old buildings cast jagged shadows under the flickering neon lights, making it feel as if something—or someone—was always watching.
The tension from their previous encounter with the Black Armor Guild still lingered. They had gained valuable information, but there were still too many unanswered questions.
A Growing Uncertainty ECHO, who had been mostly silent, finally spoke. "I don't like this."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "You don't like what?"
ECHO's digital form flickered slightly as he processed information. "The way things are accelerating. Players are getting stronger too quickly. Either the system is malfunctioning, or someone is manipulating things behind the scenes."
Liam frowned. "You mean abilities?"
ECHO nodded. "Yes. Originally, players were supposed to develop powers based on their playstyles and backstories. But I'm seeing abilities emerge that don't fit that pattern."
Kai looked concerned. "You think someone is handing out powers?"
ECHO's expression darkened. "I think someone is rewriting the rules."
A Silent Stalker Before Liam could respond, his instincts flared.
Without hesitation, he grabbed Kai's shoulder and pulled him back just as a blade sliced through the air where Kai had been standing.
A hooded figure landed gracefully in front of them, their dagger still gleaming in the dim light.
Liam immediately recognized the stance—an assassin-class player.
Kai, recovering from the surprise attack, scowled. "Seriously?! What is it with people sneaking up on us?"
The hooded figure chuckled and slowly pulled back their hood, revealing silver hair and piercing blue eyes.
"Selene Hayes," she introduced herself, tucking her dagger away. "And you two have been causing quite the stir."
ECHO analyzed her briefly before muttering, "Another one."
Liam narrowed his eyes. "You've been watching us."
Selene smirked. "Observing. There's a difference." She crossed her arms. "You two aren't like the others. And considering the state of this world, that makes you either useful… or dangerous."
Kai scoffed. "And which one do you think we are?"
Selene's smirk widened. "Still deciding."
Shared KnowledgeLiam remained cautious but lowered his guard slightly. "If you've been watching, then you know more than most. What do you want?"
Selene tilted her head. "To see if you're worth aligning with."
ECHO folded his arms. "And what do you know about the Black Armor Guild?"
Selene's expression grew serious. "More than you do. They're not just a group of strong players—they're part of something bigger. They have access to abilities beyond what normal players should have."
Kai muttered, "Sounds familiar…" before glancing at Liam.
Selene continued. "And if you want to survive in this world, you'll need to be more than just strong—you'll need allies."
Liam's mind raced. This wasn't a coincidence. The game's balance was shifting, and people like Selene were proof of it.
Before he could respond, a distant explosion shook the ground beneath them.
Selene's eyes narrowed. "Looks like we're out of time. Decision's yours—fight alone or fight smart."
Liam clenched his fists as the dark silhouette
of another threat emerged in the distance.
End of Chapter 14