Ren's eyes fell on the owner of that murderous aura—
A woman in her mid-twenties.
Long, slightly messy hair flowing dark complete black, faint reddish tint under the light. Cold, empty eyes. A completely emotionless face… yet suffocating. Busty curves and figures, combine with big chest. The kind of presence that didn't need to move—just standing there felt like pressure crushing down.
A total demon.
Ren gulped.
…This feeling… is coming from her…?
He stared for a moment, unable to look away.
"…Are you okay?" she asked calmly, extending her hand.
Ren snapped out of it and accepted it, pulling himself up.
Her hand…Yeah. She's strong. No doubt.
The woman kept looking at him for a few seconds, as if about to say something— "…Eh?"
She suddenly stopped midway.
Ren stiffened slightly.
…Don't stare at me like that…
A voice interrupted from behind her—
The vice captain of the city guards.
Ren's eyes widened slightly.
Oh… it's this guy again…
Memories of the auction flashed in his mind—the chaos, the guard's running with thier tail, the masterpiece "piss and run" technique of the vice captain.
His lips twitched.
Don't laugh… don't laugh… DON'T LAUGH…
He somehow held it in.
The vice captain stepped forward, speaking in an unusually polite tone—too polite. Almost scared.
"Captain… please reconsider…"
Ren blinked, Captain…? …Captain? His gaze slowly shifted back to the woman.
Wait… what captain…?
Then it clicked.
…She's the city guard's captain.
The woman's eyes moved toward the vice captain.
Cold. Sharp. Dominating.
"Do you really dare to stand before me…" her voice calm but heavy, "…after demolishing the city guard's reputation?"
[ She is scary! ]
Ren thought with a blank face, yeah… I can't agree more.
The vice captain immediately dropped to his knees, grabbing her leg desperately.
"Please, Captain! Please—don't… don't fire me!"
His face twisted in pure desperation—almost like a professional beggar.
Ren watched silently.
…Looks like he's getting fired because of the auction failure…
Then—
…Poor guy… a pause …Actually, not really. His expression didn't change at all.
[…]
Ren murmured under his breath, so low only he could hear it, "…what!?" directing it at Trash, completely baffled by what he was seeing.
The vice captain kept begging, voice cracking, asking for mercy again and again—but the captain didn't even flinch.
Then—
With a cold, almost bored look, she lifted her leg and gave a light kick to his stomach.
THUD—!
That "light" kick was enough to send him flying across the street like a ragdoll.
Ren's body stiffened.
…Why am I getting chills…?
She's terrifying…
His gut screamed at him—loud, urgent, warning him not to get involved.
The captain spoke again, her tone cold and absolute. "If you dare show your face before me again… I'll make sure you won't live to see another day."
The vice captain trembled. "…C-captain…"
Then he turned and ran—full speed.
Stumbling. Shaking. Almost tripping over himself, but not daring to slow down even for a second.
Ren watched him go, a bit stunned.
"…I didn't expect him to be that good at running…"
[ His agility might be higher than yours. Truly impressive natural talent. ]
The captain's attention shifted toward Ren, her presence turning cold and heavy again. "…Did you say something?"
Ren immediately shook his head, lips sealed tight.
Nope. Not a word leaved his mouth.
He forced an awkward smile internally.
Me and my useless mouth… never knows when to shut up…
Rule no. 31—Never take risks without knowing your opponent's full capability… especially when that feeling deep down is screaming at you.
"…Good," she said.
The terrifying pressure slowly faded, her expression returning to something almost normal. "…Good then."
Ren nodded quickly. "Okay then… I'll take my leave."
He turned without wasting a second, no need to get entangled with her, one step—
A hand landed on his shoulder.
"Wait."
Ren froze.
…Yeah, I'm not getting a good feeling about this…
He slowly turned back.
The captain—still somehow standing behind him—pointed at Ren's weapon. "That's yours, right?"
Ren blinked. "Yeah… whose else would it be if I'm carrying it?"
The captain's gaze shifted to the ring on his finger. "…You have permission, it seems."
Ren smiled brightly. "Oh yeah, I got it after winning the Dead Cage second phase."
A pause, then a grin appeared on her face as the captain said, "…Oh? If that's the case."
Ren froze internally.
…Wait.
I just… spilled everything… without even trying…
He forced a smile that looked like he was about to cry.
Me… and only me…
"Well then," her grin softened into a faint smile, "come with me."
Ren blinked a few times.
"…What?"
"Let me be clear," she said calmly, "spar with me. Since you won the Dead Cage, you can't be ordinary."
Ren's soul sighed.
Why do I always invite trouble when I try to avoid it…
Like hell I'm doing that—
"Of course," she added, "it won't be free. I'll pay you for your time."
Ren froze, his expression instantly changing as he asked, "…How much?" his voice suddenly eager to know.
She thought for a moment… then raised five fingers.
Ren didn't hesitate even a second.
"Deal."
Money was money—no amount was small for him, though spending it was a completely different story.
---
Ren walked beside her, stealing glances now and then, thinking how someone with such a cold, lifeless expression could still look this beautiful. Then—without warning—
"…So, Captain… how many boyfriends have you had?"
The words slipped out. Just like that.
Ren froze. Sweat instantly formed.
…Crap. I'm dead. This is how I die… not in battle… but by my own mouth…
"…Many," she replied calmly, face unchanged, voice flat. "More than you could count. Don't bother."
Ren blinked, genuinely surprised. "…Impressive."
But inside—his brain clicked.
…Wait. Perfect chance.
A slow, evil grin formed as he murmured under his breath, "…Activate. Body Count."
[ Activating Skill : Body Count ]
A number appeared in his vision above her head.
Ren looked—and froze again.
"…0."
His mouth slowly opened. "…What…?"
[ She is basically a holy maiden! ]
He stared at her, completely speechless.
…She lied. Smoothly. Without hesitation. This woman… is dangerous in a completely different way…
"…By the way," she added, still walking, "don't call me Captain. It feels off."
Ren blinked. "…Then what should I call you?"
"…Flare."
"…Okay… Flare," he said softly, then thought, …yeah… that kinda suits her… fifty-fifty.
Soon, they reached a massive facility with a sign above it—City Guard Headquarters.
Inside, guards trained everywhere, weapons clashing, voices echoing, but they walked straight past all of it and entered a large empty training ground, wide and perfect for a real fight.
"…Perfect. No one will disturb us here," Flare said.
A grin spread across Ren's face. "…Good. Makes it easier when I wipe the floor with you."
[ Aren't you getting overconfident? ]
He murmured under his breath, voice dripping with confidence, an excited grin spreading across his face—only he and Trash could hear it.
"Overconfidence is the key to success."
His fear was gone. His hesitation—gone. All that remained was excitement.
A chance to learn… to test myself… this is exactly what I need…
Flare stretched lightly, then changed into training attire—a tight black top that fit her perfectly, leaving her toned midriff exposed, every movement clean and controlled, paired with loose dark pants that gave her full mobility. Her long hair was tied into a high ponytail, swaying slightly as she moved. Simple. Efficient and too sexy at the same time.
Ren's eyes widened.
What kind of weapon is this…? Mental attack before the fight even begins…?
[ This is too much for me to handle! ]
"So?" Ren forced himself to focus. "Hand-to-hand or what?"
"I want to see how you use that," Flare said, pointing at his weapon with a faint grin.
Ren smirked. "…You sure you can handle it?"
A faint grin appeared on Flare's face as she said, "…We'll see. Prepare yourself."
Ren said, "I was prepared the moment I lost my vergin—" he suddenly stopped, coughed lightly, then added, "…forget that. Let's start."
He stepped forward, weapon in hand, ready to strike.
"…Come at me," Flare said calmly.
Ren moved—then suddenly stopped. "Wait!?."
He frowned. "…Where's your weapon?"
" About that—"
A faint glow appeared in her hand. The ground beneath her feet cracked instantly—
CRACK—!
Ren's eyes widened as pieces of stone broke apart and started floating in the air around her, as if obeying her will.
…What the hell is this…?
Then—his grin returned.
She has abilities too… even better.
But the moment he saw it fully—
That grin disappeared.
"…Here," Flare said calmly. "…My weapon."
Ren's body stiffened as a bead of sweat rolled down his face.
What… is even that!?