The extraction began and a bar appeared, disying how much time was left.


    After about thirty seconds, the Runic Sword materialized in his grasp.


    The de gleamed with a fierce, red energy, causing the air in the surroundings to vibrate softly.


    With a slight tremor, he passed the weapon to Floozk, who held it, feeling the de vibrate in his grip.


    He gave an approving nod as a deadly grin spread across his face. He lifted the sword high, and with a single swing, unleashed a zing arc of crimson energy that tore through Damon''s men, cutting them down in an instant.


    Blood sprayed across the floor, painting the dark walls in ominous streaks of red.


    As the remaining thugs scattered, some ran for the back exit.


    Floozk advanced through the crowd with his bodyguards clearing his path. Reaching the rear exit, he spotted Damon scrambling into a ck car, revving the engine in ast attempt to escape.


    Floozk didn''t hesitate. He raised the Runic Sword and with a powerful, sweeping motion, he brought it down, sending another red arc racing toward the car.


    The energy struck the vehicle, splitting it cleanly in two. Metal crunched and twisted as the car halves slid apart causing sparks and smoke to billow from the ruined engine.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    One part immediately caught on fire and Damon staggered out of the wreckage in horror.


    Floozk stalked forward, gripping Damon by the hair, yanking him to his feet.


    "You don''t get to walk away from this," Floozk sneered with cold fury. He dragged Damon back inside, ignoring his screams of protest and pulling him through the carnage.


    August watched with a look of satisfaction as Floozk threw Damon to the ground in the center of the ruined nightclub.


    As the dust settled in the now-quiet nightclub, August turned to Mr. Floozk with his gaze lingering on the Runic Sword, which still pulsed faintly with residual energy. "I''d be careful with that sword if I were you."


    Floozk nced at the weapon, a small, satisfied smile appearing at the corners of his mouth. "This is a purchase well made, Aleman. I think I''ll manage," his voice wasced with dark amusement.


    Damon knelt on the floor in terror as he realized his empire had crumbled around him.


    Floozk''s men stood guard, ensuring no one left the building without his say. The few survivors, Damon''sst few loyal followers, had been forced to kneel as well or were barely clinging to consciousness, scattered across the floor.


    Floozk turned his cold gaze on Damon, stepping closer until he towered over him. "Now, let''s settle another matter, shall we?" His voice was deceptively calm.


    A quiet menace underlined each word. "Tell me who ordered you to torch my warehouse."


    Damon''s eyes darted around, refusing to meet Floozk''s. He pressed his lips together, remaining silent.


    Floozk tilted his head as his eyes narrowed. "Very well. But I promise you, by the time I''m done with you, you''ll be begging me for death, and even at that, I won''t be merciful enough to grant it to you."


    August clutched Sophia''s hand tightly and felt a shudder run through her.


    He looked down at her and noticed her face pale from all she''d just witnessed.


    He wasn''t new to brutality. In fact, in his previous world, he had been involved in his fair share of merciless takedowns but Sophia was different.


    She was pure. He knew she''d seen more than enough.


    He turned to Floozk, giving him a respectful nod. "Thank you… for everything. I owe you one."


    Floozk raised a hand, waving it dismissively. "Think nothing of it, Aleman. Just remember to bring me something interesting next time." He gave a dark, knowing smirk, still focused on Damon, who was visibly trembling.


    "Count on it," August replied.


    With a final look at the defeated Damon and the chaos around him, August took Sophia''s hand, guiding her out of the club and away from the nightmare that had unfolded.


    As they stepped outside, the cool evening air hit them. It was a breath of freshnesspared to the suffocating intensity of the club''s interior.


    Sophia clung to his arm, leaning into him, clearly shaken. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, offering aforting squeeze.


    "You okay, Soph?" he asked softly as they walked down the empty street. Your next read is at empire


    She took a shaky breath, nodding. "I… I am now. Just… I hope something like this never happens again."


    "I promise... it won''t," He gave her a reassuring smile. "Today''s been one hell of a day, but it''s over."


    She let out a faintugh, resting her head against his shoulder. "I could sleep for a week after all that."


    "Let''s get home," he said, gently steering her down the street.


    ...


    ...


    Outside a gleaming skyscraper, towering amidst the city''s skyline, a long line of people—gamers, enthusiasts, and potential recruits—stretched down the block.


    Above them, a massive holographic sign shed the words "Phoenix Celestial" in striking crimson and gold.


    For those familiar with Enders Light, it was a ce synonymous with prestige. One of the most reputable guilds.


    Each person in the line clutched a small electronic ticket with their number printed on it. Many tags read in the triple and even quadruple digits.


    Evening was setting in, casting a warm glow over the crowd as anticipation bubbled through the line. But just as the hopes of those closest to the entrance seemed within reach, therge ss doors slid open and a Phoenix Celestial guild member in uniform stepped out.


    The man had strikingly neat hair, styled in a short, sharp cut, and wore a pristine, fitted ck uniform with a crimson Phoenix emblem stitched on his chest. He gave a somewhat sympathetic look to the hopefuls.


    "Attention, everyone!" his voice boomed over the din. "We''re closing for the day. Those of you still waiting in line will have to return tomorrow to continue your application process."


    Groans of disappointment rippled through the crowd as people inched forward to see if the news was genuine. But the guild member waved his hands, signaling it was final. Some peopleined, but others nodded and murmured in eptance, already turning to leave.


    Just as he was about to return inside, a figure stepped out from the shadows near the corner of the building. "Hold on a moment," the man called out with an unmistakably authoritative tone.


    The guild member rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath. "Great… him again."


    The man stepped forward, revealing himself as a tall, lean individual with dark sunsses and a sharp suit that marked him as anything but an average yer. Because he wasn''t a yer...


    His government badge, partially visible, indicated he was with federalw enforcement.


    His gaze remained cool, with an air that suggested he wasn''t one to be denied.


    "Got a minute?" he asked, almost as if he were issuing an order instead of making a request.


    The guild member sighed but nodded, not wanting to make a scene. "Alright, Detective Wright. You''re here to see the Ice Queen again, aren''t you?"


    The detective gave a tight-lipped smile. "You catch on quick."


    The guild member shrugged, holding the door open for Wright, who stepped inside, surveying the building''s luxurious interior.


    They walked through a series of lounges filled with yers socializing, some enjoying drinks from the bar, while others were locked in deep discussions about the game''stest updates.


    As they walked, several other guild members greeted the guild rep, who seemed to have built quite a reputation within the guild. "Looking good, Dex!" one of the yers called out as they passed, giving him a thumbs-up.


    "Thanks, Trent," Dex replied with a grin, before looking back at Wright. "So, what''s the big deal this time? Your Ice Queen visits are starting to look like clockwork."


    "Let''s just say there''s been some… chatter," Wright replied cryptically, looking around as they passed by a gym area where several yers were working out, some lifting weights, others sparring on mats.


    The walls here were adorned with Phoenix Celestial insignias, and the room echoed with the sounds of exertion and encouragement from fellow guild members.


    "Still obsessed with the game?" Dex teased. "You do realize there''s more to life than chasing after digital avatars, right?"


    Wright smirked, ncing sidelong at Dex. "You wouldn''t understand. Some of us have bigger fish to fry."


    Dex chuckled, clearly unfazed, and continued leading him down the hall, where they soon approached a room marked


    "Phoenix Celestial Gaming Suite." Inside, rows of high-end gaming pods were arranged, each more advanced than the next, with colorful LEDs illuminating the smooth metal cases.


    A few guild members were immersed in their pods and a holographic interface disyed outside each pod showed the yer''s in-game stats and recent achievements.


    They moved on, winding through another corridor, and eventually stopped in front of an imposing set of double doors that led to the guild''s boardroom.


    Dex turned to Wright, holding up a hand. "Wait here for a moment," he voiced while knocking on the door.


    A few secondster, a cool, feminine voice responded from within. It was soft yet held a sultry edge thatmanded attention. "Come in."