CHAPTER 62: TAILING THE PK KING

I followed the scent of bloodlust.

The PK King and his Executioners moved deeper into the market—but not aimlessly.

They weren’t here to buy.

They were heading toward the Underground Exchange—a black-tier trading hub known only to high-profile Vassals, banned items collectors, and... murderers.

I kept my distance, ducking behind rune-pillars and cloak-weaved stalls. The crowd thinned as we entered the restricted wing of the market, but I moved like a ghost.

Then I saw them stop.

The PK King approached a hooded man behind a sealed counter. A brief exchange. The vendor pulled a black briefcase from below the table and opened it just slightly. I couldn’t see what was inside, but whatever it was made the PK King grin in a way that made my blood simmer.

He handed over a data shard—a black-market currency encrypted with Rift-cleared kills.

"I want it ready before the 10th floor opens," the PK King said casually.

"No mistakes this time."

The vendor nodded quickly, like a dog given orders. "Of course, of course. The enchantments will be primed. It’ll pierce anything—barrier, flesh, soul."

I narrowed my eyes.

’A soul-piercing weapon?’

This wasn’t about collecting loot.

He was preparing for an assassination.

I moved closer, angling for a better view—just in time to hear one more line.

"And keep watching the Vassal feeds. If Blank shows up again... I want to know first."

The PK King and his Executioners turned, heading back toward the main plaza of the market, their deal complete.

I exhaled quietly, then slowly turned back, retracing my path through the shadowed lanes, weaving around back toward the public area.

By the time I returned, Noel was already waiting near a floating food stall, sipping on a strange blue drink and holding a bag filled with small gear upgrades.

"Took your time," he said as I reappeared beside him.

"They’re not here to buy," I murmured, voice low. "They’re here to prepare for a kill."

Noel’s brows knitted. "A kill? Inside the Rift?"

"More like before it," I replied. "They’re watching the feeds. Waiting for Blank to show again."

"...You’re going to have to deal with them soon, aren’t you?"

I nodded. "Yeah. But on my terms."

-

By the time we left the Rift Market, the sun had already started its descent behind the towering skyline of Davao. The once-bustling streets were bathed in golden hues, casting long shadows between the skyscrapers. The Lamborghini purred beneath us as we sped back to our apartment tower, both of us silent, minds turning over the things we’d seen — and what I’d overheard.

Noel broke the silence as we pulled into the underground parking. "So... what now?"

"We plan," I said simply. "Carefully."

We rode the elevator up, the glass walls giving us a perfect view of the city as dusk settled in. When we entered the penthouse apartment, it felt different somehow — the world outside had shifted. We had stepped into a higher tier of the game now, and we weren’t the only ones playing.

I dropped the bags by the door, pulled off my mask, and headed straight to the kitchen table. Noel followed behind, setting his haul on the counter and grabbing drinks for both of us.

"Alright," he said, sitting across from me. "Let’s talk next steps."

I gave a brief nod. "Next up is the 9th floor. I’ll handle it, but after that, let’s hold off for a week before tackling the 10th."

Noel raised an eyebrow, her gaze curious. "Why wait a week?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with concern.

I met his eyes, my tone was serious. "I need time to dig deeper into PK King. There’s something off about all this, and rushing into the 10th floor without the full picture could make things worse."

He didn’t respond right away, but I could see the wheels turning in his head.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair, the weight of the situation pressing on me. "One thing’s been bothering me though..."

Noel leaned in, sensing the seriousness in my voice. "What’s that?"

I glanced down for a moment, trying to find the right words. "The Soul-Piercing Weapon. How the hell did they get their hands on it, especially from the lower floors? It’s not something accessible to the public, and yet, it’s been showing up in the wrong hands."

Noel’s expression shifted, a frown tugging at his lips. "What is it? You make it sound like it’s more than just a weapon."

I exhaled slowly, knowing I had to explain the gravity of it. "To put it simply, if you’re struck by it, your connection to your astral patron gets severed. It’s not just a wound—it’s like they erase the bond between you and the essence that grants you your abilities. In some cases, it’s even worse. Your connection can be permanently cut off."

Noel’s eyes widened, the realization hitting him. "That... sounds like something out of a nightmare."

"It is," I said, my voice low. "And it’s got me wondering—why is it showing up now, and why this early? Whoever’s pulling the strings, they’re not messing around."

"So, that’s why I need to dig into that black market trader. If I can get to them, I might find some solid intel on what’s really going on. Whoever’s supplying these weapons, they’re connected to something bigger—something we’re still not seeing." I added.

Noel’s expression softened, but the concern never left his eyes. "You think going after them will give you the answers you need?"

I nodded slowly. "It’s the only lead I’ve got right now. But I’m not stupid, Noel. I can’t walk into this blindly. That’s why I need to take my time before jumping into the next floor. There’s a bigger game at play, and I need to understand the rules before I step any further in."

Noel seemed to weigh that for a moment, his eyes narrowing as if considering the risk. "I get it. Just... don’t get too deep, alright? There’s no telling who or what you might find down that rabbit hole."

I met his gaze firmly. "I won’t. But I can’t let this go."