3:30 AM.
Lin Xuan lay awake in his apartment bed, staring at the ceiling.
Not because he was tired.
But because something had changed.
[System Alert: Real-World Reputation System Unlocked]
[Public Notoriety: +10 | Blacklight Threat Level: Tier-S]
He sat up, eyes gleaming.
"So… the real game begins now."
Meanwhile – Undisclosed Government Facility
A group of agents dressed in matte-grey tactical gear huddled around a holographic projection.
On-screen: footage of Lin Xuan solo-clearing the "Queen of Silence" Rift, wielding gear that didn't exist in any known registry.
"Replay it again," one agent said coldly.
"He was alone. That Rift was classified as unbreakable without a squad."
Another tapped on a tablet. "He doesn't exist in any official database. No ID, no record. It's like he just… appeared."
[Subject Codename: L.X.]
[Threat Level: UNKNOWN]
[Last Seen: Zone 7-C | Alias: Reality Hacker]
A fresh bounty order was issued.
Not to kill.
But to watch.
7:00 AM – Back in the City
Lin Xuan was up and dressed in his newly manifested item:
[Siren's Embrace – Windcoat of Silence]
The moment he slid it on, it self-adjusted to the exact temperature he preferred.
His footsteps softened.
Ambient sound was dampened around him.
It was just a coat.
But also a statement:
He was no longer blending into the world—he was bending it.
"Sooner or later, someone was bound to notice me," he muttered as he stepped out.
[Quest Update Received]
You Are Being Watched – Source: Shadow Division Intel
Objective: Trace the Observer | Reward: ???
"Let them come."
Coffee Shop – 7:45 AM
As Lin Xuan grabbed a coffee at a corner shop, a man in a suit brushed past him.
Black sunglasses. Neutral expression. Professional posture.
Just another customer.
But—
[Scanning Detected]
[Entity Classification: Human Elite – Threat Level B+]
[Affiliation: Unknown Division]
Lin Xuan casually turned.
The man gave a slight smile.
A polite nod.
And left.
Lin Xuan didn't follow.
He didn't need to.
Because—
[Counter-Hack Activated]
[Data Retrieved: Agent Report – Subject LX]
On-screen:
"Subject possesses two manifested items. Solo-cleared Rift Queen. Suspected descendant of 'Code Zero.' Surveillance escalation recommended."
"Code Zero…?"
Lin Xuan narrowed his eyes.
So the world wasn't just catching up.
It was remembering something he didn't even know.
1:00 PM – Rift Black Market, Darknet Channel
A new tab had opened on his Rift System interface.
The "Nether Exchange"—a marketplace that only appeared to players who had manifested two or more real-world items.
Dozens of missions.
Illegal Rift trades.
Underground auctions.
One caught his eye.
Hidden Auction Event – S-Class Clearance Only
Time: 5:30 PM | Location: Zone Black
5:30 PM – Underground Auction Hall
Masked individuals in high-end gear sat in velvet chairs as spotlights danced across a wide platform.
Lin Xuan sat quietly in the third row.
On the stage, the host smiled like a wolf.
"Tonight's highlight: The Ring of Binding—grants its owner temporary control over Rift Beasts in the real world."
The room exploded in murmurs.
Lin Xuan's eyes lit up.
"You're telling me I can summon monsters into reality now?"
Bids shot up.
50,000… 80,000… 120,000 Credits…
He raised his hand calmly. "250,000."
The hall fell quiet.
Until—
A smooth voice echoed from the back:
"500,000."
Everyone turned.
A silver-haired youth stood under the shadows, smirking.
No mask. No hesitation.
[Unknown Entity Detected – Codename: Nightfox]
[Win Rate: 100% | Status: Player Hunter]
Lin Xuan narrowed his eyes.
"He's not a buyer. He's a warning."
As the auction ended
Lin Xuan quietly exited through the side corridor.
He knew this much:
He'd just walked into a world where other players—real, powerful players—weren't just trying to win…
They were trying to hunt.
"If they're coming for me… I guess it's time to push back."