A violet portal tore open in the dark.
Yuto'o, Yuuki, Orbis, and Grim were hurled out, crashing onto a metallic floor that throbbed with pounding electronic beats.
They had arrived in Neon Haven—the heart of the black market, a lawless zone untouched by corporate control.
Neon Haven wasn't like The Maw.
Towers floated in the sky, linked by shimmering hologram bridges. Streets blazed with glitching billboards, avatars of every shape crowding together—half-human, half-beast, and some nothing more than blurred data with glowing eyes.
In the distance: mercenaries hawked neon weapons, gangs gambled over erased avatars, VR spectators cackled as data-blood spilled in brutal street shows.
And above it all, a massive sigil spun: 牙 NEON SYNDICATE.
Orbis exhaled sharply. "We don't have a choice. If we want into Omega Server, we need the Syndicate's access routes. They're the only gang controlling the gates here."
Yuuki scoffed. "I don't trust black-market clans. They're hungrier than the corps."
Grim laughed, low and rough. "Hunger is our language. But if you want to live here… you buy protection."
Yuto'o scanned the crowd, his hand clenched tight around the Reboot Fragment hidden in his pocket. Whispers slithered from the swarm of avatars:
"That's him… Circuit Ghost…"
"Fifty million… right in front of us…"
"If we take him now, we're rich…"
Suddenly, a squad of avatars in neon armor pushed through, their uniforms glowing green-purple. Hanging on each chest: a neon fang sigil.
Their leader stepped forward—tall, hair flickering glitch-white and green, eyes shining like terminal screens. His smile was sly, dripping with confidence.
"Welcome to Neon Haven, Circuit Ghost."
Yuuki straightened, her crimson eyes flaring. "Neon Syndicate…"
The leader spread his hand, a holographic blade of neon flashing above his palm.
"Name's Kaelith. Syndicate exec. Everyone here knows you, Yuto'o. You carry the Fragment, and the whole world wants your blood. So the question's simple—do you want to be our enemy… or our ally?"
Orbis stiffened. "Ally means buying protection. Enemy means dying here."
Kaelith chuckled. "Sharp as ever, Orbis. No wonder you're still alive."
A few Syndicate fighters stepped forward, glitch weapons raised. Black-market spectators roared, hungry for blood.
Yuto'o stood firm, his cracked body bleeding data, but his eyes burned. "If you want the Fragment, you'll have to erase me first."
Kaelith's grin widened, his eyes glowing brighter.
"Ohhh… so the Circuit Ghost has teeth. Good. I like that."
He glanced at Yuuki. "And you… the so-called dead legend. Can't believe I'm seeing you alive. The Syndicate has a long history with ghosts like you."
Yuuki smirked. "History always repeats. But if you get in our way, I'll write it again in your blood."
The tension in the street thickened. Mercs, gangs, spectators all froze, breath held.
One wrong move—and Neon Haven would drown in glitch-blood.
Kaelith slowly raised his hand. Instantly, Syndicate fighters eased back a step, though their blades still burned.
"Relax. I'm not stupid. Circuit Ghost isn't some toy. You've got a fifty million bounty, and something worth even more. So I'll offer a middle road."
Orbis swallowed. "What kind of road?"
Kaelith pointed toward the massive neon spire in the city's heart, the Syndicate sigil rotating above it.
"The Syndicate will open the path to Omega Server for you. In return…"
He turned, his grin razor-sharp.
"…you prove Circuit Ghost isn't just a name. A mission only a Ghost could survive. Fail, and the gate closes. Succeed… and maybe we're allies. Maybe I'll even walk into Omega beside you."
Yuto'o met his gaze without flinching. "What's the mission?"
Kaelith laughed softly, his eyes gleaming.
"Simple. Kill the Guardian of the Neon Labyrinth. Something even the Syndicate has never beaten."
The crowd erupted in uproar.
"The Neon Labyrinth?!"
"He's sending the Ghost to fight that monster?!"
"No one's ever come back alive!"
Yuuki's crimson eyes fixed on Yuto'o, her voice ice. "Kid… your road to Omega isn't just against the corps. You'll have to fight the demons of the black market too."
Yuto'o gripped his blade, data-blood dripping from his cracks.
"I don't care who I face. As long as I stand, I'll keep moving."
And deep within Neon Haven's shadows, a digital roar echoed—welcoming the Circuit Ghost's challenge.