Yoba Academy – Entrance
July 15, 2021 – Thursday – 8:30 P.M.
Third POV
The Yoba Festival came to an end beneath a wash of orange sky and cooling summer air. The Sunset Stage had closed with fireworks that mirrored the electric rhythm of the night—bright, fleeting, unforgettable. Inside one of the locker rooms, both Happy Around! and Peaky P-key were gathered together, cheering, laughing, and replaying clips of their performance on someone's phone. They'd tried to drag Riku along for the afterparty, but he had declined with his usual, unreadable calm.
He had people to meet. And a promise to keep.
Before he left, Riku told Keigo and Peaky P-key to meet him tomorrow at CiRCLE to discuss negotiations. They all agreed, though Shinobu tried—unsuccessfully—to coax him to stay for "just one drink."
Now, standing by the front gate, Riku adjusted his coat collar as the night breeze drifted past him. He expected silence. Instead, a cluster of familiar voices echoed from the path ahead.
Rinko, Ako, Miyu, Eli—and the entirety of Poppin'Party—were waiting for him.
Riku raised a brow, faintly amused.
"...You girls were waiting for me?"
Eli folded her arms, mock irritation flickering behind her calm smile.
"We were about to leave without you. But why are you here? Shouldn't you be celebrating with Peaky P-key and Happy Around?"
Riku shrugged. "They deserve to celebrate on their own. I've had enough of spotlights for one night."
Rinko nodded, her eyes soft but knowing. "Good. Because Toyama-san and the others have... questions."
Before he could react, Kasumi rushed up to him, her energy as loud as ever.
"Senpai! How did you end up hosting the Sunset Stage? You never told us anything!"
Riku let out a quiet sigh, the corner of his mouth twitching upward.
"Shinobu asked me to. In exchange for composing the music for one of my songs, I agreed to host. A fair trade, I'd say."
Rimi blinked. "Then what about your opening performance? That was unexpected."
"That," Riku said with a small grin, "was Keigo's idea. I just... went along with it. Figured I'd hype the crowd while I was at it."
Arisa crossed her arms. "You definitely hyped them up. The crowd nearly lost their minds when the lights hit you." She tilted her head. "By the way, in Round Two, Peaky P-key performed your song. How did it feel seeing someone else cover your work?"
Riku's expression softened, genuine pride flickering behind his calm tone.
"Honestly? Impressive. Shinobu turned it into their own sound. That takes skill—and guts."
Before the conversation could shift, Miyu stepped forward, her tone curious.
"Then why did Shinobu-chan suddenly grab her head before Round Three? She looked like she was in pain."
"Ah... that." Riku scratched his cheek awkwardly. "That might've been my fault."
The girls blinked.
"Your fault?" Rimi echoed.
Riku exhaled. "She was pushing my buttons a bit too much, so... I might've grabbed her by the head. Iron Claw style. Lifted her up for a few seconds."
A stunned silence fell. Then, one by one, the girls took a synchronized step back.
Even Rinko flinched slightly. "You what?"
Riku raised both hands defensively. "She's fine! She provoked me on purpose—she knows I don't actually hurt people."
Before anyone could respond, a familiar voice called out from behind.
"Riku! Sorry for the wait!"
Riku turned. Walking toward him was Ceb, wearing his usual half-tucked shirt and tired grin. Behind him were two men Riku hadn't seen in a while—but instantly recognized.
A rare, genuine smile crossed his face. "So it's true. When you said they were coming, I thought you were joking."
Eli glanced between them, curiosity piqued. "Um, Riku... who exactly are they?"
"Right," Riku said, gesturing toward the trio. "Everyone, meet Sebastien Debs—Ceb—one of my old bandmates. And behind him are Gareth Bateson and Dominik Stipic, better known as Lacoste. They're professional band analysts in the European circuit."
The girls exchanged glances, eyes widening in disbelief. Even Arisa's usual composure faltered.
Kasumi, meanwhile, tilted her head in utter confusion.
"Umm... senpai... what do analysts actually do?"
Everyone nearly fell over.
Arisa groaned and smacked Kasumi lightly on the head.
"You idiot—they're like reviewers. They break down performances, find strengths, weaknesses—basically dissect every detail to see what went right or wrong."
Kasumi rubbed her head, pouting. "Ohh... you didn't have to hit me for that!"
"Maybe next time you'll think before you ask," Arisa shot back, deadpan.
The tension broke into soft laughter. Even Riku cracked a grin at the familiar chaos.
Once the laughter settled, Riku turned to Gareth and Lacoste. "So, are you two heading out tonight?"
Gareth nodded. "Our flight's early tomorrow. We've got to rest up before the long haul back."
"Right," Riku replied. "You still have Arlington to prepare for."
Rinko perked up. "Arlington?"
Riku looked at her. "Future World Fes in Arlington starts in a few weeks. Gareth and Lacoste were selected as analysts this year."
The group collectively gasped. Ako blinked as she remembered. "Oh right! We forgot that there is another Future World Fes this year!"
"The very same," Riku confirmed.
Eli's voice softened, a trace of worry slipping through. "Then... does that mean you'll be leaving Japan again, Riku?"
He shook his head, easing her concern. "Not this time. OG finally resolved Misha's VISA issue. The whole squad's cleared to perform now. If they manage a top-three finish, OG'll take first place overall in the PBC standings."
A visible wave of relief crossed Eli's, Miyu's, and Rinko's faces. The thought of him flying out again—away from all of them—had quietly haunted their minds these past months.
Gareth caught the look and chuckled under his breath. Lacoste joined him with a knowing smirk. Ceb just folded his arms, grinning.
"Ah, young love," Ceb teased. "Looks like someone's got a good reason to stay grounded."
Riku shot him a flat look. "Don't start."
Ceb laughed. "Too late."
The teasing only deepened the girls' blushes, especially Eli's. Rinko tried to compose herself, pretending to check her phone, while Kasumi hid a grin behind her hands.
Gareth eventually broke the moment, offering a handshake. "It's been good seeing you again, Riku. Japan's music scene is wilder than I expected."
Riku shook his hand firmly. "Glad you came. I know it's a long trip from London."
Lacoste adjusted his glasses and smiled faintly. "You've come far since OG, mate. Keep your fire alive—I'll see you again at TI."
Riku raised a brow. "Planning to scout more talent there?"
"Always," Lacoste replied with a smirk before turning to the others. "It was a pleasure meeting all of you. You've got something special here—keep chasing it."
With that, Gareth and Lacoste waved goodbye and headed off toward their hotel, luggage rolling softly across the stone path. Ceb followed after them, still half-laughing as he threw a casual salute over his shoulder.
Riku stood quietly for a moment, watching them disappear down the dimly lit street. The night wind rustled through the trees, carrying faint echoes of the festival that had just ended.
Rimi broke the silence first. "Those guys seemed... amazing."
Riku gave a small nod. "Yeah. They are."
Kasumi's eyes shone with curiosity. "Senpai... do you miss that world? The big tournaments, the pro circuit?"
Riku looked at her, thoughtful. "Sometimes. But... right now, I think I'm where I'm supposed to be."
The group lingered under the dim streetlights outside Yoba Academy. The echoes of laughter and music from the festival had faded, leaving only the soft hum of cicadas and the rustle of the evening breeze.
Miyu tugged lightly on Riku's sleeve.
"Let's go home, Riku-san. It's getting late."
Riku opened his mouth to agree, but his expression shifted in an instant. His eyes narrowed, his senses sharpening.
"...Hm. Let's—wait. Everyone, behind me."
The sudden command carried enough weight that none of the girls hesitated. They instinctively stepped behind him, eyes darting around in confusion.
Riku's mind cursed itself. Damn it... I left my scarf and hat at home. Even the Water Webs of Heaven and Earth...
All he had now was Divine Dividing. Not ideal for an unknown threat.
The air changed—a faint vibration, like static before a storm. From the shadows at the far end of the walkway, a white silhouette emerged. The figure stepped into the faint glow of the lamp posts: a tall man with long silver hair, eyes gently shut as if he didn't need them, his presence radiating calm and danger in equal measure. His white suit shimmered faintly in the moonlight.
The girls stiffened. Riku, however, recognized that aura instantly.
"...It seems you haven't lost your touch," the man said, voice smooth yet heavy with authority. "Good."
Riku lowered his stance slightly, but didn't relax. "Why did you come here, Uncle Sword?"
A slight smile curved the man's lips.
Chen Xin—the Sword Douluo. One of the protectors of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and one of the most feared—and revered—cultivators alive.
"I came ahead of them to see you," Chen Xin replied, his tone calm, measured. "To see how much you've changed since the last time we met. And it seems you didn't disappoint."
Riku's eyes stayed locked on him. "If that's all this is, then why are you leaking that much pressure?"
For a moment, Chen Xin didn't answer. Then, slowly, his head tilted—his focus shifting past Riku toward the group of girls huddled behind him. His expression softened in understanding. The invisible pressure that blanketed the air suddenly vanished, as though someone had flipped a switch.
"Will that do?" he asked mildly.
Riku exhaled. "Yeah. That'll do."
Chen Xin clasped his hands behind his back. "Since I came early, I've yet to contact the other clan heads. I'll be heading to the Hakugyokurou shortly."
Riku nodded. "Then I hope you enjoy your stay in Japan."
"Mm. Until next time."
And with that, Chen Xin vanished—no sound, no motion, just gone. The air barely stirred in his absence, yet the space where he stood felt heavier somehow.
The girls stared, speechless.
Saaya was the first to find her voice. "Riku-kun... who was that man? And how did he know you?"
"His name's Chen Xin or I call him Uncle Sword," Riku said, his tone flat but respectful. "One of the most powerful men in China."
Rimi blinked, still trying to process. "But... how does he know you?"
Riku looked at the sky for a moment before answering. "He taught me and Youmu the art of the sword. Mostly her, though. I only studied with him for a short while."
Kasumi tilted her head, eyes wide. "Then how did he just... disappear? Like, no trace at all!"
"Because," Riku replied, "he's a cultivator."
Ako's eyes immediately lit up. "You mean like the ones from those martial fantasy books?! The ones who can fly and crush mountains and—"
"Yeah," Riku interrupted, though his tone was gentler than usual. "Those kinds."
Rinko, thoughtful as ever, frowned slightly. "Then... why is he here? And he mentioned Hakugyokurou. What business does he have with Yuyuko-san?"
Riku's gaze darkened. "He's here to confirm the meeting between the Celestial Families and the Ning Clan. But it's better if you girls don't pry into it."
The air turned still again, a faint tension humming beneath the calm. Eli, ever perceptive, noticed the shift and quietly nodded.
"If you say so, Riku."
He gave her a small, appreciative glance. "Come on. Let's head home. Tomorrow's going to be busy."
The girls agreed, though their curiosity clearly hadn't vanished. As they began walking toward the main road, the glow of the academy gates dimmed behind them. The summer night wrapped around the group, carrying the faint scent of rain and metal.
But unseen by them, shadows moved along the rooftops.
Two figures followed from a distance, moving in silence. Their steps were lighter than whispers.
Jaffar spoke first, his voice low and sharp.
"Hurricane, who the hell was that?"
The older man beside him—Legault—didn't take his eyes off the path where Chen Xin had stood moments before. The faintest smirk ghosted his face.
"That, my friend, was the Sword Douluo. One of the most powerful man in all of China."
Jaffar's crimson eyes narrowed. "You're saying he noticed us... from the start?"
Legault chuckled quietly. "Oh, he didn't just notice. He let us live. Be grateful he decided to ignore us."
The two assassins exchanged a brief look. Even Jaffar, usually unreadable, looked uneasy.
"Then we're leaving," Jaffar muttered. "I don't want to be anywhere near this place if he's around."
"Agreed," Legault said, his tone lighter but edged with respect. "Nino and Ursula are waiting for us anyway. Let's not keep them waiting."
In an instant, both men vanished into the darkness, their presence erased as though the night itself had swallowed them whole.
Back on the quiet road, Riku and the girls continued walking—unaware that three different forces had crossed paths under that single patch of moonlight. The weight of unseen worlds lingered faintly in the air around him, the kind of silence that only comes before something greater begins to move.
Riku didn't look back. Maybe he didn't need to. Maybe he already knew.
----------
Live House CiRCLE – Riku's Office
July 16, 2021 – Friday – 9:30 A.M.
Third POV
The morning sunlight poured gently through the tall glass windows of CiRCLE, painting faint streaks of gold across the polished floorboards. It was a rare quiet morning. No chatter from the bands, no rehearsals echoing from the stage. For once, the live house breathed at its own calm rhythm.
Summer vacation had just begun. No school, no lectures—at least until the end of August. For the others, that meant rest. For Riku, it meant more work.
Inside his office, he leaned back in his chair, eyes flicking across multiple screens. The monitors showed different camera feeds: Marina downstairs, busily preparing for the next live; Shiho by the counter checking the equipment list; and a few stagehands setting up sound systems for a weekend event. He watched with quiet approval, arms crossed loosely as the faint hum of the air conditioner filled the silence.
But his attention wasn't just on the cameras. On the main screen, a results table flashed before him—data from the Western European PBC summer tour, freshly updated. His expression sharpened as he read the standings.
1st - Tundra - 7-0
2nd - Team Liquid - 5-2
3rd - OG - 5-2
4th - Gaimin Gladiators - 3-4
5th - Entity - 3-4
6th - Team Secret - 2-5
7th - Alliance - 1-6
8th - Goonsquad - 0-7
He exhaled through his nose, muttering under his breath.
"So, Tundra dominated the summer tour... OG and Liquid tied and had to tiebreak for second, huh? Gaimin and Entity battled for the last spot... Secret really needs a miracle in the regional qualifiers."
He scrolled further down, pulling up the full breakdown of the Future World Fes in Arlington, Texas. The glowing text outlined the entire structure—venue, start dates, rules, prize pool, everything. Riku leaned closer, scanning through line by line like a general analyzing battlefield reports.
Future World Fes Arlington
Location: Arlington, Texas, USA
Venue: AT&T Stadium
Format: Popularity Voting(Group Stage), Double Elimination Bracket(Playoffs)
Start Date: August 04, 2021
End Date: August 14, 2021
Prize pool: $4,150,000
Pro Circuit Points: 3,500 PBC Points
Participants:
• 4 Bands each from Western Europe and China.
• 3 Bands each from Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia.
• 2 Bands each from North America and South America.
Group Stage (August 4 - August 8):
• Two groups of nine bands each.
• Respective groups will perform to assigned Live Houses provided by the event organizers.
• Bands will perform 2 songs.
• The top 4 bands of each group will go to the upper bracket.
• The 5th and 6th place band will go to the lower bracket.
• The remaining bands are eliminated.
Group Stage Voting:
• Voters can vote their top 4 bands a day.
• Voters cannot vote for the same band more than once per day(Example: You cannot put all 4 votes on Team Spirit in one go).
• Votes will be tallied by the end of every day in the duration of the group stage.
Playoffs (August 9 - August 14):
• Double Elimination bracket
• Bands will perform a best of 3 songs.
• Bands who get the most votes on 2 out of 3 songs go to the next round.
• Grand Finals is Best of 5.
Prize and Points Distribution:
1st Place: $1,200,000 - 820 PBC Points
2nd Place: $750,000 - 740 PBC Points
3rd Place: $550,000 - 670 PBC Points
4th Place: $350,000 - 590 PBC Points
5th-6th Place: $250,000 - 515 PBC Points
7th-8th Place: $200,000 - 360 PBC Points
9th-12th Place: $100,000
Participating Bands:
Western Europe
Tundra
skitter - nine - 33 - Saksa - Sneyking
Team Liquid
MATUMBAMAN - m1cke - zai - Boxi - Insania
OG
Yuragi - bzm - ATF - Taiga - Misha
Gaimin Gladiators
dyrachYO - BOOM - Ace - tOfu - Seleri
Eastern Europe
Team Spirit
Yatoro - TORONTOTOKYO - Collapse - Mira - Miposhka
Outsiders
RAMZES666 - gpk - DM - Yamich - Xakoda
Natus Vincere
V-tune - No[o]ne - laise - swedenstrong - Solo
China
PSG LGD
Ame - nothingtosay - Faith_bian - xinQ - y'
Team Aster
Monet - Ori - Xxs - Boboka - 皮球
Royal Never Give Up
Ghost - Somnus - Chalice - Kaka - xNova
Xtreme
lou - Paparazzi - old eLeVeN - Pyw - Dy
Southeast Asia
BOOM RIVALRY
JaCkky - Yopaj - Fbz - Tims - Skem
Talon*(1)
23Savage - Mikoto - kpii - Xepher(T1) - Hyde
Fnatic*(2)
Timado(TSM) - Bryle(TSM) - Jabz - DJ - DuBu(TSM)
North America
Evil Geniuses
Arteezy - Abed - Nightfall - Cr1t - Fly
Quincy Crew
Yawar - Quinn - LESLÃO - MSS - Fata
South America
Thunder Awaken*(3)
Pakazs - Alone - Sacred - Matthew - Pandaboo
beastcoast
K1 - C.Smile - Wisper - Scofield - Stinger
Notes:
1. Q is unable to attend the Future World Fes due to VISA issues. Xepher from T1 will stand-in.
2. Raven, Armel and Jaunuel are unable to attend the Future World Fes due to VISA issues. Fnatic will be allowed to participate with three substitutes as the main roster encountered difficulties obtaining US VISA's. Timado, Bryle and DuBu from TSM will stand-in.
3. DarkMago is unable to attend the Future World Fes due to sickness. Alone will stand-in.
Group A:
PSG LGD
Outsiders
OG
Fnatic
Royal Never Give Up
Team Liquid
Talon
Thunder Awaken
Quincy Crew
Group B:
Team Aster
Gaimin Gladiators
Team Spirit
BOOM RIVALRY
Evil Geniuses
beastcoast
Natus Vincere
Tundra
Xtreme
He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin. "SEA's got it rough this year. Especially Fnatic... half the roster replaced." A faint sigh escaped him. "At least China can compete again. Still—what a pity I can't fly to Arlington this time."
His phone rang before he could scroll further. The screen read Shiho – CiRCLE Counter.
He answered, tone even. "Yeah, Shiho?"
"Owner-san," Shiho's clear voice came through. "Peakey P-key is here to see you."
A small smile tugged at his lips. "Excellent. Bring them up to my office, please. Oh—and tell Marina she can take a short break."
"Understood," Shiho replied before hanging up.
Riku set the phone down and took a quiet breath. For a moment, his gaze drifted toward the window beside his desk. Outside, the midday sun reflected off the glass of nearby buildings, the city already humming with the rhythm of summer.
While waiting, he opened a new message on his computer. The senders: Kawashiro Nitori and Yamashiro Takane. The subject line read: Celestial Families – Infrastructure Recommendation.
He clicked it open, skimming the neatly formatted report. The proposal outlined a suggestion from the Celestial Families to upgrade all Live Houses selected for The International—CiRCLE among them. Blueprints. Material lists. Deadlines. Everything was in motion already.
Riku sighed, resting his forehead on one hand. "Didn't we just renovate this place four months ago...?"
Still, he read to the end. Near the bottom, one line caught his attention:
'All costs to be covered by the Japanese government under Celestial supervision.'
He blinked once, then gave a low chuckle. "At least they're footing the bill."
He typed a quick response:
"Approved. Begin renovations after the live event concludes. Coordinate with Marina for scheduling."
He hit send. The moment the message was out, the door to his office clicked open.
Peakey P-key entered in their usual confident stride—Shinobu leading, followed by Esora, Kyoko, and Yuka. Their presence alone shifted the air of the room: all cool edge and stage charisma, like they'd walked straight out of a spotlight.
And behind them came two familiar faces—Keigo and an elderly man dressed in a traditional dark robe, his posture dignified, his steps deliberate. Shinobu's grandfather.
The morning light filtered through the blinds of Riku's office, streaking the walls in faint gold. He leaned back against his desk as Peakey P-key entered with Keigo and Dennojo in tow, their expressions a mix of fatigue and anticipation.
Riku set his coffee aside. "Glad you all made it. I thought you'd come by in the afternoon."
Shinobu crossed her arms. "We wanted to get it done immediately. Where's Ceb?"
Riku's tone was dry. "Ceb won't be here with us personally. He got wasted last night."
Keigo blinked. "Wait—what?"
"Trust me," Riku said, a small smirk forming. "You don't want to know." He turned toward the mounted screen on the wall and grabbed the remote. "But instead, someone's stepping in for him."
The monitor came to life, revealing a familiar face waiting on the other side — Johan Sundstein, smiling behind his desk.
"Meet Johan Sundstein," Riku introduced. "Owner of OG."
Johan gave a casual wave. "So, you're the group Riku told me about. I watched your performance last night — I'll admit, you impressed me. You passed our standards."
The girls exchanged glances, a mix of excitement and nervousness. But Shinobu, ever straightforward, leaned forward. "I want to ask something, n0tail. Once we join OG, do we have to discard the Peakey P-key name?"
That question hit the others like a slap of reality. The air went still for a moment. None of them had thought about that part — that signing meant giving up the name they'd carried for years.
But Riku and Johan didn't look surprised. In fact, both of them smiled like they'd seen it coming.
Johan rested his chin on his hand. "Normally, yes. But Riku had another idea — one I actually like."
Riku picked up a folded sheet of paper from his desk and slid it across to the group. "Call it cheesy if you want, but this fits you."
They leaned over to look.
"OG.P-Key's...?" Yuka read aloud, her eyebrows twitching. "Seriously?"
Esora snorted. "It does sound cheesy... but, okay, the logo looks amazing."
The logo merged OG's signature emblem with Peakey P-key's gold crown — sleek yet bold, like two worlds colliding in style.
Kyoko chuckled. "It actually works. What do you think, Shinobu?"
"Hmph," Shinobu said, trying to sound unimpressed, though a faint grin gave her away. "Close enough. We'll use it."
"Perfect," Johan said, leaning back in his chair. "Now let's talk about the contract. Riku, you have it?"
Riku pulled out a thick folder from the drawer and set it on the table with a heavy thud. "Freshly printed last night."
He passed it around while Johan's voice continued from the screen. Together, they broke down the clauses — the terms, the creative control, the royalties, the tour obligations. What began as a routine signing quickly escalated into something far bigger.
"Normally," Johan explained, "you'd start under a trial period for the rest of the year. But after seeing your performance, we're skipping that. You're going full-time."
The entire room froze.
Kyoko's mouth parted slightly. "So if we sign this... we're officially part of OG?"
Riku nodded. "Yup. Full members."
Shinobu's voice softened. "Does that mean we'll have to relocate to Europe? I mean, OG represents Western Europe."
"Actually," Johan said, "the scene's changing. Several Asian countries are forming their own pro DJ organizations. Mongolia's got The Mongolz, who are fully backed by their government. They're doing well — not just in bands but in DJ circuits too."
Dennojo crossed his arms. "I think I know where this is heading."
Riku smirked. "You do. For the first time in OG's history, OG.P-Key's will represent Japan."
The girls' jaws dropped in unison.
Keigo stammered, "Wait—does that mean... we'll have government backing?"
Riku shook his head slowly. "No."
The group deflated instantly. But Riku wasn't done.
"You'll be backed by the Royal Family."
Silence. Then stunned disbelief. Even Johan smiled faintly on the monitor.
Keigo was the first to recover. "If the Royal Family's backing us, that means... the Celestial Families too?"
"Exactly." Riku's tone was calm, but his eyes gleamed. "You don't have to worry about logistics, promotion, or sponsorships. We'll handle all that. Your job is simple — train and get ready for competition."
Shinobu crossed her arms, trying to mask her surprise. "When's our debut?"
Riku flipped through a stack of papers and found the relevant sheet. "September. Alien DJ Masters. Dallas."
"The Alien DJ Masters?" Kyoko said, blinking. "Isn't that an invite-only event?"
"Yeah," Shinobu said sharply. "How the hell did OG get in? Weren't they mid-tier in the pro circuit?"
"True," Riku admitted. "But we won the qualifiers a few weeks ago before the old roster left. Technically, our slot should've gone to another group — but Johan managed to keep it."
Johan nodded. "Negotiation and timing. Two things OG's good at."
Esora leaned forward. "So, we've got a little over a month to prepare?"
"Roughly, yes," Riku said.
Shinobu stretched her arms. "Plenty of time for me and Kyoko to write new tracks."
Riku smiled faintly. "Good to hear you're not stressing over it."
Kyoko flashed a confident grin. "Peakey P-key thrives under pressure. We're not the Undisputed Champs for nothing."
Riku chuckled. "True, but that's in Yoba. You're stepping into the world stage now."
The tension in the room was sharp but motivating — a mix of pride and reality setting in. Shinobu tapped her pen thoughtfully.
"Speaking of the big leagues," she said. "What's your cousin up to these days?"
"Chu²?" Riku replied. "She and Raise A Suilen are heading to Seoul."
"Seoul?" Shinobu frowned. "Why the fuck are they going there?"
"They got invited to the Seoul Open in mid-August. It's a major event before the Pro Band Circuit opens up. They're using it for momentum."
Keigo tilted his head. "So Japan's officially joining the Pro Band Circuit?"
"Not yet," Riku said. "After TI11, Japan will become part of the rotation."
Yuka, flipping through the contract, hesitated. "Um... Riku-san? This number— is this correct?"
Riku raised a brow. "You mean your salary?"
"Y-yeah."
"Yes, it's correct," Riku said, unfazed. "Johan's financial team double-checked it."
Shinobu's eyes darted down the page. Her tone jumped a pitch. "Hold on— fifteen million dollars for four years?"
Kyoko nearly dropped her copy. "Fifteen million?"
Riku leaned on his chair. "That's your current market value. OG's total cap for the DJ division is ninety million. If you perform well, you'll earn bonuses on top."
Johan's smile was faint but firm. "The music world's changed. Passion's important, but so is business. The goal is to balance both."
Riku nodded. "Exactly. Take the offer. If you don't know what to do with the money, just keep it — don't let it own you."
Shinobu stared at him, then exhaled and smiled faintly. "You're a real piece of work, Riku. But fine."
She grabbed a pen, flipped to the last page, and signed. The scratch of ink felt heavier than it should have.
"And with that," she said, setting the pen down, "we'll be in your care."
Shinobu's signature was the first stroke that broke it—ink sliding across paper with quiet resolve. Kyoko watched her partner, her hand hovering above the contract for a moment before she exhaled softly and followed suit.
"Shinobu..." she murmured, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Alright."
One by one, Yuka and Esora added their names, their pens scratching in deliberate rhythm. Each signature sealed not just a contract but a new chapter for Peakey P-key. When they finally leaned back, a sense of awe and uncertainty filled the room. Everyone had signed—except one.
Esora noticed first. "Kei-chan, why haven't you signed it yet?" she asked, tilting her head.
Keigo's fingers drummed lightly on the table. "I want to ask aniki before I do something." His tone carried a weight that drew everyone's attention. "Aniki, since Shino and the others are now a part of OG, who'll be their manager?"
The question froze the air for a heartbeat. Yuka blinked. "Wait, does that mean Keigo won't be joining us?"
Shinobu frowned, scanning the document again. "He's right. The contract's for us only. I didn't see Keigo's name anywhere."
Kyoko's voice wavered slightly. "No way..."
Johan, who had been quietly watching the exchange through the video call, finally spoke. His calm but firm tone cut through the rising unease. "Unfortunately, that's the way it is. However—" His eyes softened, glancing toward Keigo. "We have an offer for you, Horikawa Keigo."
Keigo blinked in confusion. "An offer? For me?"
"Riku told me you're a once-in-a-generation talent when it comes to drums," Johan continued. "So OG's offer is this: we want you to be a part of OG as our next drummer."
The room went still.
Even Riku didn't react much—he simply leaned back with that quiet, knowing look—but everyone else froze in disbelief. Shinobu turned sharply toward him, voice rising. "Oi, Riku. What's the meaning of this?"
Riku didn't flinch. "I'm helping Keigo reach his dream."
Keigo blinked. "My... dream?"
Kyoko tilted her head, confused. "Keigo's dream?"
Riku smiled faintly, nostalgia threading his words. "Remember what you told me back in 2014, Keigo?"
The young man's eyes widened. That year had been burned into his memory—the long nights of practice, the laughter, and the promise that anchored his future. His throat tightened as the weight of it came rushing back.
Esora's curiosity broke the quiet. "Riku-kun, what promise did you and Kei-chan make?"
"When I decided to transition to modern music," Riku began, his tone steady but edged with reminiscence, "Keigo was the first one I told. He said he wanted to be my drummer once I made a band. But when OG scouted me, he was too young to join. I had to leave without him." He looked at Keigo, voice softening. "So I promised that one day, we'd play on the world stage together."
The words lingered like a chord that refused to fade.
"And since he's of legal age now," Riku added, "he can finally be a member of OG. Your mother already approved this, by the way."
Keigo's head snapped up. "Eh? Mom did? But... why offer this to me now, aniki? OG already has Taiga, right?"
Johan's expression darkened slightly. "About that... Riku, you still have those, right?"
Riku's face tightened. He didn't answer immediately. "I do. But you can't be serious, Johan."
The tension was palpable now. Everyone's attention flicked between them.
Johan simply nodded. "They deserve to know."
Riku sighed and reached into his desk, retrieving a plain white envelope. His hand lingered on it for a second before sliding it across the table toward Keigo. "Here. This is the reason. But... read it at your own risk."
Keigo hesitated, then carefully opened it. Papers rustled. The first page bore a hospital insignia. His eyes darted from line to line—heart rate data, diagnostic notes, treatment summaries—and then stopped cold when he saw the patient's name.
Tommy Le.
The color drained from his face.
He closed the file silently and handed it back to Riku, his voice low and trembling. "Aniki... is this true?"
Riku met his eyes. His tone was gentle, but there was no denial. "Yeah. I had Eirin-san check him out while we were in Stockholm. He's only got a few months left."
The girls froze, their excitement dissolving into a cold stillness. Yuka was the first to speak, half-nervous laughter slipping out. "Hold up... why's the atmosphere getting gloomy all of a sudden? Don't tell me someone's gonna die?"
Riku shook his head. "No one's dying. But someone's music career is ending."
Shinobu swallowed hard. "Was it the file that Keigo saw?"
Riku nodded once. "Yeah." He turned to Keigo again. "So... what's your choice?"
The silence stretched until it almost hurt.
Then Riku slid another sheet across the desk—this one thinner, a new contract waiting for a name. Keigo stared at it for a long time, his reflection faintly visible in the glossy surface. Every memory with Riku flashed behind his eyes: the drumsticks they broke during their first jam, the rain-soaked nights after failed gigs, the promise they made under the streetlights.
Finally, he picked up the pen. "I'll do what I can to help, aniki."
Riku smiled faintly. "I'm sure you'll do great with OG."
Esora, tears glistening in her eyes, launched forward and hugged Keigo from behind. "Congratulations, Kei-chan! You're a member of OG now!" she cheered, her voice cracking from happiness.
Keigo chuckled weakly, rubbing his eyes. "Thanks, Esora."
Dennojo crossed his arms. "Riku, are you sure Keigo's ready?"
Riku leaned back. "More than ready. Raiko-sama's been telling me he's been practicing drums in secret. That's enough proof of his mindset." Then, with a softer smile: "He's got the fire. The rest will come."
The atmosphere began to ease again, the earlier heaviness giving way to a quiet, shared resolve.
"But enough of that," Riku said, standing. "Keigo, since you're one of us now, have you decided on your stage name?"
Yuka gasped. "You're right! Keigo needs a stage name!"
Kyoko grinned. "But what about us? I mean, Yuka and Shinobu already have theirs."
Johan's voice came through the screen again, tone pragmatic. "You can use your real names if you like. Some pros do—Sumail, Armel and Quinn are examples. If Keigo wants to use his, that's fine."
But Keigo shook his head. "No. I already thought of one."
Riku's brow arched. "So? What is it?"
Keigo straightened, eyes glinting with conviction. "K. Just K."
The room went still again, but this time it wasn't shock—it was quiet approval.
Riku studied him for a moment, then smiled. "K... huh. Are you sure about this?"
Keigo met his gaze steadily. "I am."
Riku nodded once, a subtle look of pride flickering across his face. "Then that's that."
Johan gave a small, approving nod. "Very well, welcome to OG, K. For now, assist Peakey P-key as their manager while we recruit someone more experienced. Once we arrive in Japan for TI, we'll want to see a sample from you."
Keigo straightened. "Hai."
"Good." Johan smiled faintly. "Then that'll be all. I have to prepare for our trip to Arlington. Take care of the rest, Riku."
The screen faded to black as the call ended. The room felt lighter now—exhausted, but hopeful.
Riku clapped his hands together softly. "Now that's all done, let's move to the next step."
Kyoko tilted her head. "The next step?"
Riku nodded. "Your gear. You girls head to 7 Rainbow and find Alice."
Keigo blinked. "Alice? You want her to make Peakey P-key's clothes?"
"Exactly," Riku replied. "7 Rainbow designs the outfits for every pro band under OG. Just tell Alice I requested it—she'll handle the rest. She should be at the main branch today. You know where that is, right?"
The girls exchanged excited glances and nodded eagerly before dashing out. Their laughter echoed down the hall, a pleasant contrast to the earlier tension.
When the door finally shut behind them, only Riku and Dennojo remained. The room fell into a calm silence.
Riku leaned on the desk. "Dennojo-san, you're not mad that Shinobu accepted the deal?"
Dennojo chuckled, his tone warm with age and pride. "Mad? No. I'm happy she did. You know, after she met you three years ago, her DJ skills skyrocketed. She used to call me every night after your duels—frustrated, inspired, determined. Losing to you made her hungrier."
Riku smirked faintly. "Guess I was her target practice."
"Something like that," Dennojo said, smiling. "But I think with OG, she'll reach heights I never did. She already surpassed me after the Sunset Stage. When I saw her perform yesterday, I knew she and her group had nothing left to prove here."
He paused, his gaze softening. "Riku, I leave my granddaughter in your care."
Riku's expression turned solemn, then softened. "Leave it to us. She'll shine brighter than ever."
Dennojo nodded, satisfied. For a long moment, neither of them spoke—their shared understanding filling the silence better than words could.
Outside, the fading light spilled through the glass, painting the room gold. The signatures on the contracts glimmered faintly under it, as if the ink itself carried the weight of every dream written down that day.
For Riku, it wasn't just another business deal—it was the sound of something beginning again.
----------
3:30 P.M.
Riku's POV
Hours had passed since Peakey P-key officially joined OG as its DJ unit. The energy around CiRCLE still hummed from that announcement, but I was tucked away in my office, surrounded by scattered sheets of paper and half-finished scores. The pen in my hand had just stopped moving—the song I'd been writing finally complete.
Training started next week, which meant I had a few rare days of freedom. Enough time to let my thoughts breathe and maybe write something I could sing when I made my return to the pro scene. The melody still echoed faintly in my head as I leaned back, stretching the stiffness out of my shoulders.
The quiet didn't last long.
The door opened, and in stepped Hina. Usually, her energy filled a room before she even spoke—but this time, the air shifted. No bright smile. No boundless cheer. Just an oddly serious look that made me raise an eyebrow.
"Hina? What brings you here?" I asked, setting my pen down.
"Well..." she trailed off, scratching her cheek, "you might want to see this for yourself."
"You want me to follow you?"
She only nodded, which was all the confirmation I needed.
We walked down the hall toward Studio 4, Hina oddly quiet beside me. When she pushed open the door, the sight that greeted me was... chaos.
Roselia stood in the center of the room—but not in any formation I'd call normal. Yukina, the ever-composed vocalist of Roselia, was clinging to Sayo like a lost cat, rubbing her cheek against the guitarist's with uncharacteristic affection. Sayo's expression was halfway between despair and disbelief.
Then there was Lisa, standing stiffly while a literal cat perched on her head, its tiny paw repeatedly patting her hair like it was fluffing a pillow.
I blinked. Once. Twice. "...Um. What are you doing?"
Sayo's eye twitched. "I'd like to know the same thing."
Rinko approached, bowing slightly, looking both apologetic and desperate. "Riku, I'm sorry to take up your time, but... we need your help."
Ako threw up her hands. "Yukina-san is acting weird!"
Hina pouted from beside me, arms crossed. "And she's clinging on onee-chan! That should've been me, not her!"
Everyone stared at her in collective silence. Even the cat on Lisa's head paused mid-pat.
I exhaled slowly. "Alright... let's try this."
Pulling a blank spell card from my pocket, I walked up to Lisa.
"Um... Riku? What are you doing?" she asked cautiously.
"Trust me on this," I said, pressing the card against the cat's back. "Now, what the hell happened, Yukina?"
A soft violet glow pulsed through the paper. When it faded, the cat blinked, looked at me—and spoke.
"Trust me, Riku-san. I don't even know what happened."
Every jaw in the room dropped—except for Yukina's body, which was still latched onto Sayo.
Lisa stumbled back. "Y-Yukina? Is that really you?"
"That's what I've been telling you this whole time," the cat sighed.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Can you recall what happened before you became a cat?"
The feline Yukina hesitated, tail flicking. "On my way to CiRCLE, I saw a cat stuck in a tree. It looked frightened, so... I tried to help it."
Sayo froze, veins practically visible on her forehead. "That is absolutely reckless, Minato-san! Get off of me!"
She tried to pry Yukina's human body off, but the cat possessing it had no intention of letting go. It just nuzzled her harder.
Ako frowned, flustered. "Sayo-san's right! You could've gotten hurt!"
I sighed. "Don't tell me... what happened next is exactly what I think it is."
"Unfortunately," Yukina said through the cat's voice, "as I reached the branch, it snapped. We both fell, but the bushes broke our fall."
That was all I needed to piece it together. "So basically, you and the cat swapped bodies."
Hina blinked. "Swapped bodies? You mean the Yukina-chan clinging on onee-chan—"
"Yup," I interrupted, "that's the cat you saved."
Rinko clasped her hands nervously. "Riku, is there a way to bring them back to normal?"
"I do know of a way," I admitted, glancing at the two. "But you won't like it."
"I don't care," Yukina said firmly. "Just bring me back to normal."
"Well, you asked for it."
I stepped forward, gently prying Yukina's possessed body off Sayo, who immediately took a step back in visible relief. Then I picked up the cat still speaking in Yukina's voice. Both of them stared at me—one wide-eyed, one feline-eyed—as I positioned them carefully, one in each hand.
Sayo's voice shot out first. "Riku-san! Don't tell me you're going to—"
Lisa's hand flew to her mouth. "Wait, don't do it!"
"Riku!" Rinko's voice cracked with panic.
But I didn't listen.
With a single motion, I brought their heads together.
The impact made a sharp thunk, followed by two soft bodies hitting the floor. Everyone gasped in horror.
Lisa and Sayo immediately rushed to Yukina's side, checking for any signs that my... unconventional fix had done more than it should. Meanwhile, Rinko stood a few steps away, her expression a careful mix of concern and disbelief—like she was trying to figure out whether I'd temporarily lost my mind.
She crossed her arms, her tone soft but firm. "What made you do that to Yukina-san, Riku?"
I leaned against the wall, completely unfazed. "That was the only way for Yukina to return to normal."
Rinko raised a brow. "Are you sure that was the only way?"
"Yup." I gave a casual shrug. "I saw Meiling-san do that once when the same thing happened to Remi and Patchy."
That drew silence from everyone. Rinko blinked, probably deciding not to question the logic of that particular source. Before she could reply, Hina bounced over, mischief already written all over her grin.
"Say, Riku-kun~" she sang out sweetly. "You think you can do that to me and onee-chan~?"
Sayo practically exploded. "Hina?!"
I sighed. "No. What I did to Yukina was a precautionary method. If I did that to you and Sayo, the effect would've been permanent."
The entire room froze. Hina's mischievous expression vanished, replaced with wide-eyed horror.
"Oh... you know what, never mind," she muttered, quickly stepping back.
The awkward silence that followed was mercifully broken by a soft groan.
"...Mmmmmm..."
Everyone turned toward Yukina, who was slowly regaining consciousness. Lisa was immediately beside her, concern written all over her face.
"Yukina, are you okay? I mean—Riku hit you really hard in the head."
"I'm alright, Lisa..." Yukina rubbed her temple, still dazed. "I just didn't expect that Riku-san would actually do that."
I gave a faint shrug. "At the end of the day, you're back in your body. I would've called Alice, Marisa, or Patchy for this, but they've got their hands full right now."
Sayo exhaled sharply, finally relaxing now that the crisis had passed. "Haah... fine. Then what do we do about this cat?"
The small black-and-white cat was now sitting in the middle of the floor, tail swishing lazily like it hadn't just caused a magical disaster.
"Hm..." I crouched down to take a closer look. "There's a collar around its neck."
Ako leaned in curiously. "That means the cat has an owner! We should bring it back."
"Agreed," Rinko said gently. "But... there's no address on the collar."
Before I could reply, a voice rang out:
"I'll take ya to where my owner is!"
Every head whipped around.
"Who said that?" Lisa asked, scanning the room.
But I already knew. My eyes flicked toward the cat—the spell card I'd used earlier still faintly glowing on its back.
"I'm over here!" the voice said again.
All the girls turned toward the cat at once, realization dawning on their faces.
Lisa pointed. "So it was you."
"Yup!" The cat puffed out its chest proudly—or as proudly as a cat could. "And I wanna thank the pretty lady for savin' me!"
Yukina blinked, clearly flustered by the unexpected compliment. A faint blush touched her cheeks as she smiled softly. "You're... welcome."
The cat gave a pleased meow before stretching.
"So," I said, straightening, "you said you'll take us to your owner, right?"
"Yup! I'll show ya the way! Oh, and the name's Sento."
"Sento, huh?" I repeated. "Alright then. Lead the way."
Before we left, I carefully peeled the spell card off Sento's back. The faint glow vanished, and so did his ability to speak. Yukina's expression dropped a little, a quiet disappointment flickering through her eyes.
"I had to take it off immediately," I explained. "Otherwise, the effect could've turned permanent. Imagine if the owner suddenly heard their cat start talking one day."
That mental image was enough to make the group collectively nod in agreement.
Lisa chuckled softly. "Yeah, that would've been... a lot."
"Probably for the best," Sayo murmured.
Hina leaned down, scratching Sento gently behind the ears before straightening again. "Then let's go bring him home."
With that, we stepped out of the studio, the late afternoon light spilling across the hallways of CiRCLE. The chaos had finally settled, leaving behind a faint trace of laughter and relief.
As we walked toward the exit, Sento trotted ahead of us confidently, tail high like a guide who knew exactly where he was headed. The girls followed close behind, chatting quietly while Yukina lingered at the back—her expression soft, thoughtful, and a little embarrassed about the whole ordeal.
I couldn't help but smirk as I trailed after them. Another strange day at CiRCLE. Another mystery solved through questionable methods.
And knowing this place, it wouldn't be the last.
----------
Nagae Estate – Rinko's Room
9:30 P.M.
After leaving CiRCLE, it didn't take long before we found the owner of the cat. Apparently, Sento had been missing for several days, and his family had been searching frantically for him. When we showed up at their doorstep with the feline trotting proudly beside us, the family nearly burst into tears. The little girl hugged the cat like she'd found a lost sibling.
Yukina hesitated for a moment—her hands lingering on Sento's fur—but eventually, she smiled and let go. It wasn't easy for her, but she knew it was the right thing to do. On the way back, I asked her half-jokingly if she'd ever thought about adopting a cat of her own. She just sighed and said Atsushi-san was allergic, so that dream was off the table.
Now, several hours later, I was back at the estate. Rinko's room was dimly lit, the soft glow of her monitors and the faint scent of tea filling the space. I had my laptop propped up beside hers, both of us ready to dive into NFO. Or so we thought.
"Oi... are you kidding me?" Rinko muttered, blinking at her screen.
"I think it's all real..." I replied dryly, leaning forward to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.
The download bar in front of us displayed a monstrous number: 850 GB.
Rinko groaned. "This is a lot... If I were still at my house, this update would take at least four hours."
"Good thing the internet here's fast," I said, cracking my knuckles. "Still, an update this big means major changes... though I'm more worried about Ako-chan's computer surviving this."
Rinko chuckled softly. "I remember Ako-chan used her first ROLAND paycheck to upgrade her PC. So I think she's fine."
I smirked. "Well, that's one way to spend your first earnings. Still, I'm calling it—Ako-chan's gonna call you any second now."
Right on cue, Rinko's phone started buzzing. She sighed, then picked up and put it on speaker.
"Rin-Rin! Riku-nii! Are you trying to play NFO right now?!"
Rinko exchanged a knowing look with me. "We were planning to, Ako-chan... but as you can see..."
"So you too?!" Ako-chan's voice was full of despair. "I mean, I can handle a few hours of updating, but this?! It's like the holy church itself is blocking my path to conquest!"
Rinko's lips twitched. "Ako-chan, what's your update progress right now?"
"Uh... currently fifteen percent," Ako-chan said, dragging out the words. "What about you two?"
I glanced at our screens. Both progress bars were well over halfway done. I gave Rinko a look—one of those 'you're telling her, not me' looks. She sighed in defeat.
"Umm... Ako-chan," she said carefully. "Ours is already... fifty-five percent."
For a moment, there was nothing but silence. The kind that makes you second-guess your life choices. Then it came.
"NO FAIR!!! NO FAIR! NO FAIR! NO FAIR!!!" Ako-chan's voice nearly blew out the speakers. "CURSE MY INTERNET SPEED!!! WHY CAN'T IT BE AS FAST AS YOURS?! NOW YOU TWO GET TO PLAY WHILE I'M STUCK HERE WAITING!!! WAAAHHHHHH!!!"
Rinko winced and looked at me helplessly. I could tell she felt bad; Ako-chan's tantrums weren't exactly rare, but they always tugged at her soft side. I sighed, stood up, and leaned toward the phone.
"Ako-chan, can you hear me?"
There was a pause filled with sniffling and muffled frustration. Then a small, tired voice answered, "Sniff Yeah... I can hear you, Riku-nii."
"Good." I kept my tone calm, steady. "Listen, since it'll take you a while to finish downloading, here's the plan. Me and Rinko will go ahead once ours is done. We'll check out all the new stuff—maps, classes, whatever changed—and then we'll teach you everything when you log in. That way, you won't fall behind."
There was a soft inhale on the other end. "You... you mean it?"
"Yeah. I mean it," I said simply. "So hang in there a bit longer, okay?"
A quiet pause followed, then a small, grateful voice. "Hai..."
"Good. We'll see you in the game once you're done. We'll be waiting for you at the base."
The call ended. Rinko placed her phone down, exhaling a breath she'd clearly been holding.
"To think you managed to talk Ako-chan out of that so easily," she said with a faint smile.
I shrugged. "It's not that hard. She just needs reassurance sometimes. Look—update's done."
Her eyes widened a little. "Already?"
I nodded and returned to my seat, clicking "Launch." The familiar logo flashed across the screen, but the world that appeared next... was almost unrecognizable.
New textures, new lighting, and a completely redesigned interface. The loading screen showed massive landscapes that hadn't existed before—vast fields, shimmering cities, and what looked like floating islands in the distance.
Rinko's expression mirrored my own—quiet amazement.
"Looks like we were right," she murmured. "This really is a complete overhaul."
I smirked faintly, stretching my fingers over the keyboard. "Well, let's see what kind of chaos they've cooked up this time."
The game loaded with its usual fanfare, only this time it felt... different. Cleaner. Heavier. I stared at the new interface, lines of unfamiliar icons and tabs scattered where old ones used to be. Rinko and I stood still for a moment, watching the new update sink in.
"This is... a lot of changes," I muttered, scrolling through the endless text.
"You're right," Rinko said, her tone halfway between awe and disbelief. "They even overhauled the entire system."
No exaggeration there. The layout was new, skills rearranged, stats completely redone. When I opened my status screen, I almost choked.
OG.Iku
Level: 200
Class: Centurion
Category: Ranger
Attribute: Cycle
"Wait, what?" I blinked. "Wasn't I level 100 last time?"
Beside me, Rinko sent over her status window.
OG.Rin-Rin
Level: 200
Class: Elestra
Category: Mage
Attribute: Balance
The color-coding alone made the whole thing look like some collectible card game. "Riku," she said, tilting her head. "Do you have any idea what these attributes even do?"
"Not yet. Let's check the patch notes," I said, opening the newly added tab. The list stretched for pages—balance updates, bug fixes, new systems. I scrolled until the word Attribute jumped out.
"There it is," I said, reading aloud. "Five types—Retribution, Balance, Life, Cycle, and Ruin."
Rinko leaned closer. "Hmm. So Balance isn't just a pretty name."
"Apparently not." My eyes traced the details. "Retribution beats Life. Life beats Balance. Balance beats Retribution." I blinked again. "So... basically, it's Pokémon."
Rinko giggled softly. "Please tell me they didn't just turn NFO into a monster battle game."
"Not yet," I said, still reading. "Cycle and Ruin are their own weird pair. Strong and weak against each other, but neutral to everyone else. Kind of like light and dark."
The logic of it was absurd, but fascinating. I kept scrolling, and a new section caught my attention—Chaser System.
Now this was interesting. According to the notes, every class got a unique Chaser skill—something powerful that didn't cost mana but required a full Chaser Gauge to use. The gauge filled by attacking, casting, or getting hit. It capped at level 25, and each level needed rare class-specific essences.
"Ranger Essences, huh," I murmured. "Guess that's my next grind."
Another feature appeared below—Soul Imprint. The description made it sound like a form of awakening, unlocking hidden potential. It boosted all skills for forty-five seconds and had three stages: Memory, Body, and Soul. Unlocking each required a solo quest and a Chaser level of at least twenty.
"Forty-five seconds of power, huh," I muttered. "As if bosses don't already hit like trucks."
Rinko was scrolling beside me. "Oh—there's one more, Riku. Transcendence."
I clicked into it. Then blinked.
"What the—? Beat dungeons five levels above or below you two thousand five hundred times? And clear each run solo, with HP staying above ninety percent?" I rubbed my temples. "Who even has time for that?"
Rinko stifled a laugh. "You do, if you sleep two hours a night."
"Funny," I said flatly. "Even I have limits."
Still, curiosity won. I scrolled down again and noticed something flashing in my in-game mailbox. I opened it—and nearly fell off my chair.
The screen flooded with items, scrolling for a solid ten seconds before stopping.
You have received:
– Ranger Essence x4,500
– Centurion Soul Cube x4,200
– Weapon Transcendence Stone (Lv.460) x72
– T5 Accessory Upgrade Stones (100%) x150
– +10 Ranger Stone of the Ancients x1
– Centurion Exclusive Weapon: Disfrozen Destroyer x25
– Pet: Eltrion Mini x250
"What the hell?" I muttered, eyes wide. "They're just... giving these away?"
Rinko blinked at her own screen. "I think it's a compensation package for old players. Maybe for balancing the jump to 200?"
I rubbed my chin. "Guess so. But... Weapon Transcendence Stones? That's new."
Curious, I pulled up my equipment menu. My cannon was still there—faithful as ever—but its enhancement level had dropped from +12 to +9. Figures. They never let us keep nice things.
Then I noticed a new option under my weapon's info: Transcend Weapon.
"Let's see what this does."
A small window appeared, showing a crystal pedestal animation. The cannon floated above it, bathed in light. "Use Transcendence Stone to advance weapon tier?" the prompt read. Requirements: one stone per attempt. Success rate: 100%.
I smirked. "Oh, I'm gonna have a good time with this."
One click. The weapon glowed bright blue.
After what felt like hours of tinkering, reforging, and re-reading the same patch notes that stretched longer than some light novels, my character finally stood at full power again.
Everything gleamed in that familiar digital glow—+12 Transcendence armor, weapons polished to perfection, and accessories settled neatly at +9. A few older pieces had been erased by the update, but the ones that remained packed serious firepower. A fair trade.
The Chaser and Soul Imprint systems were both maxed out, each window flashing gold in the corner of my HUD. The next dungeon run was going to be one hell of a field test.
Across the room, Rinko was still buried in the patch notes, eyes flicking from line to line.
"You actually read the whole thing?" I asked, stretching my arms.
She didn't even glance up. "And don't tell me you just skipped through all of it."
"I didn't skip," I said, leaning back in my chair. "I skimmed strategically. Read and upgrade at the same time. I'm efficient like that."
Rinko sighed—half amused, half exasperated—and pulled up her status menu. Her eyes widened. "Riku... my build. It's identical to yours now."
I nodded, glancing over her display. "Then we'll fine-tune it. I'll help while we wait for Ako-chan to crawl online."
Rinko smiled softly. "Yes, please. Even after reading everything, I still don't fully get half of it."
Before I could start explaining, her phone pinged and a familiar over-dramatic voice echoed through the speakers.
"Finally! The Demon Princess has returned to bring destruction upon the new horizon! Tremble, mortals, for I—the Demon Princess Ako—have arrived!"
Rinko laughed, eyes lighting up. "Ako-chan!"
I shook my head with a faint smile. "So you're finally here, huh? Took you long enough."
"Hmph! I was hanging out with Onee-chan and Afterglow while I waited!"
"Ran's with you right now?" I asked.
"Yup! They're having a sleepover at our place! Tomorrow they're heading to Himari's next."
I chuckled. "Sounds like chaos waiting to happen."
"Anyway!" Ako-chan continued, her in-game voice echoing proudly through the mic. "Rin-Rin, Riku-nii, what's this category thing? And what are attributes? And—wait a sec—my gear! My enhancement levels dropped! Why is everything weaker?!"
Rinko's tone softened. "It's okay, Ako-chan. We'll get your equipment back to full power, alright?"
"Yeah," I added. "We'll be here for a while, so let's start fixing your loadout."
Ako-chan groaned dramatically. "Ugh... this update is cruel and unjust."
Her in-game profile flashed onto the party screen.
OG.Demon Princess Ako
Level: 195
Class: Summoner
Category: Mage
Attribute: Ruin
Figures. Of course she'd end up with Ruin.
Two hours later, Rinko and I had her stats patched up, her weapon enhanced, and her mood mostly repaired. When we finally logged off, the estate was quiet except for the hum of the cicadas outside.