Death System: I awakened SSS rank System

Chapter 71 71: A New Target

The chamber remained steeped in its oppressive stillness, the crimson glow along the walls pulsing faintly like a heartbeat that did not belong to any living thing. The patterns carved into the structure seemed to twist and shift ever so slightly, as though reacting to the presence of those within.

At the center of it all stood Zermon, unmoving, his aura spreading across the entire space like an unseen dominion that none could escape from. It wasn't just power it was control, the kind that made even the strongest hesitate before taking a breath.

Nero Void stood a few steps behind, his posture relaxed but his eyes attentive, watching the unfolding moment with quiet amusement.

Beside him stood Enjin, whose presence contrasted sharply with the suffocating atmosphere. His stance was firm, his gaze unwavering, and though the pressure in the room was undeniable, he showed no visible sign of fear.

It wasn't arrogance, it was confidence forged through countless battles, through a life built on contracts, blood, and survival.

For a long moment, no one spoke. The silence stretched, thick and deliberate, as though Zermon was allowing it to linger on purpose, testing the patience and composure of the man who had come seeking recognition.

Enjin didn't move. He didn't fidget or shift. He simply stood there, meeting that invisible weight head-on, refusing to bend before it.

"I brought him," Nero finally said, his voice cutting through the stillness with casual ease, as though the tension in the room amused him more than it concerned him.

Zermon did not turn immediately. His voice came out low and controlled, carrying authority without effort. "...I can see that."

The response was simple, yet it carried a weight that pressed down on Enjin's shoulders ever so slightly, testing his resolve.

Slowly, Zermon turned, his gaze locking onto Enjin with a quiet intensity that seemed to pierce through layers of thought and intention. It wasn't just a look, it was an inspection.

"You came seeking a contract," Zermon said, his tone devoid of curiosity. It was a statement, not a question.

Enjin nodded once, calm and composed. "I did."

There was no hesitation in his voice, no wavering in his stance. He wasn't here to beg. He wasn't here to prove loyalty. He was here for one thing—opportunity.

"I heard," Enjin continued, his voice steady as he held Zermon's gaze, "that you were the ones who hired Caslurk."

At the mention of that name, Nero's lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. The memory of that failed attempt lingered in the air like an unfinished story, one that still demanded resolution.

"And?" Zermon asked, his tone unchanged.

Enjin's eyes sharpened slightly, his intent becoming clearer.

"I want that position."

The words settled into the chamber with quiet finality, bold yet quivering. This wasn't a reckless demand, it was a calculated move.

Nero let out a low chuckle, clearly entertained by the directness. "He doesn't waste time," he muttered, folding his arms as he leaned slightly to the side.

Zermon, however, remained completely still, his expression unreadable as he studied Enjin in silence. Seconds passed, but in that space, it felt much longer, as though time itself had slowed to accommodate the weight of the moment.

"Many seek power," Zermon said slowly, his voice carrying a deeper edge now. "Few understand the cost of standing before me and asking for it."

Enjin remained silent for a brief moment, considering the words, not as a warning, but as a statement of fact. Then he spoke again, his tone unwavering.

"I'm not here to understand," he said. "I'm here to prove."

That answer lingered in the air, firm and unshaken. It wasn't defiance. It was certainty.

Zermon's gaze held him for a few seconds longer before he finally moved, taking a slow step forward. The movement alone caused the air to shift again, tightening around them as though reacting to his will.

"Very well," he said at last.

Nero's eyes flickered with interest. Zermon stopped a few steps away from Enjin, his presence now far more direct, far more imposing.

"If you want that position," he continued, "then earn it."

Enjin's posture straightened slightly. Zermon's next words came without hesitation.

"Bring me the head of Lector."

Silence.

Even Nero's faint amusement faded slightly at that. It wasn't a simple task. It wasn't even a fair one.

Lector wasn't just a Guide—he was one of the strongest figures within the Guide system, someone whose power and awareness surpassed most players by an unimaginable margin.

And yet— Enjin didn't flinch. Not even slightly. Instead, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"…Understood."

There was no fear in his voice. Only acceptance. Without another word, he turned. A metallic shimmer briefly flickered around his body as his system activated, and within a second, a rift tore open behind him. Without hesitation, he stepped into it, disappearing as quickly as he had arrived.

The chamber fell silent again.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Nero tilted his head slightly, his expression thoughtful now rather than amused.

"…You're serious about this?" he asked, glancing toward Zermon. "Lector isn't just some random target. Sending him after that Guide… that's practically a declaration."

Zermon did not respond immediately.

His gaze remained fixed on the space where Enjin had disappeared, as though his thoughts extended far beyond the room itself.

Nero continued, his curiosity growing. "You could've given him something simpler. Something to test him without risking unnecessary attention."

Still no answer.

Nero's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone lowering just a bit.

"…Why Lector?"

For a brief moment, the crimson glow in the chamber pulsed a little stronger, the atmosphere tightening once more.

Zermon slowly turned away, his back now facing Nero again. Silence the washed across the atmosphere.

"…It is necessary."

The answer was vague. Nero's lips curled into a faint smile again, though this time it wasn't amusement, it was interest.

"Necessary, huh…"

He didn't press further because he understood something important.

Zermon didn't speak without reason.

And if he chose not to explain. Then the reason behind it was something far deeper than a simple answer.

Nero glanced once more at the fading rift, his eyes gleaming faintly.

"…Looks like things are about to get interesting."

Behind him, Zermon remained still, his presence unmoving, yet his influence stretching far beyond the chamber.

Plans were already in motion.

And soon a palatable battle was about unfolding.