The forest was too quiet.
Ren Zian moved with a predator's grace, every sense alert. His system pulse still echoed in his chest—steady, strange, alive. He had no weapon, no armor, and no allies. Just his bare fists… and a soul bond waiting to be claimed.
[Target Linked Soul Nearby: 53 meters… 41… 18…]
He slowed as the trees opened into a glade bathed in unnatural light. At the center, half-buried in cracked stone, was a glowing coffin of translucent crystal. Fire danced within it—not consuming, but protecting.
And inside, suspended like a sleeping goddess, was her.
Lyra.
The phoenix-blooded girl he'd stolen from the divine auction.
Her long hair floated like scarlet silk in water. Her body was curled loosely, arms folded against her chest, and a rune flickered over her heart like a pulse. Flames surrounded her form—golden and red—held back only by the crystal coffin's enchantments.
Ren stepped closer.
[Waifu Pact Initiation Detected: Target Soul Locked][Warning: Pact cannot proceed while subject remains sealed][Requirement: Break Sealing Crystal — Danger Level: High]
Of course. Nothing was ever free.
He placed his palm on the warm crystal. A low hum surged through his hand, followed by an angry voice:
"Unauthorized soul signature detected. Chaos Contract identified. Access forbidden."
Ren narrowed his eyes. "Access this."
He raised his fist and struck the crystal with his bare knuckles. Pain flared. The crystal pulsed red but didn't crack. It resisted like the will of an ancient god.
[Damage Inflicted: 0.002%][System Suggestion: Use Pact Authority or Divine Energy][Note: You currently possess neither.]
"I don't need divine energy," he muttered, breathing hard. "I just need her."
He pressed both hands to the surface, lowering his head.
"Lyra," he said quietly. "I don't know who you are. But you were being sold like property. Like I was. And I refused to let that happen again."
No answer. Just flickering flame inside the crystal.
"I'm not a hero," he continued. "But if you can hear me… and you want to live—then give me your trust."
[Emotional Sync Detected: Pact Response Triggered][Soul Reaction: +12%… +27%… +61%…][Waifu Lyra's soul has acknowledged resonance.]
The crystal groaned.
A hairline fracture appeared across its surface, glowing white-hot.
[WARNING: Spiritual seal rupture detected. Incoming energy backlash.]
Ren didn't flinch. He braced himself.
Then—the crystal exploded.
Not outward. Inward.
The flame collapsed in on itself, drawing into Lyra's body. Her eyes snapped open. For a single heartbeat, everything went still.
Golden irises stared straight into Ren's.
And then the fire erupted.
Ren was thrown backward, body skidding across grass and stone. He coughed, skin scorched, every nerve on fire. His vision blurred as heat consumed the clearing.
She rose from the fragments—naked, glowing, her hair trailing fire.
She didn't speak. Her gaze locked onto him with fury and confusion. Her hands clenched, flame swirling like angry spirits.
"I saved you," Ren gasped.
She stepped closer. "You stole me."
Her voice was like molten glass—beautiful, sharp, and deadly.
"You interrupted my seal… broke my prison… and bound my soul without permission."
She raised her hand. Fire coiled at her fingertips. Ren flinched, but didn't run.
"Do it," he whispered. "Burn me if you want. But I won't apologize for giving you a chance to live free."
The fire paused.
"You… don't fear me?"
"I fear losing my freedom again more than death."
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then—her flames softened. Her stance relaxed.
"You're a Chaos bidder," she murmured. "They said you were extinct."
Ren stood slowly. "Maybe I'm the last. Or maybe I'm just the first one foolish enough to bet everything on a stranger."
She blinked. "I am not weak."
"I didn't say you were. But neither am I."
[Pact Window Opening…][Waifu Candidate: Lyra of the Phoenix Flame][Personality Affinity: 72%][Power Compatibility: High][Status: Bond Eligible][Proceed to Soul Pact Ritual? (Consent Required)]
Lyra stared at the glowing panel between them. She didn't touch it.
"Why did you really choose me?" she asked, voice soft now. "There were others. Stronger ones."
Ren looked her in the eyes. "Because you looked like you still wanted to fight."
A heartbeat passed. Then another.
Lyra raised her hand and tapped the screen.
[Pact Confirmed.][Lyra has become your first Soul-Bound Companion.][Abilities Unlocked: Phoenix Flame Barrier • Shared Regeneration +20%][Pact Effect: Emotional Link Enabled][Cooldown: 72 hours before next Pact]
Lyra's body shimmered, flames folding inward. Her skin cooled, her form becoming more human once more. She conjured a robe of ember-colored cloth around herself with a flick of her wrist, eyes unreadable.
"We're linked now," she said, voice unreadable. "But if you betray me…"
"You'll roast me alive. Got it."
Her lips almost twitched.
Ren let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
Then the system chimed again.
[New Bid Opportunity Detected.][Target: Divine Soul Weapon – "Ashspire Edge"][Opening Bid: 1.0 Chaos Credit][Bidders: 2][Time Remaining: 4 minutes]
Ren straightened.
Lyra looked at him. "You're really going to keep bidding?"
He smiled.
"I didn't come back to play safe."