Aron moved closer and pressed his hands on the kneeling Kaiser, whose face was covered with tears and snot.

Aron's expression remained impassive, but he couldn't help shaking his head. It would be a lie to say he wasn't shocked after hearing that Kaiser was a regressor. Still, that was all there was to it, it had no real use to him.

After all, the apocalypse had already been going on for over a week, while Kaiser had only lived three days into it before regressing. Useless information.

From the beginning, Aron hadn't forgotten about the Talent Vault, his new ability to rent out his talents to others.

The vault had only five slots, and he didn't want to waste one on someone as weak-minded and cowardly as Kaiser.

But after listening to Kaiser's story, Aron couldn't help the strange feeling that surfaced within him.

There was something in that story, something that reminded him of himself, and how unfair life had been to him.

He knew that feeling of hopelessness all too well, the same despair he'd felt when he saw the video of the woman he cherished the most, cheating on him. And the truth was he would have forgiven her, even then. That was how much he loved her.

But during the court proceedings, when her cruelty and false accusations came to light, even a fool could tell she had never loved him. She had only been with him for his money and fame.

He could still remember her expression in court as if it were yesterday. That was the day he died inside. The love he once felt turned into hate, and revenge became the only reason he continued to breathe.

The loneliness of being used and discarded made every passing day unbearable.

Aron's expression grew colder as those memories resurfaced.

He took a deep breath and focused on his system, his Talent Vault interface appearing before him. Moments later, a notification appeared.

[Do you wish to rent Thunder Manipulation to Kaiser Smith? Yes / No]

He selected Yes.

[Detected: Kaiser Smith possesses an existing talent.

Rental deduction cost increased to 60%. Proceed? Yes / No]

Aron didn't hesitate and chose Yes again.

A new window appeared.

[Choose the currency you want to be paid in:

• EXP (rental payment by experience – available)

• Mana – locked

• Lifespan (rental payment by lifespan – available)]

Aron raised an eyebrow at the list. Mana was grayed out. Without thinking too long, he chose Lifespan.

Lifespan was the only thing he couldn't easily increase right now. Everything else could be acquired with effort.

Another notification appeared right after.

[Duration: 1 Month – Available]

Seeing that, Aron guessed it referred to the payment period for the rental. Still, he found it strange that there was only one option. (Why even bother showing it if it's the only choice?)

He selected it anyway.

[lifespan to be paid monthly: ____

Penalty for payment failure: ____]

Aron blinked. "A penalty?"

Apparently, he could enter any punishment he wanted.

He didn't think much before setting the terms.

[Lifespan to be paid every 30 days by Kaiser Smith: 500 lifespan

Penalty for failure to pay within 30 days (including a 3-day grace period): Death]

Immediately, Aron's hands, still resting on Kaiser's head, began to glow faintly. A moment later, Kaiser received a system notification of his own.

[Thunder Manipulation has been rented to you by the Saint.

Payment: 500 lifespan every month.

Grace period: 3 days.

(Kill lifeforms to acquire 5% of their lifespan.)

Penalty for failed payment: Death.

You may choose to continue or return the talent after each payment period.

Accept? Yes / No]

Kaiser's eyes widened. "What…?"

The notification floated before him.

He hesitated. "Yes or no…"

Before he could say anything, Aron's voice came out, low and cold.

"Don't waste my time. Just answer, yes or no."

Kaiser fell into deep thought. Aron didn't rush him. It was a choice concerning his life and death, after all.

After a moment, Kaiser gritted his teeth and chose Yes.

Aron's hand glowed faintly beneath the rain. Water had long gathered above them, swirling like liquid glass, until it looked like they were standing beneath an aquarium.

A new notification appeared in Kaiser's vision.

[Talent Acquired: Thunder Manipulation]

[Lifespan Accumulation: 0 / 500

(Kill lifeforms to acquire 5% of their lifespan)]

Aron removed his hand from Kaiser's head and turned away, walking toward his bike.

Kaiser snapped out of his daze and noticed another increase, his mana had risen by 100 points.

Crackle… Crackle…

Lightning arcs danced across his fingers. With his other hand, he summoned a toothbrush from his space talent.

He looked up at Aron, who was already getting on his bike, eyes shining with a crazed, fanatical light.

"Your life is now in your hands," Aron said, starting the engine. "What you do with it is up to you. Go inside. I'll be back for the rest of my supplies."

He revved the bike and rode off into the rain.

Kaiser ran to the entrance of the building, staring after him. Even as Aron's silhouette vanished into the darkness, that fanatic light remained in Kaiser's eyes, as if he was gazing at a god.

----

A Few Hours Ago

A bright white light suddenly exploded in the night sky of Solara.

From the explosion, a transparent orb shot downward, its interior swirling with white mist. It fell into the border forest near Zone B, crashing into the ground with a thunderous boom that left a massive crater.

The commotion drew the attention of the monsters lurking within the forest. They charged at the orb with roars and shrieks, but no matter how much they attacked, they couldn't leave a single scratch on it.

Then, the rain began to fall.

Screams echoed through the forest as monsters writhed in agony. Their strength surged erratically, and those with low lifespans withered into husks within minutes. Trees grew wildly out of control, roots twisting and cracking through the soil.

The orb pulsed with light, growing larger and larger. The monsters' screams intensified, then abruptly stopped as their heads burst open one after another. Blood spiraled through the air, wrapping around the glowing sphere.

Within hours, everything within a three-mile radius had died, plants, trees, and beasts alike.

Then, at last, the light dimmed.

BANG!

A hand suddenly shot out from the orb, its skin rough and inhuman. A hoarse voice echoed through the desolate forest.

"Target: Saint.

Target: Saint.

Target: Saint."

...

..

.

****

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