The air changed just before sunset.
It wasn't visible at first.
It was pressure.
A subtle heaviness pressing down across the district.
Zhao Ren stopped mid-step on the bridge.
Threat Detection flared sharply for the first time since morning.
Not from one direction.
From above.
The sky dimmed unnaturally.
Clouds began spiraling toward a single point high over the river's center.
Both sides noticed immediately.
On the eastern bank, silhouettes gathered on the tower rooftops.
On the western side, Chen Wei signaled defensive formation without shouting.
No one panicked.
But everyone understood
This was not random.
The system confirmed it seconds later.
A faint transparent barrier shimmered into existence at both ends of the bridge.
Retreat was no longer possible.
Zhao Ren's expression remained calm.
Across the river
A figure stepped forward onto the edge of the eastern tower rooftop.
Tall.
Still.
Watching the sky.
Even from this distance, Zhao Ren could sense it clearly.
Level 4.
No
Higher.
The ranking board flashed briefly.
So he had grown again.
During daylight.
Efficient.
Disciplined.
Just like Zhao Ren.
Then
The sky split.
Not violently.
But precisely.
A circular fracture opened above the river's center.
From it descended a structure.
Metallic.
Angular.
Floating without sound.
It stopped thirty meters above the bridge.
Suspended between both territories.
The system displayed new data.
Silence fell across the entire zone.
No monsters.
No civilians.
Only ranked survivors.
Zhao Ren calculated instantly.
This was deliberate.
A forced confrontation.
Early selection pressure.
Across the river
The Rank 1 figure moved.
He stepped off the rooftop.
And landed lightly on a lower structure.
Then another.
Then onto the eastern bridge entrance.
No hesitation.
No discussion.
Direct approach.
Zhao Ren stepped forward as well.
Not rushing.
Measured.
Chen Wei's voice came quietly from behind.
"You don't have to take it."
"Yes," Zhao Ren replied calmly.
"I do."
The barrier ensured no interference from outside.
This was not a faction battle.
This was individual qualification.
Halfway across the bridge
The Rank 1 survivor finally stopped.
Distance between them: twenty meters.
Close enough now to see clearly.
He was younger than expected.
Composed.
Eyes steady.
No wasted movement.
The system panel identified him automatically.
Interesting.
Not absorption.
Adaptation.
That explained the rapid leveling.
Han Qian studied Zhao Ren just as carefully.
"So," he said evenly.
"You're Rank 2."
"And you're efficient," Zhao Ren replied.
No hostility.
No insults.
Just recognition.
Above them
The floating Core Node began glowing faintly.
Eight minutes remaining.
Han Qian spoke first.
"One claim."
"Yes."
"No alliances."
"No retreat."
Agreed without words.
They both stepped closer to the center.
Not charging.
Not attacking prematurely.
Evaluating.
Wind moved across the bridge.
The river below remained unnaturally still.
Threat Detection pulsed but not from Han Qian.
From the Core Node above.
It wasn't passive.
It was watching.
The countdown reached five minutes.
Han Qian shifted his stance slightly.
Subtle adjustment.
Prepared.
Zhao Ren felt his own heartbeat steady.
No anger.
No excitement.
Just focus.
This wasn't about territory.
This wasn't about pride.
This was about trajectory.
Whoever claimed the Core would widen the gap.
And in a system-driven world
Gaps became power.
Three minutes.
The glow intensified.
The bridge vibrated faintly.
Both men moved at the same time.
Not to attack
But to position.
The Core Node descended slowly toward the bridge's center.
One minute.
The barrier shimmered brighter.
No external interference.
No escape.
Han Qian's eyes sharpened slightly.
Zhao Ren mirrored the shift.
Two apex survivors.
First forced collision.
Ten seconds.
The Core reached activation height.
The system voice echoed across the locked zone.