First International Airport - Private Hangar


    (20:17 Local Time)


    The Phoenix-300''s engines whined as it taxied back to the gate, its emergency lights staining the tarmac crimson. Through the observation window, I watched Rose’s silhouette struggle against two figures in first-class seats – her father’s grip like a vise, her stepmother’s manicured claws digging into pale flesh.


    "Go time," I muttered, adjusting the collar of my tactical suit. The Dragon Horizon insignia embroidered on the sleeve caught the light – a silent declaration of war.


    Rose’s scream pierced the boarding tunnel’s murmur. "Zǐrì!"


    Her father spun, recognition dawning as I strode forward. "You’re that orphan rat she’s been whining about? Guards! This—"


    Big K materialized from shadow, his augmented hand crushing the man’s wrist with a wet crack. "The lady," he rumbled through vocal modulators, "chooses."


    Chaos erupted.


    <hr>


    Executive Lounge - Three Minutes Later


    Rose trembled against my chest, her tears soaking through my shirt. "They sold me," she choked. "To some... dragon cultist in Kyoto."


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    I stroked her hair, glaring at the cowering couple. Her father clutched a Japanese passport like a talisman. "D-Dragon Horizon has no jurisdiction here! I’m a citizen of—"


    "Worms." My voice cut colder than Big K’s alloy fingers. "You’re stains on two nations."


    The lounge screens flickered. Father’s hologram loomed like an angry god. "Son. The board requires... discretion."


    I tossed a biometric card at the groveling man. "Five million credits. Renounce parental rights. Now."


    His wife snatched the card before it hit the floor. "We’ll disappear! Never contact her! Swear on—"


    "Silence." Big K’s growl shook champagne flutes.


    <hr>


    Dragon Horizon Safehouse - 22:45


    Rose gaped at the panoramic view of neon-lit Shanghai through bulletproof glass. "This... isn’t student housing."


    "Minor family business." I popped the cork on vintage champagne. "Father wanted to ‘welcome you properly’."


    She stiffened. "Your parents—"


    The elevator pinged. Mother swept in wearing a gown worth more than Rose’s scholarship building. "There’s my future daughter-in-law!"


    Rose’s whisper tickled my ear. "You said ‘casual dinner’!"


    "Strategic omission." I ducked her elbow jab.


    Father’s hologram winked into existence beside the caviar tower. "Son, the board approved your... acquisition. Though next time, perhaps fewer broken bones?"


    <hr>


    Epilogue - One Week Later


    The neural suite hummed as we linked into Zero. Rose’s avatar materialized in reforged CrimsonRose armor, her demon horns now tipped with frost.


    "Ready to storm Dragon Valley?" She tossed me a plasma katana.


    I activated my Shadowveil Cloak. "After you, Madam Frostrose."


    Her laugh echoed through the digital canyons as we charged into the glitching storm – two crimson marks against a world of lies, our joined insignias burning brighter than any server sun.