Regression: Reclaiming the End-Chapter 37: The System’s Store

The mood shifted like a blade drawn in silence.

My laughter faded. My expression hardened.

"Noel," I said, voice low and steady.

He blinked, caught off guard by the sudden gravity in my tone. He sat up slowly, bottle still in hand, brow furrowing as his eyes scanned mine.

"...What is it?" he asked, more cautious now. "You’re being serious."

I didn’t answer immediately. Instead, I stepped forward, letting the weight of my words hang in the space between us.

"I have a plan," I said finally. "Something I need to set in motion soon."

Noel straightened his posture. The joking spark in his eyes had dimmed, replaced with focus. Concern.

"What kind of plan?" he asked.

I looked at him—truly looked. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Before I could tell him anything, I had to be sure. About him. About what he was willing to risk.

So I asked, "Do you trust me?"

He didn’t answer right away. His fingers tapped against the side of the water bottle, eyes narrowing slightly—not in suspicion, but in thought.

Then I continued.

"Even if it involves your life, Noel. Even if I lead you into something you can’t see the end of yet. Will you still trust me?"

His gaze sharpened, and for a long second, he didn’t blink.

Then, slowly, he stood. He stepped closer until we were eye to eye, his expression unreadable—then resolute.

"You saved me in there. You stood between me and a spell that should’ve killed me. So yeah," he said, voice calm but firm. "I trust you."

He paused, then added with a weak smirk, "Just don’t make me fight a god without telling me next time."

I held his gaze a moment longer before speaking again. "Good. Because this plan—it’s not simple."

Noel leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "Hit me."

"We’ll continue clearing the Labyrinth together," I said. "Floor by floor. Side by side. But from here on out... I’m going to make sure you’re in the spotlight."

Noel blinked. "Wait—me?"

I nodded. "All the credit. The attention. The headlines. It’ll all point to you."

A confused chuckle escaped him. "Okay, now I know you’re messing with me. Why would you—"

"Because the PK King is watching," I cut in.

He froze.

"The guy who kills people inside the Rift?" he asked, his voice dropping. "The one you mentioned before?"

"Yes," I said. "I know he’s going to make a move soon. He always goes after the rising stars first—those who stand out. He doesn’t want rivals. He wants fear."

Noel frowned, pieces starting to click. "So you want me to be his next target."

"Exactly," I said.

There was a long pause.

Then: "...You’re insane."

"I know."

He leaned back, running a hand through his hair. "So what, you expect me to parade around like some celebrity and just hope the psychopath notices?"

"He will," I said, confident. "He’s already watching. I saw his username on the Astral Community. He’s scouting. Measuring people. You’ll be bait—but not unprotected. I’ll be nearby. Always. Waiting for him to make his move."

Noel looked at me. Not laughing. Not joking. Just quiet.

"And then?"

"Then I end it," I said simply. "Before he ever gets the chance to become what he was. Before he touches anyone else again."

Noel let out a low breath and stared at the ceiling. "You really think this’ll work?"

"It has to."

He was quiet for another few seconds. Then a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"...Alright," he said. "If I’m going to be a star, I better start acting like one."

I smirked. "Try not to get cocky."

He gave me a wink. "No promises."

I turned back toward the window, watching the last streaks of light fade from the sky.

’Come out, CrownThorns. This time, I’m not letting you slip through the cracks.’

-

Noel leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees again, eyes narrowing slightly in thought.

"Alright," he said. "Then... where exactly do you plan to catch him? Outside? When he’s off guard?"

I shook my head slowly. "Inside the Labyrinth."

His brow creased. "Wait. Inside?"

I nodded.

He frowned deeper. "There’s no surveillance in there, right? No drones. No system feeds. Nothing gets broadcasted unless someone leaks it."

"Exactly," I said. "That’s why it’s perfect. No one watching means no interruptions. No interference. And no limits."

Noel’s face grew more serious, eyes searching mine. "So that’s why you want me to rise fast... to bait him into challenging me?"

I nodded again. "He’ll take the bait. Once you’re big enough, too big to ignore, he’ll come for you like he always does. But this time, I’ll be waiting. The Seventh is where I plan to end it."

He was quiet, absorbing the weight of it.

I walked over to my desk and picked up a small, palm-sized recording orb—one of the few tools that could work inside the Rift if tuned right. I tossed it in the air and caught it.

"We’ll record everything," I said. "Your moves. His ambush. The entire battle. If he tries to escape, we’ll have proof. If he dies, there’ll be a legacy. Either way, the world will see the truth."

Noel gave a low whistle. "You really thought this through."

"I had time," I muttered. "Too much of it, honestly."

He looked at the orb, then at me. "So what happens if I die before reaching Floor Seven?"

I didn’t even blink. "You won’t."

He grinned. "That confident in my skills?"

"No," I said. "Confident in mine."

That made him laugh, and it helped break the tension.

Noel leaned back slightly, eyes narrowing as he stared at the palm-sized recording orb in my hand.

"Where the hell did you even get that?" he asked, tilting his head.

I tossed the orb lightly in the air again and caught it with a soft snap of my fingers.

"Store," I replied simply.

Noel blinked. "Store?"

"Yeah," I said, turning to him with a smirk. "You can check it yourself. Just say ’Open Market’ and the System Store will pop up."

Noel stared at me for a second, then raised an eyebrow. "That’s it?"

"That’s it."