"It's time to decide who we sacrifice."
Ren's smile stretched wider than usual — just slightly. But enough.
The air inside the cave felt heavier.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
Ren enjoyed it.
"Point to the person you want to sacrifice," he continued calmly. "The one with the most votes… will be killed by me."
Silence lingered.
One by one, they raised their hands.
Cosmic pointed at himself.
Anthony pointed at himself.
Adrian pointed at himself.
Rose and Leo both pointed at Adrian.
Ren's eyes shifted toward him.
"It seems Adrian has the most votes."
Adrian smiled faintly.
"I'd be glad to be sacrificed," he said quietly. "I'm the weakest here. And… I don't really have anything to live for."
As the words left his mouth—
Riley's face flashed in his mind.
For a split second, his smile wavered.
Ren noticed.
For a brief moment, Ren's expression changed — surprise.
But then it returned to that same calm smile.
"Very well."
He raised a single finger.
Above it, space distorted.
A dense sphere began forming — a compressed mass of gravity twisting into a dark orb.
The pressure in the cave shifted instantly.
Everyone felt it.
Their bodies grew heavier.
Breathing became harder.
It felt like the cave itself was trying to crush them.
Ren pointed at Adrian.
The gravity sphere shot forward.
Before it could hit—
A sharp flash cut through the air.
Cosmic's blade split the sphere cleanly in half.
The two halves dispersed violently against the cave walls.
Ren didn't flinch.
"Oh?" he said softly. "What's this? Do you want to be the sacrifice instead?"
"Yes," Cosmic answered without hesitation.
Anthony stepped forward immediately.
"No. I'll be the sacrifice."
Ren looked at them both.
For the first time — irritation flickered across his face.
"…How troublesome."
He sighed.
"You know what? How about all three of you become the sacrifice?"
Suddenly—
The gravity intensified.
Everyone was slammed to the ground.
The stone beneath them cracked.
Rose gasped, struggling to breathe.
Leo gritted his teeth.
"Are you planning to kill the ones who didn't volunteer too?!" Leo shouted through the pressure.
"My ability increases gravity within a fifty-meter radius," Ren said calmly. "Everyone inside that range is affected."
"Help us at least!" Rose choked out.
Ren's eyes were cold now.
"I can't help you two," he replied. "Die with the others."
The killing intent in his voice was real.
He lifted his hand slightly—
The pressure began to rise again.
Bones creaked.
Air escaped their lungs.
And then—
A soft hand touched Ren's back.
He paused.
Slowly, he turned.
It was her.
The naked woman stood behind him, smiling gently.
"Do you need something, God of the Planet of Discoveries?" Ren asked.
The others froze.
God?
She tilted her head.
"How about… not killing them?" she said lightly.
Ren's eyes narrowed.
"A local god like you shouldn't interfere with my plans."
Adrian's mind raced.
Local god? She's a god? And Ren knows her?
The woman leaned closer to Ren and whispered something into his ear.
Ren listened silently.
A few seconds passed.
"…Deal," he replied.
Instantly, the crushing gravity vanished.
Everyone collapsed, gasping for air.
Rose, furious, summoned multiple glowing pink daggers around Ren.
They surrounded him from every direction.
"YOU BASTARD!" she screamed.
The daggers launched simultaneously.
Ren lifted one finger.
Every dagger deflected effortlessly, clattering against the cave walls.
"As I was saying," the woman said sweetly, "I'll be taking my leave."
She glanced at Ren.
"Remember what I told you."
Then she disappeared.
Ren gave a small nod.
Cosmic and Anthony moved instantly.
"HULK PUNCH!" Anthony roared.
"SLASH OF THE COSMOS!" Cosmic shouted.
Their attacks collided toward Ren from opposite sides.
Ren simply shifted his fingers.
The direction of gravity flipped.
Both Cosmic and Anthony were violently hurled into the cave walls.
The impact shook the entire structure.
But in that moment—
While Ren was distracted—
Adrian dashed forward.
He gathered all his strength into one punch.
It connected.
Ren slid back slightly.
A small crack appeared on his cheek.
For the first time—
Ren looked impressed.
"…Not bad."
He snapped his fingers.
Gravity reversed again.
All five of them were ripped from the ground and slammed onto the ceiling.
They were pinned there, helpless.
Ren adjusted his collar calmly.
"Now then… if you'll excuse me."
He walked out of the cave.
Leaving them stuck above.