The third marker remained active through the afternoon.
Northwest rail yard.
Unmoved.
Unhidden.
Not advancing.
Not retreating.
Waiting.
Zhao Ren stood on the rooftop overlooking the northern approach.
Threat Detection remained stable but alert.
The presence at the rail yard was steady.
Disciplined.
Not erratic.
That alone suggested experience.
At 16:42, something changed.
A single flare rose into the sky from the rail yard.
Not red.
Not distress.
White.
Neutral.
It burned steadily for several seconds before fading.
Chen Wei arrived quickly.
"Signal flare," he said.
"Yes."
"Challenge?"
"Invitation," Zhao Ren replied.
It wasn't aggression.
It wasn't a warning.
It was a declaration:
I am here. Respond, or acknowledge my independence.
Across the river, the eastern marker pulsed faintly in reaction.
Han Qian had seen it too.
Now the question was simple:
Who would respond first?
Zhao Ren did not fire a flare in return.
He did not send a messenger.
He did not mobilize.
Instead, he ordered a minor adjustment.
"Reduce visible rooftop patrols."
"Keep interior positions stronger."
Chen Wei nodded immediately.
Appear calm.
Be prepared.
If the third marker expected intimidation
Silence would disrupt it.
If they expected alliance
Silence would test patience.
Either way, reaction revealed more than speech.
Just before sunset, scouts reported visual confirmation.
The third marker survivor had moved.
Not toward the west.
Not toward the east.
Toward the center industrial corridor.
Neutral ground between territories.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Alone.
Zhao Ren opened his system briefly.
Distance: 1.9 km.
Level reading fluctuating.
Between 4 and 5.
That meant adaptive or concealment-based skill.
Interesting.
Threat Detection pulsed faintly.
Not hostile.
But focused.
Chen Wei crossed his arms.
"They're walking into shared territory."
"Yes."
"Provocation?"
"No."
"Pressure."
By moving into the center, the third survivor forced both West and East to acknowledge presence.
If ignored, they would gain ground.
If attacked, it would trigger multi-front instability.
Zhao Ren made another decision.
"No engagement."
"Observe only."
"Let them step first."
Control required resisting the urge to dominate prematurely.
As dusk settled, something else shifted.
The eastern marker moved slightly toward the bridge.
Not crossing.
But closer.
Han Qian was watching the center movement too.
Three apex survivors.
Triangle formation tightening.
The industrial corridor between them now held silent tension.
The third marker stopped near a warehouse rooftop.
No attack.
No signal.
Just visibility.
A deliberate silhouette against the fading sky.
Zhao Ren stood still, observing from distance.
Threat Detection flared briefly
But not from the third marker.
From within his own perimeter.
The same ambitious signature.
Sharper now.
Agitated.
The presence realized something.
If external forces clashed
Internal power shifts would follow.
Zhao Ren did not react outwardly.
He simply noted it.
Balance outside.
Stability inside.
Both required equal attention.
The sky darkened fully.
Three pillars of light remained.
West.
East.
Center.
Eighteen hours until Phase 2 convergence.
The board was set.
And the first true move
Had not yet been made.