Chapter 8: Chapter 8: The Racing World Takes Notice
The roar of the crowd was deafening.
Ren's fingers finally relaxed on the wheel.
He had won.
The holographic results flashed in the sky above the track.
1st Place: Ren Kisaragi
2nd Place: Ryoji Kazama
3rd Place: Kaiya Hoshigawa
Even from inside his car, he could feel the atmosphere shift.
This wasn't just a normal victory.
This was a statement.
In a private skybox, a man in a black suit adjusted his glasses.
His sharp eyes focused on the name displayed in first place.
"Ren Kisaragi… Never heard of him."
A woman beside him, dressed in a sleek red racing jacket, smirked.
"You will."
The man exhaled.
"That last move… It wasn't just skill. It was something else."
Another man, older with silver hair, chuckled.
"Phantom Echo."
The others turned to him.
He sipped his whiskey, then continued.
"He copied Phantom Drive and refined it instantly. That's not something a normal racer can do."
Silence filled the room.
Then, the man in the black suit tapped his communicator.
"Send someone to investigate him. Now."
Ren stepped out of his car, sweat still on his forehead.
The moment his feet touched the ground—
Camera drones swarmed him.
Microphones hovered in front of his face.
"Ren Kisaragi! That last move—how did you do it?!"
"Is this the birth of a new racing legend?!"
"Are you being scouted by any top academies?!"
Ren remained calm.
He had expected this.
But before he could answer—
A voice cut through the noise.
"Oi, rookie."
Ren turned.
Ryoji Kazama was standing there, arms crossed.
His eyes were sharp—but there was no hostility.
Instead, he smirked.
"That was fun."
Ren raised an eyebrow. Fun?
Ryoji's smirk widened.
"But don't think you've won for good."
Then, he turned and walked away.
No anger. No excuses.
Just a simple promise.
They would race again.
Ren couldn't help but smile.
Good.
Because next time, he wouldn't just win.
He'd dominate.