Morning in Granis City was loud, fast, and full of secrets.
Kael stood by the window of his small apartment, looking down at the busy streets. Buses zoomed by, street vendors shouted prices, and neon signs flickered even in daylight. But under the surface, he knew things weren't normal.
His phone buzzed. Not a regular notification—a system ping.
[Daily Reward: +$75]
[System News Update: Black Veil Surveillance Leak Goes Viral — Suspected Vigilante Gains Online Support]
Kael's jaw tightened. "They're watching me… and now the world is too."
He hadn't shared the video. The system did it automatically. At first, he thought he was in control—but more and more, it was like the LIFE SYSTEM was making choices for him. Strategic choices.
He opened the window, letting in the breeze as another message arrived:
[Special Mission – Side Path Unlocked]
Mission: Explore the abandoned metro under East Granis.]
Time Limit: 6 Hours | Risk Level: Medium | Reward: Skill Upgrade + Passive Bonus]
Abandoned metro? That place was shut down after an explosion five years ago. Some said it was a terrorist attack. Others said it was a cover-up.
Kael stuffed his hoodie into a backpack and grabbed a flashlight. He had questions—and the system wasn't giving him answers. If he wanted to learn the truth, he'd have to dig it up himself.
---
The entrance to the old metro was sealed with a rusted fence, but Kael found a hole in the back and squeezed through. He climbed down broken stairs, the smell of dust and decay thick in the air.
Everything was silent. Too silent.
He walked deeper, boots echoing on the cracked concrete floor. Graffiti covered the old station walls—some recent, some faded with age. Then he saw something unusual: a working camera, blinking red.
He froze.
Before he could react, a voice called out from the shadows.
"You got guts, kid. Most people avoid this place."
Kael turned to see three people emerge—two men and a woman, dressed in street gear, but with military posture. Eyes sharp. Calm. Controlled.
"You're not cops," Kael said, stepping back.
"Nope. We're Echo 13," said the woman. She had silver-dyed hair and a long scar down her cheek. "We help people like you before the system ruins them."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "You know about the LIFE SYSTEM?"
She nodded. "We've been tracking it for years. It doesn't just give—it takes. Slowly. Silently."
As she spoke, Kael's screen flickered.
[WARNING: External Sync Attempt Detected. Source: Unknown. Sync Blocked.]
He took a step back. "What did you do?!"
"Relax," she said. "That was a scan. We don't want your data—we want to teach you how to survive. You're part of something bigger now."
He didn't respond right away. His mind was racing. Who were they? What did they know that he didn't?
Then she tossed him a small black pin—an eagle-shaped insignia with a red line through the eye.
"What's this?"
"Your first sign that you're not alone."
---
Back in his apartment, Kael stared at the pin, turning it over in his hand.
[Side Path Complete.]
Skill Upgrade: Awareness Lv. 2
Passive Bonus: Emotional Stabilizer (Reduces panic/fear in critical moments)]
He felt different. Not stronger—smarter. More aware. Like something inside him had clicked into place.
But as he lay on his bed that night, one thought wouldn't leave his mind:
"If there are others like me… who's pulling the strings?"