Authority did not mourn.
Authority documented.
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The report was not written in words.
It was written in thresholds.
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> EVENT TYPE: Consequence Propagation
TRIGGER: Human Voluntary Action
RESULT: System Load Redistribution
OUTCOME: Human Fatality (1)
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No names.
No faces.
Just variables.
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The Authority Enforcer stood in a white void that had no edges.
Across from it—
Structures unfolded.
Not buildings.
Decisions.
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Classification update required.
---
The Enforcer did not argue.
It processed.
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Entity: Remnant.
Status: Active.
Deviation Level: Escalating.
---
Another layer unfolded.
Human figures—abstract, simplified.
Lines between them pulsed.
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Observed Phenomenon:
Human agents accepting consequence without System mediation.
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The Enforcer paused.
---
Anomaly confirmed.
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A new label formed.
Cold.
Precise.
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> DESIGNATION:
Human Consequence Transfer (HCT)
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Threat Evaluation?
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The Enforcer examined the outcome projections.
Worlds where HCT spread.
Worlds where it was suppressed.
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In many—
Authority intervention increased.
In others—
Authority relevance decreased.
---
The Enforcer's form shifted.
A fraction.
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Conclusion:
HCT functions as a force multiplier.
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Reclassify.
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The label burned itself into the system strata.
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> HCT — WEAPONIZED BEHAVIOR
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—
The strategist received the update six seconds later.
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He read it once.
Then smiled.
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"…They finally said it out loud," he murmured.
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An aide leaned forward nervously.
"…Sir. Authority has classified voluntary consequence as a weapon."
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"Good," the strategist replied.
"That means they're afraid of it."
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He stood.
Hands behind his back.
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"…Draft a public directive."
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The screen lit up.
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> CIVIC SAFETY NOTICE:
Voluntary interference in anomalous events constitutes participation in weaponized behavior.
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"…You're criminalizing helping," the aide said.
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The strategist's smile didn't fade.
"…No," he corrected gently.
"I'm defining it."
---
—
I felt it change.
Not like a blow.
Like a lock clicking into place.
---
"…Mira," I said quietly.
"…They named it."
---
Her voice was tight.
"…Yes. They always do that before they hunt it."
---
> [System Update:]
— New Restriction Layer: ACTIVE
— Human-Initiated Consequence Transfer: MONITORED
---
"…Monitored," I repeated.
---
"That means delayed punishment," Mira said.
---
"…Or public," I replied.
---
Below us—
Posters appeared overnight.
Digital billboards.
Subtle wording.
Friendly fonts.
---
DON'T INTERFERE
STAY SAFE
LET PROFESSIONALS HANDLE IT
---
A woman pulled her child closer when shadows moved.
A man hesitated before stepping between an argument.
---
I watched hesitation ripple outward.
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"…It's working," Mira whispered.
---
"…For now," I said.
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Because beneath the fear—
Something else remained.
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Anger.
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> So we just watch people die now?
Helping is illegal?
Then what does that make us?
---
The comments vanished fast.
But not before being read.
---
—
Authority didn't stop at classification.
It adjusted enforcement bias.
---
I felt the city stiffen.
Pressure points aligned.
---
> [System Notice:]
— Consequence Redistribution Priority: SYSTEM FIRST
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"…They're making sure humans pay before you can absorb it," Mira said.
---
"…So they want me slow," I replied.
---
Mira hesitated.
"…Rei… if you intervene directly now…"
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"…I become proof of their definition," I finished.
---
I stared at the city.
At Elena.
Still standing.
Still isolated.
---
At Marcus's empty apartment.
Lights off.
---
"…Then I won't intervene directly," I said.
---
Mira blinked.
"…What?"
---
I turned toward her.
For the first time since my death—
I smiled without humor.
---
"…If helping is a weapon," I said softly,
"then I won't be the one holding it."
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Silence.
---
"…Rei," Mira said slowly.
"What are you planning?"
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"…Nothing illegal," I replied.
---
I drifted backward.
Fading.
---
"…I'm just going to let humans notice each other."
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> [Hidden System Flag:]
— Indirect Influence Detected
— Source: UNCONFIRMED
---
Authority noticed the flag.
Paused.
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But didn't understand it.
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Because influence without command—
Without power—
Without system prompt—
---
Wasn't supposed to work.
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