The message from Liam Choi was on Sam's computer screen. It was like a warning. In the world of Neo-Veridia meeting with Liam Choi was not about talking business. It was about choosing sides.
Sam leaned back in his chair. The blue light from the computer was shining in his eyes. He was thinking about what could happen. If he met with Liam he might lose Matthew Servilla as a friend. If he did not meet with Liam he would make an enemy of a man.
"System, " Sam said quietly. "What are my chances of staying safe if I meet with Liam?"
The system beeped. It said Sam had an 88 percent chance of staying safe.. If Matthew found out he would be very upset.
"I have been in spots before, " Sam said to himself. "I just need to be careful."
THE WHISTLEBLOWER'S SHADOW
Before Sam could deal with Liam he had to help Matthew. The Servilla Group was in trouble. If it fell, the whole story would change. Sam was not ready for that.
He spent two days looking at numbers. He used his skills to find the truth. He was not looking for what the company said it did. He was looking for what it hid.
He found a problem with a company called Aegis Maritime. They were using fuel that was bad for the environment.
"Someone is cheating, " Sam said. "They are saving money. It is not right."
The system beeped again. It said Sam had found a problem. If the truth came out the Servilla Group would lose a lot of money.
Sam looked at his watch. It was 3:00 AM. He had to act.
THE 4:00 AM ULTIMATUM
Sam went to Matthews apartment. It was very fancy. Sam did not knock. He used a code to get in.
The living room was dark. Matthew was standing by the window. He looked upset.
"Sam, " Matthew said. "How did you get in here?"
"You are in trouble Matthew, " Sam said. "Someone in your company is doing something. They are using fuel that hurts the environment."
Matthew looked shocked. "What are you talking about?"
Sam showed him the proof. Matthew was very upset.
"You have four hours, " Sam said. "You can fix this problem. You can. See what happens.. If you wait you will be in big trouble."
Matthew looked at Sam. He saw a person who was willing to help.
"Why are you helping me Sam?" Matthew asked.
Sam did not say why. He just said he did not want to see people make mistakes.
THE DEVIL IN THE DETAILS
Sam did not sleep much. He had to meet with Liam. He chose a tea house.
Liam was already there. He looked elegant. He was watching Sam.
"Professor Lee, " Liam said. "You look tired. You are very smart. You helped Matthew Servilla."
Sam sat down. He was careful. He knew Liam was a person who could not be trusted.
"I just talked to Matthew, " Sam said. "We are neighbors."
Liam smiled. "You are more than that Sam. You are a person. I want to use your skills."
Sam was careful. He did not want to make Liam upset.
"I am not for sale, " Sam said.
Liam laughed. "Everyone is for sale, " he said. "I can offer you something Matthew cannot. I can tell you the truth about why you're really at the Imperial Academy."
Sam was curious. He was also careful.
"I will think about it, " Sam said.
THE ACADEMY'S NEW ORDER
Sam went back to the Imperial Academy. Everything had changed. The students were talking about the Servilla Group. Matthew and Isabelle were heroes.
Sam was happy. He had helped his friend. He knew Liam was still a problem. He had to be careful.
Sam walked into his classroom for the afternoon lecture. The students did not look at him with boredom anymore. They looked at him with fear.
Isabelle Diaz was standing by his desk waiting for him.
"Professor Lee, " she said. "Matthew told me what you did. He did not tell me everything. He said you were the one who gave him the courage to do the thing."
Sam let out a sigh. He set his briefcase down. "I just gave him a push, Miss Diaz. The courage was his."
She kept talking, not listening to his words. "He wants to thank you. He is having a party this month. A private event on his family's yacht. He said it is a 'Thank You' party for everyone who helped the company during the time."
Sam felt sweat on his neck. He had tried to stop the party. Now he was the reason it was happening.
"I will be there, Miss Diaz, " Sam said. His mind was already thinking of ways to stay safe. "I would not miss it for anything in the world."
As the students left Sam sat down in his chair. He was very tired. His body was screaming for rest.
"016 " he whispered. "I need to use those points. I cannot wait for the reward."
He got a message that he had points to use from the Beginners Reward. He had already used some for Intelligence, Charm and Stress. He got points from the 'Pivotal Moment' task.
"Put all 5 points into Agility, " Sam said. "I need to be able to move."
His agility went up a little. He was still not strong. His body felt a bit better. He stood up. Tested his footing. He did not stumble.
"Host " 016s voice was softer now. "You are changing the world fast. The more you change the more the 'Correction Force' will try to balance things. By saving Matthew you made Liam Choi more desperate. By impressing Isabelle you made yourself a target for the school's hierarchy."
Sam looked out at the sunset. "I know. That is what Strategic Planning is about. You do not just plan for success. You plan for the problems that come after."
He took out a gold coin from his bag. It was a Protection Talisman he got as a beginner reward.
"I will need more luck to survive the party on the yacht " Sam thought.
He spent the evening studying the yacht's map and the weather. He looked at the backgrounds of the waiters and crew members.
If the World Will wanted him to fail it would have to try than just a storm.
Just as Sam was getting ready to go there was a knock on the door. It was late. The hallways were dark.
Sam put his hand in his pocket. Felt the Protection Talisman. "The door is open."
A tall thin man in a janitor's uniform came in. He was pushing a cart. He did not look like a janitor. His movements were too precise, his eyes too sharp.
"Professor Lee?" the man asked.
"Can I help you?" Sam replied.
The man did not answer. He took out an envelope from his cart and put it on Sam's desk. Then he left without a word.
Sam opened the envelope. Inside was a card with a message:
"Candidate 404. You are doing better than expected. You are not supposed to survive. If you do not die you will owe us. Complete the Side Mission: 'Help the Male Lead' one time. You will lose 50% of your Soul Stability."
Sam crumpled the card.
"016 " Sam said angrily. "What is a 'Causality Debt'?"
He looked at the Relationship Grid.
Matthew Servilla: Trust 40.
Liam Choi: Interest 45.
World Fate: Changing.
The game had changed. It was not about surviving the plot. It was about surviving the people who sent him there.
"Fine, " Sam said with a smile. "They want a show? I will give them one."
He sat down at his desk looking at the Bureau's threat. He began to draw a plan. One that involved the Male Lead, the Villain and the yacht.
The teacher was done for the day. The Architect had arrived.
Sam's current stats are:
| Attribute | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 100 MAXED |
| Charm | 70 | |
| Agility | 14 | Went up by 5 |
Stress Tolerance | 70 | Went up by 3
| Soul Stability | 100% | In danger |
Bureau Points | 3000 | Went up by 500 |
He needs to get ready for the "Victory Gala", on the yacht and deal with the Bureau's demands.