Carl's arrogant laughter echoed through the basement.
He still thought I was just a helpless loser putting on a brave face.
He stepped closer and shoved me hard.
"You threaten me? Do you know who I know?
The cops will take my side, not some deadbeat like you!" The pain in my shoulder was nothing compared to the vision of my frozen future.
Every time I backed down, I walked closer to that cold, lonely death.
I looked at him with cold clarity. "I am not threatening you. I am telling you the truth." "I will pay the rent tomorrow," I repeated firmly. "
But you cannot force me to use my tuition money. That is not legal. That is extortion." Carl's smile vanished. He never expected the quiet kid he'd bullied for months to stand against him so calmly. "
You want to play by the rules?" he growled. "Fine. I'll go to court tomorrow and file for eviction. Let's see how you fight that." He turned to leave, thinking he'd won. I spoke softly, stopping him in his tracks. "Think carefully.
If you file for eviction, I will submit evidence of your illegal entry and harassment. The security camera has proof. Do you really want a lawsuit that ruins your rental business?"
Carl froze. He knew I was right. A single complaint could destroy his small empire. He spun around, face red with rage. "Fine! I'll give you until tomorrow night. But not a penny less!"
The door slammed shut. I stood alone in the tiny room, my heart racing. For the first time in my life, I had fought back without flinching.
[System Notification]You have completed your first reasonable reckoning. No violence. No crimes. You defeated malice with rules.Reward unlocked: Future Darkness Fragment (1/∞) Blue text appeared before my eyes: — Future Darkness Fragment —You are studying clean energy engineering.You are developing a low-cost home energy storage device that will disrupt the industry in three years.
Your professor, Dr. David Channing, appears kind and supportive.Truth: In three months, he will steal your research, patent it with Glow Energy Corporation, and frame you for academic fraud.This is the first major turning point of your destruction.
My blood turned to ice. Dr. Channing? The man who praised me, mentored me, and smiled at me? He would ruin me? That was why my future was so hopeless.
Not because I was lazy, but because I was betrayed by the person I trusted most. The landlord was just a small bully.The real evil was hiding in plain sight. I clenched my fists. I would not let that happen.
I would not be a victim.I would not die cold and alone. This was not revenge.This was reckoning. [System Notification]Fate has shifted. Continue cleansing darkness to unlock more fragments.The next storm is approaching.
I looked out the small, dirty window at the glittering city above. The rich lived in the light.The poor rotted in the dark. But I now held the truth.And I would use it to burn the darkness to the ground.