​Leo ran across campus with surprising speed. The "Errand Boy" app was still open on his phone, the cracked screen displaying the task details in bold letters: Reward: $100.​Even after accepting the job, Leo felt like the offer might disappear if he blinked. “One hundred dollars…” he muttered, jogging past the student library. That amount alone could cover groceries for almost two weeks. Maybe he could even take Sarah out somewhere nice for a change. The thought made him smile, pushing his tired legs to move faster.​The pickup location wasn't far. It was a narrow alley beside the campus supply building, a quiet spot where delivery workers often gathered to sort packages. Within a few minutes, Leo arrived. He slowed to a stop and looked around. The alley was eerie—no people, no vehicles, just the distant hum of the university.​Sitting neatly on a wooden bench was a single cardboard box. Leo walked over. On top of the box was a folded piece of paper. He picked it up and read the hand

​The bus ride back to Leo’s apartment was quiet. The vehicle rumbled steadily along the road, its engine humming like a tired machine that had been running for far too long. Leo sat near the back window, staring outside without really seeing anything.​Buildings passed. People walked along the sidewalks. Cars moved through intersections. But Leo’s thoughts were somewhere else; his mind still echoed with Sarah’s voice.​“You have no future.”​The words repeated themselves like an annoying song stuck on loop. Leo tightened his jaw, refusing to let those words control him anymore. Still, the pain remained.​After nearly twenty minutes, the bus finally stopped near his apartment complex. Leo stepped off and began walking down the narrow street leading to his building. The place was old—paint peeled from the walls, several windows were cracked, and the hallway lights inside flickered as if they were struggling to stay alive. But it was cheap, which meant it was one of the few places Leo co

The next morning, Leo woke earlier than usual. For a moment, he lay still on the bed, staring at the stained ceiling of his small apartment. Then, everything came rushing back—Sarah, Marcus, the humiliation in class, and the strange System. ​As soon as the thought crossed his mind, a faint glow appeared before his eyes. A translucent interface quietly unfolded in his vision. ​[TIME LEFT: 17:16:43] ​Leo rubbed his temples. “So, it’s real…” ​The countdown continued ticking down silently. Every second reminded him that Marcus Whitmore still stood far above him socially. If Leo wanted to humiliate him publicly, he would need the right stage and the right moment. He swung his legs off the bed. ​“Guess I’d better get moving.” ​Eastgate University was unusually lively that morning. Students gathered near the Media Building, many holding their phones in the air as excited whispers floated through the courtyard. ​“She’s filming again.” “I heard it’s for the gala promotion video

​The sun was already setting when Leo returned to his small apartment. Golden light streamed through the window, stretching across the worn wooden floor. For a moment, he simply stood there, staring at the garment bag hanging from the door. Inside was the suit he had bought earlier that day. ​Leo took a slow breath. Tonight was the university gala, and tonight was also the deadline for the System’s task. ​Suddenly, a faint glow appeared in front of his eyes. A translucent blue interface slowly materialized in the air, hovering just inches away from his face. The screen floated quietly, its letters shining softly like light made of glass. No one else could see it, but to Leo, it was perfectly clear. ​[TIME REMAINING: 06:12:36] ​Leo stared at the floating screen for a moment before letting out a small breath. “So, it’s finally time.” ​The screen faded slowly until it disappeared from his vision. Leo grabbed the garment bag and unzipped it carefully. The dark suit inside looked

The applause inside the grand hall slowly faded, leaving behind a thick, buzzing silence that felt heavier than the noise itself. Students returned to their conversations in clusters, but the atmosphere had shifted fundamentally. The air, once filled with the mindless chatter of the elite, was now thick with the friction of a broken status quo. Many people were still whispering, and those whispers acted like a current, all flowing toward one person: Leo Carter. ​Leo stood near one of the floor-to-ceiling balcony doors, the cool night air drifting in from the campus grounds. It carried the faint scent of rain and cut through the stifling perfume of the ballroom. Beside him, Lena Hart sipped her drink, her silhouette sharp against the city lights. ​Across the hall, Marcus Whitmore stood near the refreshment table, his posture rigid. He was gripping his crystal glass so tightly that his knuckles had turned a ghostly, bloodless white. For years, Marcus had been the sun around which Eas