Chapter 4: Login
Lucien studied his friend's face, unease creeping into his voice.
"What's the problem?"
"Money."
Lucien's brow shot up, then pulled into a frown.
"I don't have a dime. That old man froze my cards. Besides, didn't you say you were rich now?"
Halo's grin spread wide.
"Lucy, rich means different things to different people. I was rich. But the game's been... demanding lately. I've been feeding it cash like a hungry beast. We just need money to refill our NSI, that's all."
Lucien's frown deepened as he watched his friend.
He knew Halo—or Harun, his real name—inside and out. The guy wore masks like clothes: jovial comedian one moment, sharp schemer the next.
Lucien hadn't wanted to come here. But Halo was his anchor. The only person who'd stuck around despite Lucien's habit of keeping the world at arm's length.
Now he was trapped. Again. Harun dangled this problem in front of him like bait, and Lucien could feel the walls closing in.