The streets of Haneve were already washed in neon light from the cafés.

While Baekhaven was mostly known for its beautiful harbor and promenade, and its signature blue and red neon lights, some residential neighborhoods—like Haneve, where I lived—favored golden lights bleeding into neon green, making the leafy streets feel as if they wound through a magic forest.

The train station swallowed me into its fluorescent belly.

The train car hummed, neon signs from Elemental Cafés blurring past the windows.

I shoved my hands into my hoodie pockets, trying not to think about the System offer or focus too much on the feeling of magic swirling through my body.

I got off at Baekrang Station, ducking into a cramped alley where Ocean’s Edge Pizza still used brick ovens. The smell of olive oil and oregano hit me, making my mouth water. I left with two boxes, cheese and mushrooms—Gran’s latest obsession, though she’d insist she didn’t have favorite foods.

Heat seeped through the cardboard as I hurried toward Eunhwa Home.

The nursing home’s lobby was all faux-wood floors. Clean, but clearly not high-end. A member of the staff waved me toward the common room.

Gran sat at a laminate table, squinting at a Dungeons & Realms board. She perked up when the pizza boxes hit the table. “Smuggling contraband again?”

“High-risk raid. Almost got caught by the nutritionist.”

Her chortle drew stares from the chess club in the corner.

I unfolded the greasy cardboard as she got the board between us ready for a new game.

Ten minutes later, Gran’s token took out mine with a triumphant clack.

“Again,” she said, waving her slice of pizza in the air before she took another bite.

“That was a leadership mistake. You get sloppy when the carbs kick in.” I flipped the board, resetting our usual rematch. “Let’s see your opening gambit now, oh Lady of the Truffles.”

Gran chuckled and raided my opening artifacts in one swoop. Damn it.

The common room TV in the corner was showing a news cycle. The footage shifted to a live scene as the reporter’s voice cut in.

“—latest Knot in Cheongard. Llewellyn arrived on-site moments ago—”

My fingers froze mid-move.

Llewellyn appeared on screen in 4K—trench coat sweeping as he glared at the press. The camera zoomed in as a reporter shouted something about “civilian casualties”, but I couldn't focus.

Cheongard? There was a Knot in Baekhaven right now?

Gran’s gaze flicked between me and the screen.

“Isn’t that your boy?”

“He’s not my—”

Honestly.

Gran hummed, then narrowed her eyes at me and looked down at the board again. “You play games worse than when you were twelve.”

“Dietary sabotage," I said, taking a bite of pizza. "Carbs and mushrooms in my case.”

Gran snorted, her gaze lingering a beat too long. “Job keeping you up nights?”

I hummed noncommittally, opting for another bite. I hadn't exactly told her I was consistently working night shifts, or she would worry; just that I occasionally covered someone else's night when my managers asked.

On TV, Llewellyn had entered the Dungeon. At least it was not a Distorted Realm, but that still meant we'd have no updates now until he was done.

Gran tilted her head. "Look at him. Bet he doesn’t lose at board games."

I scoffed. "Well, I'm sure he doesn’t have to constantly suffer devastating defeats at the hands of someone who claims not to have strategies."

Gran tutted. "Excuses, excuses."

"Oh, sorry, I forgot—your wins are purely an act of fate.”

I could see the corner of her mouth twitch.

Then, she moved her token and raided my latest artifacts. Again.

I narrowed my eyes at her before looking down at the board and taking over the nearest Collapsed Tunnel.

However, I couldn't really focus. I couldn't stop glancing at the screen and thinking about what the System had said.

[Partner’s survival probability decreases significantly without external tactical support. Current combat efficacy is optimal, but strategic vulnerabilities remain.]

And…

67%.

I stood abruptly, chair screeching.

"I have to go," I told Gran.

She looked at me curiously. I had never left early. I felt bad about it, but—

Gran leaned back, squinting. “Uh-huh.”

“Next week,” I said, already pushing the chair back under the table. “Double rematch.”

She waved her hand. “Get out of here.”

And then, when I was almost at the door: "Ryo."

I looked back.

"Don't get hurt."

I took the stairs two at a time.

━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━

How does one call the System?

"System window?" I tried. "Contract status? Hello?"

A System window popped up.

[Contract offer still pending.]

Perfect.

I kept walking briskly toward the train station.

"If, on top of what you offered, you agree to pay off all my debts, I'll accept your contract immediately."

The System window sparkled. "Agreed. User's debts will also be paid off. Accept Contract?"

"Yes," I said. Then realized I didn’t actually need to go to the train station. "Please drop me at the Knot site."