Kael moved before the shaking stopped.
If he stood still, it got worse.
His hands trembled. His chest felt tight, like something was squeezing it from the inside. The fear was back now—too strong, too loud, like it had been saved up and dumped all at once.
He hated that.
"Next time," he muttered, walking fast, "I'm reading the damn cost."
The street ahead split into three paths. All dark. All bad.
Voices echoed again. Closer than before.
They weren't guards this time.
Different steps. Lighter. Faster.
Hunters.
Kael ducked into the middle path and nearly slammed into someone.
He stopped an inch short.
A boy stood there. Older than the girl. Maybe fifteen. Knife in hand. Eyes wide.
They stared at each other.
The boy blinked first.
Kael felt it then.
The pull.
The old reflex. The human one.
Protect. Threat. Act.
His body lagged.
The boy slashed.
Kael jerked back late. The knife kissed his coat instead of his ribs. Cloth tore. Skin burned.
"Shit," Kael hissed.
The boy froze.
"You're bleeding," the boy said.
Kael looked down.
He was.
Thin line. Warm.
Good.
Pain focused him.
"You should run," Kael said.
The boy laughed, shaky. "Not alone."
Footsteps sounded behind them.
More than one.
The boy's smile dropped.
"Oh," he said. "They followed me."
Kael didn't answer.
His brain worked fast. His body dragged behind.
Don't sign in. Not yet.
A shape stepped into the path behind the boy. Tall. Hooded. Another contractor? Maybe. Maybe not.
Kael's vision flickered.
⟪THREAT STACKING⟫⟪SIGN-IN WINDOW OPEN⟫
"No," Kael whispered.
The hooded figure tilted their head.
"Drop the knife," the figure said to the boy.
The boy hesitated.
The figure sighed and moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
Kael didn't think.
He stepped in front of the boy.
His body lagged.
The blow hit his shoulder instead of his head. Pain exploded down his arm. He grunted and staggered back.
The boy screamed.
Kael's heart slammed hard. Fear burned clean now. No delay. No numbness.
This is how it's supposed to feel.
The hooded figure paused.
"Interesting," they said. "You're jittery. New debt?"
Kael clenched his teeth.
"Get lost," he said.
The figure smiled under the hood. "Can't. Log business."
That did it.
Kael gave in.
⟪SIGN-IN CONFIRMED⟫
The world dipped.
⟪SKILL GRANTED⟫Second Guess⟪EFFECT: ONE ENEMY HESITATES⟫⟪COST: CONFIDENCE — IMMEDIATE⟫
The hooded figure froze.
Just for a moment.
Not fear.
Doubt.
Kael felt it hit him at the same time.
His legs felt weak. His shoulders slumped. Every thought whispered you can't.
"Damn it," Kael muttered.
But a moment was enough.
Kael grabbed the boy and shoved him sideways. They hit the ground as the hooded figure's strike cut air where they'd been.
"Run," Kael barked.
The boy didn't argue this time.
He ran.
Kael rolled to his feet, slow, unsteady. His confidence was gone. Every move felt wrong. Every choice felt bad.
The hooded figure straightened.
"That was clever," they said. "Stupid. But clever."
Kael backed away.
"You already paid," the figure continued. "You feel it, right? That weight. That doubt."
Kael swallowed.
"Yeah," he said. "I do."
The figure stepped forward.
"So do I," they added softly.
Kael's eyes widened.
⟪FOREIGN COST SYNC⟫
The air felt heavy. Like both of them were dragging invisible chains.
The figure hesitated again. Not from Kael's skill this time.
Their own cost.
Kael saw it.
They're not clean either.
That thought steadied him. Just a bit.
Not confidence.
But anger.
Kael lunged.
Late. Sloppy. Desperate.
The figure blocked, but their foot slipped. Just a little. Enough.
Kael slammed his shoulder into them. They crashed into the wall together. Stone cracked. Breath left both of them in sharp bursts.
They separated.
Neither chased.
Both breathing hard.
The figure laughed quietly. "You're fun."
Kael wiped blood from his mouth. "You're annoying."
The figure stepped back into the dark.
"Another night," they said. "Don't rack up too much debt before then."
Then they were gone.
Kael stood there, shaking.
⟪ENTRY COMPLETE⟫⟪TOTAL ENTRIES: 4⟫⟪BALANCE: CRITICAL⟫
"Critical," Kael said. "Of course."
His knees buckled.
He caught himself on the wall and slid down, breathing slow, trying not to panic.
Confidence was gone. Not delayed. Not stacked.
Just gone.
Every thought felt heavy.
You're bad at this.You're losing.You won't last.
Kael pressed his forehead to the stone.
"Shut up," he whispered. "Just… shut up."
The night didn't answer.
But it didn't let go either.
Somewhere nearby, a scream echoed.
Kael closed his eyes.
Then opened them.
"…damn it," he said, and forced himself to stand.
Same night.Same debt.No reset.
He limped toward the sound.