Lucien slumped beneath the bus stop's weathered shed, his legs stretched out carelessly. A couple huddled at the far end of the bench, arms wrapped around each other as they shot him disgusted glances while pinching their noses.
He didn't seem to notice. Dark shades shielded his eyes from the brutal afternoon sun.
'Ah, it's been forever since I stepped outside... how long? Six months? Eight?'
He squinted at the blazing sky.
'I don't rember the sun being this vicious.'
A heavy sigh escaped him as he pulled out his phone, fingers dancing across the screen.
The girlfriend craned her neck, trying to get a better look at the device in his hands.
She leaned close to her boyfriend's ear.
"Honey, that's the latest Nexus Dynamics AI-7 Pro."
Her boyfriend's eyes widened as he studied the phone.
"Damn, you're right. That thing costs three million dollars. Most expensive phone in the world right now—cutting-edge AI features and everything. It even has that adaptive UI system that learns your usage patterns."
Lucien caught fragnts of their hushed conversation but couldn't care less.
The woman's lip curled with disgust.
"He must have stolen it. Should we call the police?"
"Stolen?"
Her boyfriend shook his head.
"You think a phone with that level of AI security can just be swiped? Even if soone could steal it, they'd need access to the world's elite—people like the Vales, the Balerons."
Lucien finally glanced their way, sliding his shades down his nose.
The boyfriend was unremarkable—brown wavy hair framing a forgettable face. His girlfriend wasn't much different. They suited each other perfectly.
A synthetic roar shattered the afternoon quiet as an automobile prowled into view, its engine growling like caged thunder before settling beside the bus stop.
The couple's heads snapped toward the sound, jaws dropping.
The machine crouched before them like a predator—chro bones wrapped in midnight skin, a beast born of pure rebellion. Its body had been carved from obsidian alloy, every angle sharp yet flowing, brutal yet breathtaking. The front grille yawned wide like a gladiator's maw, barely containing the twin-breath supercharged V12 that purred with barely restrained power.
The rear was a masterpiece of symtry and nace—twin halo taillights connected by a razor-thin strip of crimson, like the slit eye of so ancient god watching the world disappear in its wake. The wheels sat deep and aggressive, wide as clenched fists, gripping the asphalt as if it owed them a debt.
The doors whispered open with a soft, sweet hiss, rising like wings to release their occupant.
A young man erged—casual in his round-neck shirt and shorts, slippers slapping against the pavent. He glanced at the woman and flashed her a quick wink.
Her heart stumbled. Recognition dawned slowly across her features as the pieces fell into place.
But the young man had already crossed to Lucien.
"Wait, you serious? Your old man actually kicked you out?"
Lucien nudged his luggage with his foot.
"Grab that thing and toss it in the car first."
He shot a glance at the couple, who were now whispering energetically.
"These people are giving the creeps."
The young man followed his gaze, then turned back with a knowing grin.
"Ha... that's probably my fault."
Lucien raised an eyebrow, sliding his shades down slightly.
"How's that?"
His friend's grin stretched wider.
"Rember that ga I told you about? Evolution Online?"
"Yeah? What about it?"
The young man puffed out his chest with pride.
"Well, I sort of beca a big shot in it. I'm a pretty popular player now—ranked top 100. Even got my own clan."
Lucien's face twisted with irritation as he slowly pushed himself to his feet.
His friend imdiately stepped back, covering his nose.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Lucy, when's the last ti you took a shower?"
Lucien scratched his head, trying to dig through his hazy mory.
"Don't know... two weeks? Three? I really can't keep track of these things when I'm busy."
"Hell no! Lucy, we both know the only thing you've been busy doing since graduation is sleeping!"
Lucien's lips curved into a lazy smile.
"Exactly what I ant."
He slipped his hands into his pockets and strolled toward the car.
His friend grabbed the luggage and hurried after him. The sleek remote chirped softly as he popped the trunk, sliding Lucien's belongings inside.
Just as he reached towards the door, the girl approached.
Lucien, leaning against the car's polished fra, watched with growing interest.
"Excuse , sir... are you Halo? The first human to evolve into a Demonic Angel on Evo?"
The young man's smile blood as he pulled out a pen.
"That's ."
The girl nearly bounced on her toes.
"Could I please have your autograph? I absolutely love your raid videos! They've been so helpful—my boyfriend and I had no idea a Demonic Angel evolution was even possible. You've inspired us in so many ways."
She thrust a small journal toward him.
Halo accepted it with a gentle smile dancing on his lips.
"Well, anything's possible in Evo. That's the whole point."
He glanced up as the boyfriend shuffled forward, sheepishly extending his own notebook.
"Like she said, we're huge fans of your content. Really looking forward to your clash with the Asura race."
Halo let out a dry chuckle.
"That's going to be brutal, no doubt. But I don't believe in impossibilities."
The couple finished the phrase with him in unison.
Halo laughed and flashed them a thumbs up.
"Thanks for the support. And hey—keep grinding. This ga can make you stupid rich, just like . Don't give up."
"Yes sir! Thank you so much!"
Both of them bowed enthusiastically before walking away.
Halo turned back to his friend, spreading his arms wide.
"See?"
Lucien studied him through his dark lenses, surprise flickering across his features despite the shades.
"You're actually serious. You're so kind of celebrity? Making real money... from a ga?"
Halo grinned and clicked the remote, doors rising with a soft whisper.
"That's the common mistake people make—thinking Evolution Online is just a ga. Maybe it started that way ten years ago, but Evo has grown beyond gaming. It's beco its own reality."
He slid into the driver's seat after Lucien settled beside him, and didn't stop talking about Evolution Online until they reached ho.
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