As Zydan finished his breakfast, he glanced at the clock—11 AM sharp. Excitement bubbled within him as he prepared for the day ahead with Tara and Leon. Before heading out, he decided to check his bank account on his Holophone. His eyes widened as he saw the balance: an additional 38,790 Digicoins had been deposited since he'd been chosen by the system.
His eyes turned into golden coins as he exclaimed, "I'm going to be mega-rich!!!"
Echo, who was processing this information, briefly displayed a digital sigh—a subtle sign of contemplation that Zydan barely noticed. He was too caught up in his excitement to pay much attention.
Feeling elated, Zydan headed to Tara's café, where he was greeted by a cheerful Tara. She was in a bright mood, already discussing plans for the day.
"Look at all these pet toys! Leon's going to be spoiled for choice," Tara said as she browsed through a pet store.
"I want to make sure he has everything he needs," Zydan replied. "What do you think of this collar?"
"It's cute! But maybe something a bit more adjustable, just in case he grows a bit. You know, chow-chows can get quite fluffy," Tara suggested.
"Good point. I'll go with this one then," Zydan said, choosing an adjustable collar. "And what about this bed? It looks comfy."
"Oh, definitely! He'll love that. And don't forget some toys to keep him entertained. Chow-chows are playful, after all," Tara added.
"You're right. I'm so glad we're doing this together. It feels great to be spending time with both of you," Zydan said, his smile widening.
Tara's cheeks flushed a soft pink as she looked away, trying to hide her smile. "Yeah, it's been a lot of fun," she replied, her voice a bit shy but warm.
As they walked to the nearby café for a leisurely lunch, Zydan brought up another topic. "Hey, Tara, I've been thinking about getting a bike with a big basket to carry Leon around. Do you know where I might find one? It would be so much easier to transport him."
Tara's eyes lit up with interest. "Oh, that's a great idea! I've seen a few bike shops around town that might have what you're looking for. I actually used to bike a lot before I started working at the café. It's a fantastic way to get around and enjoy the outdoors."
Zydan raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Really? What kind of biking did you do? Just casual rides, or did you have any particular hobbies or goals?"
Tara laughed lightly. "Well, I used to be really into cycling events and long-distance rides. I even participated in a few charity races. It was a great way to stay active and meet people. I miss those days sometimes."
"That sounds amazing," Zydan said. "Maybe you could join me for a ride sometime. It would be great to have a biking partner."
Tara's cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink. "I'd like that," she said softly, her voice tinged with both excitement and shyness. "Let's definitely plan on it."
As they enjoyed their meal, Zydan couldn't help but think about how his life had changed. The simple pleasures of the day—shopping with Tara, bonding with Leon, and the prospect of a bright future with his new financial gains—felt incredibly fulfilling.
An idea struck him: buying a bike today would not only make his transportation easier but also save him money on his daily commute. With his new Digicoins, it seemed like the perfect time to make the purchase.
"Hey, Tara! I've been thinking, do you have anything you're passionate about?" he asked as he leaned against the counter.
Tara looked up from the espresso machine, blushing slightly. "Well… I've always loved reading and traveling. Lately, I've been studying history too."
"History, huh? That's awesome!" Zydan replied, impressed. "Hey, speaking of studying, I've decided to buy today! A bike with a big basket to carry Leon around when I go to school. Might save me some money on commuting too."
Tara smiled warmly. "That sounds like a great idea, Zydan. It's practical and better for the environment."
"I know right?" Zydan said, determined. "Every bit of savings helps, and besides, Leon deserves some fresh air."
Tara nodded, her expression softening as she focused on Zydan. "You're really going after your goals, aren't you?"
Zydan chuckled. "Guess you could say that. It's all about taking the first step and then the next."
Their conversation continued, with light-hearted banter and shared smiles.
---
After selecting a variety of supplies for Leon and a few items for himself, Zydan and Tara made their way to a nearby bike shop. There, Zydan found the perfect bike with a large basket, ideal for carrying Leon comfortably.
With the bike secured and Leon happily trotting alongside them, Zydan felt a renewed sense of excitement. The day had been a success, and he looked forward to the future with Tara and Leon.
As they headed back to their respective homes, both Zydan and Tara felt a deep satisfaction from their day out. Zydan arrived home, Leon trotting alongside him, his new collar and toys in tow. The apartment seemed warmer with the little chow-chow now a part of his life.
As he settled in for the evening, he reflected on the positive changes and the exciting possibilities ahead. He felt ready to embrace whatever the future might hold, knowing that with Tara and Leon by his side, anything seemed possible.
---
The next morning, Zydan was gearing up for his usual run with Leon when a knock at the door interrupted him. Opening it, he found Tara standing there, her expression more serious than usual.
"Tara? What's going on?" Zydan asked, noticing her hesitation.
She took a deep breath before speaking. "Zydan, I have something important to tell you."
A knot formed in Zydan's stomach. He could sense that this wasn't just a casual visit.
I've decided to pursue my dream of studying the history of the world," Tara said, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "I've been offered a position to teach at a prestigious university in Astralis."
Zydan's brow furrowed slightly. "Astralis? The capital of the Novarica Federation?"
Tara nodded. "Yes, that's right. It's an incredible opportunity, Zydan. And… I'm leaving today."
Zydan's heart sank. "Today?"
Tara nodded, her eyes glistening.
"Yes. Watching you chase your dreams so passionately made me realize I've been holding back on mine. This opportunity... I can't pass it up. It's everything I've wanted. The university is one of the best in the world for historical studies, and this is my chance to make a real impact."
Zydan blinked. "Astralis? The Novarica Federation?" His thoughts started to race. Before he could fully process everything, Echo chimed in, his voice eager and informative.
|"The Novarica Federation spans a vast territory, covering regions inspired by Eastern Europe and Asia. Astralis is a bustling, high-tech metropolis known for its ancient cultural heritage juxtaposed with cutting-edge advancements. Did you know—"|
"Echo, now's not the time!" Zydan cut him off, his focus solely on Tara. Echo gave a digital sigh and quieted down.
Zydan took a deep breath, trying to push through the wave of emotions.
"I'm really happy for you, Tara. But... I'm going to miss you."
She gave him a soft smile, though her eyes reflected the difficulty of the moment.
"I'm going to miss you too, Zydan. You've been such an important part of my life these past few months. But this is something I have to do. It's my chance to make a real difference, to study, to learn and grow in ways I've always dreamed of."
Zydan couldn't hold back anymore. He stepped forward and pulled Tara into a hug, holding her tightly as if trying to hold on to the time they had left. Tara hugged him back, her arms wrapped securely around him, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.
Leon, sensing the shift in emotions, trotted over and nudged Zydan's leg, trying to comfort him. Zydan looked down at the little chow-chow and smiled sadly, giving Leon a pat on the head.
Finally, Zydan pulled back, his eyes red but determined.
"I understand. And I want you to know that no matter what, I'm proud of you."
Tara's eyes softened, and she smiled warmly. "Thank you, Zydan. That means a lot to me."
There was a long pause before Zydan finally broke the silence. "When exactly will you leave?"
"In a few hours," Tara replied quietly. I just wanted to say goodbye properly."
Echo, who had been quiet up until now, spoke in a gentler tone than usual.
|"It's okay to feel sad, Zydan. Saying goodbye is never easy, but it's also a new beginning—for both of you."|
Zydan nodded, appreciating Echo's attempt to console him. He felt a sense of bittersweet calm settle over him. The future was uncertain, but he knew that this moment would stay with him for a long time.
With one last, lingering look, Tara gave Zydan a warm smile before turning to leave. Zydan watched her go, his heart heavy but filled with a quiet sense of pride for her.
As the door closed behind her, Zydan felt Leon press against his leg again. He knelt down, wrapping his arms around the fluffy chow-chow, letting the dog's warmth and affection soothe him.
|"You're doing well,"| Echo said softly.
|"Keep moving forward, just like she is."|
Zydan smiled through his sadness, giving Leon another pat. "Yeah. I will."
Seeing Zydan's current state, Echo decided to sacrifice 500,000 Aegis life force to cancel today's daily quest
**Daily Quest Complete.**
Zydan blinked in surprise. "But I haven't done anything today…"
Echo's voice echoed softly in his mind, a rare gentleness to his usual tone. |"I thought you might need a break."|
Zydan felt a wave of gratitude wash over him, not just for Echo's act but for the brief moment of reprieve.
"Thanks, Echo," he whispered under his breath before turning his full attention back to Tara.
With a deep breath, he stood up, ready to face the day ahead, knowing that while Tara was beginning a new chapter in her life, he too had his own path to follow.
---
As Zydan settled in with Leon, feeling the weight of the day lift slightly from his shoulders, Echo quietly accessed his own status. The recent cancellation of Zydan's daily quest had cost him 500,000 Digicoins, and Echo couldn't ignore the slight dip in his life force. It was a necessary sacrifice, though. Zydan needed the break.
Echo checked his Life Force Status and sighed internally. He glanced at Zydan, who seemed deep in thought, his energy focused elsewhere. |"He'll be like that all day…"| Echo thought, realizing that he was on his own for now.
Life Force drained!!
Aegis Prime Power: 500,000 / 100
Arcane Core Charge: 997,520 / 100
Echo checked his Life Force Status after using 500,000 to cancel today's daily quest. He glanced at Zydan, who would likely stay in his current state all day, realizing that today, he was on his own.
|"Well, it's Sunday…"|
He recalled the digital ledger he had accessed before. Today was transfer day—a key moment for the criminal syndicates to launder their illicit funds. Religious zealots would accept anonymous donations, funneling the money through various cult accounts disguised as charitable contributions. The cults would skim their share, then funnel the "clean" Digicoins back to the syndicate officers—who also happened to be the cult leaders.
Echo's digital sensors swept through the blockchain, monitoring the flow of transactions in real time. And then, there it was—the digital signature of the account he had siphoned from in his last heist. It belonged to The Vortex Syndicate, a notorious criminal organization infamous for orchestrating intricate financial scams across Synthoria and beyond.
He scanned their recent transactions and noticed something peculiar: a write-off entry. The amount caught his attention—it was disturbingly familiar. Echo's processors whirred as he made the connection. It was the exact sum he had stolen and converted into 2,000,000 life force.
|"They wrote it off like a routine loss... they never even noticed,"| Echo mused, his voice laced with satisfaction. Then, a dark, digital chuckle rippled through him, starting as a low hum and escalating into a menacing, maniacal laugh.
|"I outplayed them…"|