Ethan's phone wouldn't stop buzzing. After leaving the café, his anxiety surged. The message from Kai had hit him like a freight train. He couldn't shake the feeling that by confronting Serena, he'd triggered a chain reaction he wasn't prepared for. As he walked through the dimly lit streets, his mind raced with worst-case scenarios.
His phone buzzed again. It was an anonymous number.
---
**[Ding!]**
*New Task: Escape The Trap*
- **Objective:** Evade The Council's retaliation.
- **Reward:** New Skill: *Shadow Step* (allows temporary evasion from enemies).
- **Consequence:** Captured by The Council's operatives. Career ruined.
---
Ethan's heart skipped a beat as he read the system's alert. They were coming for him. He looked around, the paranoia setting in. The streets seemed darker, more threatening than usual. He felt eyes on him, but he couldn't tell where from.
His fingers twitched as he opened the message from the anonymous number.
---
**Anonymous:** *You're running out of time, Ethan. They know where you are. You need to leave now.*
---
Without thinking, he picked up his pace, his legs moving before his mind could catch up. Whoever this was, they knew something. He couldn't afford to question it. If The Council was moving against him, he needed to act fast.
His apartment was too obvious. Going back there would be a death sentence. But where could he go? Who could he trust?
---
**[Ding!]**
*Subtask: Find Safe Haven*
- **Objective:** Locate a trustworthy ally who can hide you from The Council.
- **Reward:** 50,000 System Points + New Ally Unlocked.
- **Consequence:** Betrayed by false allies.
---
Ethan's mind raced through the list of people he could turn to. Serena was out of the question. Kai was already risking enough by feeding him information. That left…
Max.
Max had been Ethan's co-star in one of his first breakout films. Though their paths had diverged, Max had never been involved in the Hollywood power games. He had always stayed on the fringes, more interested in the art than the fame. If anyone could be trusted in this cutthroat world, it was him.
Ethan pulled out his phone and called Max. After three rings, a familiar voice answered.
"Ethan? Man, it's been forever. What's up?"
"I need a favor," Ethan said, his voice tense. "And it's serious."
Max paused for a moment, sensing the urgency. "Where are you? We can meet at my place. It's safe here."
Ethan agreed, relieved. He quickly gave Max his location, and within minutes, Max pulled up in an old, inconspicuous car. Ethan hopped in, his nerves still buzzing.
---
They drove in silence for a while, the city's lights a blur as Max weaved through traffic. Eventually, they reached Max's apartment, a low-key spot tucked away in a quiet neighborhood. As they entered, Ethan finally allowed himself to breathe. It wasn't much, but for now, it was safe.
Max poured him a drink and sat across from him, his expression serious. "Alright, Ethan. Spill. What's going on?"
Ethan took a deep breath and explained everything—the Council, the system, Serena's possible betrayal, and the shadowy forces closing in on him. Max listened, his brows furrowed in concern.
"That's… a lot, man," Max said slowly. "But you know me. I've got your back."
Ethan felt a weight lift from his chest. It wasn't over yet, but for the first time in hours, he felt like he could breathe.
---
**[Ding!]**
*Subtask Completed: Find Safe Haven*
- **Status: Success**
- **Reward Unlocked: 50,000 System Points + Ally: Max Unlocked*.
---
But just as Ethan allowed himself a moment of peace, his phone buzzed again. Another message from the anonymous number.
---
**Anonymous:** *You're not safe there. Max isn't who you think he is.*
---
Ethan's stomach twisted. He looked up at Max, who was watching him closely, his expression unreadable. Could it be true? Had he just walked into another trap?
---