Guy slumped in his chair, the glow of his computer screen illuminating his tired face. Another night of aimless browsing on the dark net, searching for... something. He wasn't even sure what anymore. Just an escape, maybe. A distraction from the constant noise of his parents fighting in the next room.
His fingers scrolled through forums and chat rooms. Most of it was the usual garbage—drug deals, conspiracy theories, people selling shit they had no business selling. But then something caught his eye. A post, buried in a coding forum:
"ATTENTION HACKERS: Create the ultimate firewall. Prize: 100,000 euros. Outperform military-grade security and claim your reward."
Guy blinked, rubbing his eyes. He read it again, sure he must have misunderstood. But no, there it was in black and white. A hundred thousand euros. It was more money than he'd ever seen in his life.
