Ethan stared at the message on his screen, his mind racing. The victory he had just won was overshadowed by the mention of a debt. It was an inevitable consequence, one that would define his every move from now on. There would be no more simple trades or free decisions—he was bound to the auction house, and his freedom was no longer entirely his own. His remaining lifespan had increased to 12 years, a relief, but the auction house's warning weighed heavily on him. The system had made it clear that any future bids would come under scrutiny, and any failure to meet the debts would result in irreversible consequences. For the first time, he realized how deep into the game he was. It wasn't just about time anymore—it was about survival. As the system prompt faded from his screen, he looked around his dimly lit room. His thoughts were swirling, each one as dangerous as the next. How would he navigate this new reality? The auction was just the beginning, and the path forward was fraught with risks. He knew that he had to be careful, every decision now carried the weight of a lifetime. Ethan quickly navigated to his transaction history. The win had added a significant amount of value, but the time investment module came at a hefty price—5 years of lifespan. The system had warned him about the debt, but it was too late to turn back. If he could somehow leverage this win, he might be able to claw his way out of the web he had woven. But there was no guarantee. He sat back in his chair, trying to think. There had to be a way to buy more time, to play the system in a way that would let him control his destiny. He had 12 years now, but would it be enough? The market was still as dangerous as ever, and the competition was relentless. A soft ping interrupted his thoughts. A new message had arrived—this one was from an anonymous contact. His heart skipped a beat as he opened it. "We've been watching. We know what you've done, and we can help. Meet us at the designated location—this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for." The message was brief, cryptic, but the implication was clear—someone was offering help. But who were they? What did they want from him in return? Ethan quickly reviewed the details. The meeting point was off the grid, in a location known only to high-level players in the Time Market. It was risky, but it could be his chance to find allies in this treacherous world. He could either take the risk and meet with this mysterious group or play it safe and stay hidden. The clock was ticking, and he knew that whatever he chose would shape his future. He grabbed his jacket, took one last look at his account, and prepared to leave. This was a decision he couldn't afford to get wrong. He stepped into the unknown, knowing that his survival now depended on alliances more than ever.