Ethan stepped out into the cold night air, the weight of his decision settling on him. The message had been clear, but the risks were enormous. Who were these people? What did they want from him? He quickly pushed these thoughts aside, knowing that the only way to get ahead in the Time Market was to take calculated risks. The location he was headed to was off the grid, a place where even the most influential players wouldn't dare go without careful consideration. It was a neutral zone, where allegiances were tested, and trust was a rare commodity. He arrived at the meeting point, a run-down warehouse on the edge of the city. The building was abandoned, but a faint light flickered through the cracked windows. Ethan's instincts screamed at him to turn back, but he pushed forward. As he approached the door, it creaked open on its own, and he hesitated for a moment before stepping inside. The air inside was thick with dust, and the silence was oppressive. The only sound was the hum of electricity in the walls. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he saw shadows moving in the corner. He froze, his hand instinctively reaching for the time debtor's bracelet on his wrist. A figure emerged from the shadows, tall and imposing, wearing a hood that obscured most of their face. "You've come," the figure said, their voice low and cold. "We've been watching you, Ethan Carter. We know your debts, your wins, your losses." Ethan's heart raced. How much did they know? Were they truly an ally, or were they just another threat in a market full of predators? He steadied his breath and spoke. "Who are you?" The figure chuckled, a dark, unsettling sound. "We are those who exist outside the Time Market. We've been watching for someone with your… potential. We can help you, but you need to understand one thing." The figure stepped forward, revealing more of their face, just enough for Ethan to make out the sharp features and cold eyes. "You'll never escape the system. You can try to manipulate it, but it always comes for you in the end. The only way to survive is to be on the inside—with us."
Ethan's mind spun. These people weren't offering him a way out—they were offering him a different kind of trap. A chance to play the system, but with even higher stakes. He thought back to his previous choices, the gambles he had taken. Each one had brought him closer to the edge. And now, standing before this shadowy group, he realized that there was no more middle ground.
"Do you want to live, Ethan?" the figure asked, their eyes locking onto his. "Do you want to control time?"
Ethan paused, considering the question. He had spent so long fighting for survival, but now it seemed that to truly control his fate, he would have to embrace the darkness of the Time Market.
"Yes," Ethan said, his voice steady. "I want to control time."
The figure smiled, a cold, calculating grin. "Then welcome to the real game. You've made your choice."
As the figure turned away, signaling for Ethan to follow, he felt the weight of the decision settle on his shoulders. There was no turning back now. He had just crossed into a world where everything was for sale—and nothing came without a price.