The apartment felt heavier than usual. Not physically—but atmospherically.
Aidan sat in the dark, blinds half-open, city lights forming a lattice across his floor. Emily had gone to bed early. Jeremy was out meeting a contact from a secure chat group he claimed was "just for system anomalies." Aidan wasn't sure whether to worry… or admire his growing independence.
But what haunted Aidan most was the message from his system an hour ago:
> [Breach Attempt Detected: Defensive Protocol Auto-Triggered]
[Source Unidentified: Estimated Distance — Under 3.1 km]
[System Status: Adaptive Firewall Active — Passive Mode Recommended]
Whoever was behind the sixth system… had made their first move.
He hadn't responded.
Instead, he began reinforcing his system with data—the only way to evolve it.
He pulled out his notebook and started writing every pattern he could recall from Rhea, Jeremy, Emily, even strangers on the street. Decisions. Emotional reactions. Logical chains. It was slow work, but the Decision Core rewarded it.
> [Knowledge Fragment Added: "Delayed Response in Emotional Probes"]
[+0.1 to Cognitive Resistance]
[Data Volume: 7.4% toward Core Tier 2 Upgrade]
His system didn't level up with grinding or random luck. It grew with insight.
That's what made it different.
And dangerous.
---
Elsewhere — Location: Unknown
The sixth system user leaned back in a tattered gaming chair. His fingers flew across the holographic keyboard, multiple data streams running across his retina overlay.
No name. No ID. Just a self-assigned alias: Ghostlink.
He wasn't old. Maybe 17.
And terrifyingly smart.
His system interface was built like a command-line AI.
> [Target Core Signature: Evolution-Based System]
[Assessment: Unhackable – Direct Breach Failed]
[Alternative Strategy Required: Behavioral Entanglement]
"Fine," he muttered, cracking his knuckles. "Let's play."
He opened a simulation of Aidan's behavioral patterns.
The same kind of simulation Rhea used—but refined.
> [Insert Persona Catalyst → "Emily Lane"]
[Script Trigger: Social Crisis Scenario]
[Simulation Match Index: 89.2%]
The plan was simple.
Destabilize the anchor.
Break the center by targeting the periphery.
He started writing.
---
Back in the City – Morning
Emily was finishing breakfast when her phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
A message.
She read it once. Then again. Then froze.
Aidan walked in with a towel over his neck.
"What's wrong?"
Her voice trembled. "Someone just… sent me something."
"What kind of something?"
Emily handed him the phone.
> "Your brother's hiding more than you think. I have evidence. Meet me at 9th Street Park entrance. Alone."
Attached: a still image.
Of Aidan.
Talking to Rhea.
The angle was distant—but clear.
Aidan's heart skipped.
This wasn't just surveillance.
It was weaponized perception.
"Emily, I can explain—"
"I know you're not doing anything wrong," she interrupted quickly, "but someone's trying to make it look like you are."
Jeremy entered mid-sentence.
He looked between them.
"What's going on?"
Emily showed him the phone.
Jeremy's jaw clenched. "That's not just anyone. Whoever sent that… knows exactly how to manipulate you emotionally."
Aidan nodded. "The sixth one."
---
They met Rhea again that afternoon—this time in a rooftop parking lot.
She didn't bring her laptop. Just her system-linked pendant.
She already knew about the breach attempt.
"I traced a partial signature. Whoever this is… he's not connected to the others. He's running solo."
Jeremy asked, "How does someone that young get a system that powerful?"
"They weren't assigned," Rhea said. "They stole it."
Aidan's eyes narrowed.
"You're saying this system wasn't originally his?"
"Correct. My guess? He hijacked it before the actual user could link. The kind of system he's using... it needs raw computational power and complete mental focus. He's not normal. He's built for this."
Jeremy frowned. "So he's a hacker with a god complex?"
"Worse," Aidan murmured. "He's a ghost."
---
Later that night, the Decision Core gave him something it hadn't before.
> [Passive Uplink Request Detected]
[Would you like to listen in?]
[Warning: Uplink is one-way. You will not remain hidden for long.]
He thought about it.
Then clicked yes.
The screen fuzzed… then settled.
A soft voice spoke through static:
> "You've made it farther than I expected. But you won't win this by playing defense."
> "Everyone has a pressure point. Even you, Decision Core."
> "Let's see how long your logic survives chaos."
And just before the feed cut out—
A pixelated symbol flickered into view.
Six concentric circles. The inner one cracked.
Aidan leaned back.
So that was his symbol.
The sixth user didn't want to stay hidden anymore.
He wanted Aidan to know he was coming.