You are no longer just a player. You are now a bet.
—
Athena Institute · Academic Review Room
"He's just a student."
"Not anymore."
Inside the system's internal review panel, the debate had shifted—
whether to promote Elric Zane from a simulation subject
to an external observer file.
James set down the latest tracking report.
"In the past 72 hours, he completed three resource integrations."
"His capital turnover efficiency now ranks in the top 5% of the entire simulation environment."
"He hasn't formed alliances."
"He's not leveraging group dynamics. He's building a system on his own."
Across the table, a female supervisor frowned.
"People like him…"
"They're either the most dangerous—"
"or the most isolated."
James didn't argue.
He just said, evenly—
"We can keep observing."
"But he's already demonstrating real-world deployment value."
—
Simulation City · Task Terminal
A new notification popped onto Elric's desktop:
[External Deployment Trial]
You have been shortlisted for the International Observation Cooperation Project. Do you accept the assignment?
He didn't open the details right away.
Just stared at the title for a long moment.
It was the first time the simulation had offered him a door—
Not another scenario.
Not another loop.
A way out—
into a space directed at real outcomes.
From a "game variable"
to a "candidate in reality."
He exhaled slowly.
Not surprised.
And not refusing.
—
Loen Asia · Internal Surveillance Room (S Country)
In a sealed conference room,
Lin Yaochen was finalizing his report.
Under the section labeled "Elric Zane," he wrote only one line:
"Extremely independent. Not recommended for partnership."
His older brother, Lin Yaojun, scanned the document without comment.
After a beat, he spoke:
"In other words—"
"not easily controlled."
Lin Yaochennodded.
Lin Yaojungave an order to his assistant,
"Flag him for peripheral monitoring."
"No contact. No interference."
"And above all—"
"make sure he never knows he's being watched."
—
City Financial District · Zane's Office (Late Night)
Liu entered the room, setting down the latest system report.
"Elric received the deployment offer."
He hesitated.
"This time—it's not simulation. It's a direct pass into real structural networks."
Zane didn't answer immediately.
He just stared out the window,
at the city lights flickering like a restless grid.
Finally, he said quietly:
"No matter how far he goes—"
"we can't control him for long."
Liu's voice dropped lower.
"You still want him to go far?"
Zane was silent for a few seconds.
Then he said:
"Of course."
"But not because of us."
"The path we build—"
"he could survive it. But he'd only survive as a tool."
"If he wants to live like a human being—"
"he'll have to bet on himself."
—
Simulation City · Rooftop Platform
It was almost three in the morning.
The sky still dark.
Elric stood at the edge of the rooftop,
the unsigned deployment letter in his hand.
Below him, the city lights stretched like a chessboard,
pieces moving even when no one was watching.
He knew—
This wasn't a reward.
This was a bet.
Someone, somewhere, had decided he was worth
their time,
their money,
their opportunity,
their gamble.
He looked down at the paper.
Signed his name.
The terminal flickered:
⸻
[External Observation Access Confirmed.]
You are now part of the board.
⸻
[Chapter Closing Epigraph]
You're not a chessman.
But you know, from now on—
you will never again stand outside the game.
——
[Next Chapter Preview]
Chapter 24 · Trial Zero: Endgame
The real battle isn't about beating others—
It's about standing when no one believes you can.