The night air in Lumen City carried a faint chill as Ethan Reed stepped out of the restaurant, his face slightly flushed from the alcohol. He tugged his collar and slipped his hands into his pockets, letting the cool breeze wash over him. It helped—just a little.
Beside him, Daniel Reed followed with equally reddened cheeks. He reached into his bag, pulled out a cigarette pack, tapped it twice, and sat down on the curb. With practiced ease, he lit one, the orange flame briefly illuminating his tired eyes.
Ethan raised a brow.
"So, when did you pick up smoking?" he asked. "You're supposed to be one of the elite from Northstar University. Didn't expect this from you."
Daniel chuckled, exhaling a thin stream of smoke.
"Does intelligence cancel out stress?" he replied. "Even professors smoke. I started about a year ago."
"Addicted?"
"Not really. One pack every five days… unless things get rough. Then maybe one every two or three days."
Ethan gave a soft snort and sat beside him, glancing at the cloudy sky. No moon. Rain was coming.
Daniel leaned closer with a grin.
"Still, I didn't expect you to handle alcohol like that," he said. "You barely looked affected."
Ethan laughed dryly.
"Handle it? You didn't notice I kept 'going to the restroom'?" he said. "Every time I did, I forced myself to throw up. Otherwise, I'd have sprayed the whole table."
Daniel blinked.
"…That's brutal."
Ethan extended his hand.
"Give me one."
Daniel hesitated.
"You smoke too?"
"…It's been a long time."
And that was true.
In another life—one filled with neon lights, long nights, and creative burnout—cigarettes had been a constant companion. But this body? Clean. No addiction.
Ethan took a drag.
The taste hit differently now.
He frowned, took another puff, then quietly crushed the cigarette beneath his shoe.
"Still terrible," he muttered.
Leaning back, he closed his eyes.
Then his voice shifted—sharp, focused.
"Contact Baidu Maps. Prepare integration. Start with nearby campuses. Then expand."
Daniel straightened.
"Already thought about the biggest issue," he replied. "Labor."
Ethan opened one eye.
"Go on."
Daniel smiled.
"University students. Part-time workforce."
Ethan sat up slightly.
"Explain."
"We partner with campuses," Daniel continued. "Students walk, explore, upload photos. We reward them based on activity—distance, data, location tagging."
He paused.
"They become both players and builders of the system."
Ethan nodded slowly.
"That's… efficient."
"And scalable," Daniel added. "No disputes. No heavy salaries. Just incentives."
Ethan stood.
"Good. We'll call it the Northstar Student Expansion Plan."
Then he glanced at Daniel's hand, which was drifting toward the cigarette pack again.
"Don't."
Daniel froze.
"It's only been a year," Ethan said calmly. "You're not trapped yet. Quit now."
A long silence followed.
Then Daniel smiled faintly.
"…Alright."
---
The Deal
The next morning, everything moved fast.
Inside a high-rise office, contracts were finalized.
Northstar Games and Baidu Maps officially signed a cooperation agreement.
The terms?
Baidu provides full map data access
Northstar integrates AR-based gameplay
Revenue flows through increased traffic and usage
Risks? Carried entirely by Northstar
A calculated gamble.
But Ethan wasn't worried.
Because he remembered something.
In another timeline, a similar AR game had once exploded across cities—people roaming streets, chasing virtual creatures, forming communities.
It had worked.
And this time?
It would work better.
---
The First Battlefield: Campus
That afternoon, Ethan and Daniel arrived at Northstar University.
Not as students.
But as founders.
Inside an office lined with books and quiet authority, they met a vice principal.
Daniel spoke first, explaining the experimental launch.
The vice principal listened carefully.
Then—
He smiled.
"Approved."
Ethan blinked.
"…Just like that?"
The man chuckled.
"If our students can't balance study and entertainment," he said, sipping tea, "then they don't belong here."
Ethan leaned back slightly.
That confidence… was rare.
"Tell me about the rewards," the principal added.
Ethan stepped forward.
"Students earn based on activity. Walking, exploring, uploading data. Maximum daily reward—200 yuan."
The principal's eyes lit up.
"Exercise, income, and entertainment?"
He laughed.
"Brilliant."
Then his tone turned sharp.
"But don't involve the university next door."
Daniel coughed awkwardly.
Ethan smirked.
Rivalries existed everywhere.
"Noted," he said politely.
But in his mind?
He had already decided to go there next.
---
The Plan Takes Shape
By evening, everything was set.
Northstar University becomes the first test zone
Students gain early access
Data collection begins immediately
Expansion roadmap prepared
The foundation of a city-wide AR system had been laid.
And this time—
The city itself would become the game.
---
Meanwhile… Campus Life
Inside a bright classroom, Sienna packed her bag, ready to leave.
Her roommate stopped her.
"Going back to your room again?" she asked. "Come to a mixer for once!"
Sienna didn't even look up.
"No thanks."
"You know half the guys showed up just for you last time?"
"And?"
"They were disappointed!"
Sienna shrugged.
"Not my problem."
She slung her bag over her shoulder.
"I've got work."
Her roommate froze.
Right.
Work.
Because Sienna wasn't just a student.
She was Ethan Reed's sister.
And on campus?
That made her a legend.
Not because of money.
But because of influence.
Ethan had become a rising star—gaming, music, media—his name carried weight.
And Sienna?
She carried skill.
Top-tier gameplay. Sharp instincts. Natural charisma.
People called her a goddess.
But—
She ignored them all.
"Hey…" her roommate said suddenly, grabbing her wrist.
"Be honest."
Sienna turned.
"…What?"
"Are you into girls?"
Sienna blinked.
"…What kind of question is that?"
"Because you ignore every guy!" the roommate said. "And you only follow female creators online!"
Sienna stared at her.
Then rolled her eyes.
"Use your brain," she said. "I just like working."
And without another word—
She left.
---
A Different Kind of Call
Back in her dorm, Sienna opened a video call.
On screen appeared Rachel Quinn.
"Call me 'big sister,'" Rachel said immediately, annoyed. "You stopped doing that lately."
Sienna grinned.
"Why focus on age?" she teased. "Think of it as equal friendship."
Rachel frowned.
"…You're impossible."
Sienna leaned forward.
"So? How was my voice recording?"
Rachel sighed.
"It's good. Send it to Daniel tomorrow. It's ready."
Then she added casually—
"Your brother's in Beijing."
Sienna paused.
"He didn't tell me."
"He's busy."
Sienna nodded slowly.
Then smiled again.
Always smiling.
Rachel tapped her desk.
"I'm coming at eight tonight," she said. "You're boosting me to Platinum."
Sienna laughed.
"You play support, I carry."
"Don't get cocky!"
"I won't."
The call ended.
Sienna stretched.
Behind her, another girl quietly turned away, hiding a smile.
She had noticed something.
A small detail.
Sienna no longer called Rachel 'big sister.'
---------------------------------------------------
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