I was sitting in front of my computer, staring at Nexum's administration panel.
My fingers tapped rhythmically against the desk as I reviewed the statistics.
Users.
Activity.
New accounts.
Everything was moving forward.
Slowly.
But steadily.
—The Nexum update... —I muttered.
It wasn't especially complicated.
But it would take time.
—I think they'll like it.
I leaned back in my chair and thought for a few seconds.
—Well... maybe.
The first idea had been to create themed forums: programming, design, technology, freelance work.
It was solid.
Useful.
Even somewhat advanced for 2006.
But the more I thought about it...
The more boring it sounded.
I frowned.
—Tch.
I needed something better.
A minute later, I snapped my fingers.
—I got it.
My eyes lit up.
—A proposal system.
Clients would post projects.
Freelancers would submit offers with their price, estimated completion time, and experience.
Everything organized on a single platform.
Dynamic.
Useful.
Profitable.
A smile slowly appeared on my face.
—Yeah... they'll definitely like that.
I grabbed a notebook and began writing down ideas.
Future improvements.
Possible expansions.
Because Nexum wasn't going to remain a small website.
I had much bigger plans.
Eventually, I closed the notebook.
But then I remembered something much more urgent.
The twins.
The entity.
The mark.
The subordinates.
I sighed.
—I have way too many things to deal with.
I stared at the ceiling for a moment.
And then I smiled.
—And now...
—I need employees.
I snapped my fingers.
A balloon appeared floating in front of me.
I grabbed a sheet of paper and a pen.
Then I started writing.
---
Hello, dear employees.
Whoever receives this letter first is required to inform the others.
Congratulations.
You have received an exclusive job offer from me.
Unfortunately, "no" is not an acceptable answer.
Why?
Because I possess the means necessary to make your lives incredibly annoying.
And honestly, I think you would start crying before I got tired.
Now then, enough with the friendly threats...
The offer is simple.
I need investigators.
Not fighters. Not heroines. Not monster hunters.
Just investigators.
Your job will be to gather information. Rumors. Strange people. Suspicious movements. Weird things.
You know, the normal activities of any average teenager.
Your payment will be a percentage of whatever I manage to loot from the pockets of the criminals I capture.
I consider that a very generous offer.
Your employment begins immediately upon reading this letter.
I do not accept excuses. I do not accept nonsense. I do not accept teenage drama.
Good luck.
Sincerely,
Your favorite employer.
---
I finished reading it.
—Perfect.
I tied the letter to the balloon and released it.
The balloon floated out through the window and disappeared into the night.
—Let's see who gets it.
---
Brittany had just arrived home.
The day had been long and strange. After her conversation with Vivian and the incident at the café, all she wanted was to change clothes and rest.
She went upstairs and entered her room.
And then she heard the sound.
Thump.
She immediately turned around.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She looked toward the window.
There it was.
A balloon floating calmly on the other side of the glass.
Brittany closed her eyes and sighed.
—Of course...
She opened the window.
The balloon drifted inside.
A letter was attached to it.
Brittany took it.
And at that exact moment—
Pop!
The balloon exploded.
She jumped slightly.
Looking around, she saw nothing.
Just silence...
And the letter in her hands.
She opened it with resignation.
And began to read.
As she continued, her expression changed.
Confusion.
Disbelief.
Annoyance.
Outrage.
She read it again.
A second time.
Then a third.
Finally, she lowered the paper.
She blinked several times.
—...
—Did I just get hired?
She looked at the letter again.
—And he didn't even ask me?
Her eyes landed on the line:
"No is not an acceptable answer."
Her left eye twitched.
—Who does this clown think he is?!
But even while complaining...
She knew he was serious.
She threw herself onto her bed and covered her face with both hands.
—Oh my God...
—I have to tell the others.
And for the first time in a long while...
Brittany felt her normal life slipping a little farther away.
Because apparently...
She now had a job.
One she had never applied for.
---
Far away from there...
Ryan stood on the edge of a building, gazing at the night sky.
A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
—Excellent.
He shoved his hands into his pockets.
—I have employees now.
He remained silent for a few seconds.
Then he added quietly:
—With good pay... from my point of view, of course.
His smile widened.
It never even occurred to him that they might reject the offer.
Because in his mind...
The decision had already been made.