The hall smelled different in the morning.
Less piss, more Pine-Sol. That strange, clashing combo that could only come from a building trying to pretend it had maintenance. Sunlight streaked through the caged stairwell window, landing like gold on the busted steps.
Lex moved quieter than usual.
Not to avoid attention.
But because he could.
[Passive Skill: Movement Efficiency I – Active]
You move 10% quieter than average. +5% to Stealth interactions.
He didn't walk. He flowed. Shoulders loose. Feet light. Hoodie pulled up not for warmth, but for focus. The hallway sounds were louder now, but less distracting—like his ears were filtering them.
The baby crying two doors down. The water hammer pipes. Someone on the first floor watching ESPN too loud. All of it washed past him.
He hit the stoop and stopped.
Felt the breeze on his face.
It was Saturday, and the block was already awake.
Observation kicked in before he even told it to.
Man on corner—blue Champion hoodie, white Nikes, beat up. Leaning into the wall too hard, twitching at the shoulder. Probable high.
Two older heads arguing over lotto numbers outside the bodega. One's gripping a folded scratch-off. Loser energy.
Teenage girl walking slow in pajama bottoms and slides. Loud phone call. Background voice suggests overprotective mom.
Wind from the south, carrying fry oil and bacon.
Lex breathed it all in like a hunter. Not paranoid. Just awake.
The walk to the bodega was three blocks. Most would miss what happened on the way.
Lex didn't.
On the corner of 144th, there was a busted parking meter with a fresh sticker across it—black text, white font: "THE SYSTEM IS ALREADY HERE"
He paused. Just half a second.
A chill ran through his chest.
Coincidence?
Maybe.
Maybe not.
"Yo!"
A voice cut through the street like a warm knife.
Lex turned before it finished echoing.
Mona.
She crossed the street without looking both ways. That was her whole style: fast, loud, and never asking permission.
Big gold hoops, oversized army jacket, beat-up Timb boots with Sharpie tags on the leather. Her curls were half-tamed today, tied into a bun that somehow still defied gravity.
"You look like you got secrets," she said, stepping up.
Lex didn't answer.
She smiled like that was the answer.
"You good? You eat?"
"Rice and beans."
"Damn. We really twins now. My breakfast was two toast corners and a shot of orange juice. Like prison without the structure."
He smirked. Barely.
She noticed. She always noticed.
They walked side by side toward the bodega.
"You still thinking about last night?" she asked.
"Not really."
"That's a lie."
Lex glanced at her. "You scared?"
"Of Rico?"
"Of me."
She didn't flinch. But her tone shifted.
"Rico's dumb. You? You quiet. That's worse."
They reached the bodega. Glass door smeared with fingerprints. Metal gate pulled halfway up, squeaking. The usual layer of crushed chips, old receipts, and cigarette butts framed the entrance.
Inside: cool air, radio playing low reggaetón, and the sweet, sour smell of onion and bleach.
Mr. Farid stood behind the counter, bored and half-asleep, clicking his phone under the register. He nodded when Lex entered.
"You want egg sandwich?"
Lex shook his head. "Just need paper towels. Goya. Some matches."
Mona beelined for the candy aisle, already stuffing her jacket pockets with gum and mini Starbursts.
Lex watched the system flicker into focus.
[OBJECTIVE DETECTED: Errand Execution]
• Gather 3 items for household restock• Optional: Avoid spending money• Reward: +2 XP• Hidden Bonus: ???
He didn't ask for it.
The System just knew.
He moved through the store like a shadow—eyes scanning, heart steady.
Spotted the paper towels behind the front rack. Goya cans lined up on the bottom shelf. Matches behind the counter.
He considered the Optional Objective.
Did he need to steal?
No. Not really.
But he was curious now.
Just… curious.
He thought:
Use Observe – Mona.
[Observe: Mona Cruz]
Level: 1 (Unaffiliated)
Traits: Streetwise, Distrustful, Hides Vulnerability
Hidden Skill: Sleight of Hand I
Mood: Testing You
Lex stared at her back as she "accidentally" brushed her hip against the gum rack again.
She was showing him.
She wanted him to see.
He stepped up next to her. Whispered low.
"You wanna split the take?"
She grinned without turning.
"Now you're talking."
They moved in sync. Lex slid the paper towel into his sleeve like it was second nature. Goya can into the hoodie pocket. He walked up to the counter casual, only the matches in hand.
"Morning, Farid."
"You look tired."
"Long night."
"You studying?"
Lex didn't blink. "Yeah."
Farid grunted. "Better than that Rico kid. He's trouble."
Lex just nodded.
Farid slid the matches across. Lex dropped two quarters on the counter.
Mona passed behind them, waving. "You got change for a twenty?"
Farid reached into the drawer. Mona slipped out.
Lex followed. Slow. Calm. A little pulse of heat in his chest.
Outside, Mona turned the corner fast, dragging him behind the stairwell by the lotto sign.
She held up the loot—five candy bars, a mini Lysol spray, and one weird lint roller.
"Victory snack?"
Lex took a Snickers.
Bit half of it in one go.
[QUEST COMPLETE: Errand Execution]
Optional Objective: Completed+2 XP+1 Skill: Stealth I
Hidden Bonus:Trait Unlocked – "Minor Menace"+2%
Intimidation when your rep is low You're beginning to walk like someone they shouldn't fuck with.
He leaned against the brick wall, chewing, watching the street.
The day was starting to warm up.
Kids on scooters, girls in slides and big hoodies, dudes playing dominoes too early in the day like they ain't got shit to do.
Mona watched him.
"You... got this new vibe."
Lex didn't answer.
"You always been smart. But now you're... I dunno. Wired."
He said nothing.
She stepped closer.
"You got something going on."
He looked at her then.
And the System opened again.
[DIALOGUE INTERACTION: Mona Cruz]
Options:• Lie – "Nah, just tired."• Deflect – "You paranoid."• Partial Truth – "I'm seeing things different now."• Trust – "Something's happening to me. Can't explain it yet."
(Selected Option: Partial Truth)
Lex said, "I'm seeing things different now."
Mona squinted. Tilted her head. Thought about it.
"Like… life?"
He nodded.
She leaned back. "Good. You needed that. You been sleepwalking since eighth grade."
He smiled a little.
"Don't get cocky," she added. "Rico's not gonna forget."
"I know."
"He'll wait until you're off-balance."
"I won't be."
She stared at him.
"You better not be."
They started walking again, slower this time. Just letting the street roll under them.
She peeled a Starburst, popped it into her mouth, and asked:
"You ever think about leaving the block?"
Lex looked up at the sky.
The clouds were low and fast today.
"I think about changing it."
She sucked her teeth. "You sound like Pastor Alonzo."
Lex raised an eyebrow. "Ain't he the one who pulled a gun on his own nephew last year?"
"Exactly."
They both laughed.
But Lex wasn't joking.
They reached the edge of the block. Where the shadows from the overpass made the light seem grayer, heavier.
Mona stopped.
"This is me," she said, nodding toward a skinny doorway covered in Puerto Rican flags and old phone cards taped to the glass.
Lex looked at her one last time.
She hesitated.
Then leaned in fast and kissed his cheek. Light. Warm.
"Don't get killed, Stoop Boy."
Then she was gone.
Lex stood there, heart quiet, thoughts sharp.
And the System whispered again.
[Relationship Update: Mona Cruz]
Affection: +3Curiosity: +7
Trait Detected – "Ride or Watch"
This one's watching. Waiting to see if you become someone worth riding for…or just another story on the news.
Lex turned back toward the block.
Toward the map no one else could see.
He didn't know where the System came from. What it wanted. Or what came next.
But he knew this:
He was learning.
And if it wanted to play games?
So would he.