Jack glanced at Amari, noticing a sheen of sweat on his forehead. Amari was under pressure despite his confident demeanor, and this offer meant a lot to him. Jack wasn’t sure if this idea had been simmering for a while or if it was a last-minute gamble.

  The thought that the Slayer might have pushed Amari into inviting him left a bitter taste, but Jack reminded himself that this could work to his advantage. If Amari needed him this much, then the offer had to be good. He didn’t know the industry standard, but Marie and Horace had been content with 10% royalties in exchange for Amari’s right to the video feeds of their adventures.

  Fifty percent of something is better than zero percent of nothing, Jack reasoned.

  He’d seen how much work Amari poured into his channel: tutorials, guides, work-life balance tips, and quest walkthroughs. Amari even had series tailored to different player classes, including an in-depth ranger guide and one for tanks featuring Horace. This wasn’t the work of an overnight success but a result of Amari’s relentless commitment to quality, consistency, and creativity.

  Jack had tried his hand at content creation, too. He’d uploaded original songs, guitar tutorials, and goofy trend-chasing videos, only to see little growth—just ten followers, despite all his efforts. Starting his own gaming channel wasn’t an option, especially with his parents already skeptical about his career. They’d think it was another get-rich-quick scheme. Through Amari’s channel, though, he’d avoid that conversation altogether. He wasn’t the one posting, and if his dad asked, he could truthfully say he wasn’t posting content online.

  Plus, managing a channel would drain valuable time. It was nice to have a hidden class, but it required a lot of work. Balancing his four minors was already challenging. What would happen once he had six minors? Eight? Ten?! Grinding just one profession to the point it became profitable was time-consuming enough, so the thought of what was coming scared him. If Amari would take care of this for him, he would be glad to enlist his help.

  Most of all, Amari was his friend. Accepting this offer felt like a way to help him out. Taking a deep breath, Jack made up his mind.

  He nodded and extended his hand. “Deal.”

  Amari clasped it, grinning. “Awesome! You won’t regret this!”

  Jack smiled, then hesitated. “There’s one issue—I was using a rental helmet that only records ten hours of gameplay. I don’t have past footage to share.”

  “No problem. The game servers store the data for 30 days.”

  “Really? I didn’t know that.”

  “I’ll handle the fee to retrieve it. Also, one last thing—can we make it official with a contract?”

  Jack agreed, and Amari handed over a document he’d prepared ahead of time. Amari had really been banking on his answer. As Jack read it over, everything looked straightforward: all he needed to do was play the game, and Amari would turn his footage into content.

  Signing the document felt like more than a formality. Doing so would tie him to Amari for good and bad. They would be in the same boat from now on. Amari’s channel’s success would be his success. More importantly, he would become the Slayer’s target by signing this.

  Still, Jack took a deep breath and signed.

  *

  Amari and Jack returned to the fire. Horace shot Amari a questioning look, and Amari responded with a thumbs-up. Grinning, Horace slapped Jack’s back heartily while Marie offered an approving nod.

  Just as Jack thought, things had shifted the moment he signed that contract. He wasn’t just tagging along anymore—he was in the gang. He’d found his team, his own posse, and the thought of finally belonging lit a spark of excitement in him.

  “Well, now that we’re all on the same page, I think we should run ahead to Embersgate,” Amari declared.

  Jack glanced at the pile of rope he’d been working on—he still had a long way to go before his new armor was ready.

  “One thing, Amari,” Jack started.

  “What’s up?”

  “I came here to work on better gear. Should I go with you or stay here and finish it up?”

  “Every stat will count,” Amari said, his tone turning somber. “And there won’t be any marketplaces where we’re going. If there’s anything you can do to boost your power short-term, then do it.”

  Jack scratched his chin, thinking it over. “I’m almost at level 20. If you let me get there before we leave, I can pick up two more minors.”

  “Sounds good! Just finish crafting your gear, and once you’re done, we’ll help you get to level 20,” Amari replied.

  “Thanks!”

  “No need to thank me. We’ll need everyone at the top of their game if we want this plan to work. Breaches are no joke.”

  Something in Amari’s tone, along with the serious looks from Horace and Marie, gave Jack pause. Just what kind of mission were they heading into? What exactly was a breach?

  Stolen story; please report.

  “Oh, and Jack,” Amari said, his voice lower. “You’ll get an in-system message with a confirmation code soon. That’s me trying to access your video data. When it comes through, can you share it with me?”

  “Yeah, sure,” Jack agreed.

  “Great. Let us know when you’re ready to roll.” Amari then turned to Rob. “Nice meeting you, Rob.”

  “Likewise,” Rob replied, shaking hands with Amari and Horace.

  “When all this is done, maybe you can join us on a quest sometime,” Amari offered with a friendly nod.

  “Yeah, that’d be great,” Rob said.

  Marie, however, immediately barked in objection. “Amari, are you serious? This guy’s dangerous!”

  “Oh, come on, Auntie, don’t be like that,” Rob teased.

  “Who are you calling Auntie? We’re the same age!” she snapped.

  “Yeah, right. I’m not 50.”

  “You little—!” Marie fumed, but Amari and Horace quickly intervened, pulling her back before she lunged at Rob.

  Just as suddenly as they’d arrived, Amari, Horace, and Marie rode off on horseback, leaving Jack and Rob standing by the fire.

  “Nice group of people,” Rob commented.

  “Yeah, I like adventuring with them,” Jack agreed.

  “So, what did Amari want to talk to you about?” Rob asked curiously.

  “He asked how I’d feel about joining his channel. He wants to make a series about my class.”

  “Really?” Rob’s eyes widened in surprise. “That’s awesome! I’ve watched a few of his videos.”

  “He’s offering to handle all the video editing, post it on his channel—which has over 10,000 subscribers—and split any earnings 50-50.”

  “Not bad,” Rob commented. “Do you have any idea what kind of income we’re talking about?”

  Jack shrugged. “I don’t know, but Amari seems confident it’ll be enough to pay his bills while he’s on the run from the Slayer. Definitely more than just chump change.”

  Rob nodded thoughtfully. “I think you made a smart choice. And honestly, it’s probably for the best not to use your JackOfSpades channel. Your parents wouldn’t like that.”

  “Exactly.” Jack paused, meeting Rob’s gaze. “We should talk about them, shouldn’t we?”

  Rob chuckled. “Yeah, I guess so.”

  “I’m really sorry that my parents—”

  Rob raised a hand, cutting him off. “Don’t be. It’s fine. I always thought you should’ve told them the truth from the start, and you did. Well done.”

  “Thanks.”

  “A heads-up would’ve been nice, but from what they told me, they didn’t exactly fill you in on their plans, either.”

  Jack sighed, a small smile tugging at his lips. “True. I never expected they were coming to see you. So… how did it go?”

  Rob gave a half-smile. “They were pretty mad at first, but the more we talked, the more they calmed down. I told them how hard you’ve been working, and I even mentioned the money I’ve been making from the game over the past few months.”

  “Yeah, that lines up with what they said.”

  “How were things when they got home?” Rob asked.

  Jack chuckled. “My dad bought me a VRX helmet, but now I have to work with him once a week to pay him back.”

  “Doing what?” Rob asked.

  “Handyman work,” Jack said, throwing a stick into the fire.

  “The irony!” he said, laughing. “What’s wrong? You don’t seem happy about it.”

  “Can’t you see it, Rob? He’s still not totally convinced this is going to work.”

  “Or maybe,” Rob suggested, “he just doesn’t want you to put all your eggs in one basket. It’s smart.”

  “Or… he doesn’t believe in me.”

  “If he didn’t, why would he have bought you the helmet in the first place?” Rob countered.

  Jack exhaled, feeling the weight lift slightly. “Maybe you’re right.”

  Rob froze. His face quickly contorted from a relaxed mood into panic. Jack raised an eyebrow. “Rob. You okay?”

  Rob whispered, “The Slayer’s calling me.”

  Jack gulped. “W-what are you going to do?”

  “Answer, of course. Here, accept this.”

  RobbieRobber has invited you to a party.

  Jack opened his mouth to question him, but Rob cut him off. “If I mute my background, he’ll know something’s up. Stay quiet as a mouse.”

  As Jack accepted the invitation, a floating screen appeared before Rob. It was Jack’s first time witnessing someone else’s call. Rob must’ve activated special settings so Jack could listen in without being noticed.

  From Jack’s position, he could see the young face on the other side. The bare-chested teen with a wolf pelt draped over his shoulders was intense—his gaze so fierce that it felt like the temperature rose a few degrees. A few steps away, Snowy awoke and stood on her hind legs.

  Can she feel this presence, too? Or is it my imagination?

  “Did you get them, RobbieRobber?” The Slayer’s voice was low and commanding.

  “No, sir.”

  Silence followed, punctuated only by a low, primal grunt. “Why?” The Slayer’s tone grew sharper, demanding.

  “I was tracking them to Embersgate, but the trail went cold. I think they had help. But I picked up their scent again—they’re heading toward Pearlgate.”

  Jack glanced at his usually relaxed cousin. Rob was rigid and pale, fists clenched.

  “Help? From whom?” the Slayer demanded.

  “I couldn’t say for sure, Slayer. Maybe they hired some mercenaries for protection.”

  “That doesn’t sound like the Amari I know.” There was a pause, and then a slow smile spread across the Slayer’s face. “That means he’s feeling the heat. Go find them, Robbie. Don’t fail me.”

  “Sure thing.”

  The call disconnected, and Rob slumped back, releasing a pent-up breath. "You're scared of him," Jack said.

  "Terrified.”

  “He’s just a kid, though, isn’t he?”

  “You don’t get it. If you’re face-to-face with this guy, it’s like staring at a lion. You dread that he’ll lash out and bite."

  "Is he really that violent?"

  "He snaps over the smallest things. I’ve seen it a few times.” Rob’s voice dropped, eyes flicking downward. “Once, he was passing through the guild house when someone cracked a joke about something completely unrelated. He assumed it was about him. Next thing you know, he’s on them like a beast—didn’t stop until everyone was on the floor."

  "Yikes. If this guy is really so volatile, why do you stick with his guild?"

  Rob looked away. Amari, Horace, and Marie might have been fooled, but Jack could see it. "You’re afraid of being kicked out of the guild!"

  Rob nodded silently.

  “Why?”

  “I’ve seen him turn on allies in seconds,” Rob said quietly. “If I left the guild, I’d be looking over my shoulder forever. I’ve made some friends in IronIre, and it would be a bummer if they chased me down. They would if the Slayer ordered them to," Rob admitted, clearing his throat and standing up. "Anyway, I should probably get to Pearlgate. The boss will probably call again to check in soon."

  "Rob, I—"

  "It’s okay, Jack. I can take care of myself," Rob interrupted. Then, he took off running, moving at a speed that could probably leave a horse in the dust.

  Jack clenched his fists, watching the direction in which Rob disappeared. Rob had made it sound simple and easy to lie to IronIre for them, but things weren’t as simple. Rob would face repercussions.

  Jack tightened his fists. He could only do one thing to protect his team and his cousin—grow stronger, more powerful. Every piece of gear, every stat boost, would make a difference. Only then could he ensure his friends’ safety.

  Jack returned to weaving rope. It was time to pull more grass and let it dry. He wanted to finish a new, full set of armor, saddle, and saddlebags as soon as possible. Even though Rob would buy them time, Jack was beginning to fear it wouldn’t be enough.