"Who are you? Show yourself!" Aaron shouted, his voice echoing in the dimly lit room.

  A cold voice replied, "If I step out, you won't survive."

  Aaron clenched his fists, his eyes narrowing. "Are you threatening me? I'm not scared of you. I'll face you head-on!" As he spoke, an image of Julie flashed in his mind.

  Silence.

  Aaron stayed alert, his senses on edge. The enemy could attack from anywhere. But minutes passed, and nothing happened. He couldn't feel anyone in the room.

  "But I heard that voice. Who was it?" Aaron wondered.

  "It was me," the voice said again.

  Aaron's body tensed. "Stop playing games with me!" he yelled.

  "I'm your mind, Master. How can I appear before you?" the voice replied calmly.

  "What? Do you think I'm crazy? Enough! You've had your fun," Aaron snapped, his frustration boiling over.

  The room fell silent again.

  Just then, Julie walked in, pushing the door open. Seeing her, Aaron froze. He quickly moved forward, standing protectively in front of her. His eyes darted around the room, searching for any threat.

  "What's wrong, bro? Everything okay? Why do you look so panicked?" Julie asked, her voice filled with concern.

  "Master, I won't harm Julie," the voice said.

  "Why should I trust you?" Aaron shot back.

  "Bro, who are you talking to?" Julie asked, confused.

  "That voice. Someone's hiding in my room, watching us. You need to leave," Aaron said, still scanning the room.

  "What voice? I didn't hear anything. And I don't think anyone's here. Are you feeling sick again?" Julie asked, her brow furrowing.

  "Master, you're about to feel unwell. I suggest you rest," the voice advised.

  "I don't need your advice," Aaron snapped, turning to Julie.

  "Can she really not hear it?" Aaron thought.

  "No one can see me. Not even you," the voice said.

  "Can you… read my thoughts?" Aaron wondered silently.

  "Yes, because I am your mind. I can read your thoughts," the voice said

  "What?!" Aaron stumbled back, collapsing onto the bed.

  "Bro, it seems like you hit your head last night. You've been acting strange since yesterday," Julie said, squinting at him.

  "Julie, it's nothing. Go ahead, I am coming," Aaron said, trying to reassure her.

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  Julie hesitated but decided not to push further. She left the room, leaving Aaron alone with his thoughts.

  Had he really just spoken to his own mind? How was that even possible? But the voice had known his thoughts. It had to be real.

  "Master, I'll explain everything later. But I am your mind now. Stop overthinking," the voice said.

  Aaron was not as shocked this time.

  "Alright, let's say you are my mind. But minds don't talk like this," Aaron argued.

  "Yours is different, Master. It can communicate. It can do much more. Like fixing that plasma gun yesterday," the voice explained.

  "What? That was you? Can you really do all that?" Aaron's eyes lit up with curiosity.

  "I can do much more," the voice replied.

  Aaron fell silent, lost in thought.

  "I need to get to work. I have to collect my payment for yesterday's job," Aaron thought, heading back into the narrow alleys.

  When he reached Houston's shop, something felt off. Despite being late, Houston didn't scold him as usual. In fact, Houston seemed almost… nervous.

  "Ah, Aaron. I've been waiting for you," Houston said, rubbing his hands together as he approached.

  Aaron frowned. "Yeah… what do you need, Mr. Houston?"

  "Aaron, you do excellent work. I truly value your talent. That's why I keep you around. The special guest was very impressed with how you fixed that weapon yesterday. They praised you highly. And…" Houston paused, studying Aaron's expression.

  Aaron didn't react much. He already knew where this was going.

  "What is it, Uncle? You were saying something," Aaron pressed.

  "Well…" Houston avoided eye contact, his voice faltering. "Our special guest made a request yesterday. They need someone with your talent for their team. And…" Houston trailed off again.

  Aaron understood now. Houston had made a deal.

  "I struck a deal with them. They paid me 10k dollars to let you go. And honestly, Aaron, it's for your own good. Inside the Wall, you'll have a better life. Working with their team, you'll earn a fortune," Houston said, his eyes gleaming.

  Aaron's expression darkened. Houston had sold him out. To the people inside the Wall. Aaron had never wanted to go there. Not because he didn't want a better life, but because going there meant leaving Julie behind. Only the Awakened or those with special talents were allowed inside. And now, Houston had traded him like a commodity.

  Aaron was furious. His freedom, his life—it was all being taken away.

  Before Aaron could respond, a girl walked into the shop. She had jet-black hair, piercing eyes, and stood as tall as Aaron. A sleek, ornate sword hung at her waist, and she wore a royal military uniform. She was stunning, but Aaron had never seen her in the city before.

  "Ah, Miss Ermina," Houston said, bowing slightly.

  Aaron realized this was the "special guest" Houston had mentioned.

  The girl ignored Houston, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on Aaron.

  "Miss Ermina, this is the one you've been looking for," Houston said with an odd smile.

  Ermina's gaze locked onto Aaron, studying him from head to toe.

  ---

  Aaron felt a little awkward. A girl as stunning as Ermina was staring him down like that—it was hard not to feel self-conscious.

  "So, you're Aaron," Ermina said, her voice smooth but commanding. "The one who fixed that gun yesterday. Our team leader was impressed. They want you on our team. We've been looking for someone like you—a Weapon Master."

  Aaron stayed silent. What could he even say?

  "Pack your stuff and come with us," Ermina continued, a playful smirk on her lips. "The team leader wants you in ASAP. Talents like you don't stay hidden for long."

  Aaron couldn't help but notice how confident she was. He'd never met anyone like her before.

  "Miss Ermina… there's one thing…" Aaron hesitated, his words stumbling.

  "Spit it out," she said, crossing her arms.

  "I'll join your team… but I have… conditions…" Aaron finally managed to say, avoiding her gaze. He couldn't bring himself to look her in the eye.

  Ermina's expression shifted. Her eyes narrowed, sharp and calculating, like a predator sizing up its prey. Her aura was intense, almost overwhelming. But then, she suddenly laughed, clapping a hand on Aaron's shoulder.

  "That's it? Conditions? Let's hear them," she said, her tone light but firm.

  "I have to take care of my sister. Can I bring her with me?" Aaron asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

  Ermina's expression softened.

  "That's all? Consider it done. Your sister's my responsibility now. She'll stay with me. So, are you in?" Ermina raised an eyebrow, her smirk returning.

  Aaron felt a wave of relief wash over him. What more could he ask for? He'd do anything for his sister, and now joining their team didn't seem so bad.

  Ermina noticed the faint smile on Aaron's face and knew he'd made up his mind.

  "Alright, here's your access card," she said, handing him a sleek, futuristic card. "Come inside whenever you're ready. Just ping me when you get there." She winked, flashed him a dazzling smile, and walked away.

  Aaron stood there, staring at the card in his hand, watching Ermina disappear into the distance. His face felt warm, and he quickly shoved the card into his pocket.

  When he turned around, he nearly jumped out of his skin. Houston was standing way too close, his face inches from Aaron's.

  Houston's eyes were sharp, his gaze piercing. Aaron knew exactly why he was looking at him like that.

  Aaron quickly looked away and got back to work.

  By evening, Houston handed Aaron his payment for the day. Aaron walked home through the same narrow, shadowy alleys, his mind racing.

  "Master, are you sure going there is the right move?" the voice in his head asked.

  Aaron ignored it, but a frown stayed etched on his face.

  "How powerful are you, really?" Aaron finally asked.

  "As powerful as you need me to be," the voice replied. "I'm your mind now, so you can use me however you want. You can even block me from reading your thoughts. But my abilities depend on your body's strength. Right now, your body isn't strong enough. The connection between your Mind Core and Soul Core is unstable. It limits what I can do. You'll understand more in time."

  Aaron stayed quiet, lost in thought. He didn't know much about this stuff. Maybe the people inside the Wall could help him figure it out.

  "If I can talk to you, shouldn't I give you a name?" Aaron asked.

  "Sure, Master. What do you want to call me?" the voice replied.

  "How about Cipher?" Aaron suggested.

  "Cipher it is. What can I do for you, Master?" the voice said, a hint of amusement in its tone.

  Aaron didn't respond but chuckled softly.

  After a moment, Aaron remembered something. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the orb he'd found in the trash bin the day before. He needed to know what it was.

  "Cipher, what's this?" Aaron asked, holding the orb up to the light.

  "Master, that's a teleportation device," Cipher replied.