The city never looked so bright. Even the cracks in the sidewalk seemed to glint with possibility as I jogged up the stairs to our apartment, a plastic bag of fried chicken swinging from my hand and a brand-new phone burning a hole in my pocket. The tattoos on my arm and back still tingled, but right now, I felt invincible.
I barely got the door open before Lila barreled into me, arms around my waist, nearly knocking the food out of my hands.
"You're back!" she squealed, her voice muffled in my shirt. "You're really back!"
Eli was right behind her, grinning so wide I thought his face might split. "Told you he'd make it, Lila. You owe me a soda."
Lila let go, swatting at him. "You said he'd come back with a dragon and a million dollars."
"Hey, I was half right!" Eli shot back, snatching the bag from my hand and peering inside. "Ooh, spicy wings. Did you get extra sauce?"
I ruffled his hair, grinning. "Only the best for my favorite siblings."
We spread out on the floor, using a battered old blanket as our table. Lila produced a can of peaches she'd been hiding, and Eli found three clean cups for the off-brand soda. Our "celebration feast" was a mess of sticky fingers, laughter, and the kind of happiness that only comes after too many years of going without.
"So," Lila said, licking peach syrup from her thumb, "what's it like? The Tower. The tutorial. Did you see anyone die?"
Eli groaned. "Lila, let him eat first. He just survived a goblin massacre."
I shrugged, trying to sound casual. "It was… rough. But I made it. Ranked five thirty-seven out of almost thirteen thousand."
Eli choked on his soda. "Five hundred thirty-seven? Dude, that's insane! You're like, top four percent or something."
Lila's eyes went wide. "That's… wow. That's really, really good, Abel."
I felt my cheeks flush. "Yeah. And I got a sponsor. It's… complicated. But powerful." I hesitated, thinking of the Mind Tyrant's mark burning on my skin, the promise of power—and the price.
Eli leaned in, eyes sparkling. "Complicated how? Like, you have to wear a tutu and dance for them, or…?"
Lila elbowed him. "Shut up, Eli. Let him talk."
I laughed, shaking my head. "Nothing like that. Just… I have to do something every month to keep the power. It's not dangerous for us. I promise."
Lila studied me, her gaze sharp. "You sure?"
I nodded, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "I'm sure."
Eli grinned, popping another wing into his mouth. "Well, whatever it is, you're about to be rich. Let's see those guild offers!"
I pulled out my phone, scrolling through the flood of messages. The numbers made my head spin.
"Okay, here's the shortlist," I said, reading them out loud:
• "Ironstar Guild: $18,000 a month, 20% cut."
• "Vanguard Solutions: $21,000, 15%."
• "Crimson Banner: $16,000, 25%."
• "Silver Halo: $15,000, 16%."
• "Thunder Legion: $19,000, 22%."
• "Emerald Forge: $18,000, 20%."
• "Phoenix Union: $20,000, 23%."
• "Gilded Path: $25,000, 30%."
• "Stormcall Syndicate: $17,000, 21%."
• "Ivory Bastion: $16,500, 17%."
Eli let out a low whistle. "Twenty-five grand a month? That's like, movie star money. What's the catch?"
Lila grabbed the phone, scrolling through the details. "Thirty percent cut on everything you earn in the Tower. That's a lot, Abel. Vanguard's only taking fifteen percent, and they're offering over twenty thousand."
Eli shrugged. "Yeah, but what if he brings back a ton of loot? Even with the cut, Gilded Path might pay more overall."
Lila shook her head, her ponytail bouncing. "It's not just about money. What about safety? Training? Some of these sound… intense."
Eli grinned, nudging her. "Come on, Lila. You think Abel can't handle it? He's basically a superhero now. Look at him—he's glowing."
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help smiling. "I'm not glowing. That's just the hot sauce."
Lila giggled, then sobered. "Seriously, Abel. What do you want? We'll support you, whatever you pick. But… I'd rather have you safe than rich."
Eli snorted. "Speak for yourself. I want a PlayBox and a pizza the size of this table."
Lila threw a peach pit at him. "You're impossible."
I leaned back, letting their bickering wash over me. For the first time in years, I felt… normal. Like we were just three siblings, arguing over dinner, not survivors clawing our way out of the slums.
"I'm thinking we try to negotiate with Gilded Path first," I said. "See if they'll drop the cut a little. If not, Vanguard's our backup. Either way, we can finally move out of this place. Maybe rent somewhere with actual windows."
Eli's eyes lit up. "And a real kitchen! No more ramen on a hot plate."
Lila smiled, soft and hopeful. "And maybe a room of my own. With a door that locks."
I grinned. "Dream big, guys. We'll get there."
Eli raised his soda can. "To Abel, the slumdog millionaire."
Lila clinked her cup against his. "To family. And new beginnings."
I lifted my own cup, the fizz tickling my nose. "To getting out. For good."
We drank, laughing, the future suddenly wide open.
After dinner, we sprawled out on the floor, full and happy, the phone glowing between us. Eli started making a list of things we'd buy—pizza, a game console, a new mattress. Lila started looking up apartments, her eyes shining with excitement.
I drafted a message to Gilded Path, my fingers trembling just a little.
"Dear Gilded Path Recruitment,
Thank you for your generous offer. Given my ranking and sponsor, I'd like to discuss the earnings share. Would you consider lowering your cut to twenty percent? I believe my performance will bring great value to your guild.
Looking forward to your reply,
Abel."
I hit send, then leaned back, letting out a long breath.
Eli nudged me. "You nervous?"
"A little," I admitted. "But I'm more excited. For once, I feel like… like we actually have a shot."
Lila squeezed my hand. "We do. And whatever happens, we're in it together."
The city hummed outside, alive with neon and possibility. For the first time, I wasn't afraid of what tomorrow would bring.
I was ready.