Stepping out of the digital haven of the Spark Library, the weight of the conversation pressed down on me. The need to upgrade our infrastructure was undeniable, but the path forward remained shrouded in shadows. Could I truly consider Slapjack's suggestion? Utilise the System, a twisted game of public humiliation orchestrated by an unknown entity, to fund the rebellion against oppressive elites like Bentley Blackwood and his ilk?The irony twisted in my gut. The System, with its pixelated world of humiliating slaps and exorbitant fees, fed on the same societal injustices the rebellion fought against. Was I to become a pawn in this unknown game, exploiting and humiliating others, even if the targets were the powerful, just to fund a fight for freedom?The walk home was a blur of conflicting emotions. Every gleaming skyscraper, every flaunting display of wealth felt like a slap in the face. These symbols of power and excess were built on the backs of the downtrodden, the very people th

Two days blurred into a whirlwind of strategizing, rallying support, and trying to ignore the gnawing uncertainty that gnawed at my gut. Sleep came in stolen moments, fueled by coffee and fueled by a desperate determination. Then, just when the pressure felt like it might crack me, a familiar sound jolted me awake – a hesitant rap on my door. Opening it, I found myself face-to-face with Maggie, her features illuminated by the warm glow of the hallway light. But she wasn't alone. Behind her, a sea of faces beamed back at me – Charlotte, her fiery hair ablaze with defiance, and the entire crew from the Spark Library HQ. I blinked, momentarily speechless. "What…? Why are you all here?" Maggie stepped forward, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "We wouldn't let you carry this burden alone, Ben. Remember what I said? We are the Spark Library, and our flame burns brightest when we stand together." Charlotte pushed forward, her voice brimming with a fierce energy. "So, we pooled our resourc

The days leading up to the auction crawled by with the agonising slowness of a malfunctioning server. Each tick of the clock echoed with the weight of Bentley's looming threat, his smug voice still ringing in my ears from our unexpected phone call."Be prepared, Sparkboy," he had sneered, his words dripping with condescension. "Just because you've gone from shrimp boy to millionaire doesn't mean you can play in the big leagues. I'll outbid you every step of the way. Consider this a lesson in knowing your place."His taunts fueled a fire in my gut, a burning determination to prove him wrong. I had rejected Apexia's offer, choosing the path of self-reliance, and while the financial constraints were daunting, Bentley's arrogance only strengthened my resolve.I spent the days rallying the troops, the library buzzing with a nervous energy. We strategized, planned, and even managed to secure some last-minute donations from loyal patrons who believed in our cause. It wasn't enough to match B

Maggie, her eyes still sparkling with the afterglow of the party, approached me the next morning, the remnants of confetti clinging to her hair like defiant confetti butterflies. She wore a smile, but underneath, I sensed a flicker of concern."Ben," she began, her voice hesitant, "about the auction… how?"I knew what she was asking. Where did the seemingly endless stream of money come from? The System, with its incredible potential, was still a secret I wasn't ready to share, not even with Maggie. I valued her trust implicitly, but the System felt… different. Powerful, yes, but shrouded in an undeniable mystery that made me wary of revealing it."Let's just say the universe aligned in our favour," I offered, a smile masking the unease churning in my gut.Her gaze sharpened, brows furrowed in a way that demanded honesty. "Did you take Apexia's offer? Or someone else's?"The mere mention of Apexia sent a tremor through me. Their offer, tempting as it was, had felt suffocating, a gilded

The crisp autumn air swirled fallen leaves around my shoes as Maggie and I strolled down the bustling sidewalk. Laughter bubbled between us, a welcome respite from the weight of the System’s secrets and the ever-present shadow of Bentley’s threats. We were discussing an upcoming event at the library, our voices animated with ideas and possibilities.Suddenly, Maggie stopped short, her eyes widening in surprise. “Wow see, an amusement park” she muttered, her gaze fixed on the carnival lights.The carnival lights pulsed hypnotically against the twilight sky, casting an otherworldly glow on the bustling amusement park. The air thrummed with the joyous shrieks of children, the melodic calls of barkers, and the rhythmic whirring of rides. Beside me, Maggie's eyes sparkled with childlike excitement, a welcome respite from the weight of our recent discoveries about the System."Ready for some fun?" she asked, her smile radiating pure sunshine.My lips stretched into a smile that felt genuine