The bed creaked as Aiden finally let his body drop onto it.
The stitched wound throbbed, muscles ached from tight clothes, and the lingering scent of blood still clung faintly to his hands—even after scrubbing.
But he didn't care.
He lay there, staring at the ceiling.
Breathing slow.
The system's soft glow flickered once more above his vision.
[Rest Mode Activated]
▸ Minor wounds will heal faster.
▸ Stat Adjustment Stabilizing...
▸ Smile Points +12 (for not dying like an idiot)
▸ System Remark: Dream of bullets. Or a new wardrobe. Your choice.
He was asleep in seconds.
Morning – 6:31 AM
The news hummed from the kitchen TV, half-muted.
"...an entire gang hideout was found reduced to a bloodbath. Police are still investigating. No survivors. Authorities claim it might be a result of gang rivalry, but no signs point to the known local factions. Whoever did this was... extremely efficient."
Aiden walked in, hair still damp from a rushed shower, eyes half-lidded.
White t-shirt. Loose hoodie. Joggers.
All freshly dug out from the back of the closet. Still tight around the shoulders.
His mother stood by the counter, flipping through channels with one hand while sipping tea.
"Disgusting," she muttered. "These damn hooligans. Killing each other like rats."
Behind her, at the table, Evelyn sat — long brown hair tied lazily in a low ponytail, a piece of toast halfway to her mouth.
She didn't speak.
Didn't blink.
Just stared.
Directly at Aiden.
Chewing. Slowly.
Eyes narrowed, tracking his every step.
Aiden blinked back at her.
She raised an eyebrow.
He shrugged. "What?"
She took another slow bite.
Didn't break eye contact.
Finally:
"You were out last night… did you?"
He poured himself some tea. "Yes. Why?"
"Just curious," she said, dragging out the syllables.
Her eyes flicked to the local news ticker scrolling on-screen: "...cause of death includes blunt trauma, multiple stab wounds, and gunfire—"
She chewed again. Louder this time.
He sat down across from her and bit into his toast.
"Really," she said, setting her cup down. "You're sure you're not on something after what i saw yesterday?"
"Do I look like I'm on something?"
"You look like someone who outgrew puberty overnight and now wears pants like they're stitched on by anxiety."
[System Notification]
▸ Smile Points +4 (for excellent sibling banter)
▸ A Snickering Fox God finds your dynamic amusing.
▸ The Goddess of Intuition eyes you with suspicion.
▸ System Remark: She's on to you. Quick. Gaslight harder.
Evelyn leaned on the table, narrowing her eyes.
"You used to be a rail-thin dork who cried watching sad dog movies. Now you look like a background extra in a prison break."
"I still cry at dog movies."
"I bet you kill the owners now too."
Their mom turned around. "What was that?"
"Nothing," both of them said in unison.
Later – On Foot, To Campus
The city streets buzzed with a quiet, sunny calm. Aiden walked beside Evelyn, bag slung lazily over one shoulder. The buildings around them felt smaller today. Like his world had stretched in size, or maybe… weight.
Evelyn glanced sideways.
"You seriously need to buy a new pair of clothes."
"They fit."
"They scream help, I borrowed my little brother's gym outfit."
Aiden exhaled slowly. "You know I'm your little brother, right?"
She gave him a side look. "You used to be. Now you look like you could bench press our family sedan. I'm genuinely starting to believe you're not on drugs, which makes it worse."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."
"Do me a favor. Don't murder anyone today."
"No promises."
[System Notification]
▸ Smile Points +16
▸ The God of Passive Violence is smiling.
▸ The Watcher in Chains whispers: "There is blood yet to spill today."
▸ System Remark: She's suspicious. You're sarcastic. Everything's perfectly balanced, as it should be.
Aiden smirked faintly.
The gods were watching.
So was she.
And he had a long, bloody semester ahead.