Ethan sat on the curb outside the convenience store, hands still trembling. Police lights flashed blue and red across the wet pavement. Officers questioned the girl he saved, while paramedics checked her wrist.
Nobody questioned Ethan yet—probably because he looked like someone who hadn't processed anything at all.
His shirt was torn. His knuckles were red. His heartbeat wouldn't slow down.
He had never hit someone before tonight.
He had never saved anyone either.
A soft breeze passed through the alley, carrying the faint smell of rain.
Ethan rubbed his face.
"Borrowed time," he muttered to himself. "That's what this is… All of it."
He didn't even know who had installed the system in his body—or why.
All he knew was the one rule:
When the timer hits zero, you die.
He looked down at the glowing numbers beneath his shirt.
27:56:32
27:56:31
27:56:30…
Nearly twenty-eight hours. But it was still ticking away.
And the worst part—
The system promised another mission.
Ethan flinched when someone approached.
It was the girl—the one he'd rescued. A bandage wrapped around her wrist.
She bowed deeply.
"Thank you… I don't know what would've happened if you didn't come."
Ethan awkwardly raised both hands. "I—It's nothing. I just… happened to be nearby."
But she shook her head.
"You risked your life."
Ethan wanted to laugh.
Risked his life?
His life was already being counted down by a machine he couldn't see.
She hesitated before offering him a canned coffee from the convenience store bag.
"Here. I… wanted to give you something."
Ethan took it slowly.
"…You don't have to."
"I know."
They stood in silence for a moment.
Then she gave a tiny smile—one mixed with exhaustion and relief—before walking back toward the officers.
Ethan watched her go.
A normal person would go home, sleep, and forget this night.
He couldn't.
Because as soon as he stood up, the system chimed again.
DING.
[NEW OBJECTIVE AVAILABLE.]
[OPEN NOW? Y/N]
Ethan's stomach twisted.
"Now? Seriously?"
He pressed "N".
He needed a moment to breathe.
But the system didn't care.
[REMINDER: OBJECTIVES ARE TIME-SENSITIVE.]
[RECOMMENDED: OPEN SOON.]
Ethan swallowed.
He walked back to his apartment building, each step heavier than the last. Every passing moment reminded him that the countdown never stopped, not even when he was sleeping.
When he reached the stairwell, he paused.
His legs shook again—but not from exhaustion.
From fear.
"If the next mission is worse… If I can't finish it…"
He didn't want to imagine what would happen.
He pushed open the door to his apartment and flicked on the lights.
It felt too quiet.
Too safe.
He threw his keys onto the table, collapsed onto the couch, and finally opened the system.
"Fine," he whispered. "Show me."
The air flickered.
A glowing window appeared before him.
[OBJECTIVE #2 — PROTECTIVE SHADOW]
Ethan frowned.
"Protective… what?"
The description expanded.
[Someone connected to your previous mission is in danger.]
[Locate and protect the target.]
[Time limit: 3 hours.]
[Reward: +5 hours.]
[Failure: -10 hours.]
Ethan stared at the words until they blurred.
Connected to his previous mission…
That meant—
"…The girl?"
His heart froze.
He had just left her.
[MISSION STARTS IN: 00:05:00]
The countdown began.
Five minutes.
Ethan shot to his feet, grabbed his phone, and lunged for the door.
He didn't know what danger was coming.
He didn't know who was after her.
He didn't know why the system cared so much about her.
He only knew one thing—
He didn't have the luxury of thinking anymore.
The clock was already ticking.