Chapter 12: The Bell at Midnight

The rest of the day passed in a blur of steam, soy sauce, and the clatter of ceramic bowls. Leo wiped tables, refilled condiment bottles, and took orders with a mechanical smile while his mind churned through every possible outcome of the night ahead. Death by tournament. Death by trap. Death by embarrassing footwork failure in front of a crowd of shadowy martial artists. The System’s warning—high...