Vox crumpled the empty jerky bag and flicked it toward the wastebasket. He didn't seem to care when it missed by a mile. "Hey there!" he said, striding over to Scribblez with his hand outstretched. "I'm Vox, and it looks like you've already met my partner," he added, nodding toward Clio as she stepped back to admire her new snack fortress. "We're the Navigators. So, who might you be?"

  As Scribblez clasped his hand, the orb above her shoulder glowed faintly. It tilted toward Clio, who had produced a portable stove and an instant ramen kit.

  "Scribblez," she said. "Host of the LoreHunter channel. I dig up hidden histories and document the secrets of the InfiNet." The scent of the broth cut through the air.

  Auron glanced at Clio. She took a moment to enjoy the aroma before turning to Scribblez. She arched a brow. "LoreHunter, huh?" she said, her lips curved. "So you're the one turning old data caches into high drama."

  Scribblez tilted her head and shot back a smirk of her own. "I prefer 'accessible storytelling,'" she replied. "The kind that doesn't put people to sleep."

  Clio snorted faintly. She leaned one hand against the table, the other still stirring the ramen. "Accessible, huh? That's one way to put it. Guess drama sells better than dry facts."

  Scribblez's orb hovered closer, its glow sharpening slightly as she replied, "Drama's your word. I deal in facts—and making them matter."

  Sensing danger, Auron cleared his throat and threw out the first thing that came to mind. "Uh, actually!" he said louder than intended. "Scribblez and I found a gateway. We planned to explore it but need at least four people to get inside."

  His gambit seemed to work. Vox looked past Scribblez toward Auron with a wide grin. "A gateway, huh?" he said. "Now that's interesting." He threw a glance toward Clio, who had resumed stirring her ramen with a deliberate calm. "What do you think?"

  Clio shrugged, finally picking up her chopsticks. "Depends. Gateways are risky. Plus, they don't usually show up unless there's something big behind them."

  Vox nodded thoughtfully. "Exactly. Which is why we should talk terms before diving in. Gateways mean loot, and loot means negotiations."

  Auron's jaw clenched. The whole point of coming here was to get their help, but trusting Vox and Clio felt like handing them his only winning hand against Catch22. Scribblez gave him a quiet nod.

  "Relax, kid," Vox said, his tone lighter now. "We'll keep it fair. But Clio and I get first pick. That's just how it works when you're taking the bigger risks."

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  Auron forced himself to nod. "Alright. First pick."

  Clio sat back in her chair, cradling her bowl of ramen. Twirling her chopsticks idly, her sharp eyes darted between Scribblez and Auron. "So," she said, her tone more casual, "what's got you two so interested in this gateway? They're not exactly beginner-friendly."

  Why did she have to ask that? Auron tightened his hands into fists. After a moment's thought, he relented. "There's a guild called Catch22. They're extorting the people on our residential floor. We can't afford their protection fees; the alternative is signing on as scouts, which isn't any better. I'm hoping to find something that'll help us fight back."

  Scribblez's orb whirled to Auron momentarily before it turned toward herself. "For me, it's all that plus the content," she added. "LoreHunter thrives on finding and sharing hidden tales. A gateway like this? It's probably packed with stuff no one's seen in years or ever."

  Clio looked reticent as she stirred her ramen. When she finally glanced at Scribblez, her gaze lingered for a beat too long. "Content, huh?" her voice carried a sharp undertone. "Guess everyone's got their reasons." She twirled the chopsticks between her fingers. "Just… remember, the InfiNet isn't some playground for clicks and views."

  "Of course. Better to share it than lock it up, though, don't you think?" Scribblez shot back.

  The silence stretched like a thread pulled to its limit. Auron glanced between them. Scribblez's orb glowed. Clio twirled her chopsticks. Neither seemed willing to lose their staring match.

  Vox clapped his hands together, shattering the silence. "Alright, then. It's a plan!" He rubbed his hands together as if he could use the tension to start a warm fire. "Tomorrow, we'll meet at the gateway's location in the First Layer. Be ready for anything."

  Auron felt his abdomen relax. He summoned his communicator and sent the details to Vox. "Here's the address," he said. "It's in an abandoned subway station."

  Vox checked his own device and gave an approving nod. "Got it. We'll be there." He turned to Scribblez, his grin softening into something more thoughtful. "And Scribblez, nice meeting you. This should be... fun."

  The sharp edges of her smile softened a bit. "Likewise. Let's make it worth our while."

  "I guess we'll head out then. See you tomorrow," Auron said.

  As Auron and Scribblez turned to leave, Vox's voice rang out behind them one last time. "Oh yeah, hey, Auron! You might want to rethink the wardrobe. Those starter greys? Screams' noob. You'll thank me later. Or hate me for being right. It's a toss-up."

  Auron winced, glancing down at his outfit but refusing to look back. Beside him, Scribblez chuckled. The faint glow of her orb cast a playful light on the floor as they stepped into the hallway.

  Once outside, Scribblez turned to Auron with a teasing grin. "He's got a point, you know. Those greys are a dead giveaway. You look like you just spawned in."

  Auron glanced down, feeling the heat crawl up his neck. "They're comfortable," he grumbled. "And free."

  Scribblez giggled. Her orb tilted as she shook her head. "True, but this is the InfiNet! Your avatar's your identity here. At least pick something that feels like you. Gear's half the fun."

  Auron frowned, thinking about his meager Luxa account. "Clothes aren't cheap, and I'm trying to save."

  "Doesn't have to be pricey," Scribblez said, nudging him lightly. "Just something that says, 'Hey, I belong here.' Consider it an investment."

  Auron sighed, relenting. "Fine, where do we go?"

  Scribblez's eyes twinkled. "I know just the place."