《Coreline》 Chapter Zero - "Deadly habits " Digging his hand deep into his pocket, he clenched a cigarette. He wanted to stop, but the urge was too strong to let go so easily¡ªespecially now. Shaking, he lit it¡ªsoaked, but still burning. The first inhale stung his throat, but the familiar burn steadied his trembling hands just enough to keep moving forward. He turned toward a nearby trash can. ¡°I''ll leave it here for now. Too much danger taking it with me... it¡¯s not of much use since that damn¡ª" He threw a small plastic object at the opposite wall. Crack. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. The plastic bounced off, breaking apart in the dim light, leaving behind a small trail of shattered pieces that matched the dull surroundings¡ªflickering neon lights, a foggy view, and the cold gray paint of the walls. The misty air seemed to swallow the sound, leaving only the faint hum of the distant city, the clattering echoes of people talking, laughing, screaming, and phones ringing. Far in the background trains rushed by, adding to the suffocating soundscape, accompanied by the erratic flickering noise of the lights. Voices, muffled but clear enough to make out snippets, mingled with the rhythm of the district. ¡°Anyway, I think I¡¯m good for now... I have to be. For them.¡± He took a final deep puff from the cigarette, trying to shake off the unease creeping up his spine, but the weight of it lingered, gnawing at him. His head sank low as he eyed a picture in his pocket depicting a happy Family. The photo is soaked in mud and dirt, just like his clothes. His gaze shifted back to the cigarette, its ember burned dangerously close to his fingers. He flicked the butt onto the ground¡ªwhere at least five others already lay¡ªbefore stomping it out with his heel. The silence around him now felt more suffocating than before. ¡°What was that? I need to keep going... quick.¡± His thoughts turned to his family. ¡°The tracker¡¯s broken. There¡¯s no way they¡¯ll¡ª" He turned a corner and froze. A long, metallic barrel of a gun was pointed directly at him. His breath caught in his throat¡ªtime seemed to freeze. His mind raced, but his body was paralyzed. He smelled the faint, dying scent of the cigarette still on the ground, barely giving off any smoke. *BANG* Then, the sound of a Gunshot shattered through the air. Chapter One – "The Deal" Nox leaned against the grimy alleyway wall, neon lights flashing in the distance, barely visible through the fog. He sank deep into his thoughts. He had always dreamed of helping his dad. But not like this. Fuck this. There was never a real choice... there hardly ever is His fingers brushed over the worn edges of the counterfeit USB stick in his hands. The weight of it felt oddly comforting in his palm¡ªeven though he knew what it meant. Nox observed his surroundings. A stream of people flowed down the city streets, moving like mindless husks in large, hurried groups. For a brief moment, he almost followed them. Almost abandoned his mission. He wished he could be just one of them¡ªone of many¡ªbut deep down, he knew he didn¡¯t belong there. Not because he didn¡¯t want to. Because he couldn¡¯t. In his mind, he was just a pawn in a game. The only source of color in this world came from the flashing advertisements¡ªbombarding the alleyway with fancy catchphrases: "Find Your Future Today." "Upgrade Your Existence." "Where Innovation Meets Identity." The bright, holographic letters reflected off every surface, casting shifting neon hues across Nox¡¯s coat. These ads are nothing more than distractions¡ªa false promise of a better life that only makes the darkness feel deeper. The sound of trains rushing by in the distance punctuated the hum of the city. "Fuck¡­ am I really about to do this?" What if¡­ No. There was no what if anymore. The world was too cruel to ask questions. He took a deep breath, his chest tightening as the time to make the trade drew closer. No turning back now. He muttered under his breath, forcing his feet to move toward the meeting spot, the city¡¯s hum fading into the background. 13:55. ¡°Five minutes to go. The weirdly dressed guy always came with the bus around the corner at 13:37. It¡¯s do or die, baby.¡± Shaking off the creeping anxiety, he adjusted the warm coat draped over his shoulders. It barely fit his frame, and paired with his detective-style hat, he looked¡­ "How unsuspicious," he mused sarcastically. The outfit had style, sure. But it certainly didn¡¯t help him blend in. Then again, maybe that was the point. The people he was dealing with had their own ways of staying anonymous. And so did he. He glanced at his reflection in his phone screen, adjusting the collar of his coat one last time. "Although I really like this outfit¡­ and it was hecking expensive." The coat¡¯s collar covered his face just enough to keep him unrecognizable while still allowing him a clear view of the street corner. His blue eyes shone brightly in the screen¡¯s reflection¡ªclear as the ocean. His snout, barely visible beneath the coat¡¯s collar, was rust-orange, fading to a snowy white on his chin. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "Hopefully, I won¡¯t get recognized." Earlier, he had tucked his tail into the coat. He wasn¡¯t sure what species the trader was, but the Hounds told him he looked close enough to pass. As if they would give a damn. His heart pounded as he glanced at his wristwatch. 14:00. "Now quick." He inhaled sharply, whispering to himself before stepping out of the shadows "Showtime." The Protogen was already waiting. He sat on a nearby bench, pretending to be on his phone. A hybrid of organic and synthetic¡ªa cybernetic species with a visor for a face and sleek, mechanical limbs. The high-end models were military-grade, but this one looked a little more... casual. Civilian issue, maybe. Still, you never knew what kind of tech was hidden beneath the shell. And that was the problem. Nox hated not knowing. He could read most people¡ªpick apart their habits, their tells, the little things that gave them away. But a Protogen? A walking machine? No flicker of an eye, no subtle shifts in breath, no nervous fidgeting. Just a cold, unreadable robotic face. No way to tell if he was being played before it was too late. And that was not how Nox liked to do business. His whole game was about control¡ªunderstanding the risks, knowing the angles. But this? This was a gamble. A deal in uncharted territory, where instincts weren¡¯t enough. He clenched his jaw. Just get the creds and get out. He forced himself forward, sliding onto the bench beside the Protogen who was prethending to be on a phone call. Without looking up, the Protogen spoke ¡°I¡¯m 2739, and you are¡± Noxes heart stopped for a second Then the protogen continued ¡° ¡­ late.¡± His voice sounded robotic, calm and Rehearsed. ¡°I thought you had better things to do than waste my time.¡± His tone was sharp, but beneath it, a hint of curiosity¡ªlike he was assessing Nox. The stale scent of cigarettes hung in the air. Nox wasn¡¯t a smoker. He never had been. He had always seen it as a weakness¡ªsomething to be avoided. A crutch for the uncertain. But right now, as his hands trembled slightly, he couldn''t help but wonder if it might have helped. ¡°The bus,¡± Nox said, feigning casual indifference. ¡°It had technical issues. Sorry I¡¯m late.¡± Of course, that wasn¡¯t exactly true. He had asked Zee, a Tech Cat geek, to sabotage the bus. Using gadgets he got from Millio, an inventive Hyena. He would have asked Chet, the giant bull, but he didn¡¯t want him to make a scene. Chet was far too good at that. This all was of course that the real trader couldn¡¯t arrive in time so nox could easily take his place. The Protogen cut him off, his robotic voice still low, but now edged with irritation. ¡°I don¡¯t give a damn. It¡¯s important we meet at the same time every week. Don¡¯t take such things as the bus for granted I need this stick in time or else im fucked. Be here at least twenty minutes before the time. Do you understand me?¡± Nox nodded quickly, his heart pounding. ¡°Yeah, understood. I¡¯ll make sure it doesn¡¯t happen again.¡± He kept his voice calm, controlled¡ªdespite the nervous edge. The Protogen never even turned his head toward Nox, still holding his phone up like they weren¡¯t having a conversation. ¡°We can¡¯t have any contact outside this,¡± the Protogen continued. ¡°It¡¯s against the rules.¡± He waved his hand slightly, mimicking a casual phone conversation. ¡°We hold ourselves and the people we work with responsible.¡± Nox remained silent. His thoughts rushed by like a train. I can¡¯t mess up this job. Not another one... Last time, the Hounds said my debt would be doubled. The Protogen finally lowered his phone. His gaze locked onto Nox with calculated precision. ¡°Very well. I don¡¯t have time for mistakes.¡± Nobody did. Nox wanted to respond¡ªsomething sharp, something to regain control of the conversation. But he held his tongue. "If you mess this up," the Protogen added, "you¡¯ll be in over your head before you even realize it.¡± No warnings. No second chances. The Protogen reached into his coat and pulled out a small, sleek case. He handed it over to Nox. ¡°You know what to do.¡± Nox reached for the case, fingers brushing against the Protogen¡¯s. He barely held back a shiver. The weight of the transaction settled in his palm¡ªthe feeling of impending risk suffocating him. He handed over the USB stick and took the money. His fingers twitched slightly. Hopefully, he doesn''t check the stick right away. I just need to be gone before that happens. The thick wad of credits now buried in the pocket of his coat served as a stark reminder of just how deep he had gotten. The Protogen¡¯s gaze lingered, watching him like a hawk. ¡°You have no idea what this stick is worth in the right hands¡± His voice was even, a glimpse of regret shined through the stagnant voice¡ªthere was weight behind these words. Nox didn¡¯t dare glance back. He knew the rules¡ªnever turn around, never break the mask. Forcing his legs to move, he stepped away from the bench with deliberate slowness. Each step felt heavier than the last. As he rounded the corner, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was off. Too easy. Too smooth. But he didn¡¯t allow himself to dwell on it. This was just another job. Just another Mission. Slipping into the crowd, he smirked. "Well, that wasn¡¯t so hard, was it?" He pulled out his phone and quickly typed a message to Zee. Thanks for the help. Then, another to Millio. Meet at 4:30 at the old cottage. I got it. He tried calling Chet, but he didn¡¯t pick up¡ªso Nox texted instead ¡°call me back, TreeHugger. ¡° The weight of the transaction faded with every word he typed. One job done. But the next was just beginning. Chapter Two – " Through the Gap" As Nox slipped deeper into the passage, the temperature dropped, the damp air clinging to his fur. He is almost there¡­ Some called it the Undercity, others just "Down Below." Whatever name they used, it was always said the same way¡ªlike a whispered warning. Coreline was the city of neon and metal, an endless maze of advertisements, towering skyscrapers, and artificial skies. It was loud, suffocating, but alive. The hum of civilization never stopped, and even in the darkest alleyways, there was still a flicker of light. But there, down below? Here, light struggled to exist. This place was forgotten, abandoned, a graveyard of old industries and broken promises. This was where the first levels of Coreline had once thrived¡ªbefore the megacorps built higher, before the rich ascended to their glass towers, leaving everything below to rot. What remained were rusted skeletons of factories, leaking pipelines, and half-buried streets swallowed by shadows. There was no sky down there. Just layers upon layers of steel platforms, tangled wires, and collapsed infrastructure stacked so high that daylight never reached this deep. Coreline is the future. The Lower District was the corpse it was built on, the past it hast left behind¡­ And yet, people still find a way to lived here, not because the want¡­ because they had to. Nox quickly swiped to answer his phone as it buzzed in his pocket. ¡°Hey buddy, what¡¯s up hope you¡¯re free?¡± Chet- A deep voice replied through the speakers. ¡°Hey Nox, you told me to call you back. I¡¯m in the middle of planting a¡ª¡± Nox interrupted, his voice steady but rushed. ¡°Sorry to break it to you, but I need you at the escort point. Gotta visit Millio you know.¡± Chet groaned. ¡°Okay, man, give me twenty minutes¡­and next time if you call don¡¯t what¡¯s up if you interrupt me regardless.¡± ¡°Yeah im sorry, big guy. I¡¯ll pay you back, I promise.¡± A second of silence but then Chets calming deep voice toned again. ¡°its alright, I want to tell you so much about this new plant I discovered yesterday anyway. Did you know that¡ª¡± ¡°Sorry again¡­, we¡¯ll talk later alright? See ya man!¡± "Alright Nox, see you..." Nox pocketed his phone, his mind already racing through the next steps. The streetlights cast long shadows as he made his way through the twisting alleys, the air thick with the hum of distant engines and the buzz of underground activity. His footsteps echoed on the cracked pavement, each step pulling him nearer the city''s lower districts. He was heading toward The Chokepoint¡ªNoxes only known access point to the Lower District that wasn¡¯t directly controlled by the Hounds around his area. Probably only because they haven¡¯t found out about it yet. It was a dangerous route, but one he and Chet had used countless times before. The Chokepoint your usual alleyway you just walk in to and out of again. Its a narrow passage leading to the forgotten levels of Coreline the entrance blocked off by a huge boulder to maintain this route a secret. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Nox clenched his fists as he waited for Chet, trying to shake the memories creeping into his mind. Whenever he came here, he thought about that night. The cold air. The metallic scent of blood in the air. The screams. He was eleven. Too young to understand, yet old enough to remember. The Dogs had been ruthless then, just like they were now. They didn¡¯t care about age. They didn¡¯t care about innocence. No one did, down There. Nox shook his head, pushing the thoughts away. Not now. Never again. The sound of heavy footsteps in the fog snapped him back to reality. In the misty distance, a giant bull emerged¡ªChet. Towering, broad-shouldered, and strong as ever, Chet''s presence was both reassuring and grounding. The dim lights barely illuminated his silhouette, but Nox could still make out the familiar glint of determination in his friend¡¯s eyes. Chet was always the dependable one. Strong. Unwavering. Loyal. Not exactly cut out for the delicate games Nox played, but a rock to lean on when things went sideways. Chet walked toward Nox now towering above him as he tapped Nox on the shoulder, his deep voice breaking through the quiet. ¡°Heya, fox.¡± Nox smirked, shoving his hands into his coat pockets. ¡°Big guy. Sorry about having to rely on you again with this --¡± Chet interrupted Nox waving with his hand ¡°Is it these Wolf people again¡­? Lets do this so we can have a good time later without worrying about anything okay?¡± Nox looked to the floor ¡°Yeah the hounds¡­ Wait later?¡± Chet raised an eyebrow as his gaze shifted to confusion. ¡°You didn¡¯t forget about later, did you? You¡¯re coming with us. Zee¡¯s been excited about this for way too long¡ªyou know she loves those crazy rides, right?¡± Nox smirked, rubbing the back of his head. ¡°Oh no, how could I forget our trip to the CoreCoaster? Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be there at¡­ uh what was it again¡­¡± Chet crossed his arms. ¡°Seven. ¡° Nox nodded, forcing a small grin. ¡°Yeah right¡± Chet chuckled for a second, his laugh deep and booming. ¡° Okay let¡¯s do this Nox clapped his paws together. ¡° You know it, big guy. Just don¡¯t crush any fragile foxes on their way in and out.¡± Chet smirked. ¡°I¡¯ll try, but no promises.¡± The two of them made their way toward The Chokepoint. The air grew heavier with each step, the undercity¡¯s stench settling in. There it is. The Entrance of a former Mine in front of them, a wooden square frame mossy and barley holding it together. A sign hanging next to it: ? WARNING: RESTRICTED AREA ¨C MINESHAFT AHEAD ?
  1. ? AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY ¨C Untrained individuals are prohibited beyond this point.
  2. ? DO NOT ENTER WITHOUT PROPER GEAR ¨C Helmets, breathing masks, and reinforced boots are mandatory.
  3. ? UNSTABLE STRUCTURE ¨C Do not touch or disturb support beams or surrounding walls.
  4. ? RISK OF SUDDEN COLLAPSE ¨C If you hear creaking, exit immediately.
BY PASSING THIS SIGN, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THE RISKS OF ENTRY. THE SITE OWNER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS OR INJURY. The entrance was blocked off by a giant boulder, strategically placed to keep outsiders away. For Nox and Chet, this was routine. Nox smirked looking at the boulder. ¡°Alright, here we are. Do your thing muscleman.¡± Chet rolled his shoulders. With ease, He grabbed the boulder¡¯s edges and lifted it just enough for Nox to slip through. ¡°Now don¡¯t crush me,¡± Nox muttered, squeezing himself into the barely visible gap. ¡°I¡¯ll text you when I need to get out. Thanks, Chet... really.¡± Chet smirked, straining slightly. ¡°Now hurry. I can¡¯t hold it up for too long. Last time, my back was stiff for a whole week.¡± Nox rolled his eyes, slipping deeper into the passage. ¡°Maybe if you didn¡¯t spend half your time bent over your garden, your back wouldn¡¯t hurt so much.¡± Chet laughed, the sound rumbling through the narrow space as he dropped the boulder back into place behind Nox. As Nox squeezed through the narrow opening, the damp air hit him first. Rust. Oil. Dust. The familiar, suffocating scent of the Lower District. He could barely see, but his hands found the cold, rough walls of the tunnel, guiding him forward. His boots clanked against the floor, the dusted rocky surface crumbling under his weight as he made his descent. The farther he went, the stronger the smell of oil, mold, and something metallic grew¡ªalmost like dried blood. Then came the sounds. Distant buzzing generators, the rattling of unseen machines, the echo of someone yelling in the dark. Faint, but there. Always there. He exhaled, pulling his coat tighter. No matter how many times he came down here, the weight of it never left his chest. Nox knew the rules of the undercity well enough. The deeper you go, the less likely you¡¯ll come back up. The streets change, but the eyes in the dark don¡¯t. And above all¡ªnever trust anyone who smiles too easily down here. Then, a buzzing against his leg. His phone. Millio¡äs Text appears on the screen. ¡°You in yet? Better be. I¡¯m not waiting forever.¡± Nox exhaled, relieved Texting. ¡°I¡¯m in. Hold tight.¡± The tunnel stretched into the dark. The undercity was just ahead. Chapter Four – "The old cottage" Nox moved cautiously, following the path deeper underground. The Lower District was a place forgotten by time¡ªNox passed rusted pipes and worn-out machines that sat silent, their purpose long abandoned. In the dim glow of flickering lights, he finally spotted the cottage¡ªMillio¡¯s workshop. A place full of memories for both of them. They must have met ten years ago. Millio¡ªawkward, brilliant, and as hyperactive as you¡¯d expect from a Hyena. Although hes always fixing, always inventing, always searching for the next piece of tech to tinker with, a shame these hounds take most of his inventions with them, but to Millio this was home. And Nox... Nox had never really felt like he belonged here. The undercity had never gotten a special place in Noxes heart. His father had called this place the Iron Coffin¡ªa dead end where people were buried alive. No wonder he fled. And now? Now, Nox was here instead¡ªcarrying the burden. He stopped at the entrance, Millio¡¯s familiar figure looming ahead. He snaps out, His friend, perched on the roof like a rogue architect, he had his hands buried deep inside a tangle of wires. His fur, a mix of dusty brown and ash-gray, was always messy, sticking out in tufts as if he had been electrocuted one too many times. His coat¡ªsome patched-together, oversized thing covered in oil stains and burn marks¡ªwas a testament to how often he worked on things that shouldn¡¯t be tinkered with. A pair of goggles, lenses cracked and smudged with grease, sat on his forehead, pushing back the few stray strands of hair that refused to stay in place. His thin but nimble fingers worked quickly, adjusting circuits with the confidence of someone who had spent his entire life taking things apart just to see if he could put them back together again. He didn¡¯t bet an eye on Nox. Noxes glance shifted toward the Undercity now clearly visible in the background of the Cottage. "Coreline Expansion Project - Future Begins Below!" The words felt like a cruel joke. Cables hung like dead vines from broken scaffolding, swaying gently in the stagnant air. Somewhere deeper in the shadows, steam hissed from a cracked pipeline, the glow of molten liquid flickering through the jagged tear in its metal. A defunct tram station sat buried under layers of neglect, its tracks twisted and cracked a reminder of the old rail system. A single tram car still stood there, half-drowned in a sinkhole, its doors pried open like a corpse picked clean by scavengers. A market of the desperate had sprung up nearby¡ªshady figures huddled under makeshift stalls made from old tarp and salvaged sheet metal, trading in things no one from the upper city would ever think about: black-market oxygen filters, synthetic food rations past their expiration date, scavenged augments with questionable functionality. The people here moved like ghosts, their faces obscured by patched-up respirators, rebreathers held together with tape and hope. Nox took a look back the mineshaft entrance itself loomed behind him¡ªa jagged black maw in the metal earth, surrounded by crooked warning signs coated in rust and bullet holes. Someone had scrawled a message beneath the faded words: "Nothing comes back up." His thoughts went dark, thinking about that one faithful day again ¡°Nothing comes back up, and yet¡­ Fuck, I didn¡¯t want to to be bothered by this anymore, its been ten years...¡± ¡°It is what it is now.¡± ¡°I had no choice.¡± Barely anyone has a choice down here. But at last he tried to make the best out of it He couldn¡¯t let his father down. He glances at the old cottage again¡ªmoldering wood, rusty nails. It had always been a place of both comfort and tension¡ªa relic of an older time. Now it was repurposed into a makeshift headquarters. Broken tools and rusted scraps littered the ground, the remnants of a past that no one cared to remember. Millio, still preaching on the roof had noticed Nox now. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. The faint buzzing of electricity crackling stopped. Millio leaned dangerously far over the edge of the cottage roof, his body half-bent backward like gravity had just given up. His goggles nearly slipped off his forehead Upside down and grinning like an unhinged bat, he eyed Nox with sharp, mischievous eyes, his wild fur sticking out in messy tufts. The dim glow of ta lantern close by casting strange shadows across his face, making his already erratic presence feel even more chaotic. "Heya, sunshine. You look like crap." Nox smirked, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah. You¡¯re lucky I¡¯m not too tired of your endless tinkering." Millio hung there for a second longer, blinking upside down at Nox like a confused bat. Then, with a quick, wildly unnecessary spin, he flung himself upright in one fluid motion¡ªhis coat flapping dramatically as he landed back on the roof with a metallic thunk. His hat, now sitting even more crooked than before, barely held on as he straightened up, stretching his arms like he had just woken up from a nap. "Whew! Alright¡ªback to reality." He cracked his neck, then immediately winced, rubbing the back of his head. "Okay, bad idea. Not built for that. Spinal cord is screaming. Moving on!" Without missing a beat, he flopped back down onto his stomach, elbows resting lazily on the roof¡¯s edge, chin propped up in his hands. "You were dealing with the Hounds, weren¡¯t you, guess I¡¯m lucky you didn¡¯t turn in to a chew toy yet, messing around with those mutts." Nox sighed, rubbing his temples. "What gave it away?" Millio spun a wrench in his hand like a baton, nearly dropping it before snatching it mid-air. He waved it wildly, like a mad conductor leading an invisible orchestra. "Oh, I dunno¡ªmaybe the fact that you look like you aged five years in a day? Or maybe it¡¯s the stress lines forming on that foxy face of yours? Yeah, it¡¯s definitely gotta be that. Hate to break it to you, buddy, b- hah- but you''re about three sleepless nights away from looking like--" Nox groaned interrupting Millios rant. "Okay okay, I got it, I look terrible-Not helping, Mill. Also, I can¡¯t believe someone who cant even control his own hair tells me that. You know I gotta help then once a month." Millio gave Nox an exaggerated finger-gun point, then casually flopped into a crouch, one knee up, the other foot planted firmly as he rested an elbow on it. ¡° Yeah I know, but I also know you, and usually look-s is very important to you.¡± Nox threw his paws up symbolizing a surrendering ¡° You¡¯ve got me, I didn¡¯t do my morning beauty routine today!¡± Millio walked around Nox his gaze lingering all over him. "You got the package?" Nox hesitated for a second before tossing the stack of credits toward Millio. "Yeah. Not sure how much yet. Not sure if I wanna know either." Millio caught the bundle mid-air, flipping through the creds with his thumb like a deck of cards. Then¡ª "TEN. THOUSAND. CREDS?! BRO¡ªARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" Nox jerked back as Millio nearly lost balance gripping Nox with one hand while waving the stack wildly in the other. "DUDE! YOU DID NOT TELL ME I BUILT A BUS-BOOMER FOR THIS MUCH MONEY!" Nox blinked. "You know this money doesn¡¯t belong to us...Wait. A bus what?!" Millio cackled, kicking his feet against the side of the building as he grinned at Nox. "Relax, relax¡ªit¡¯s fiiine. Just a little disruption device. A happy accident. Mostly harmless. Probably." He spun the credits between his fingers throwing them back to Nox climbing back on the cottage roof "But hey! Since you clearly got your mission delivered on a silver tablet off my genius, guess what? Now you owe me." Nox sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Yeah, kinda figured. What¡¯s the deal?" Millio leaned down dramatically, eyes darting side to side like he was about to tell Nox a government secret. "There¡¯s a junkyard nearby, the other side of the Mineshaft ¨C Not easy to reach for scavengers but for you it¡¯s a Cake Walk. Thers- a New disposal tomorrow. 14:00 sharp." Millio clapped his hands together like a deranged salesman¡ªand nearly toppled off the roof. "Be the first one there. Grab the best loot. Take Chet with you¡ªbig guy¡¯s useful when things get heavy. And! Bonus points! Don¡¯t get jumped by scavengers on your way back. Probably. Hopefully. Maybe." Millio suddenly gasped, snapping his fingers. "Wait! Maybe I should come, too! Actually¡ªno, bad idea. Wait¡ªyes, actually, hold on¡ª" Nox cut him off, waving a hand in front of his face. "Dude. Focus. Yes or no?" ¡°Millio grinned wide. Alright, alright, you two got it without me. I¡¯m on a little project at the moment.¡° Nox waved with paw ¡°Alright Millio I gotta go now, got handsome Fox things ahead of me.¡± Millio laughed out loud rolling on his back. ¡°Hahaha before that make you missed out on your beauty sleep again!¡± with a dismissive eye roll Nox turns around and starts waking back toward the Mine The ground beneath Nox¡¯s feet was uneven, a patchwork of reinforced steel plates and old cobblestone peeking through years of neglect. Chapter Five - "Coffee 2 Go" Nox glanced down the narrow alley ahead, adjusting his scarf. ¡° Alright, time to get out of here.¡° He made his way back through the mine, stopping at what seemed like a dead end before knocking on the wall blocking his exit. Nox clears his throat. ¡°hem, ahem! Knock knock¡ªFox Scout Cookies for sale! Now open up before I freeze to death out here!¡± A chuckle echoed from the other side of the boulder. A few seconds later, it shifted, rising just enough for Nox to slip back through the gap. Nox dusted himself off as he emerged from The small crack. ¡°Thanks Mr Horn!¡± Chet¡¯s deep chuckle rumbled beside him. "Took your sweet time. Everything go smooth?" Nox noded "Smooth as butter. I set up a scavenging run at a junkyard nearby. You in?" Chet huffed, arms crossed. "Mhm as long as you¡¯re still good for the ride later, okay?" Nox blinked. "Later?" Chet raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "Don¡¯t play dumb, Nox. The CoreCoaster. You¡¯re coming. Zee will actually kill you if you flake." Nox giggles dismissively raising a paw. ¡°Yeah yeah I know I was kidding of course we are going, these tickets were expensive you know!¡± Chet shook his head, but his expression was more amused than disapproving. "Just don¡¯t make me regret vouching for you. And don¡¯t be late." "Late? Me? Never." Nox clapped a paw to his chest in mock offense. "when have I ever been late? No need to answer that though!." Chet rolled his eyes, stepping past Nox toward the busier streets. "See you at the station, fox." Nox gave him a lazy two-finger salute as he turned on his heel. "Not if I see you first, big guy." He stepped out the alley past a few blocks, slipping seamlessly into a moving crowd. A quick glance at his watch. 5:30. ¡°Still got an hour left. I should pick up zee later I remember... ¡° His ears flicked as he looked around at the bustling streets, considering his next move. ¡°Might as well take the scenic route... and grab a coffee while I¡¯m at it.¡± As he neared a coffee stand, the warm scent of roasted beans filled the air, cutting through the usual metallic stench of Coreline¡¯s streets. Instinctively, his paw went to his pocket. A few loose credits jingled inside. His ear twitched. ¡° Do I even have enough for a coffee? The next ATM is so far away¡­ my favorite coffee shop down here only takes credits no cards¡­¡± This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. He silently laughs "Then again, they only take direct credits for tax evasion¡ªeasier to hide, harder to track. Ha, smart bastards.¡° ¡°I¡¯ll have to get creative here.¡± His sharp eyes scanned the area, already plotting. A small merchant stand caught his attention. Behind the stall, a young otter¡ªbarely two-thirds of Nox¡¯s size¡ªwas struggling to rearrange heavy boxes. His focus was entirely on his work. And right there, on the edge of the counter¡ª A small pile of loose credits. Quick and easy, Nox thought as he drifted closer, blending effortlessly with the crowd. The young merchant grunted as he lifted another particularly heavy box. Nox smirked. ¡°Perfect.¡± With a subtle flick of his boot, he nudged a small rock toward the merchant¡¯s feet. The otter stumbled, his balance thrown off. ¡°Whoa¡ª!¡± His foot slipped, and for a moment, the box wobbled dangerously. Just before he completely fell over, Nox darted forward, catching the box with ease. ¡°Woah, slow down there, gotta watch where we¡¯re stepping, huh?¡± He said smoothly, offering a friendly grin. The otter, visibly shaken, clutched his chest. ¡°T-Thank you, sir! I almost fell!¡± Nox adjusted the box under his arm like it was nothing. ¡° No worries, happens to the best of us. Lucky I was here, huh?¡± The otter nodded quickly, still catching his breath. ¡°That was kind of you! he stammered, clearly grateful.¡± Nox smirked. ¡°Here, let me help with the rest. No sense in you breaking your back over these.¡± The otter beamed. ¡°Really? That¡¯d be amazing! Just those two boxes left, and I¡¯m all set!¡± Nox quickly grabbed the last box, his sharp eyes flicking to the pile of credits on the stall. With smooth, practiced precision, he slid four credits into his palm as he stacked the final box. ¡°Just a little payment for my hard work.¡± As Nox turned to leave, the otter suddenly stepped forward, reaching into his own pocket. ¡°Okay mister Otter, this was the last one now phew. ¡° Nox¡¯s paw brushed over his forehead. ¡°I¡¯m actually kind of in a hurry now, gotta meet a friend very soon and I quickly wanted to grab a coffee on my way !¡± "Wait! Sir!" Nox hesitated, ears perking up as he was about to turn around. The otter held out a few extra credits in his small paws- around five or six. ¡°Let me buy you that coffee! You helped me so much!¡± Nox blinked. For a moment, he just stared at the otter. Something about the sincerity in the otter¡¯s eyes made him hesitate. He gulped slightly. ¡°Very kind of you, but you can keep it. Have a great day.¡± Tilting his head the otter made a confused face. ¡°Really? You sure? It¡¯s just a small thank-you...¡± Nox waved him off, a faint smile tugging at his lips. ¡° Nah, it¡¯s all good... You keep it for yourself. Maybe treat yourself to something nice later.¡± The otter grinned brightly. ¡°Thank you again, mister! Hope you have a wonderful day!¡± As Nox turned away, he could hear the genuine gratitude in the otter¡¯s voice. His tail flicked absentmindedly as he slipped back into the bustling crowd. ¡°Too soft, Nox. Way too soft.¡± Nox stood by the coffee stand, the steam rising from his cup as he took a small sip. The warm bitterness spread through his chest, cutting through the chill of the evening air. He stared down at the coffee, watching the swirls of steam dance in the light. "Four creds¡­" He muttered to himself, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. ¡° Couldn¡¯t he just say thanks and let me go?¡± He leaned against the stand, watching Coreline¡¯s chaotic scenery move around him¡ªconstant, restless, yet predictable. The otter¡¯s stammering gratitude echoed in his mind. The way his eyes lit up when he offered to buy him coffee. For a moment, it had felt... good. Like a small flicker of warmth cutting through the gray monotony of the city. "I mean I sort of took even less than he actually would have given me for saving his ass there." He took another sip, the heat spreading through his chest, and glanced at the passerby¡ª their hurried steps, tired faces, and clutching hands. "But I also kinda got him into it myself...Guess it¡¯s not all about the creds," He murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. Grip tightening slightly around the cup. ¡°Funny you do a small thing, and it comes right back biting you in the ass.¡± His ears flicked as he glanced at the crowd¡ªhurried steps, tired faces, restless hands clutching at their belongings. ¡°In a place like this, one good deed¡¯s gotta count for something... right?¡± He shook his head, straightening up. The moment of introspection faded as quickly as it came. "Alright, enough soul-searching. Gotta get going before Zee gives me an earful." He flicked the empty coffee cup into the bin and melted back into the crowd. His steps quick, deliberate¡ªbut a faint, lingering smile remained on his face.