Chapter One: The Last Shot Before the Window Closed

“Twenty.” Gu's expression did not change. “But for those twenty, I still know where the goal is.” At 11:56, Shen pushed over a minimum-wage contract. As Gu took the pen, a line of dark gold flashed across Shen's vision. Words visible to him alone hovered behind the veteran's shoulder. [Lost Legend detected: Gu Chenzhou.] [Career apex: senior international competition, age twenty-seven.] [Establish an Echo Bond?] Shen shut his eyes. The words remained when he opened them. Three minutes and seventeen seconds remained on the clock. “Something wrong?” Gu asked. “No.” In his mind, Shen answered: Yes. The golden letters burst like sparks.