Chapter Three: The Bears Carry My Throne

The old computer went black. A new mint notice appeared. [Date updated. Mint of the day: Luck Coin. Total supply: 100.] [Declared rule: The holder may obtain one guaranteed success.] [Undeclared rule: Success never comes from nothing.] At the same time, the mold-stained wall of the rented room split slowly down the middle. Behind it was not brick, but a long street hung with red lanterns. Its pedestrians had no faces. Its stalls displayed youth, shadows, and names sealed inside glass bottles. A faceless man in a black traditional coat stepped across the threshold and presented Lin with a gold-stamped card. “Bai Qi, broker of the Old Market.” His voice sounded like a thousand sheets of paper rubbing together. “We welcome the seventh Mint Holder.