Chapter Two: Every Relic Bows to Zero

Qiao had intercepted their communications. Han Duo, Obsidian's owner, controlled more than twenty thousand debtors' identities. He made them mint relics, then seized everything through contract clauses. One relic per person, all owned by one man. Shen Que's voice came over the channel. “Target designation Zero. Male, approximately thirty, utility uniform. Capture alive. Amputation of right hand authorized.” Lin and Qiao looked at his hand. “Still going to call that an ordinary ring?” she asked. “I'm going to say this is a bad day for jewelry.” The drones returned. Her Echo Tag spoofed two, but the third acquired them and extended a gun from its belly.