Lacosta

In a world where time is a weapon and the System governs all, Lin Wei is just another name on a list—until the day he awakens an ability that shouldn't exist. With enforcers hunting him and the city’s underbelly teeming with secrets, his only chance at survival is mastering his newfound power: Time Manipulation.  

But bending time comes at a cost. Each use brings him closer to unraveling not just the System’s grip on reality, but his own past—one erased, rewritten, and buried beneath layers of deception. As he pieces together the truth, Lin Wei is thrust into a war between those who seek to control time and those who dare to break free from it.  

With every second stolen, the lines between fate and free will blur. The deeper he dives, the more dangerous the choices become. Will he dismantle the System, reshape history, or lose himself in the fractures of time itself?  

Because not all timelines are meant to be saved—and some should never exist at all.

Fractured Eternity

Lin Wei's eyes snapped open to the harsh glare of white light and the acrid taste of disinfectant in his mouth. A dull, pulsing pain radiated through his body—a brutal reminder of the chase and the violent backlash of his Time Manipulation. He was confined in a stark cell, its reinforced walls and cold metal surfaces a far cry from the chaotic, rain-soaked streets he'd just escaped.

[System Alert: Neural Overload Stabilizing… 82% Complete.]

Fragments of the recent past surged back—the relentless enforcers, the desperate sprint through District 7, the surge of power that bent time, and the searing pain when it snapped back. Now, in this sterile containment chamber, the System's control loomed large, suffocating.

A digital overlay flickered before his eyes:

[Quest Alert: Escape Confinement – Time Limit: 00:15:00]

Fifteen minutes. Every passing second was a countdown to an uncertain fate.

Lin Wei flexed his fingers against the cold metal restraints. The bitter truth sank in: his abilities were locked down here, neutralized by the System. The weight of his lost power pressed on him.

[Time Manipulation Lv.1: Overloaded – Recharge in 02:34]

Two minutes and thirty-four seconds. Time that could be the difference between freedom and oblivion.

Scanning his surroundings, his eyes took in the minimalist room—no windows, no vents, only a single sealed door. Then, almost imperceptibly, a seam along the wall caught his attention. A maintenance panel, perhaps?

[Scanning Environment… Hidden Access Point Detected.]

Dropping to his knees, Lin Wei traced his calloused fingers along the seam until he found a concealed latch. With a quiet click, the panel shifted, revealing a tangle of exposed wiring and dimly glowing circuits. A spark of hope ignited within him.

Without proper tools, he improvised—using his fingernails to strip a wire and bridging it with another. A brief spark danced along the circuit, and the steady hum of the security system wavered.

Almost there. But then, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the corridor, shattering his focus.

Lin Wei's heart sank. Someone was coming.

[Time Manipulation Lv.1: Ready for Use.]

A wry, defiant grin spread across his face despite the peril. This was his moment—a chance to reclaim control over his destiny. If he could trigger his power even for a few precious seconds, he might slip past his captors and shatter the System's grip.

As the footsteps drew nearer, Lin Wei steeled himself. No longer a pawn to be controlled, tonight he would wrest back his freedom, challenge the System, and break the chains that bound him.

He closed his eyes for a heartbeat, summoning that familiar surge of energy buried deep within him. The countdown continued its relentless march—a stark reminder of the stakes. Then, with a silent exhalation and unwavering resolve, Lin Wei prepared to seize his fate.

Breaking free