JAZZY_SUGAR

In a world where time is the only currency, Kei wakes up trapped in a dystopian city where every second of his life is ticking away. A massive digital countdown looms over the skyline, reminding him of a cruel rule—"Survive to Earn Time."

Every action, every decision, and every fight grants or drains his remaining seconds. If the timer hits zero, he vanishes from existence. But the true horror begins when Kei realizes that the city is controlled by a faceless entity standing atop the highest tower, watching, waiting.

As he struggles to navigate the shifting reality, Kei must uncover the secret behind this Prison of Time before he runs out of it. But can he escape when the very fabric of time is against him?

Time is ticking. Will he break free or be erased forever?

Prison Of Time

Kei floated in a space without direction, without sound… but not without thought. He felt his heartbeat. He felt the weight of the memories that weren't his—and the emptiness where they should've been.

A rhythmic pulse echoed across the whiteness, and with each beat, a crack spread in the void. Like fragile glass, the world around him began to shatter, revealing images.

A scientist—his mouth moving, no sound.

A city in ruins, people running as time looped endlessly in the sky.

A name written on a pod—blurred, scratched.

But Kei could just make out a few letters:

He reached out to touch the glass.

As he did, his fingers phased through… and he was pulled.

Suddenly, he landed hard on solid ground.

The sky above was purple, and mechanical stars rotated in impossible directions. He sat up. This wasn't the prison anymore.

"Welcome to the Pre-Origin Sector," a voice echoed.

Tall. Clean suit. Slicked back silver hair.

But his face was blank. Smooth. Empty.

The Faceless Man.

Kei stood, fists clenched. "Why are you always ahead of me?!"

The Faceless Man's body glitched slightly. Blue digital static danced around him like cold fire.

> "Because you were never supposed to reach this far."

"What am I then? Just a mistake?"

> "Not a mistake..."

The ground rumbled. The Faceless Man stepped aside.

Behind him stood a mirror—massive, futuristic, suspended midair.

Different jacket. Eyes glowing faintly. Lines of tech running under his skin. He looked unstoppable.

The Faceless Man nodded. "A version of you… one that embraced Neuromancer. One that broke time instead of being trapped by it."

The Faceless Man raised his hand, and time around Kei froze. Only his thoughts moved.

> [System Notice: Timeline Branch Detected.]

[Choice: Accept Fragment of Neuromancer (25%)?]

His voice echoed inside his own head.

"This isn't about power anymore. This is about truth."

A surge of cold energy burst through his chest.

> "Kei… your real name is hidden in the void."

CH. 28 ECHOES OF A NAME