Chapter 27: A Moon He Cannot Touch
The floodlights glared above the field, casting long, spectral shadows as Julian jogged silently around the track. Alone. Focused. Restless.
Every heartbeat echoed with the memory of the vault video. His father's words haunted him—"I failed my final task. That's why I died."
And now… the watch had chosen its next move.
Task #50: Break the Unbreakable Girl
Name: Yara Moon
Time Limit: 48 Hours
Reward: Blueprint Access – HADES Corp Secret Company
Penalty: Emotional Shutdown (10 Days)
Julian stopped, bent over, breathing heavily.
Why her?
---
Yara stood in front of her mirror, brushing her braids. Her room was filled with trophies, incense, and old family photos. Her style was a blend of Afro-Korean grace—long patterned skirts, oversized denim jackets, golden ankle bangles.
There was a knock on her window.
She turned, startled.
Julian was standing outside on the ledge, calm as ever.
She opened it. "Have you lost your mind?"
"I wanted to talk."
"At 1 AM? While hanging on my third-floor ledge?"
"Yes."
She sighed and stepped back.
Inside, the tension was thick. Between them was a kind of gravity—mysterious, dangerous, and undeniable.
"You know," she said, folding her arms, "a lot of girls might fall for you, but I don't trust people with empty eyes."
"And I don't trust people with armor," Julian replied.
"Good," she whispered, "then we're even."
---
The campus was buzzing.
Leaked News: Julian and Chanel Kiss Spotted on Dorm Cam
Girls cried. Rich boys laughed bitterly. Selina threw her iced latte at a wall. Professors whispered.
Chanel? That influencer goddess? Rumored to only kiss billionaires?
Julian sat at a corner table, completely indifferent.
Trent leaned in. "Bro, you're turning into a campus legend and a threat. There's a list of students who've been tasked to humiliate you during today's scavenger hunt."
Julian looked down at his watch.
New Message:
From: The Watch
Add-on Challenge: Steal Yara's Necklace Without Her Knowing.
Bonus: Location Access – The Forbidden Basement.
Penalty: Public Strip in Front of Entire School.
He smiled faintly. "I love how they're escalating."
---
The scavenger hunt was chaos.
Each student had a list, and the tasks ranged from harmless to humiliating. But the prize? A full ride to the international exchange program in Paris.
Julian's enemies had formed teams.
Cole Kingston, leading the Real Estate gang.
Dashir Park, heir to the Korean gaming dynasty.
Leo Voss, robotics genius and rumored drug dealer.
They cornered him near the fountain.
"Come on, poor boy," Cole laughed. "What're you gonna do? Call your fake girlfriend to save you?"
"I don't need saving," Julian replied.
And in a single move, he flipped Leo into the fountain, kicked Dashir's knee, and ducked Cole's punch, leaving him swinging into a wall.
The crowd screamed.
Julian just walked away—stealing a rose from a vendor as he passed, eyes locked on Yara, standing across the courtyard.
---
Julian found her alone, painting quietly. Her long fingers moved with grace, and her lips had that soft curve of someone lost in thought.
"You followed me?" she asked without looking.
"I came to see what someone strong paints when they think no one's watching."
She turned. "You don't know me."
"No, but I want to."
She stared, eyes narrowing.
Julian walked closer. "What's the necklace?"
She touched the small silver pendant around her neck. "It belonged to my sister. She died when I was thirteen."
Julian stopped.
This was not just a task. This was real.
"You're not like them," he said.
"No, I'm worse," she whispered. "Because I don't fall in love."
She turned and walked away.
Julian's hand twitched.
He could take the necklace.
Right now.
But he didn't.
He just stood there—watching her disappear.
---
Trent was panicking. "Dude, the time's running out. If you don't complete the task, you're going to strip in front of the school. The entire school!"
Julian leaned against the wall, silent.
"I can fake a report, break the surveillance, anything," Trent begged. "But you need to do something!"
Julian looked at his watch.
Task Incomplete – 3 Minutes Remaining
Then…
The screen changed.
Override Activated – Compassion Detected
Task Modified: Protect Yara from Emotional Harm
Reward: Access to HADES Blueprint Granted
New Task Pending
Trent's eyes widened. "Did… did the watch just… change its mind?"
Julian turned away. "No. I think… she changed me."
--
Yara stood at the microphone.
"Yesterday, someone tried to steal my necklace. But they didn't."
She looked at Julian in the crowd.
"They let me keep something no one's ever let me have—peace."
Students whispered.
Julian lowered his gaze.
For the first time, he felt like he hadn't won.
But neither had he lost.
---
Watch Log Update:
Task #50: Completed (Altered Path)
Reward: Access to HADES Corp Blueprint
New Task Loading…
Next Target: Selina Veyra – The Broken Billionaire's Daughter
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