The recruiter's note is an invitation and a question. It smells like ink and danger. Midnight meets me under a broken archway where the moon looks like a slit.
He is not alone. Two figures shadow him, one with a Familia pin I do not recognize. He speaks quickly.
"You pulled a guide in public," he says. "That kind of thing draws eyes. Freya would like to have you. Hermes would like to negotiate. Ares would like to buy or conscript. We bring you options."
I fold my arms. "Sell it, recruit it, or stamp it with a Familia seal," I say. "Which is the market price?"
He smiles. "Market is not the term. Value depends on use. Freya would give protection and a slow path to rank. Hermes will give trade and information. Ares will give combat and immediate placement. Smaller Familias will pay for access and anonymity."
My guide floats and hums, its charged charm ticking like a heart. It says softly, "I prefer staying with you."
I surprise myself by saying, "I will not sell it."
The recruiter blinks, then nods. "You are naive or brave. There is a difference and both are useful. If you keep it, consider a contract. A binding contract will put you on Familia ledgers, for better or worse."
He hands me a small card with a stamp. "Think about Hermes if you value coin and information. Think about Freya if you value people. Think about Ares if you want to be placed and used."
He folds back into the crowd. The city never sleeps, but it does bargain. I walk back to Oren and he takes one look and says, "Hermes will make you rich. Freya will make you respected. Ares will make you feared. Me, I will make you survive."
I look at my guide, which now watches streets like an extra sense. The charm keeps it from blinking out. For the first time, I feel visible in ways I did not choose.
Cliffhanger: The system pings with a notice I did not expect, and my stomach sinks when I read it, "High tier Familia interest detected, personal notice has been logged."