The moment the Level 1 mission flashed on the screen, Kendrick, code name Obscura, barely glanced at the details. A simple flicker of text was all it took for him to press [ACCEPT].
It was muscle memory by now.
Level 1 and 2 missions in The Archive were usually low-risk. Surveillance and information gathering. Basic drills for nulls. Obscura didn’t need to overthink it. With rewards ranging from 50 to 150 null points and some spare cash between $10,000 and $50,000, it was easy work and worth it.
They needed to rack up null points to level up, after all. Grinding Level 1s and 2s was the norm.
On the other end, Eclipse was already changed into her soft cotton pajamas and nestled into bed when she got the notification.
Mission Null44mz accepted by Team Bacon.
Then came the mission description.
Mission: Alias Check
Objective: Confirm if an alias used on a classified forum is tied to a known cybercriminal.
Method: Run reverse image search on avatar, analyze writing style, compare post history with known archives.
Time Required: 8–12 minutes.
She didn’t question it.
No usual grumble. No teasing complaints. Just a subtle nod to herself, fingers already pulling up the Archive tools on her tablet.
It was odd, but Obscura noticed. Eclipse wasn’t usually this quiet.
They worked in perfect sync.
Mission completed.
As if the air between them hummed with some unspoken rhythm, Eclipse immediately accepted another mission.
Mission: Hidden Handle
Objective: Track down alternate usernames of a person across obscure platforms.
Method: Use email handle fragments, profile picture tracing, and stylometry tools.
Time Required: 10 minutes.
Obscura didn’t say a word. He just helped get it done.
Again, mission completed.
He checked the time. Still early.
Why not?
Mission: Courier Map
Objective: Identify drop-off and pick-up points for a known digital dead-drop network.
Method: Cross-check public surveillance maps, GPS coordinates, and timestamps from social posts.
Time Required: 12 to 15 minutes.
Obscura accepted it.
He tilted his head, glancing at Eclipse’s efficiency. She hadn’t said a word. Just focused, steady, efficient.
Was she desperate to level up? Or just in the mood?
He shook the thought away. Who cared? It was working.
Everything was smooth. Too smooth.
Third mission, done.
Then came the fourth. Eclipse got to it first this time, tapping [ACCEPT] without hesitation.
Mission: Search Engine Trap
Objective: Submit specific bait keywords to see who reacts in hacker forums or obscure blogs.
Method: Track responses and document any pings or replies.
Time Required: 10 minutes.
She smirked to herself as she typed.
"Seems I’m too lucky tonight," she murmured.
And just like that, after completing several missions, her profile flashed the updated score. She leaned back against her headboard and watched the points climb—3,050 Null Points.
Obscura’s screen reflected the same.
Another notification popped up.
Level Up Available. Upgrade to Level 2?
Both of them pressed [YES] without hesitation.
Finally.
Their profiles shifted. New badge. New access tier.
And chaos erupted on The Archive homepage.
The home feed was flooded.
Team Bacon (Obscura and Eclipse) completed Level 1 mission.
Team Bacon (Obscura and Eclipse) completed Level 2 mission.
Team Bacon (Obscura and Eclipse) completed Level 1 mission.
Team Bacon (Obscura and Eclipse) completed Level 2 mission.
Back-to-back, minute after minute, the same status flooded the homepage until the last one appeared:
Team Bacon (Obscura and Eclipse) upgraded to Level 2.
Nulls from around the country had their eyes glued to the feed.
NullA37: Woah! Team Bacon is back on track!
N7Kid: Are you seeing this? They didn’t even let us grab a single Level 1 tonight.
VoidVera: This is insane. That efficiency is scary.
ShadowCrypt: I thought they were washed up after the reset. Guess I was wrong.
BlueXeno: The legends are back! Ugh, now I feel bad for laughing when they dropped back to Level 0.
0xMoth: Nah, they probably cheated. Nobody can finish that many missions that fast.
CodePixie: Or maybe they’re just good, Moth. Don’t be bitter.
P1NKP4ND4: I used to mock them. Now I’m just jealous.
But the two at the center of the storm were blissfully unaware.
Obscura leaned back in his chair, stretched, and let out a sigh. "That went well."
Eclipse stared at the ceiling with a tiny grin before turning off her tablet. "Finally, something smooth."
They both, in their separate rooms, called it a night.
---
[172 Days Left to Live]
The sun peeked through the blinds, casting soft golden lines across the kitchen tiles. The smell of scrambled eggs, toasted rye bread, and sautéed vegetables filled the air.
Kendrick stood by the counter, plating the breakfast he had mentally noted the night before. Light, balanced, and nutritious. He added a sliced orange on the side, then poured warm green tea into two mugs.
Zephany stepped into the kitchen in her pale yellow blouse. "M-Morning..."
He turned and smiled gently. "Morning. Slept well?"
She nodded, rubbing her eyes. "Y-Yeah. You?"
"Surprisingly, yeah," he said, placing a plate in front of her. "Here. You need something light and warm. It’ll help you stay focused."
She blinked at the plate. "You really didn’t have to."
"I wanted to," he said.
She bit back a small smile and sat down. "Thanks, Kendrick."
He grabbed a small pink lunchbox from the fridge and handed it to her.
She froze. "W-What’s this?"
"Lunch," he said simply.
Her eyes widened. "You made this too?"
"Just rice balls, grilled salmon, and steamed greens. I thought you’d forget to eat again."
She held the box close to her chest. "I... don’t know what to say."
"A thank you works," he teased.
She giggled. "Thank you. Really."
Minutes later, they headed off to work. Zephany to the newsroom. Kendrick to his art studio.
While walking to her station, Zephany’s phone buzzed.
Reynold: Where are you? Need to see you. Urgent.
She stopped mid-step, her brows pulling together.
Zephany: I’m on my way to work. What happened?
Reynold: I’ll come to your office. Don’t go anywhere.
She read the message twice.
Something felt off.
And for some reason, the strange high from last night began to slip away.