"You there," another receptionist said again, expression unreadable. "Come with me."
Jimmy, confused but curious, followed him through a narrow hallway that led to a security-locked door. The corridor was quieter here—no crowd noise, no shouts. Just distant hums and the soft buzz of fluorescent lights.
Luna stirred slightly on his shoulder, her eyes alert and her ears twitching. Jimmy could feel her pulse through their bond—steady, curious… excited?
They passed a check-in desk, and a second receptionist, dressed in a more formal uniform, looked up. He gave Jimmy a sideways glance, then asked gruffly, "Do you know what you just did back there? Just sit comfortably. No need to tense, I will explain something."
Jimmy slowly shook his head.
The man leaned back in his chair, folded his arms, and studied him. "We run two lotteries during the K-liken Dawn Mirage. The public one—the long line you were in—and a hidden one. Reserved. Quiet. Not advertised. The only way in…"
He paused, his voice lowering slightly.
"…is to notice the signs."
Jimmy blinked, surprised.
The receptionist continued. "Every year, we plant a small clue—usually subtle. This time it was the footwear worn by our internal staff. You noticed that and tried to use your own… That wasn't a mistake. It was intuition. A test of awareness. now this hidden thing is ended."
"But," he added with a sly smirk, "we have to confirm it's not just luck. That's why he yelled at you. We wanted to see if you'd break. People who panic, who argue, or lie—they don't get in. But you didn't complain. You just took it and walked away, or, they know it from before."
Jimmy glanced down at Luna. She flicked her tail proudly without understanding anything.
The man waved his hand, opening a hidden door. Inside was a cosy, softly lit room with six others already seated. The atmosphere was calm, almost serene. Everyone here wore a silver badge marked with a spiralling rune—a clear symbol that this wasn't the standard lottery.
"Welcome to the Hidden Draw," the receptionist said. "Better chances. Rarer prizes. And if your luck's good… maybe even life-changing ones."
He handed Jimmy a form to fill out: name, public registry ID. Once done, Jimmy sat down beside Luna. His fingers trembled slightly—not from fear, but anticipation.
After a few minutes, a woman entered the room—tall, elegant, with sleek gloves and a violet brooch shaped like a six-pointed star. She wheeled in a machine that looked both ancient and futuristic—a gleaming, hexagonal lottery engine, shaped like a prism with glowing etchings across its surface.
Beside her hovered a floating holo-board, displaying the potential high-tier rewards:
Thunder-Type Whisp Material Pack
Rare Bird-Type Whisp (undisclosed species)
All-Inclusive Tour to Mai-Tong (Luxury Rank)
1-Year Free Living Grant (Unlimited Credits)
Rock & Roll Auction House Platinum Entry Ticket
Mystery Capsule – "What You Need Most"
She noticed Jimmy reading the list with awe and added warmly, "Don't worry, there are smaller prizes too—support packs, Whisp potions, even rare gear modules."
Then she turned to face him. "You'll only get one spin. The dice chooses. Call your luck."
Jimmy hesitated, then whispered a silent thought to Luna: Number 4.
The woman smiled and pressed a button. The hexagonal prism's top split open, releasing a gleaming white dice into the air. It floated, shimmered with silver light, spun like a top… and then tumbled.
Everyone watched in silence as the dice bounced twice… and landed on a bold, glowing number 4.
There was a beat of stunned silence.
Then the room erupted in soft applause.
Jimmy's jaw hung slightly open. His hands trembled again—but this time in disbelief.
The woman stepped forward with a gracious nod. "Congratulations. You've just won one year of unlimited support credits. Housing, food, material, even premium Whisp gear—everything fully covered. You can use it also in international."
Jimmy stared at her. One whole year. No more struggling with T-Coins. No more rationing food, counting days, or choosing between Whisp medicine and his own dinner.
Luna squealed happily, jumping up on his shoulder and spinning. "We're rich! I want snacks!"
Jimmy laughed silently, covering his mouth as he sat down again, overwhelmed.
After a few minutes, the woman returned—this time carrying a sleek black box.
"Wait," she said. "There's more. You got the Hidden Draw. That earns you a double-pull bonus."
She opened the box and revealed two thin bonus lottery strips, each marked with a golden seal. "Only two," she said. "Choose wisely."
Jimmy reached out slowly, drawing one ticket, then another.
A soft light shimmered as each unrolled.
First Bonus Ticket:
🏷️ One Month Supply – 10 Custom B-Level Whisp Potions (Type Selectable)
Second Bonus Ticket:
🏷️ Latest Gen Whisp Incubator – Auto Sync & Hatch Optimizer Installed
Jimmy stared at the slips, heart pounding. These weren't just tools. These were game-changers. Luna sniffed the potion ticket and gasped.
She flapped excitedly and thudded against Jimmy's face.
Jimmy could only nod, breathless.
From near-total failure… to the biggest break of his life.
And yet… he had a feeling this was only the beginning.
But he did not know a string is already twisted from the moment he met her.
..................................................
As the final confirmation screen blinked green, Jimmy looked up from the terminal and raised his notepad.
"I don't have to pay anything… right?"
The woman blinked, then laughed lightly. The older receptionist chuckled beside her, shaking his head.
"No charge. You're not a customer today," the woman said with a warm smirk. "You're a winner."
Jimmy let out a small breath of relief, but before he could turn to leave, the woman held up a hand. Her tone shifted—softer, but more serious.
"Wait. One last thing."
She stepped over to a digital console, inserted a shimmering staff-like key, and accessed Jimmy's lottery data profile. His profile sheet appeared: reward list, draw history.
Then—with a single gesture—she burned it all.
A blue flame flared across the display. His information evaporated into digital smoke, disintegrating until nothing remained but a small encrypted symbol in the corner.
Jimmy stepped forward in alarm. What just happened?
The woman turned to him, her violet brooch glinting as she walked back.
"No need to panic," she said, holding up a palm. "Your data isn't deleted. It's simply rerouted—into a private channel, one we use only for Hidden Draw winners. Your identity is already verified and linked with the k-liken company's core registry. We've also connected it directly to your bank account."
She leaned in slightly, voice quiet but firm. "That means no one will know you ever won. There won't be any announcements. No spotlight. And most importantly…"
She looked toward Luna, who peeked out curiously.
"…no attention."
Jimmy tilted his head slightly, signalling uncertainty.
The woman smiled gently. "You passed the test, Jimmy. But now, you need to stay wise. Don't brag. Don't flash. This reward is clean, legal, and fully yours—but secrecy is what protects it."
Jimmy nodded slowly, understanding more than words could express. He had no desire for fame. Just safety… and a chance.
A moment later, a soft chime sounded near the exit. The mechanical doors opened, and sunlight poured through them, lighting the otherwise dim hallway in a golden hue. Morning in Kliken city was still fresh—shimmering with city steam, life, and distant whistles.
Jimmy stood still for a moment, bathed in light, with Luna blinking beside him.
The woman walked him out through a private entrance, her coat flowing in the wind.
When they reached the end of the walkway, Jimmy paused, turned back to her, and lifted his hand in a soft but grateful wave—a warm sign of goodbye.
But before he left, he signed one final question with a hint of anxiety:
"Are you sure it's safe?"
The woman chuckled. "Go to the bank. Check for yourself. You'll see."
Her expression softened. "And next time you have a hunch—follow it again."
Jimmy gave her a polite nod, then turned toward the main street. The golden light of morning felt warmer than usual.
Clutching the sleek black voucher envelope under his coat, he made his way through the quieter alleys. When he reached the main plaza near K-liken City's front gates, he saw the regular bus rolling to a stop.
A few people boarded with sleepy eyes, gossiping about yesterday's lottery, oblivious to the fact that someone they knew had just walked out with enough resources to change his life.
Jimmy smiled quietly and waited at the bus stop bench, Luna curling up on his shoulder once more.
She whispered in his mind, "Food. Bank. Then nap. In that order."
He grinned silently and nodded.
Today… the future had changed.