Back in his apartment, he ripped off his VR headset, sweating. On the monitor, the rFactor 2 results screen showed his name in gold. Then the screen glitched. The HOODLUM logo reformed, but now it read:

> YOU LEFT THE LINE AT ASCARI. DON’T DO THAT AGAIN.

Leo froze. He looked at the session info: PRACTICE – 0 OTHER DRIVERS.

> LEO. YOU WANT TO WIN THE PROLOGUE QUALIFIER TOMORROW. USE US.

Outside his window, a black Formula Pro–style silhouette idled in the alley, engine silent, cockpit dark—and waiting. In the world of cracks, you don’t steal the game. The game steals you.

Leo ignored it. He loaded Monza. Practice session.

> HOODLUM IS MANY. WE WERE BANNED. DELETED. WE LIVE IN CRACKS NOW. LET US DRIVE. YOU JUST HOLD THE WHEEL.