Zeke: "Bitty, we need to get rid of this murder blade. I don't want cultists following me around like lost puppies."
Bitty: "Recommended action: Pawn it anonymously. Avoid biometric scans."
Zeke: "Pawnshop it is."
...
Zeke found a very shady-looking pawnshop tucked between two noodle stands.
The neon sign flickered:
"Honest Abe's Honest Goods – No Questions Asked."
Zeke: "I feel extremely confident about this."
...
Inside, a huge man with a mechanical jaw and a bad attitude looked up.
Pawnshop Guy: "You buyin' or sellin'?"
Zeke: "Selling!"
He dramatically slapped the Blood Needle dagger on the counter.
The man's eyes widened.
Pawnshop Guy: (whispering) "The Blade of Liberation..."
Zeke: "The blade of what-now?"
Pawnshop Guy: "You... you're him."
Zeke: "I'm definitely not him."
Pawnshop Guy: "The Chosen One! The Resistance has awaited you!"
...
Before Zeke could explain he was just a guy who needed to pee, a hidden panel in the floor slid open.
Out popped a dozen grim-looking people wearing mismatched armor and old tech gear.
Resistance Leader: "Brothers and sisters! Our savior has come!"
Zeke: "No no no— I'm just here to pawn a knife!"
Resistance Leader: "Exactly. Only the true Chosen would seek to sell the Blade, a symbol of rejecting worldly wealth."
Zeke: "Wait, that makes sense in a weird, terrifying way."
Bitty: "You are now officially recognized as the leader of the Neon Underground Resistance."
Zeke: "HOW IS THIS MY LIFE?"
...
The Resistance hustled Zeke through secret corridors, past old holo-posters and abandoned VR booths.
Resistance Leader: "The Corporates have oppressed us for too long. You, Great Bladebearer, shall lead us to victory!"
Zeke: "Uh, could we, like, not?"
Resistance Leader: "First, a speech! Rally the people!"
Zeke: "Noooo—"
Someone handed him a loudspeaker.
Zeke: (sighing)
"Hello citizens! Uhm... Rise up? Respectfully? Maybe after a snack break?"
The crowd erupted into wild cheers.
Resistance: "THE BLADEBEARER SPEAKS! LONG LIVE THE REVOLUTION!"
Bitty: "Congratulations, Zeke. You have sparked an uprising."
Zeke: "I just wanted to sell a knife."
...
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city...
Corporate Executive #1: "Sir, the Underground is mobilizing."
Corporate Executive #2: "Who's leading them?"
Corporate Executive #1: (grimly)
"A hacker known only as the 'Neon Ghost.'"
Corporate Executive #2: "Deploy everything. We end him tonight."