Neo stood quietly in John's small, cluttered living room while he tried to process everything she had told him.
"You said you have a job for me," John said slowly. "But… what kind of job?"
Neo pulled a small device from her bag and placed it on the table.
"Before you can join us, you need to pass a test," she explained.
"A test?" John echoed.
"Yes. A timeline awareness test. It will take about four months of training."
John hesitated, thinking of all the jobs he had applied for—and failed to get. Finally, he nodded.
"Alright," he said.
Four months later, after intense training and several difficult examinations, John finally passed.
Neo met him again at the small house.
"You passed," she said.
John smiled, a mixture of relief and pride.
"So… I got the job?"
Neo nodded.
"Yes."
John scratched his head awkwardly.
"Then… how much does it pay?"
Neo answered calmly.
"Fifty thousand."
John's jaw dropped.
"Wait—what? That much?"
Neo crossed her arms, her gaze firm.
"You're not an ordinary recruit, John. You're special. I'll explain why later."
Her expression darkened slightly.
"But before you start, there are rules."
She looked directly into his eyes.
"Do you have family?"
John shook his head.
"Not really. My parents died years ago. I'm fifteen, and I don't have brothers or sisters."
Neo nodded slowly.
"That actually makes things easier."
John frowned.
"Easier?"
"Yes. Because no one close to you can be used against you."
She paused before continuing.
"You also need to know something important. This job… involves timelines. You might experience strange mental effects, memories that aren't yours, or even meet other versions of yourself."
John froze.
"Other… versions of me?"
Neo nodded, calm but serious.
"That's why we carefully choose people who can handle psychological pressure. And John… based on your history and your mind, we believe you can handle it."
For the first time, John realized that the ordinary life he had known was completely behind him. Every certainty, every plan, every expectation—gone.
He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of what awaited him. A new world, a new mission, and a new version of himself were waiting.