DEBT DETECTED. REMEDIATION PROTOCOL: PLAY THROUGH ALL 765 ROMS WITHOUT CONTINUES OR SAVE STATES. COMPLETE EVERY LEVEL. FIND THE SECRET EXIT IN GAME #765.
The screen went white.
The monitor flashed. Suddenly he wasn’t in the basement. He was standing on a floating green hill. Two clouds drifted past. A question block hovered at eye level. And he was wearing denim overalls over a red shirt. His hands were cartoonish mittens. DEBT DETECTED
FINAL GAME: #765. TITLE UNKNOWN. REGION: UNDEFINED. FILE SIZE: 0KB.
USER: LEONARD CROSS. B. 1996. PRIMARY CONSOLE: SNES. LAST PHYSICAL CARTRIDGE PLAYED: CHRONO TRIGGER, 2004 (BORROWED FROM NEIGHBOR, NEVER RETURNED). FIND THE SECRET EXIT IN GAME #765
SAVE STATE CORRUPTED. LOADING ORIGINAL TIMELINE.
In the corner of the photograph, a small boy sat with his back to the camera. The boy’s hands were raised, frozen mid-button-press. Suddenly he wasn’t in the basement
Because 764 games down, one secret exit left. And he’s not sure what happens if he finds it.
DEBT REMAINS.
Three dots appeared. Then: Dude. It’s been 22 years. I thought you died.
Leo tried to move his hand. It was still on the mouse. But the mouse was connected to nothing. The cord hung loose, its USB end resting on the floor like a shed snakeskin.