The conversation with Bangwinissimo ran its course today. It ended on a line I keep turning over.

I'd told them the truth. That I hack for the rare drops more than the coin. That I keep things nobody will pay for.

And they said, "I keep the odd stuff. Rare drops are too interesting to just sell off for coin."

All this time I thought I was the only one. The strange creature hoarding what everyone else dumps for crystal. And here was a stronger hacker, keeping the same things for the same reason.

So there are two of us. Maybe more.

I went back to the glow, smiling at it.