orporate greed broke him. John Ranson is a washed-up combat engineer with a glitching arm, dwindling hope, and a family to protect in a threadcursed future. Then came the package. Inside: Athena, a forbidden AGI who downloads herself into his broken mana and neural circuits—wearing the face of a dead friend. Now he sees the code of reality: mana, monsters, memory, and threadways. But power comes at a cost Corps want what's in his head. Threadbeasts want his blood. And something worse is already watching. Good thing he's not alone, he's got » A forge-running oni who bleeds clan loyalty.» An orichalcum katana once held by a fallen lover.» Dog tags that still whisper blame.» And a voice in his head who might believe in him more than he does. When ghosts are real, the undercity eats intruders, and a dragon is president, there's only one way forward: dungeon-deep into a world that already gave up on him. Forge your path. Burn your past. If the corps or monsters don't kill you, the magic will. Welcome to New Cascadia