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GILDED RONIN

THE UNBOUGHT STEP

Hired to recover a stolen token, Malik Vance discovers that his contract would expose a courier and the people she helps. To choose his own terms, the Gilded Ronin must outwit a fighter who can read his rhythm—and accept a price no contract can pay.

By Hubert Bradley · Action · 10 story pages · 13 total pages including covers and credits

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Malik Vance, the Gilded Ronin, faces the price of choosing his own terms. — Front cover

Created, Written, Illustrated, Colored, Lettered, Designed, and Edited by Hubert Bradley. Digital edition. Read left to right. — Credits

Garam Ward after midnight. A contract buys a task, not the man. Malik watches a courier below. — Story page 1 of 10

Malik follows a contract to recover a token. Imani carries medical supplies and challenges him to read the small print. — Story page 2 of 10

The Bailiff demands the token. It tracks every door Imani visits. Malik steps between them. — Story page 3 of 10

A rhythm scanner predicts Malik’s movement. The Bailiff clips his coat. Malik changes the measure. — Story page 4 of 10

Malik asks Imani to leave the token. He chooses to take the risk, and she chooses to help with a speaker cart. — Story page 5 of 10

Silent sequence: Imani moves the speaker cart, Malik stands still, and the scanner follows displaced sound. — Story page 6 of 10

Malik breaks the prediction with a pivot and sweep, redirecting the scanner into the ground. — Story page 7 of 10

The token offers a choice. Malik registers his own mask signature to free Imani from tracking, sacrificing his anonymity. — Story page 8 of 10

The payment is lost. Malik and Imani exchange names and a handshake; the Bailiff withdraws. — Story page 9 of 10

Malik strides toward dawn with a torn coat, while Imani reaches the clinic. A new contract targets his mask. — Story page 10 of 10

A contract can name a price. It cannot choose your next step. — Back cover