Arthur was a mid-tier lifestyle influencer whose engagement had been flatlining for months. He told himself it was "social proofing," a necessary kickstart for his personal brand. He clicked Confirm .
The screen glowed with a sickly blue light as Arthur hovered over the button. It felt less like a transaction and more like a pact. for half a million souls—or at least, the digital ghosts of them.
The change was instantaneous. Every few seconds, his notifications vibrated like a dying insect. His follower count, once a hard-earned 12,000, began to spin like a malfunctioning speedometer. 20k. 100k. 350k. By sunrise, he hit the half-million mark.
But the morning light brought a cold reality. His latest post—a carefully curated photo of a latte—had 512,000 followers and exactly 14 likes. The ratio was a neon sign screaming "fraud."
