Theo's attention shifted as the door to his hospital room suddenly swung open. He turned towards the sound and saw Rossi enter with his two colleagues, Berta and Jim.
"Theo, I'm glad to see you're awake," Rossi said, relieved to see the man he had assisted was okay. Theo, surprised by their presence, couldn't recall who had brought him to the hospital for medical treatment.
"Do you know how worried we were when we found out you were injured?" Berta expressed.
"We rushed here as soon as we heard you were hurt in the back alley of the club," added Jim.
"You guys brought me here?" Theo asked, his face filled with curiosity.
"Rossi brought you," Berta said, shifting her gaze to the youngest among them.
"When I was about to leave, I accidentally saw you injured in the alley. Panicking, I immediately called the special emergency unit to take you to the hospital. Luckily, you survived," explained Rossi.
"Thank you for helping me. I owe you," Theo said gratefully.
"No, just seeing you alive is enough to put my mind at ease. Don't feel obligated," Rossi reassured.
"You saved my life," Theo acknowledged.
"By the way, what happened? How did you get injured like that?" Jim asked, completely perplexed.
"Exactly. That's what we want to know, too. How did you get hurt there? Was there someone who attacked you?" Berta added. Theo suddenly fell silent, feeling uneasy. He truly didn't know how to answer because involving someone else in his problem would pose a significant risk for them.
"I-I don't know the exact details of what happened. W-when I was trying to get some fresh air, someone suddenly stabbed me. It happened so quickly, and because the alley was dimly lit, I couldn't see the face of the person who stabbed me," Theo explained, making excuses.
"So, you didn't see their faces at all? This will make it even harder for the police to investigate, especially with no CCTV pointing to the location where you were injured," Jim muttered quietly.
"P-police?" Theo's expression changed to shock upon hearing his words. Now, all of his colleagues are involving the police in this matter. While it was understandable to report to the police upon finding someone severely injured and almost fatally stabbed, Theo was shocked because this would add another layer of complications. He still remembered Dante's words before being stabbed. Dante seemed upset because Theo had reported him to the police. Therefore, Theo thought he shouldn't repeat the same mistake this time.
"Yeah, once you were brought here, Rossi went straight to the police station across the street to report everything," Jim said.
"The police have been investigating, and for the time being, the club is closed so as not to disrupt the investigation process. Unfortunately, up to today, they haven't found any clues to solve this issue," Rossi explained. Theo remained silent, realizing he shouldn't feel relieved just because the police didn't find any evidence. Strangely, though, after Rossi's explanation, he did feel a sense of relief. However, Theo remained wary. The fact that the police temporarily closed the club meant that the Bloodhound Cartel knew he was still alive, posing a potential threat to his life.
Damn! I'm too late. In this situation, I might end up trapped in another problem. This could be very bad for me, as they might become more determined to kill me, especially considering my weakened condition. It'll be even easier for them to carry out their task. Theo thought.
"Can you ask the police to stop the investigation?" Theo suddenly spoke, surprising the three of them.
"What? But why?" Jim asked.
"I just feel it's a waste of time to investigate without finding any evidence. So, it's better to ask the police to stop the investigation and close the case. The most important thing right now is that I'm okay and alive. Moreover, if we continue the investigation, I feel bad for our club owners; he is also affected. The club even had to be closed because of this case. Besides, it will likely have a negative impact on his business, as the news may spread, leading to a decrease in club visitors," Theo explained.
Jim, Berta, and Rossi fell silent, acknowledging Theo's words. Upon reflection, they realized there was nothing wrong with what he had said.
"Maybe what you're saying has some truth to it. But aren't you bothered that the person who stabbed you might get away with it?" Jim questioned.
"I don't mind, because the most important thing right now is that I'm still alive. So, let's just stop the investigation." Theo tried to remain calm. The four of them had a brief debate over Theo's request. Those overly concerned about Theo feared that he might face the same danger once the investigation was halted. However, Theo continued to reassure them, convincing them that their fears would never materialize. In the end, the three of them agreed to follow Theo's request and asked the police to stop the investigation.
"We'll let you know once we've withdrawn the report from the police." Berta, Jim, and Rossi then left Theo alone in his room. After they left, he sat there, contemplating what he should do next.
"I'm sure they won't stay idle once they find out I'm still alive. That person will surely look for me and try to kill me again. I can't just sit still. I have to do something to survive and to retaliate! But, with my current condition, I can only hide temporarily and plan my next move."
Theo moved his hand, bringing up the system screen to check something.
Name: Theodoric Nightshade Age: 26 Height: 5.87 ft Weight: 171.96 lb Background: No parents or close relatives. (Has been living as an orphan). Abilities: - Motivation: Living a Better Life Relationship: Last relationship status was dating a woman named Lizzy, but it ended for reasons that cannot be explained. Involved with a mafia group called Bloodhound Cartel, which has attempted to kill him twice on orders from their boss, who is believed to have taken Lizzy. Note: Information will continue to be updated over time!> Theo fell silent as he read the updated information about himself. There's one empty section that captures his attention. "Abilities... it clearly says here that I don't have any abilities. That seems to be what I need. I need abilities so I can face them. The ability to strategize for revenge as well as the ability to defeat them. Then, if I have the abilities, I can not only protect myself, but also reclaim the money they took from me." "In a universe full of mysteries, Training and strength hold the key to hidden revenge. Fill in the blank and enhance your abilities. Until you transform, becoming the strongest in the fight." Category: Sub Difficulty Level: C Completion Requirement: Perform and complete each exercise available to help build and fill in your empty skill set. To fill in the empty section you possess, you must undergo training to master the martial art known as "Eclipsa Mastery." Brief Explanation: "Eclipsa Mastery" is a martial art originating from ancient hidden legacies in mysterious darkness and the wisdom of prehistoric times. Legends tell that this martial art was created by a wise ruler proficient in mystical knowledge. His name was forgotten by history, shrouded in mysterious shadows. "Eclipsa Mastery" combines the essence of various traditional martial arts with magical elements. Practitioners of "Eclipsa Mastery" have the ability to control inner energy, utilizing it to enhance their speed, strength, and agility. Complete the following exercises to master this martial art: 1. Meditate in darkness for 30 minutes 2. Light jogging for 15 minutes 3. Skipping for 15 minutes 4. Dynamic stretching for 15 minutes 5. High-speed punching practice for 30 minutes 6. High kicks practice for 30 minutes 7. Ground wrestling and locking techniques for 45 minutes 8. Drills for throws and reversals for 45 minutes 9. Dark punch drills for 20 minutes 10. Practice position shifting and rapid attacks for 20 minutes 11. Sparring practice for 30 minutes (optional) 12. Upper and lower body strength training for 45 minutes 13. Cardiovascular endurance improvement through intensive exercise for 45 minutes 14. Drills to enhance hand movement flexibility and speed for 20 minutes 15. Wrist and hand speed training for 20 minutes 16. A special meditation to understand and control night energy for 15 minutes 17. Integration of night energy into movements and martial art techniques for 15 minutes 18. Static stretching and relaxation to prevent injuries and muscle recovery for 15 minutes. To facilitate your training, please open the Tutorial tab to see proper exercise techniques based on the provided guidelines! Time Limit: - Reward: Coin rewards will be calculated based on the duration of each exercise you complete. Note: You can complete this quest more than once. So, you can repeat this quest, and the rewards will be calculated based on the specified rules. However, be mindful! To master this martial art, please perform it two to four times a week. This is to maintain your fitness and stability, and remember, it's crucial to allow time for rest and recovery. Choose specific days for rest or light training!> ***