The job Melton accepted was a job where he was meant to drop a package at a secure location.
The dimly lit alley where the exchange was meant to happen was enveloped in shadows. The only source of light came from the dim glow of neon signs on buildings in the vicinity. Melton quickly and carefully moved while holding the data chip firmly in his hand. While keeping a vigilant lookout, Nexus suddenly felt a wave of uneasiness come over him.
Nexus spoke in his ear. "Surveillance signals detected. We've been compromised."
Melton's grip on the data chip tightened. "Damn. How close?"
"Too close for you to be feeling comfortable right now," Nexus replied.
Melton looked quickly around the dimly lit alley, searching for any potential dangers. As he started to reverse his steps, three silhouettes emerged in front of him, obstructing his way. The smirks on their faces, glowing in the flickering neon lights, caused Melton's stomach to turn.
"Looks like the rat finally crawled into the trap," one of them said, voice dripping with amusement. He was tall and muscular, with short, spiked silver hair and gleaming, amber eyes. Energy crackled between his fingers, betraying his lightning-based powers. This was Bulky Billy, a notorious mercenary known for his brutal efficiency.
Flanking him were two more: Shade, a lithe figure with a predatory grin, her body phasing in and out of visibility as she manipulated shadows, and Brick, a hulking mass of muscle who cracked his knuckles menacingly, his skin gleaming with a hard, stone-like texture.
"You think you can just walk away without us getting our prize?" Shade hissed, her voice like venom. "Poor little Melton."
"You really thought you could slip under the radar? That this job was just another payday?" Bulky Billy mocked, sparks dancing around his hands.
Melton's face became serious as he retrieved a weapon from his belt, getting ready for a confrontation. "I'm unsure of your intentions, but I won't let you leave this situation."
Bulky Billy chuckled. "Bold. But dumb."
Shade vanished in an instant, her body dissipating into shadow, and Brick charged forward like a freight train. Melton sidestepped the hulking brute's initial attack, the ground beneath Brick's feet cracking as his fists collided with the pavement.
Melton called forth an electric surge, directing it through his arms, and directed it at Brick. Electricity crackled through Brick's body, but he hardly reacted as his stone skin absorbed the majority of the shock.
"You will need to improve your performance!" Brick let out a loud cry as he swung his huge fist at Melton's head.
Melton barely ducked in time, the wind from the punch brushing his face. Before he could retaliate, Bulky Billy shot a lightning bolt his way, the energy searing through the air with blinding speed. Melton dodged, but just as he did, Shade appeared from the darkness behind him, slashing at his back with shadowy claws.
He winced as the sharp, cold pain tore through him. He retaliated by kicking backward, sending Shade staggering into the shadows.
"Melton, you are outnumbered and outclassed," taunted Bulky Billy as he fired off another bolt of electricity. "We have been engaging in this game for much more time than you have."
Melton slid backwards, breathing in quick gasps as he barely dodged the lethal attacks. He found himself encircled, wounded, and with limited alternatives. Chunky Billy and Brick moved closer as Shade vanished back into the darkness, ready to attack from behind.
A low growl escaped Melton's lips. "I've faced worse."
He grabbed hold of an exposed wire hanging from the nearby wall, yanking it free and letting the raw electricity surge through his body. In a split second, he missed being an SS-rank and wondered why his ability as an SS-rank didn't manifest in this dimension. His skin crackled with energy as he absorbed the power, redirecting it toward Bulky Billy with a ferocious blast of lightning.
For a moment, it looked like Melton had the upper hand. Bulky Billy screamed as the electricity coursed through him, dropping to his knees. Melton gritted his teeth and pressed harder, but Shade appeared again, this time slashing at his arm, breaking his concentration.
"Is that all you've got?" Shade whispered in his ear before disappearing again.
Melton stumbled, and Brick took advantage of the distraction. His massive fist slammed into Melton's chest, sending him flying backward into a pile of debris. Melton groaned, his vision blurring as he tried to recover.
Bulky Billy, recovering from the lightning blast, staggered to his feet, grinning maniacally. "You really thought you could win? This was over before it even began!"
Melton's chest heaved, struggling to pull in air. Blood trickled down his face, his vision swimming with exhaustion and pain. The mercenaries closed in on him, their laughter echoing through the alley.
"You're just another small-time player in a big game, Melton," Bulky Billy sneered, charging up another lightning bolt.
At that moment, Nexus chimed "Host life under threat." Then almost immediately a holographic window popped up.
*NEW MISSION: ELIMINATE POTENTIAL THREAT*
*REWARD: ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND CREDITS*
"Now's not the time Nexus, but I'll take the credit, I'll need cash to deal with hospital bills after this" Melton said before getting up.
"Who the hell are you talking to?" Bully Bill asked in rage as he charged towards Melton with the lightning bolt.
However, when Bulky Billy lifted his hand to complete the task, Melton's gaze became more focused. He squeezed his hands tightly, directing the remaining energy into his physical form. He jumped up quickly, seizing Brick by the throat and turning him around, using his large body as a shield. Brick was struck by the lightning bolt instead, causing a shockwave to ripple through the alley.
"ARGH!" Brick screamed as the electricity ravaged his body, bringing him to his knees.
Seizing the opportunity, Melton tossed the weakened Brick aside and surged forward, throwing his remaining power into a punch that connected with Bulky Billy's chest. The lightning mercenary's eyes widened in shock as Melton's fist drove the air from his lungs, sending him crumpling to the ground.
Shade materialized out of the shadows behind Melton, slashing her claws toward his back again. But Melton, anticipating her move, ducked and swung his arm upward, grabbing her by the wrist and throwing her into the ground.
Panting heavily, Melton stood over them, barely able to keep himself upright. His entire body ached, and his powers were almost drained.
Bulky Billy wheezed, coughing up blood. "How… how did you…?"
Melton spat blood onto the ground and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "I may be small-time in the whole mercenary business with DWZ, but I don't play by your rules."
Bulky Billy's eyes flickered with anger before rolling back into his head as he passed out. Brick was still twitching from the electric shock, and Shade was unconscious, lying crumpled in the debris.