Once inside, I would loot the treasure without leaving any trace. Although I currently did not possess the device necessary to execute the plan, the possibility existed, and the chances of success were not negligible.
Direct Theft, the second idea, involved robbing people directly. This strategy was much riskier, as it required direct contact and the almost certain possibility of being caught and imprisoned if discovered.
However, if executed with precision and cunning, it could guarantee a quick profit, though accompanied by considerable risks.
Gambling, the third idea, was to earn money through betting at the Golden Casino, a place notoriously run by an S-rank criminal who had struck a deal with the city's protector.
It was said that the protector accepted the agreement to avoid open warfare and the resulting casualties. Gambling was dangerous and unpredictable, but with the Blessed by Fortune trait on my side, the odds would be manipulated in my favor.
However, I considered this choice a last resort, as within the casino, there was no law: it was a place where one could be robbed or even killed with impunity. With my current strength, I would die instantly.
"Although, I had a feeling there was something else..."
Finally, the fourth strategy:
Self-Sufficiency. This strategy was based on the idea of creating a new role for myself, a path that would allow me to earn stat points to distribute to vitality, enabling me to recover my physical state.
If my theory was correct, increasing vitality would also enhance my overall endurance, allowing me to survive longer without eating or drinking, thereby extending my available time.
"Well, I did it!" I exclaimed to myself, satisfied. I had spent the entire afternoon rummaging through trash bins, hoping to find something useful. My perseverance had finally paid off.
Among the papers and broken objects, I found a somewhat battered box with some dirt stains, a clear sign that it had been discarded in a hurry. Curiously, I opened it, and to my great surprise, inside was a high-quality mask, a neatly folded elegant suit, and a cloak that looked almost new.
Whoever had thrown all this away was probably preparing for a masquerade ball or a special event, but for some reason had decided to dispose of it at the last minute.
"Well, as they say: one man's trash is another man's treasure," I murmured with a smile as I carefully examined the mask. It was made of a durable yet lightweight material, decorated with golden details that glimmered slightly under the dim streetlight.
From the pocket of my pants, I took out a black ink pen, an almost rare object in a world where everything was digitalized. Along with the pen, I also pulled out a small rectangular piece of red cardboard, salvaged from another bin.
Despite the advanced technology of this world, I was surprised at how some traditional things, like canvases for paintings, had not been completely replaced by digital versions.
*****
In a crowded neighborhood of the city, there was an impressive yet discreet building, hard to notice if you didn't know where to look.
It was flanked on the right by a gleaming skyscraper and on the left by a small fruit shop, whose sweet aroma blended with the scent of recent rain.
Above the building's entrance, an elegant emblem in the shape of a golden lion was prominently displayed.
This symbol represented the strength and vigilance of the team operating inside: the "Steel Lions."
The team's central base was a mix of modernity and tradition.
On the ground floor, a welcoming reception area with marble walls and wooden floors greeted anyone in need of help.
But this was just a facade. Behind reinforced, guarded doors, the true heart of the Steel Lions came to life:
offices equipped with the most advanced technologies, where interactive holograms, virtual maps, and digital archives allowed the agents to monitor every corner of the city in real-time.