Vince's heart pounded as Jack walked away, leaving him restrained and surrounded by armed guards. The system interface glowed dimly before him, and he focused on his newly unlocked abilities: Adrenaline Boost, Tactical Evasion, and Distraction Creation. Each skill shimmered with promise, their descriptions detailing precisely what they were designed for: high-stakes survival and the means to escape in the face of impossible odds.
He didn't have much time—every second Jack was away was a second closer to Sofia and Rosa's lives being at risk. He took a deep breath, steadying himself as his thoughts raced.
"System," he whispered, "activate all emergency abilities."
A surge of energy coursed through his body as the Adrenaline Boost took effect, heightening his senses and accelerating his reflexes to a razor-sharp focus. Vince could feel his muscles tighten, a newfound strength rippling through them. Tactical Evasion flooded his mind with evasive techniques, quick maneuvers, and attack strategies tailored for close combat against skilled fighters. Finally, Distraction Creation offered a variety of options to create confusion and disrupt the guard's attention.
With a fierce determination, Vince burst into action. He yanked his arms free from his captors, adrenaline overriding the initial shock that flashed in their eyes. In a split-second move, he seized a knife from a nearby guard, striking him down in one swift motion. Using Tactical Evasion, Vince sidestepped as another guard lunged toward him, sending the man crashing to the floor. The room erupted in chaos as Vince darted forward, every movement calculated, swift, lethal.
He went straight for the elite soldiers guarding Sofia and Rosa. These were Jack's finest men—battle-hardened, unflinching. But Vince wasn't the man they'd expected; the system's enhancements had transformed him into a formidable opponent. He fought with ruthless efficiency, his moves a blur of precision strikes and strategic dodges.
Thirty minutes of grueling combat passed, each second more intense than the last. Vince's body ached, his breaths coming in sharp gasps, but he'd managed to take down two of the elite guards. Three remained, their expressions darkening as they realized they were dealing with someone far more capable than they'd anticipated.
Vince knew he was pushing his limits, but he also knew he couldn't falter—not with Sofia and Rosa's lives hanging in the balance. He tightened his grip on the knife, preparing himself for the next assault when he heard footsteps echoing down the hall.
The scene shifted, cutting to Jack in a dimly lit room some distance away. He held his phone to his ear, his tone cautious and respectful as he spoke to the figure on the other end. The voice on the line was cold, authoritative, but the words were indistinct, muffled by the static of a secured connection.
"Yes, everything is proceeding as planned," Jack said, a glint of arrogance flashing in his eyes. "The boy is resourceful, but he won't make it out alive."
He listened to the other end, his expression darkening. "Understood. I'll ensure there are no loose ends."
As he ended the call, Jack turned to the shadows. Several figures moved forward—an elite group sent by a mysterious force that operated in the darkest reaches of the underworld. These men were dressed in black, their faces obscured, their presence emanating a lethal, almost supernatural aura.
Jack allowed himself a cold smile, glancing toward the room where Vince was fighting for his life. "Let's see if the boy can handle this." With that, he motioned to the men, sending them toward Vince's location.
Back in the main hall, Vince squared off against the remaining elite guards, his mind and body sharp with the system's enhancements. But even with the power of the system, he could feel the strain. Blood trickled from a cut above his eye, and bruises covered his arms, a testament to the intense battle. Just as he managed to corner another elite guard, the air shifted—new presences entering the room.
From the shadows, Jack's reinforcements appeared, stepping into the dim light one by one. Vince's heart sank as he assessed them. These weren't ordinary soldiers. Their movements were almost too quiet, too precise. He recognized their aura instantly: these were assassins—highly trained and deadly, the kind of men who didn't leave witnesses.
The leader of the group stepped forward, his face obscured but his voice sharp. "Jack sends his regards, Vince. He says it's time for you to see who you're really up against."
Vince clenched his fists, a spark of defiance burning in his gaze. The system's interface flashed once more, offering him a final warning of the overwhelming odds he faced. But he couldn't back down. Not now.
"System," he whispered through clenched teeth. "I need every last ounce of power."
The interface responded with a surge, amplifying his remaining strength and focus. This was it—the final stand against Jack's might. As the assassins closed in, Vince raised his blade, his mind clear, his determination unbreakable.