The clamor of steel echoed through the darkened street, the thugs surrounding Vince with murderous intent. Armed with katanas, knives, and other weapons, they lunged at him like a tidal wave, their sheer numbers meant to overwhelm. But Vince was no ordinary man anymore.
His movements were a blur of speed and precision. Each strike he delivered was calculated, each dodge effortless. His Grandmaster proficiency shone as he dismantled opponents one after another, turning their attacks against them with the elegance of a predator.
A thug swung a katana aimed at Vince's chest, but he sidestepped, grabbing the man's wrist and disarming him in one fluid motion. With a swift kick, the thug was sent flying into three others, their weapons clattering to the ground. Vince grabbed another attacker's knife mid-swing, twisting it away before delivering a devastating counterstrike.
For every weapon that came his way, Vince had an answer. Within minutes, the street was littered with groaning bodies and broken weapons. The remaining thugs hesitated, their confidence shattered.
The Encounter with Miller
As the last thug fell, Vince's gaze snapped to Miller. Unlike the others, Miller hadn't moved an inch, watching the carnage with an unsettling calm. His smirk never wavered as he stepped forward, clapping slowly.
"Impressive, Barone," Miller said, his voice dripping with mockery. "You've certainly lived up to the stories. But…" His eyes narrowed, and the smirk turned predatory. "You're not the only one who's grown stronger."
Vince's brow furrowed. Something about Miller felt… wrong. His aura was suffocating, a sharp contrast to the cocky thug Vince had known before. As Miller removed his coat and rolled up his sleeves, Vince's stomach dropped. The man was younger than he'd expected—only a year older than himself—but the power radiating from him was undeniable.
Their clash began with a ferocity Vince hadn't anticipated. Miller's speed rivaled his own, and his strength sent shockwaves through Vince's arms with every block. For every move Vince made, Miller countered with equal precision, forcing Vince on the defensive.
It wasn't long before Vince realized the truth: Miller was more powerful than Jack—the strongest foe Vince had faced until now. Worse, he might even be capable of defeating Vince.
The System Awakens
As this realization settled in, Vince's system window flickered into view.
[System Alert!]
Enemy's combat proficiency surpasses user's in raw strength. Tactical advantages recommended.
A sly grin crossed Vince's lips. "Guess it's time to stop holding back."
Unleashing the Skills
With a deep breath, Vince activated Adrenaline Boost, his body surging with newfound energy. His movements grew faster, his strikes heavier. He followed with Tactical Evasion, weaving around Miller's attacks like water, exploiting the smallest openings to land precise hits.
The battle became a blur of speed and skill, both combatants pushing each other to their limits. Vince's Cyber Warfare skill played its role, analyzing Miller's patterns, predicting his movements, and feeding Vince critical information in real time.
After what felt like an eternity, Vince found his opening. A perfectly timed feint left Miller vulnerable, and Vince capitalized, delivering a devastating blow that sent Miller sprawling to the ground.
The Choice of Authority
As Miller groaned, clutching his side, Vince stepped forward, standing over him. Before he could deliver the finishing strike, the system window appeared again.
[New Authority Unlocked!]
Authority Name: Subjugation
Description: You have unlocked the ability to convince formidable enemies to join your gang or organization, provided they meet the system's criteria.
Vince's eyes widened as the words sank in. He crouched beside Miller, his voice cold but commanding.
"You've lost," Vince said. "But you don't have to die here. Join me. Together, we can achieve more than what you're clinging to."
Miller's eyes darted to the side, his pride warring with the rationality of Vince's words.
The Mysterious Man
From his vantage point on the rooftop, the Mysterious Man watched the scene unfold. Disappointment flickered in his eyes as Vince extended his hand to Miller.
"So, this is the path you've chosen," he muttered under his breath. With a swirl of his cloak, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving only an air of disdain behind.
Scene Change: The Noctis Covenant
In a massive, ominous building illuminated only by dim, flickering lights, the Noctis Covenant gathered. The atmosphere was heavy, the room filled with shadowy figures seated around a long table.
At the head sat the founder, his presence dominating the room.
One of the members spoke, his voice laced with urgency. "Miller hasn't reported back. There are whispers of a man—one with a growing reputation—who could be responsible."
The founder's fingers tapped the table rhythmically, his expression unreadable. "Barone," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "He's interfering with our plans."
Another member leaned forward. "What are your orders, sir?"
The founder's eyes glinted with malice. "We will let him grow… for now. But when the time comes, he will understand what it means to challenge the Noctis Covenant."
The room fell silent, the weight of the founder's words settling over them like a storm cloud.