Ethan stared at the screen, blinking in refusal. After the chaos of the last few days, he was finally getting a mission from the System of Success. A smooth interface glowed in front of him, and a message popped up.
*"Welcome, Ethan. Your first mission awaits."*
He rubbed his eyes, thinking he might be dreaming.
*"Mission: Rescue the kidnapped daughter of a famous MNC owner from the famous mafia don, Viktor Rizzo. Time is of the essence."*
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Kidnapping? Seriously? Couldn't I just get a mission to find lost cats or something?"
The System continued, ignoring his convey.
*"Reward: $100 million and the permanent title of 'Greatest Detective.'"*
"Okay, that's more like it," Ethan muttered, his interest piqued. A hundred million? He could finally afford to upgrade his sad little apartment. Maybe even get a couch that didn't look like it belonged in a providence store.
*"Activating your title: Greatest Detective."*
Ethan felt a jolt of energy. "Great! Now I'll be like Sherlock Holmes but without the weird hat," he said to himself, in laughter
*"The title grants you unparalleled skills in taking away and investigation. Use them wisely."*
"Right, because nothing says 'wise' like jumping headfirst into a mafia war," Ethan replied, shaking his head. He quickly pushed his doubts aside. Time to save the girl.
He opened his laptop and began digging into Viktor Rizzo. Hours flew by as he poured over articles and police reports. Rizzo was infamous, a criminal mastermind known for his ruthlessness. Ethan laughed quietly at the thought. "Ruthless, huh? Maybe he just needs a hug."
Eventually, he compiled a file on Rizzo. He noted down locations, associates, and even the don's favorite pizza place. "What? Everyone has to eat," he said, feeling proud of his thoroughness.
As night fell, he knew he had to move. The nightclub was his first stop—Rizzo's known hangout. He couldn't resist the chance to see what a mafia hotspot looked like.
When he arrived, the music thumped loudly, and the lights flashed in a dizzying display. Ethan stepped inside, adjusting to the chaos. "I hope they serve water. I need to stay hydrated while I save the world," he muttered, eyeing the bar.
Ethan scanned the room, spotting a group of tough-looking guys in the corner, laughing and shouting. "Okay, time to eavesdrop like a pro," he whispered to himself.
Ethan inched closer, straining to hear snippets of their conversation. "...at the warehouse. Rizzo wants her secure," one thug said, the words like a siren song.
Ethan's heart raced. He had a location! "Oh yeah, let's go rescue a damsel in distress like a true hero," he said, trying to keep his cool.
But just as he was about to leave, a large hand landed on his shoulder. He turned to see a burly man glaring at him.
"Where do you think you're going?" the thug growled, arms crossed.
Ethan gulped. "Uh, just, you know, soaking in the atmosphere? This place really knows how to throw a party."
The thug blink clearly unimpressed. "You're not here to cause trouble?"
"Me? No way! I'm just a regular guy looking for a good time," Ethan said, backing away slowly. "Like a dad at a wedding!"
After a tense moment, the thug shrugged and let him go. "Just don't mess around."
Ethan ran for the exit, muttering, "Next time, I'll bring a disguise. Maybe a clown wig."
He drove to the warehouse, mentally preparing himself. "Okay, Ethan, you've got this. Just like in the movies—except there's no dramatic music, and I definitely don't have a cool sidekick."
Arriving at the warehouse, he took a deep breath, bracing himself. The place loomed ominously in the dark, but he was determined. He pushed the door open and stepped inside, the atmosphere thick with tension.
"Time to play detective," he whispered, channeling his inner Holmes—minus the questionable fashion sense.
Ethan crept through the dimly lit space, listening for any signs of life. A faint voice caught his attention. He peeked around a corner and spotted a door slightly ajar, with light spilling into the hallway. The voice was unmistakable.
"Let me go!" a girl shouted, her tone filled with fear.
Ethan's heart raced. "Bingo," he whispered, grinning. He pushed the door open, ready to rescue the girl.
Inside, he found her tied to a chair, eyes wide with panic. Nearby, Viktor Rizzo stood with his back turned, barking orders at one of his henchmen.
"Let her go!" Ethan shouted, stepping into the room with a mix of bravado and a hint of regret—was he really ready for this?
Rizzo spun around, surprise etched on his face. "Who the hell are you?"
"Uh, just a guy who wants to get a girl back. You know, the usual hero stuff," Ethan replied, trying to sound confident.
Rizzo sneered, his eyes narrowing. "You think you can just walk in here and—"
Ethan interrupted, "Honestly, I was hoping for a more cinematic exit. You know, maybe a dramatic showdown or at least a snazzy one-liner."
As Rizzo fumed, Ethan's mind raced. He needed a plan. Was he really about to take on a mafia don with nothing but his wits and a dash of humor?
But he had come too far to back down now. "Let's do this," he muttered, preparing for whatever came next.
Ethan squared his shoulders, determination flooding through him. "Let her go, Rizzo. She's not a bargaining chip in your twisted game."
Rizzo chuckled darkly. "And what makes you think you can make me?"
Ethan glanced at the girl, her wide eyes pleading for help. He needed to buy time, but how? "Well, I mean, I am the 'Greatest Detective' now," he said, trying to inject a bit of bravado into his voice. "And I've heard you have a thing for pizza. Want to talk about toppings?"
Rizzo's expression soured. "You think this is a joke? You're in over your head, kid."
"Maybe," Ethan conceded, "but have you ever thought about how much easier your life would be if you just let her go? Less hassle, you know? Just think of all the toppings you could enjoy without the guilt of kidnapping!"
Rizzo's henchman, a burly man with tattoos snaking up his arms, stepped forward. "You're wasting time, boss. Just get rid of him."
Ethan's heart raced. He needed a distraction. "Hey, do you have a favorite superhero?" he blurted out, hoping to catch Rizzo off guard. "Because I'm pretty sure I'm about to become one."
Rizzo's brow furrowed in confusion, which was just enough of an opening. Ethan lunged toward the nearest object—an old metal chair—and swung it at the henchman with a surprising burst of adrenaline. The chair crashed into the thug, sending him staggering back.
"Whoa!" Ethan exclaimed, the adrenaline surging through him. "I didn't know I had it in me!"
Rizzo's surprise quickly morphed into rage. "Get him!"
Ethan darted toward the girl, quickly assessing her bindings. "Hold on, I'll get you out!" He fumbled with the ropes, glancing back to see Rizzo and his men closing in.
The girl nodded, her eyes wide with hope. "Hurry!"
With one final tug, the ropes fell away, and she was free. "Let's move!" Ethan shouted, grabbing her hand. They dashed toward the door, but Rizzo's men were right behind them.
Ethan's mind raced for an escape route. "Do you know any secret exits?" he asked as they sprinted down the dim corridor.
"Only the back door!" she gasped, leading the way. "But it's guarded!"
"Great! Guards love a good distraction," Ethan said, his mind spinning with ideas. "How good are you at throwing things?"
"Uh, pretty good?" she replied, glancing back at the approaching thugs.
"Perfect!" Ethan spotted a stack of crates and gestured toward them. "Grab something heavy and throw it toward the front entrance. It'll buy us time!"
With a nod, she dashed over to the crates, hoisting a large metal pipe. She swung it with surprising strength and launched it toward the entrance, the clang echoing through the warehouse. The thugs paused, momentarily confused by the noise.
"Now!" Ethan shouted, and they bolted toward the back door.
They reached it, but the handle was stuck. "Come on, come on!" Ethan tugged desperately.
The sound of footsteps grew louder. Rizzo's furious voice echoed behind them. "Get them!"
With one final heave, the door burst open, and they tumbled outside. The moonlight bathed them in a pale glow as they stumbled onto the gravel outside the warehouse.
"Which way?" Ethan panted, scanning their surroundings.
"Over there!" she pointed toward a narrow alley that cut between two buildings. "It leads to the main road."
"Let's go!" They sprinted down the alley, adrenaline coursing through their veins.
As they reached the street, Ethan turned to the girl. "What's your name?"
"Anna," she replied, glancing over her shoulder as they ran. "And you're really brave, you know that?"
"Brave?" Ethan chuckled, trying to catch his breath. "I'm just winging it, but thank you!"
Suddenly, a car screeched to a halt beside them. The driver's side window rolled down, revealing a rugged man with a sharp gaze. "Get in!"
Ethan hesitated for a moment, eyeing the car suspiciously. "Are you here to rescue us or take us back?"
"Rescue, I promise!" the man said urgently. "I'm with the police—just get in!"
Without waiting for a second invitation, Ethan and Anna hopped into the back seat. The driver slammed on the gas, speeding away from the warehouse just as Rizzo's men emerged, shouting and waving their guns.
"Did you really call the police?" Ethan asked, turning to the man in front.
"Yes, but it's complicated. Rizzo has connections," he replied grimly. "We need to get you both somewhere safe."
Ethan leaned back, a mix of relief and disbelief washing over him. "Okay, but can we stop for pizza on the way? Just to celebrate our newfound friendship?"
Anna laughed, and for a moment, the tension melted away. "I think I could go for pizza after all this."
As they drove into the night, Ethan felt the weight of the world lift off his shoulders. Maybe he could be the hero he never thought he was. And maybe—just maybe—he could figure out how to take down a mafia don along the way.
As the car sped through the city, Ethan felt a surge of confidence. "So, what's the plan now?" he asked the driver, who was focused on the road ahead.
"We'll take you to a safe house," the driver replied. "From there, we can figure out how to handle Rizzo."
"Good plan," Ethan said, glancing at Anna, who looked both relieved and shaken. "You okay?"
"I am now," she replied, offering a small smile. "Thank you for saving me. I didn't think anyone would come."
Ethan shrugged, trying to downplay his role. "Just doing my job as the 'Greatest Detective,' right?"
Anna chuckled, but her laughter quickly faded. "What happens when Rizzo comes looking for me?"
Ethan felt a knot form in his stomach. "We'll figure it out. I have some ideas on how to take him down. But first, we need to keep you safe."
They arrived at the safe house, a nondescript building in a quiet neighborhood. Once inside, the driver briefed them on the next steps. "We'll call for backup, but it's crucial we move fast. Rizzo won't wait long."
Ethan felt the weight of the mission settling back on his shoulders. "I'll help however I can. I've got some intel on Rizzo's operations. Maybe we can use it to catch him off guard."
As they huddled around a table, Ethan pulled out the file he'd compiled on Rizzo earlier. He pointed out the locations he'd identified, including the pizza place Rizzo frequented. "We can set a trap. If we can lure him there, we might be able to catch him."
Anna leaned in, her eyes brightening. "And we can alert the police at the same time. It could work!"
Ethan nodded, the pieces of the plan falling into place. "But we have to be careful. Rizzo's not just a thug; he's smart and dangerous."
Hours passed as they strategized, refining their plan and coordinating with the police. As dawn broke, a sense of urgency filled the air.
"We're ready," the driver announced, checking his watch. "Time to put the plan into action."
Ethan and Anna exchanged determined looks. "Let's do this," she said, her voice steady.
They arrived at the pizza place, a quaint little shop that seemed out of place amidst the chaos of Rizzo's world. Ethan's heart raced as they took their positions, hidden but within earshot. The plan hinged on Rizzo arriving for his usual order.
Moments felt like hours as they waited, but soon enough, the familiar figure of Viktor Rizzo entered, flanked by a couple of his men. Ethan's breath caught in his throat.
"Now!" the driver whispered into the radio.
As Rizzo approached the counter, the police moved in from the back. "Viktor Rizzo! You're under arrest!" a voice boomed.
Rizzo spun around, his expression shifting from surprise to fury. "What is this?!" he shouted, but it was too late. The police closed in, handcuffing him before he could react.
Ethan felt a rush of adrenaline as the scene unfolded. They'd done it. They had actually caught him.
With Rizzo in custody, the weight of the past few days lifted. Ethan turned to Anna, who was watching with wide eyes. "We did it!" he exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement.
She smiled brightly, relief washing over her. "I can't believe it! Thank you, Ethan. You really are a hero."
Ethan shrugged, but inside, he felt a sense of pride. "I just did what needed to be done. But I couldn't have done it without you."
As they stepped outside, sunlight flooding the street, Ethan knew he had found a purpose. He might have started as an ordinary guy, but now he was a part of something bigger. He could be the detective he'd always wanted to be.
"Hey, how about that pizza now?" he suggested, grinning.
Anna laughed, the tension finally breaking. "Definitely! But this time, I'll be the one paying."
As they walked away from the chaos, Ethan felt a new chapter beginning. With Anna by his side and the promise of adventures ahead, he was ready to embrace whatever came next—great detective skills and all.
The Ethan got his 100 million and permanent skill and anna went to her father they got happy