The door burst open, and armed guards flooded into the room. Andrew dove to the side, dodging the hail of bullets with near-superhuman speed. His reflexes were sharper than ever, each movement calculated to evade the incoming fire. He fired back, his pistols spitting precise shots that dropped the guards one by one.
--------------------------------
'Gunslinging Mastery Level 3'
Unlocked:
Enhanced Dual-Wielding Precision.
-------------------------------
Andrew's shots landed flawlessly. He spun, taking out two more guards before they even had a chance to fire.
Cipher covered his flank, his assault rifle mowing down the remaining opposition. His Shadow Mastery allowed him to move undetected behind the guards, taking them down with cold efficiency.
--------------------------------------
Achievement Unlocked:
"Phantom Strike"
—Eliminate a full squad without taking damage.
----------------------------------
"Harris, get that data now!" Andrew shouted, as more guards began to flood the hallway. They were running out of time.
"I'm downloading it," Harris replied
The night air bit at Andrew's face as they made their escape through the darkened streets. His mind raced, still buzzing with the adrenaline from the fight. The upgrades he had unlocked felt like they were pulsing through his veins, making him sharper and faster. But even with all the advancements, something about Harris gnawed at him. The man had been too quick to cooperate, too willing to help after years of being an enemy.
Cipher ran alongside him, his eyes darting to their flanks, constantly scanning for threats. They had the data chip—proof of the shadow organization's involvement—but they were far from safe. The streets were quiet for now, but Andrew knew that wouldn't last. Veridian wouldn't just let them walk away with their secrets.
They ducked into an alley, catching their breath behind a stack of crates. Andrew's eyes flicked over to Harris, who was clutching the stolen data as if it were his lifeline.
"Hand it over," Andrew demanded, extending his hand.
Harris hesitated but eventually surrendered the chip. His eyes darted between Andrew and Cipher, calculating, always scheming.
"We've got what we came for," Cipher said, his voice low, "but something tells me this is only scratching the surface."
Andrew nodded, sliding the data chip into a hidden compartment on his gear. "This isn't the end. Veridian is out there, pulling strings we haven't even begun to see. But this… this gets us closer."
Harris shifted uncomfortably. "Look, I gave you the information you needed. We're even, right? I don't owe you anything else."
Andrew's gaze darkened. "Even? Do you think this makes us even? You were part of the ops that killed my father, Harris. You'll never be free of that."
Harris opened his mouth to argue, but Andrew silenced him with a look. The tension between them was thick, and Cipher could feel it. He stepped between them, his presence enough to diffuse the situation.
"Let's focus," He said. "We need to decrypt this data and figure out our next move before Veridian tracks us down."
Andrew gave a short nod, though his eyes never left Harris. He wasn't ready to let the man off the hook—not by a long shot—but Cipher was right. The data chip held the key to their next steps. That was their priority.
They made their way back to a new safehouse, a small, unremarkable building on the outskirts of the city. Andrew moved to the table and pulled out a portable decryption device. As the data chip slotted in, the screen lit up with lines of code and encrypted files. This was going to take time.
Cipher leaned against the wall, arms crossed as he watched Andrew work. "What do you think's on there?" He asked, though his tone was almost rhetorical.
"Everything we need," Andrew replied, his focus on the screen. "Names, locations, connections. Veridian's been in the shadows for too long. This chip gives us a chance to bring them into the light."
Harris stood awkwardly off to the side, clearly feeling out of place. "I don't know why you think this is going to help you," he said. "Veridian's a ghost. You can't just find them with a few files."
Andrew didn't look up, his fingers working quickly over the controls. "We'll see about that."
The decryption was slow, but Andrew's Hacker Skill Level 3 made the process smoother. He cracked layers of security that would have taken others days in a matter of hours. As the first files began to open, Andrew's eyes narrowed. It was a series of names, places, and dates—covert meetings, illegal operations, and enough blackmail to control half the city's power brokers.
"We've got them," Andrew muttered. "Look at this. These are high-ranking officials, military personnel, and even tech CEOs. Veridian's been pulling the strings behind everything."
Cipher moved closer, his eyes scanning the screen. "This is bigger than we thought."
Andrew's heart raced as he opened another file—a message log between two key members of Veridian. They were discussing the order to eliminate Andrew's father. A cold rage settled over him as he read the details. It wasn't just about silencing his father—it was about controlling the future. Veridian wasn't just operating a shadow empire; they were shaping the world, one assassination at a time.
As Andrew and Cipher pored over the data, another notification flashed across his HUD.
-------------------------------------------
Skill Upgrade Unlocked:
'Tactical Decryption Level 2'
Achievement Unlocked:
"Eye of the Network"
—Successfully infiltrate and decrypt high-level encrypted data without detection.
-----------------------------------------
Andrew barely registered the upgrades. His focus was razor-sharp on the files before him. This was everything they needed to bring Veridian down—but it also confirmed something far more dangerous. Veridian knew about them. There were surveillance notes, tracking reports, and even footage of Andrew's recent operations. They were being watched.
"They know," Andrew muttered, his stomach tightening.
Cipher cursed under his breath. "How much time do we have before they make a move?"
Andrew shook his head, uncertain. "Not long. We need to act now."
Suddenly, a loud beep came from the front door, followed by a heavy knock. Andrew's blood ran cold. He glanced at Cipher, who was already reaching for his weapon. They hadn't been followed—he was sure of that. But Veridian's reach was vast, and they had been one step ahead for longer than Andrew realized.
"Harris, stay here," Andrew ordered, pulling out his gun and moving towards the door. Cipher took position on the other side, ready to strike.
The door creaked open, revealing a hooded figure standing in the dark. Andrew's finger twitched on the trigger, but he didn't fire. The figure stepped forward, hands raised in a non-threatening gesture.
"Easy," the stranger said, their voice calm but authoritative. "I'm not here to fight."
"Then what do you want?" Andrew demanded, his voice edged with suspicion.
The hooded figure pulled back their hood, revealing a sharp-eyed woman with a look of grim determination. "I'm here to help you bring down Veridian," she said, her gaze locking onto Andrew's. "But we don't have much time. They're already on their way."
Andrew's eyes narrowed, but there was something about the way she spoke—something that told him she wasn't lying.
"Who are you?" Cipher asked, still keeping his weapon trained on the newcomer.
"My name's Raven," she said, stepping fully into the room. "And I'm the only one who can help you take Veridian down from the inside."
-----------------------------------------------
Skill Upgrades and Achievements:
1. 'Tactical Decryption Level 2'
Unlocked—Faster decryption of high-level encrypted data.
2. Achievement Unlocked:
"Eye of the Network"
—Successfully infiltrate and decrypt high-level data without detection.
3. 'New Ally '
Unlocked: Raven—A mysterious figure with insider knowledge of Veridian's operations.
-------------------------------
Andrew's mind raced as he considered his next move. This Raven could be a valuable asset—or she could be another pawn in Veridian's game. But with time running out, he had little choice but to trust her. For now.