With his sights set on Vincent Moriarty, Jhon knew he couldn't afford any missteps. Moriarty was ruthless, patient, and perceptive—the type to capitalize on a single weakness. The encounter left him even more determined, but it also raised questions about Moriarty's interest in his life.
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[Fortune System Notification]
"New Investigation Path Unlocked: Discover Moriarty's Connections."
Objective: Research Vincent Moriarty's past affiliations and motives.
Reward: Fortune Points, Insight into Future Threats.
Jhon pulled up the system's intelligence feature, sorting through countless databases and encrypted files, a perk he'd gained through his years of upgrading. What he found was troubling: Moriarty had connections to powerful entities that transcended the corporate world. His influence was rumored to touch governments, financial institutions, and underworld networks.
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In the Shadows
A week passed, and Jhon maintained his regular activities while deepening his investigations. It wasn't long before the ripples of his digging reached Moriarty's allies, and strange occurrences started to surface around him. Shadowy figures tailed him, random break-ins occurred at his business branches, and Evelyn reported strange calls and unsolicited "visits" at her home.
Jhon (thinking): "Moriarty is testing me—trying to see if I'll back down."
But Jhon's resolve only solidified. He enhanced his security measures, deploying the system's surveillance technology, tracking all unusual activities around his allies and properties. He couldn't afford any vulnerabilities, not with someone like Moriarty in the mix.
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Confronting Shadows
Late one night, Jhon's private phone rang. It was Evelyn.
Evelyn (urgent): "Jhon, someone's trying to break into my building. I don't know who they are, but they look… organized."
Without hesitation, Jhon activated his "Defense Mode" ability through the Fortune System. Within moments, he had access to the building's security feed, watching as a group of men, masked and armed, attempted to bypass her security.
Jhon: "Stay inside, Evelyn. I'll handle it."
The system's "Remote Intervention" tool, a skill Jhon had unlocked to deal with threats from afar, allowed him to activate the building's emergency systems. Alarms blared, smoke-filled halls, and automated locks trapped the intruders in isolated sections.
Evelyn: "Jhon…you're really watching all of this?"
Jhon: "I told you I'd protect you. They won't get near you."
After a tense few minutes, local authorities arrived, apprehending the trapped men. Jhon's system fed him real-time data on the captives, revealing connections to Moriarty's network.
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Turning the Tables
Following the failed break-in, Jhon arranged a meeting with a new ally he'd met through the Fortune System's Networking Mastery—a former intelligence officer named Marcus. Marcus was well-connected and had his own grievances against powerful figures in the business underworld, particularly Moriarty.
Marcus: "If Moriarty's coming after you, he's planning something big. He doesn't usually go this far unless he's threatened."
Jhon: "I need any information you have. What are his next moves?"
Marcus: "Moriarty plays a deep game. He'll find the things you care about most and attack there. But if we're smart, we can turn his tactics against him."
The two devised a strategy that would expose Moriarty's network to authorities while creating a smokescreen to disguise Jhon's involvement. With every step Moriarty took, he would unknowingly set off a chain of events that would leave his own empire vulnerable.
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[Fortune System Notification]
"New Skill Unlocked: Decoy Operations."
Effect: Create diversions to mislead enemies and protect valuable assets.
Jhon felt a surge of confidence as the plan took shape. He was no longer simply reacting to Moriarty's threats; he was actively dismantling the shadow Moriarty had cast over his life.
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Unleashing the Trap
Over the next month, Moriarty's forces fell into the traps Jhon had laid. Every infiltration attempt was countered with precise, calculated misdirection. Jhon's allies grew stronger, gaining confidence as Moriarty's control faltered.
In the background, Jhon began to uncover Moriarty's true motive: a deep-seated resentment toward the Fortune System itself. Moriarty believed that the system's influence on Jhon had made him too powerful, too uncontrollable—a threat to his own aspirations of unchecked dominance.
Moriarty (to himself): "He thinks he can defy me? I've built my empire from the ground up without shortcuts, without some crutch like the Fortune System."
In a final act of desperation, Moriarty arranged a last-ditch effort to strike Jhon where it hurt. He planned an event that would leave Jhon's empire shaken, challenging everything he had fought to protect.
But this time, Jhon was ready. With the system's guidance and his allies by his side, he awaited Moriarty's next move, fully prepared to bring the mastermind down.
=== ★ ★ ★ ===