Chapter 3: Copying the Fire, Grabbing the Opportunity
The flames around Adam's hand flickered like the last breath of a dying ember. The oppressive heat hung in the air, and the moment stretched out in an almost surreal way. His opponent, the red-cloaked player, had clearly not expected such a fiery counterattack. Their posture stiffened, but there was a cold glint in their eyes as they recalculated their strategy.
"You think that'll stop me?" The figure spoke, their voice a low growl that sent a chill down Adam's spine.
Before Adam could react, the red-cloaked figure surged forward, drawing a weapon from their back—an obsidian dagger glowing faintly with dark energy. The air around them rippled with the malevolent aura of their attack, and Adam's heart raced. He could sense the hatred radiating from the figure, and a new prompt appeared before him.
> "Emotion Copy ready: Copy Ability - Enhanced Strength."
The system responded almost instantaneously, and Adam felt his muscles tense, his body beginning to change. His bones seemed to hum with energy as his physical strength spiked, fueled by the fiery hatred of the red-cloaked figure. The once feeble body he'd entered this world with now felt like a vessel of raw power. He grinned as the fire around his palm intensified.
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The red-cloaked player lunged, dagger raised, but Adam was faster. He pivoted on his heel, narrowly dodging the strike, and with one fluid motion, he sent another jet of fire toward his opponent. This time, the flames arced higher, catching the player off-guard. The air sizzled as the fire roared toward them, but the figure twisted in midair with unnatural speed, evading the blast.
"Impressive," the figure sneered. "But not good enough."
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Adam's mind was racing. This player wasn't just any regular opponent. They were quick, cunning, and clearly experienced. Adam realized that in this world, strength and strategy were both key. He couldn't rely solely on his copied abilities—he had to think one step ahead.
That's when it hit him. He had something that no other player had—two accounts, two distinct abilities. He could play a game of misdirection, make use of his powers in ways no one else could.
Adam took a deep breath and activated Steal again. This time, his target was not an item or a mission card. Instead, he focused on his opponent's abilities—more specifically, their Dark Aura.
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The system chimed:
> "Steal Ability: Dark Aura unlocked. Grants the ability to manipulate shadows and dark energy."
For a split second, Adam felt a wave of power surge through him. He now possessed the red-cloaked player's ability, and the darkness that enveloped him seemed to grow. He immediately spun, using the shadows to conceal his movements as he faded into the surrounding darkness. In the blink of an eye, he was gone, hidden from his opponent's view.
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The red-cloaked player cursed under their breath, eyes darting around in search of Adam. They couldn't see him, and that was exactly what Adam had hoped for. He'd taken their ability and now had the upper hand, at least for the moment.
From the shadows, Adam watched as the player stood still, trying to sense his next move. Adam wasn't sure how long his borrowed ability would last, but that didn't matter. He was playing for time. The system's auction interface had appeared again, offering a potential reward for him to take advantage of.
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> "Auction Points: 150."
Adam's thoughts raced as he considered his options. He could use these points to buy supplies, or perhaps even a few powerful artifacts to ensure he stayed one step ahead. The idea of selling items he'd stolen was tempting, but for now, he decided to keep his points for the next opportunity.
With the red-cloaked player still searching for him, Adam's fingers hovered over the interface. He could use these points wisely—perhaps to buy a few items from the auction to help with his next encounter, or maybe to gain an edge in future missions.
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A sudden chill ran down Adam's spine. The player was closing in on his location. Adam didn't waste a second. He reached deep into the darkness, tapping into the new Dark Aura ability he'd just stolen. With a single thought, he manipulated the shadows to his advantage, summoning them to bind the red-cloaked player in place.
The player struggled, eyes wide with shock as they found themselves trapped by the very darkness they once wielded. Adam emerged from the shadows, his fire ability once again lighting up the space. He didn't hesitate—he unleashed a torrent of flame, striking with deadly precision.
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The red-cloaked player screamed as the fire consumed them. Adam watched as the player collapsed to the ground, the avatar's health dropping rapidly. It wasn't a kill, but it was a decisive blow. The player would be forced to retreat, or risk losing everything.
A prompt appeared in front of Adam:
> "You have successfully weakened a player. You may now take their dropped items."
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Adam grinned. This was exactly what he needed—a chance to loot the fallen player. He activated his Steal ability once again, this time targeting the items that the red-cloaked player had dropped during their brief encounter. A list of items appeared before him:
1. Artifact: Shadow Dagger
2. Mission Card: Eliminate the Rival
3. Potion: Speed Boost
Adam took all of it.
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With his new loot in hand, Adam quickly retreated into the shadows once again, his heart pounding with the rush of victory. This world was far from simple, but with each encounter, he was learning more about the power at his disposal—and about the dangers that lurked at every turn.
He needed to grow stronger. He needed to be prepared for whatever the game world would throw at him next.
As the system chimes filled the air, Adam knew that this was just the beginning of his journey.
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End of Chapter 3.