Chapter 10: The Organization's First Move
The wind howled through the dense forest, a constant reminder of the world's danger. Adam's breathing was steady, his gaze fixed on the horizon where a faint shadow moved—a player, or perhaps something more sinister. He couldn't afford to lose focus, not now. His rank had improved considerably after his victory over Vernon, but he knew that with every step he took up the leaderboard, more eyes would be on him.
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A soft ping rang in Adam's ear. The system, ever-present and unforgiving, always found a way to keep him on edge. The message was simple yet ominous:
> "New Mission: Survive the First Attack. Faction Threat Detected. Objective: Eliminate Incoming Threat."
Adam's heart raced for a moment. An attack? Already? He knew that with each passing mission, the game's difficulty would only increase. What he hadn't anticipated, however, was the growing interest from the shadowy Organization—the players pulling strings behind the scenes. He'd already felt their presence, sensed their whispers in the background. Now, it seemed they had made their move.
The Organization was rumored to be a clandestine group that manipulated players from the shadows, pushing them into conflict for reasons Adam didn't fully understand. Their goals were murky, but the one thing that was clear was that they were powerful and resourceful. They controlled the game's economy, its missions, and most importantly, its players.
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Adam's thoughts were interrupted as a sudden blast of energy tore through the air nearby. A group of players, all clad in dark armor and carrying powerful weapons, emerged from the trees. Their eyes glinted with the cold determination of hunters. Adam's instincts kicked in immediately—these weren't random players, these were members of the Organization.
"Target identified," one of them hissed, his voice distorted by a mask. "Take him down."
Adam had little time to react. His mind raced, analyzing the situation. The Organization had clearly tracked him down, and now they were closing in for the kill. There was no time for subtlety. Adam activated his Phantom Shift, slipping into the shadows and disappearing from sight.
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The group of attackers scattered, searching for him with methodical precision. Adam could hear their footsteps, their breathing, the way they moved with practiced ease. They were professionals, and they weren't about to let him slip away easily.
But Adam had an advantage: his ability to copy. He could sense the emotions of the players around him, and right now, the rage and hatred from these attackers were palpable. He focused, drawing on their hatred, and activated his Copy ability.
In an instant, he felt the surge of power—the ability to mimic one of the attackers' skills. His body shuddered with the intensity of the transformation. Now, he had the Shadow Step ability, a high-level skill that allowed him to move undetected through shadows, just like one of his attackers. He grinned to himself. This would be fun.
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The Organization's members searched frantically, unaware of Adam's presence. One of them, a tall woman with a scar across her cheek, motioned to the others. "Fan out. He's close. I can feel it."
Adam moved silently behind her, using the Shadow Step to stay hidden. He could see the woman's tense posture, the way her fingers twitched toward the weapon at her side. She was ready for a fight, but Adam had no intention of giving her one—at least, not on his terms.
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He waited until she was close enough, then struck. A sudden burst of speed, and he was upon her, his hand reaching out to steal whatever mission cards or artifacts she carried. Steal activated, and the woman's eyes widened in shock as her items were ripped from her inventory.
The system flashed with a notification:
> "Mission Card Stolen. Item 'Viper's Blade' Added to Inventory."
Adam didn't hesitate. He moved quickly, activating the Phantom Shift again to vanish into the shadows. The woman barely had time to react before he was gone, her confusion and anger radiating off her in waves.
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As he regrouped, Adam took a moment to assess his spoils. The Viper's Blade was a powerful artifact, capable of delivering devastating strikes. It would be a useful tool for the battles to come, but he had no intention of using it just yet. The stolen mission card, however, was far more valuable. It wasn't a standard mission—it was a Hidden Mission, one that could give him a significant advantage in the game. He needed to analyze it carefully.
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Meanwhile, the remaining members of the Organization were still on high alert, unaware that Adam had already taken the first strike. One of them—a hulking figure in dark plate armor—muttered into a comms device, his voice low and threatening.
"Target evaded. Initiating secondary protocol. Bring him down, dead or alive."
Adam's stomach tightened at the words. Dead or alive. The Organization wasn't playing games anymore. This was a warning.
He had to act quickly.
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Adam turned his attention back to the mission card. It glowed faintly in his inventory, the edges shimmering with an otherworldly light. He opened it, reading through the instructions:
> "Hidden Mission: Assassinate Player X. Bonus Rewards for Stealth."
The instructions were clear: He needed to eliminate a specific target without being detected. The bonus rewards for stealth were a significant incentive. Adam's fingers hovered over the card. This mission could give him an edge—if he could complete it undetected.
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But time was running out. The Organization was closing in on his position, and he needed to make his move before they found him. Adam quickly scanned the environment, his mind racing through possible escape routes. The Steal ability had given him the tools he needed to advance—now it was time to use them.
He activated the Store ability, transferring the mission card and the Viper's Blade into the real world. With a thought, he opened the auction house. The Viper's Blade was valuable, but Adam knew that he didn't need it right now. He could sell it, or trade it for something else later. The mission card, however, was far more critical. It had to be kept safe.
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The auction house was a strange interface—items from the game world appeared alongside real-world items. But the rules were clear: Auction Points were needed to purchase items in both worlds. Adam's decision was simple: keep the mission card and move quickly to complete the Hidden Mission.
With the auction house transaction completed, Adam felt the weight of the situation settle on him. The Organization was after him, and his place in the game was on the line. He would have to face them sooner or later, but first, he had a target to eliminate.
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The hunt was on, and Adam was ready to play the game his way.
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End of Chapter 10.