Chapter 31: The Enemy Strikes Close to Home
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The air was heavy with tension as Adam surveyed the surroundings. It had been only a few days since his last victory, but he already sensed the danger closing in. The Evil Organization wasn't content with just observing. They had made their move, sending a squad of high-level assassins to deal with him before he could rise any further.
Adam didn't need to look at the system message to know what was coming. He could feel the eyes of the enemies locking onto him, their presence like a dark cloud pressing against his every sense. The game's systems had already warned him about incoming danger, but now it was up to him to survive.
System Message: "Warning: Multiple hostile entities detected. New mission parameters activated: Survive the ambush and escape within the designated time frame to complete the mission."
The figures slowly emerged from the shadows, their outlines blurring against the fog that surrounded Adam. There were six of them in total, all cloaked in dark robes, with glowing eyes that marked them as high-level members of the Evil Organization. These weren't ordinary players—they were elite assassins, sent to eliminate Adam at any cost.
They were faster than anyone Adam had encountered before, and their power was overwhelming. But Adam had the edge. He had his Steal ability, and he had been learning how to use it with deadly precision. Not only could he steal random items, but now, he could also target Mission Cards and Artifacts, taking them directly from the inventory of anyone he encountered.
Without hesitation, Adam activated his Steal ability, hoping to snatch something valuable from one of the assassins. As he focused his energy, a Mission Card suddenly appeared in his inventory—a special global mission for all players to compete in. This was an unexpected win, a stroke of luck that would provide him with a tactical advantage.
The leader of the assassins, a tall figure with a deep, gravelly voice, sneered. "So you think you can steal from us, Adam? You've made a grave mistake."
Adam didn't respond. Instead, he focused on the card he had just stolen. With a thought, the Mission Card activated, giving him a temporary boost in strength and speed. He wasn't going to waste any time.
In an instant, he drew his weapon—a long, curved sword forged from the energy of the game world. The blade shimmered as it sliced through the air with unnatural precision, catching the first assassin off guard. The figure crumpled to the ground before they could even react, their weapon falling uselessly to the side.
But the others were quicker. They moved in synchronization, launching a coordinated attack against Adam. Their weapons, dark and jagged, crackled with malicious energy. One of them lunged at Adam with a blade aimed for his chest, but Adam was ready. He activated his Simulation Ability, bending reality just enough to avoid the attack by a hair's breadth. He shifted to the side, his body moving faster than the enemy could follow.
It was time to retaliate.
Adam's Steal ability flared again, this time targeting a rare Artifact from one of the remaining assassins. With a rush of energy, the artifact—a dark gem with the power to summon creatures—was ripped from the assassin's inventory. The moment it appeared in Adam's hands, he slammed it into the ground.
From the gem emerged a shadowy, monstrous figure—an ancient creature bound by dark energy. Its eyes gleamed red, and its roars echoed across the battlefield. The summoned creature lunged toward the enemies, tearing through them with vicious claws and fangs.
The assassins recoiled in shock. The power of the summoned creature was overwhelming, but Adam wasn't done yet. His Simulation Ability was already working to amplify his movements, allowing him to strike with deadly precision. He cut down two more of the assassins in rapid succession, each swing of his blade faster than the last.
As the battle raged on, Adam's mind raced. He knew he couldn't rely solely on his summoned creature—he had to finish this himself. The leader of the assassins, the one who had been taunting him, was still standing, his eyes burning with fury. The leader summoned a bolt of dark energy, aiming it directly at Adam's chest.
But Adam had anticipated this. With a flick of his wrist, he activated the Steal ability once again. This time, he was stealing an Artifact—the very source of the leader's power. The bolt of dark energy dissipated into nothing as the artifact was torn from the leader's hands and sent directly into Adam's inventory.
In that instant, Adam felt the power surge through him. The stolen artifact granted him control over dark energy, and with it, he redirected the power back at the leader. The leader tried to block it, but it was too late. The dark energy enveloped him, and he collapsed to the ground, motionless.
With the leader defeated, the remaining assassins hesitated, fear creeping into their eyes. The shadowy creature that Adam had summoned continued to tear through them, while Adam swiftly dealt with the last of the attackers. One by one, they fell, their bodies left lifeless on the ground.
System Message: _"Mission complete. You have successfully survived the ambush and eliminated all hostiles. You have gained the following rewards:
1. Auction Points – 1000 points.
2. Evil Organization's Intel – A detailed map of enemy strongholds.
3. Special Upgrade – Unlocking a new tier for your Steal ability: Artifact Theft – The ability to steal specific artifacts at will."_
Adam surveyed the battlefield, his heart still racing from the adrenaline. The fight had been hard, but it had been a necessary step in his journey. The Evil Organization would not stop coming after him, but with every victory, he grew stronger. With the Mission Cards, Artifacts, and Auction Points he had stolen, Adam now had the resources to prepare for whatever came next.
As he stood there, the weight of his actions settled in. The Evil Organization had underestimated him, and now they had paid the price. But this was only the beginning. Adam knew they would be back, and the next time, they would bring even more power.
But he was ready.
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End of Chapter 31.