The evening sky glowed in hues of orange and pink as Steven walked home, his backpack slung over one shoulder. Winning the hackathon had been exhilarating. The judges' praise, the awe of his teammates, and the system's new rewards left him energized and eager for what lay ahead.
As he turned the corner onto his street, the familiar glow of the restaurant's sign came into view. But something felt off. A crowd had gathered outside, their murmured voices carrying a tension that made Steven quicken his pace.
Steven froze as he reached the restaurant's entrance. The sight before him felt surreal. The usually inviting space was in complete disarray. Shattered glass panels hung precariously from their frames, broken tables and chairs lay scattered on the floor, and shards of ceramic crockery glittered under the streetlights.
His heart raced as he pushed through the crowd, his voice rising above the murmurs. "Mom! Dad! Where are you?"
Inside, the damage was even worse. The counter was overturned, the cash register smashed, and scorch marks marred the once-pristine walls. Steven's stomach churned as he stepped over the debris, his shoes crunching on glass.
He pulled out his phone with trembling hands, dialing his father's number. After two tense rings, the call connected.
"Steven?" Morris Blake's voice sounded weary but steady.
"Dad, where are you? What happened?" Steven demanded, his voice tight with urgency.
"We're inside the restaurant," Morris replied. "Your mom and I are fine. We're just trying to figure out what to do."
Relief flooded through Steven, but it was quickly replaced by anger. "I'm coming in."
Steven stepped cautiously into the dining area, where his parents were inspecting the damage. His mother, Natalie, swept up broken glass, her expression a mixture of exhaustion and determination. Morris was kneeling near the kitchen, examining a shattered shelf.
"Mom, Dad," Steven began, his voice trembling slightly, "who did this?"
Natalie straightened, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "It was a group of men," she said, her voice tight. "They stormed in, shouting that we needed to sell the restaurant. When we refused…" She gestured at the destruction around her.
Morris clenched his fists. "They didn't give us a chance to explain or negotiate. They just started smashing everything. One of them mentioned that they were sent by a powerful man in Baltimore—the same one who tried to buy the property a few weeks ago."
Natalie's eyes brimmed with tears as she continued. "It's like he won't let us have any happiness, Steven. He's trying to force us out."
Steven felt a wave of rage rise in his chest. His parents had endured enough. Memories of his family's struggles flashed through his mind—the sacrifices they'd made after moving back to Ellicott City, the relentless effort they'd poured into building this small restaurant.
Steven's thoughts drifted to the incident that had turned their lives upside down. Years ago, his father, Morris, had unknowingly offended a powerful figure in Baltimore. The repercussions had been swift and unforgiving. Forced to close their once-thriving city restaurant, the family had returned to Ellicott City to start over.
Despite Steven's persistent questions, Morris had never revealed the name of the man responsible.
"Who is this man?" Steven asked now, his voice laced with anger. "The one in Baltimore. The one who sent those thugs."
Morris hesitated, avoiding his son's gaze. "Steven, it's better if you don't know."
Steven's frustration boiled over. "Dad, we can't keep letting people like him dictate our lives. If we don't stand up to him, he'll just keep pushing us down."
Later that night, Steven sat in his room, his mind racing. His system chimed softly in his head:
[New Quest Unlocked: Unmask and Confront the Past.]
Steven clenched his fists. He wasn't going to let this slide. "System, how can I find out who's behind this?"
[Recommendation: Collaborate with a trusted ally who has access to resources and connections. Use your skills to gather intelligence and build a case.]
Steven immediately thought of Arthur. If anyone could help him uncover the truth, it was his savvy and resourceful business partner.
Steven grabbed his phone and called Arthur, who answered on the second ring.
"Steven," Arthur said, his tone curious, "I wasn't expecting to hear from you tonight. What's going on?"
"It's the restaurant," Steven replied, his voice low but firm. "It was trashed by men working for someone in Baltimore. I need your help."
Arthur's tone immediately shifted to concern. "Is everyone okay?"
"My parents are fine, but the restaurant is a mess. The person behind this has to be the same man who tried to buy the property. I need to find out who he is."
Arthur was silent for a moment, then said, "Alright. I'll make some calls. This isn't going to be easy, Steven. People like him don't leave obvious trails."
Steven's system chimed again:
[New Collaboration Established: Arthur Grant.]
Over the next few days, Steven and Arthur worked in tandem. While Arthur used his connections to gather information, Steven relied on his system-enhanced hacking skills to dig deeper.
[Hacking Proficiency: Advanced (400/500).]
Steven scoured online records, intercepted emails, and analyzed financial transactions, slowly piecing together a web of evidence. Meanwhile, Arthur reached out to his network, speaking with business owners, former employees, and anyone who might have information.
As the days passed, the pieces began to fall into place.
One evening, Arthur called Steven with an update. "I've got a name," he said. "It's a man named Victor Lancaster. He's the owner of a major real estate conglomerate in Baltimore. He's known for using underhanded tactics to force property sales."
Steven's grip on his phone tightened. "Victor Lancaster…" he repeated, committing the name to memory.
"Be careful, Steven," Arthur warned. "This man is dangerous. If you're going to take him on, you'll need to be smart about it."
Steven nodded, determination burning in his chest. "Thanks, Arthur. I'll handle it from here."
As Steven ended the call, his system chimed once more:
[Quest Updated: Confront Victor Lancaster.]
[New Rewards Unlocked: Advanced Legal Strategy Skillbook.]
Steven opened the digital book, scanning its contents. It detailed strategies for navigating complex legal battles, dealing with powerful adversaries, and protecting assets.
"This isn't just about the restaurant anymore," Steven thought. "This is about standing up for my family and everything we've worked for."
With a new resolve, Steven began planning his next move. Victor Lancaster wouldn't know what hit him.