The Mysterious System
Matteo awoke to the steady hum of machinery and the faint scent of antiseptic. His head felt clearer now, the fog from earlier lifting slightly, but the gnawing questions remained.
Where was he, truly? Who had brought him here? And why was there an unshakable feeling that something—or someone—was watching him?
He rubbed his temples, trying to will the fragments of his memory into coherence. The chase, the shouting, the gunfire—it all played like a broken reel in his mind. He barely noticed the nurse returning to check his vitals, her warm smile as routine as the beep of the machines.
"Feeling better, Matteo?" she asked, her tone friendly but professional.
"A little," he murmured, not meeting her eyes. Something about his situation felt... off.
The nurse nodded, adjusting the IV in his arm. "Good. Let us know if you need anything. Rest is your best medicine now."
As she left, Matteo's gaze wandered to the bland walls of the room. Suddenly, a faint glow appeared in the corner of his vision. He blinked, thinking it was a trick of the light, but the glow intensified, forming words that hovered before him.
Welcome, Matteo De Cannio.
System Initialization Complete.
Activating...
"What the hell?" Matteo whispered, his voice hoarse. He rubbed his eyes, certain he was hallucinating. But the glowing text remained, stark against the sterile white of the room.
System Online.
Current Status: Injured. Recovery in Progress.
Location: St. Mary's Hospital, London.
The words floated in midair, translucent yet vivid. Matteo's heart raced as he stared at the text, his mind torn between disbelief and intrigue. Was he losing it? Was this some bizarre side effect of his injuries?
"Who's doing this?" he muttered, half-expecting an answer.
Welcome to the Mysterious System, Matteo.
Designed to assist you in survival, growth, and uncovering hidden truths.
Matteo's breath hitched. "Survival? Growth? What are you talking about?"
As if in response, new text appeared.
You have been chosen as the System's host.
Primary Objectives:
1. Survive your current predicament.
2. Uncover the secrets of your past.
3. Emerge as a force to be reckoned with.
Would you like a tutorial?
[YES] [NO]
Matteo hesitated. A tutorial? This had to be some kind of elaborate prank—or maybe he'd finally cracked under the pressure of his chaotic life. But the text didn't waver, and something deep inside him urged him to play along.
"Fine. Yes," he said aloud.
Tutorial Initiated.
The System provides unique abilities, insights, and resources tailored to your needs.
Your first ability has been unlocked:
[Rapid Regeneration] - Accelerates healing and restores vitality.
Use it now?
[YES] [NO]
He stared at the glowing words, his pulse pounding. Rapid regeneration? It sounded like something out of a comic book. But then again, so did floating text.
"What do I have to lose?" he muttered. "Yes."
Activating [Rapid Regeneration]...
A sudden warmth spread through Matteo's body, starting from his chest and radiating outward. The pain in his head dulled, the soreness in his limbs faded, and the lingering nausea vanished like a bad dream. He gasped, his eyes widening as the sensation intensified, a mix of tingling and soothing heat that left him feeling... stronger.
When the warmth subsided, Matteo flexed his fingers and swung his legs off the bed, testing his strength. To his astonishment, he felt better than he had in weeks, maybe months.
"This... this is insane," he whispered.
The System wasn't done.
Objective Updated:
Escape the hospital undetected.
Reward: Enhanced Agility.
Matteo's stomach twisted. Escape? Why would he need to escape? But before he could dwell on it, the faint sound of voices drifted through the door.
"Room 203," a man's voice said, low and authoritative. "Don't make a scene."
Matteo's blood ran cold. Someone was coming—for him.
Warning:
Hostile individuals detected. Escape immediately.
Adrenaline surged through Matteo's veins. He scanned the room, his mind racing. The System's glowing text highlighted a ventilation duct near the ceiling, as if reading his thoughts.
Suggested Route: Ventilation System.
Time Remaining: 5 Minutes.
Five minutes? Matteo didn't waste a second. He grabbed the chair by the bedside, dragging it noisily across the floor. Climbing onto it, he pushed open the vent cover, his hands trembling. The duct was small, but he was wiry enough to fit.
He hesitated, glancing at the door. Shadows moved beneath it, accompanied by the sound of a keycard sliding into the lock. Matteo hauled himself into the vent just as the door creaked open.
"Where is he?" a gruff voice demanded.
"Search the room," another ordered.
Matteo held his breath, his heart hammering as he crawled through the narrow duct. The System's glowing interface guided him with arrows and a minimap, eerily precise.
Keep moving. Hostiles are in pursuit.
The sound of boots thudding against the floor below sent a jolt of fear through Matteo. He pushed himself harder, ignoring the sweat dripping down his face. The duct opened into another room—a storage closet. He dropped down silently, landing in a crouch.
Location Secured. Hostiles nearby. Remain hidden.
Matteo pressed himself against the wall, listening as the voices grew louder outside.
"He couldn't have gotten far," one man growled.
"Keep looking," another replied. "The boss wants him alive."
The boss. Matteo's mind instantly went to Lily, his ruthless stepmother. Was she behind this? And why? What did she want with him now?
The System interrupted his thoughts.
New Objective:
Evade capture and reach the hospital exit.
Secondary Reward: [Shadow Step] - Move undetected in dimly lit areas.
Matteo exhaled shakily, forcing himself to focus. He cracked the door open, peering out into the dim hallway. The coast seemed clear, but he knew better than to trust appearances.
He slipped out, moving as quietly as he could. The System's interface guided him, highlighting the safest path to the exit. But just as he rounded a corner, a flashlight beam swept past, missing him by inches.
Hostile Detected. Utilize [Shadow Step]?
[YES] [NO]
"Yes," Matteo hissed under his breath.
A strange sensation washed over him, as if he'd become one with the shadows. The guard walked right past him, oblivious, and Matteo couldn't help but grin. This was starting to feel less like survival and more like a game—albeit a deadly one.
The exit was in sight now, just a few steps away. But as he approached, a man stepped into his path. It was a tall man in a black suit, his eyes locking onto Matteo with precision.
"You've caused quite the commotion," the man said, his voice smooth and cold. "Let's not make this harder than it needs to be."
Matteo's fists clenched. "Who are you? What do you want?"
The man's smile was chilling. "You don't need to know who I am. All you need to know is that you belong to us now."
Warning:
Hostile Leader Identified.
Recommendation: Engage or Flee.
Matteo's gaze darted to the glowing text, his mind racing. Engage? Against this guy? He didn't stand a chance. But fleeing wasn't much better—he was out of options, backed into a corner.
The man took a step closer. "Come quietly, Matteo. It'll be easier for everyone."
Matteo's response was instinctive. "Go to hell."
The man's expression darkened. "Wrong answer."
Before Matteo could react, the man lunged at him. But as the world seemed to slow, the System sprang to life once more.
New Ability Unlocked: [Counterstrike] - Redirect an opponent's attack with precision.
Activate?
[YES]
"Yes!" Matteo shouted, his body moving on its own. He sidestepped the man's attack with speed, his hand darting out to shove the man off balance. The man stumbled, glaring at Matteo with both surprise and fury.
"You're full of surprises," the man growled. "But this isn't over."
Before Matteo could process what had just happened, the man stepped back, vanishing into the shadows as if he'd never been there.
The hospital exit was now clear, and Matteo didn't wait for an invitation. He bolted into the night, the cold London air biting at his skin.
Objective Complete:
Escape Successful.
Rewards Unlocked: [Enhanced Agility], [Shadow Step].
Next Objective: Find Safe Shelter.