The morning light filtered softly through the windows as I stood by the kitchen counter, a glass of water in hand. The cool liquid slid down my throat, but as I set the glass down, my eyes shifted to the newspaper on the table.
The headline jumped out at me, bold and unapologetic.
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"The Phantom Syndicate Shut Down by Private Investigator Samuel Gebb."
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I couldn't help but smirk as I read the words, the satisfaction bubbling inside me. The Syndicate was gone, and with it, the supernatural chaos that had once haunted this city. It was a clean sweep—no more dark artifacts, no more interference in the world's fragile balance. The shadows had been cast away, for now.
The news was good in more ways than one. Not only had I taken out a threat, but I had done so in a way that would keep unwanted attention at bay. It was clean. Efficient.
I looked at my reflection in the kitchen window, barely noticing the small scars on my body from the previous night's battle. But I was far from done. There was always more to be done, more to conquer.
Just then, I heard footsteps approaching—heavy and purposeful. I didn't need to look to know it was Abigail.
She walked in, her presence filling the room with a palpable tension. Her eyes were cold, but there was something else—something I couldn't quite put my finger on.
"What's this all about?" she demanded, her voice sharp. "Are you trying to play hero or something?"
I glanced up from the newspaper, locking eyes with her. Her gaze was hard to read—frustration? Confusion? Maybe a mix of both—but I wasn't interested in deciphering it.
"Ms. Bardot," I said, my tone formal but cold, as if she were nothing more than a colleague. "I was doing my work. That's all."
I took a slow step back, shifting my weight. As I did, I slightly pulled up my t-shirt, revealing the bullet marks on my right shoulder—marks from my recent encounter. I didn't flinch, didn't react. It was a reminder of what I'd been through, what I'd endured, all for the sake of the job.
"You want me to suffer, right?" I asked, my voice cold and emotionless. "So I'm doing exactly what you wanted. Why are you acting like you care?"
I watched her face, but she didn't speak right away. The silence between us was heavy—unspoken words hanging in the air. I could feel the unsettling tension, but I wasn't going to be the one to break it.
I turned on my heel, my footsteps echoing as I started toward the door of my room.
"Don't bother trying to act concerned," I said, my voice trailing behind me, "I'm doing what you wanted. Nothing more, nothing less."
I opened the door and walked in, leaving her standing there in the kitchen, the door clicking shut behind me.
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The Calm After the Storm
I leaned against the wall in my room, looking out the window as the city began to stir with life. The chaos, the mess, the unrelenting whirlwind of my existence—it didn't matter now. I had outgrown it.
What Abigail thought, felt, or said no longer had the same weight.
I had done what I had set out to do. The Phantom Syndicate was gone, and the world—at least for a time—was a little safer.
But what about me? What did it all mean for someone who no longer believed in love or connection?
I scoffed under my breath. "No time for that now."
I turned to the mirror, and for the first time in a long while, I truly looked at myself. I saw a man who was no longer Samuel Gebb, but someone greater, someone who had risen above it all.
But Abigail? She was still stuck in her old games, in her manipulation.
"She doesn't get it," I whispered to myself, "And I'm not the one to explain it anymore."
The Cursed Manor – The Banquet Encounter
I stood in my room, the soft hum of the System's voice filling the silence.
"Show me the remaining tasks," I commanded.
The blue screen flickered, listing the available quests.
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[Available Quests]
1. The Cursed Manor – Reports have surfaced about an abandoned mansion where people enter but never leave. The presence of a high-level curse has been detected. Investigate and break the curse.
(Reward: +10 Agility, Hidden Ability Unlock)
2. Bounty Hunter Mission – Eliminate the Ghost Assassin – A dangerous contract killer known as the Ghost Assassin has resurfaced, targeting influential people. Track them down and bring them to justice—dead or alive.
(Reward: +12 Strength, +6 Charisma, Stealth Upgrade)
---
I took a moment to consider my options. The Ghost Assassin mission was tempting, but breaking a high-level curse intrigued me more. There was something about facing the unknown, the supernatural, that piqued my curiosity.
I smirked and gave my decision.
"Activate Task One."
The System processed my request before responding.
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[Task Activated: The Cursed Manor]
Client: Mr. Morris
Meeting Location: Banquet at Opera Hotel
Time: 15:00 PM – 21:00 PM
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I glanced at the time. If I was going to attend a high-class banquet, I needed to dress the part.
"Going in normal formals won't be appropriate. Looks like I need to go shopping."
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The Perfect Suit – A Man Above the Rest
A few hours later, I found myself in an exclusive boutique, my eyes scanning the rows of luxury suits. Nothing really caught my attention—until I saw it.
A fully tailored black suit—sleek, perfectly fitted, exuding both power and elegance.
I reached out, feeling the fabric between my fingers. "This is it."
A black shirt, black trousers, black shoes, and a black suit jacket. A monochrome symbol of dominance.
But I wasn't going to wear a tie. I never liked closing the collar button.
After making my purchase, I changed into the suit, adjusting the cuffs before stepping in front of the mirror.
I took in my reflection, a smirk forming on my lips.
"Is this suit making me look too perfect, or am I just making it look better?" I chuckled.
I stepped out of the shop, catching glimpses of onlookers staring at me. Their eyes held a mix of admiration and disbelief. Men envied me. Women desired me.
I couldn't blame them.
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The Banquet – An Unwanted Encounter
I arrived at the Opera Hotel, stepping into the grand banquet hall. The air was filled with the clinking of glasses, the murmur of small talk, and the faint sound of classical music playing in the background.
As I walked through the crowd, all eyes seemed to drift toward me. Whispers followed in my wake.
"Who is he?"
"That man… he's like a deity."
"I've never seen anyone carry themselves like that."
I ignored them. None of it mattered. I was here for business.
Then, just as I scanned the room, my eyes landed on a familiar sight.
Abigail.
Her arm was wrapped around Joshua's, their postures mimicking that of a perfect couple. She was smiling, laughing at something he said—but when her gaze met mine, her expression faltered.
I didn't react. I simply walked past her as if she didn't exist.
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The Meeting with Morris
A distinguished-looking man stepped forward, a warm smile on his face.
"Mr. Gebb, thank you for coming," Morris greeted me, offering his hand.
I shook it firmly, returning the smile. "The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Morris."
"Shall we discuss the case?" I asked smoothly.
He nodded, leading me toward a quieter area of the banquet hall. But before we could begin, an unwelcome interruption arrived.