The sun was already high in the sky when Ethan finally found a place to rest, a cramped alley near a boarded-up shop. He felt like a different person, energized by the taste of his new abilities. The world looked brighter, sharper. He'd survived, completed the quest, and unlocked his stealth skill. But as he glanced at the screen hovering in front of him, a new prompt appeared:
"Primary Quest - Secure a Stable Base. Reward: $45,000 and Temporary Protection."
Ethan exhaled, a mixture of relief and tension. Forty-five thousand dollars would be life-changing, enough to give him a chance at real survival. The idea of having a "base"—somewhere safe where he could eat, sleep, and plan without fear—sounded like a dream.
But the system wasn't done with its surprises. Just as he thought the next step would be simple, the screen flickered, displaying a new requirement:
"Find and secure the base within 24 hours. Warning: Rival Claimants Active."
"Rival claimants?" Ethan murmured, frowning. The term felt like it came straight out of some game, but he understood the gist: someone else was after what he needed.
He straightened, his jaw clenched. He had no clue where to start, but with no time to waste, he headed toward the more rundown part of town, hoping he might find an abandoned building that wouldn't attract attention. He wasn't exactly an expert in breaking into places, but he knew he could be stealthy if needed.
As he made his way through the empty streets, he kept a lookout for anyone suspicious, his senses sharper than ever. The system had come with perks, and he'd discovered earlier how he could fade into the shadows, moving almost invisibly. It made him feel powerful, a stark contrast to the helplessness he'd felt after Sophia and Carter's betrayal.
[ The Search Begins ]
Ethan checked several spots, finding nothing but locked doors or places already taken over by others looking for a place to stay. Frustration built up as each failed attempt made the clock tick faster.
But finally, just when he thought the system might be setting him up for failure, he spotted a narrow alleyway that led to an old, forgotten building. Its windows were cracked, the paint peeling, and vines crept up its sides. It didn't look like much, but it was isolated enough to serve as a decent hideout.
Ethan's heart pounded as he slipped inside, finding the place empty but cluttered with broken furniture and dusty boxes. The faint smell of mold filled the air, but he didn't care. He'd spent nights in worse places. Here, he could make something work.
The screen flickered to life again: "Claim location?"
He tapped "Yes" and held his breath, waiting for confirmation. But instead, a red message appeared, jolting him with its bold letters:
"Rival claim detected. Initiating countdown: 15 minutes until rival arrival."
Ethan felt his stomach twist. Whoever this rival was, they were coming, and fast.
He had no weapons, no experience in fighting, and no idea who he was up against. For a second, he thought of leaving, of finding another place, but the thought of losing out on the reward and everything it promised rooted him to the spot. He'd come too far to back down now.
The door creaked, snapping him to attention. Shadows loomed at the entrance, and two figures stepped into the room. They were young men, both looking around his age, dressed in worn clothes but carrying an air of danger.
"Nice spot you found," one of them sneered, his gaze landing on Ethan. "But I'm afraid you're going to have to hand it over."
Ethan's heart raced, but he forced himself to stay calm, gripping the orb in his pocket, hoping the system would offer some kind of guidance. He had no idea if the stealth skill could help him here, but it was his only chance.
The second man smirked, stepping closer. "Hey, don't make this hard on yourself. You look like you don't belong here. We can take the place, and you can leave in one piece."
But Ethan couldn't. He'd made up his mind. The thought of getting that money, the idea of finally having something that was his—it outweighed the fear.
The system screen flashed again: "New Option Available: Activate Stealth Skill – Shadow Cloak. Warning: Duration Limited to 3 Minutes."
Three minutes. That was all he had. Without hesitating, he activated the skill, and instantly, the room dimmed, shadows seeming to wrap around him like a protective barrier. His breathing slowed, his heartbeat steadying as he moved soundlessly through the darkened room.
The two men's eyes narrowed, glancing around. "Where did he go?" one muttered, swinging his flashlight, which only seemed to thicken the shadows.
Ethan slipped behind them, watching them fumble in confusion. The stealth was more effective than he'd expected, like he was a part of the darkness itself. His only chance was to get out before the skill expired.
As he moved toward the door, he felt a rush of confidence. He was going to make it. Just a few more steps, and he'd be outside, free, and the place would be his.
But then the system's voice echoed in his head, clear and cold: "Stealth skill deactivation in five seconds."
A cold chill ran down his spine. Five seconds wouldn't be enough.
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[ The Suspense Unfolds ]
The darkness faded, and the two men turned instantly, their eyes locking onto him.
"There you are," one snarled, lunging forward. Ethan barely had time to dodge, his pulse racing as he scrambled back, his mind screaming for a way out. The orb in his hand vibrated with a new prompt:
"Emergency Option: Initiate Power Surge. Warning: High energy drain; survival not guaranteed."
He didn't hesitate. With a shout, he slammed his hand against the orb, activating the power surge. A brilliant flash erupted from the orb, filling the room with blinding light.
The last thing Ethan saw was the look of terror on the men's faces as the light washed over them. And then, silence.
When the light faded, the two men were gone, their forms scattered as ashes in the air. Ethan staggered, his vision blurry, every muscle in his body aching. He dropped to his knees, gasping for breath, but he was alive. The system screen popped up with a single message:
"Base claimed. Survival Bonus Granted: 48 hours of Safe Zone activation."
But before he could feel any relief, another message appeared beneath it, sending a chill through him:
"Alert: You have been marked. Warning: System rivals have identified you as a threat. Expect retaliation within 24 hours."
Ethan's eyes widened, his heart racing as the words sank in. His new life had only just begun, and already, he'd made enemies.