[David POV]
My body still carried the lingering tension from the fight, but now that I was home, I could finally let it go. I locked the door behind me and sliding down against the door, I sat on the floor, panting. Good thing no one saw me sprinting up the apartment.
As the adrenaline wore off, exhaustion hit me like a truck. My breathing was heavier than before, and my legs burned as if I'd just run a marathon. Bullet Time drained my stamina like crazy. If I didn't get stronger, I wouldn't last long in a real fight.
But I hadn't stopped moving. On the way back, I had changed out of my dress and gloves, stuffing them into my inventory and swapping them for a fresh pair. The last thing I needed was someone linking me to what happened in that alley.
Pushing myself up, I walked straight to the bathroom and turned on the sink. Splashing cold water on my face, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My breathing had evened out, but my pulse was still racing—not from exhaustion, but from what almost happened.
I clenched the edges of the sink.
That guy almost shot me.
If it weren't for Bullet Time, I'd be dead.
My body had moved on its own. My mind had slowed down everything around me. I saw every detail, the way his muscles tensed, the flicker of light on the barrel, the exact moment his finger squeezed the trigger.
And yet, I couldn't control it. That was what I hated.
The skill wasn't something I could activate at will. It just kicked in when my life was on the line. That kind of unpredictability wasn't reassuring, it was terrifying. This time, it activated because I saw the shooter and panicked.
But what if I couldn't sense the danger in time?
What if it didn't activate next time? What if my body froze instead?
I exhaled and left the bathroom, heading to the couch. Sitting down, I stared at my hands, flexing my fingers. My knuckles were sore from the repeated impacts, but nothing serious. No bruises, no cuts. Physically, I was fine.
Mentally? I wasn't sure.
I leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
There were a few things I learned today.
First, I hesitate too much. Second, I let anger take over.
When I went back to beat the guy who pulled the gun on me, I wasn't thinking. I let my emotions take control. Just like in my past life.
I can't afford to repeat the same mistakes.
The third thing, I don't fully control my own skills.
Bullet Time activates when I panic or sense danger. It's useful, but I can't rely on something I can't trigger at will. If I want to survive, I need to train until it becomes second nature.
I sighed.
[Side Mission Generated!]
Task: Meditate for 30 minutes every day for two months.
Reward: 200 System Points.]
[Do you accept the Mission?]
[Y/N]
I blinked.
Was the system telling me to chill out?
Still… meditation might actually help. Calming my nerves, improving my focus—it made sense. And 200 SP was nothing to ignore as something it was I needed to upgrade his system.
I clicked [Yes] without hesitation.
Now, I had something to do before the day ended.
"System, status."
[STATUS]
[Name: David Arthur Brown
Age: 25
Race: Human
Strength: 20
Agility: 20
Intelligence: 25
SP: 225
Lottery Stack: 3/3 draws
Skills: Hand-to-Hand Combat Mastery, Parkour Mastery, Hacking Mastery, Perfect Recall, Cooking Mastery, Bullet Time
Inventory: Glock 17 (5 Mags, Leg Holster), $50,000 Cash, Knuckle Dusters (Hidden Knives) – 2 nos
Character Assimilation: Nil
Missions:
Primary Mission: Revenge
Objective: Make those responsible for your mother's murder pay.
Time Limit: 11 months
Rewards: 500 SP, A Skill, Mystery Box
Side Mission:
Meditate for 30 minutes every day for two months.
Reward: 200 System Points.]
My stacked-up lotteries.
If I didn't draw them today, they would reset tomorrow. It was time to see what fate had in store for me.
I clicked the [Lottery] option on my status screen and a familiar blue screen appeared in front of me.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You have 9 lottery draws available. Would you like to use them now?
[Y/N]
I selected [Yes], then picking 9 cards from the 27 cards displayed in front of me.
[CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE RECEIVED:
- Deadshot - (DCEU) – Character Template
-Luce & Ombra (Devil May Cry)
-Senbons (Naruto)
-Eye Color Manipulation
-Full Potion x 5 (That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime)
-Elucidator & Dark Repulsor (Sword Art Online)
-Yubashiri (One Piece)
-High-Speed Calculation (Psycho-Pass – Shinya Kogami's Combat Analysis)
-C-147B Paladin (Splinter Cell)]
"YES!" I shouted, unable to contain my excitement.
Almost everything I got was insanely useful.
For me, the Deadshot template alone was a game-changer. Elite marksmanship, combat experience, deadly precision.
Luce & Ombra? Guns from Devil May Cry.
Full Potions? Instant full recovery—practically a cheat item.
Still, I didn't recognize some items.
"System, explain my rewards."
[1. Deadshot - (DCEU) – Character Template
A master marksman and an expert in the use of all firearms, Deadshot is also a highly skilled combatant and tactician. He has military experience, having served in the United States Armed Forces.
2. Luce & Ombra (Devil May Cry)
These are dual pistols used by Trish in Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition. Luce (Light) & Ombra (Shadow) are semi-automatic handguns that fire high-speed bullets. The guns are primarily modeled after the Colt M1911 design.
3. Senbons (Naruto)
Thin, needle-like throwing weapons used by ninjas.
4. Eye Color Manipulation
An ability that allows you to change your eye color at will.
5. Full Potion x 5 (That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime)
Extremely powerful healing potions that can fully restore health, stamina, and injuries. Works instantly, even on near-fatal wounds.
6. Elucidator & Dark Repulsor (Sword Art Online)
These are the two swords used by Kirito in Sword Art Online. Both are incredibly strong, lightweight, and perfect for close combat. If David trains with them, he could become a sword-fighting expert.
7. Yubashiri (One Piece)
Yubashiri is a long katana with a black handle. It had a cross-shaped guard and a black lacquered sheath. It is very light sword.
8. High-Speed Combat Calculation (Psycho-Pass – Shinya Kogami's Combat Analysis)
Enhances your analytical thinking during fights. Allows you to predict enemy movements, counter their attacks, and analyze weaknesses in real time. Works like a battle instinct, giving you a tactical edge in combat.
9. C-147B Paladin (Splinter Cell)
A high-tech stealth aircraft used by Sam Fisher and Fourth Echelon in Splinter Cell: Blacklist. Has cloaking technology, making it invisible to radars. Equipped with advanced surveillance systems, weapons, and hacking tools. Acts as a mobile headquarters, allowing you to operate in secret and travel anywhere undetected.]
As I read through the information I grinned as excitement coursed through my veins as I stared at the list of rewards. This was a great haul.
I didn't waste another second.
"Inventory," I muttered.
A blue screen popped up in front of me, displaying all my items. Without hesitation, I selected Luce & Ombra, the twin pistols from Devil May Cry.
The moment I tapped them, two sleek black and silver handguns materialized in my hands, their weight settling naturally against my palms. I turned them over, inspecting every inch. The barrels were slightly longer than standard pistols, but they felt unbelievably light.
I put them into my inventory before my excitement made me accidentally fire a round.
Next, I pulled out Elucidator & Dark Repulsor. Two swords appeared in my grip, one black as midnight, the other an ocean blue with a teal glow. I took a step back, gripping their hilts firmly, and swung them experimentally.
Despite their size, they didn't weigh me down at all.
Next was Yubashiri. A classic katana, its scabbard was sleek and well-polished. I liked katanas while watched them in movies and TV Shows. I don't know about craftsmanship it was beautiful to look at.
Satisfied, I stored the swords back in my inventory and reached for the skill cards.
I tapped the skill card.
High-Speed Combat Calculation (Shinya Kogami's Combat Analysis)
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[Do you want to use this card?]
[Y/N]
I clicked yes.
[Skill Acquired: High-Speed Combat Calculation]
The moment I confirmed it, I thought my mind would feel different but nothing happened. It must be a skill that can come in handy during a combat.
Lastly my eyes landed on the Deadshot Character Template.
Deadshot. The DC World's Top Marksman. A man who never missed except that Big bad bat.
I have hand-to-hand combat mastery, but I only knew little about using guns. This template would change that.
This will help me in my basic survival of this world and my plan for my revenge for my mother's death. I still don't know the exact reason why my mother was killed. But having these particular set of skills would help in
I tapped the card.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[Do you want to begin the assimilation process?]
[Y/N]
to which I obviously clicked yes.
As the grin lingered on my lips, my stomach suddenly let out a loud, almost comical growl.
I blinked.
Right. I hadn't eaten since before I left the hospital. With all the excitement, I hadn't even noticed.
I sighed, rubbing my stomach. "Guess all this power-up business doesn't come with an automatic full stomach."
Without wasting time, I headed to the kitchen. I just made myself Spaghetti and Hot Dogs.
Once I finished my meal, I cleaned up quickly and grabbed my laptop.
It was time to get to work.
I booted up my laptop and connected to a secure VPN before diving into my research. Over the couple of months, I had made a name for myself in the hacking scene, not a big name, but I had pulled off some moderately difficult jobs and built a comfortable safety net of funds.
Now, with money in my pocket and Deadshot's assimilation progressing, I needed to get my hands on guns and ammo.
I've been asking Rick, the instructor who trained me in shooting in thr range, various questions about guns, and he answered them enthusiastically. As a retired soldier, he had a wealth of knowledge on the subject.
I could find a weapons dealer in Hell's Kitchen, but that came with risks, dealing face-to-face always carried a chance of getting set up or worse. Instead, I decided to make my purchases through the dark web. It was anonymous, more discreet and provided access to a wide selection of untraceable firearms.
I filtered through multiple sellers, avoiding anything that looked like a scam or a honeytrap. I needed reliable professional-grade firearms.
Sig Sauer P226 -I went with a Sig Sauer P226, a sidearm used by military and law enforcement worldwide. Chambered in 9mm, it had excellent accuracy, durability, and smooth trigger action.
HK416 (5.56x45mm NATO) – I needed a reliable assault rifle. It is a improved version of the M4 with superior reliability, better gas piston operation and increased accuracy. Chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, capable of handling urban and mid-range engagements.
Barrett MRAD (.338 Lapua Magnum) - It was a modular multi-role sniper rifle, built for long-range precision and chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, a round capable of punching through armor.
9mm Hollow Points & Target ammos for the Sig P226, 5.56x45mm NATO Rounds for the HK416 and .338 Lapua Magnum Match-Grade Rounds for Barrett MRAD.
A weapon is only as good as the shooter—and the right optics can make all the difference. I decided to choose scopes for all the three guns.
Before proceeding with the purchase, I created a new cold wallet, transferred the necessary funds, and routed them through multiple mixers to erase any trail. Once I was satisfied, I sent the payment and awaited confirmation.
The seller responded within the hour.
"Payment received. Drop-off date and location will be sent in 24 hours."
So I decided to wait. After closing the laptop I took a bath and went to sleep.
---
---
[NYPD 15th Precinct – Interrogation Room]
Liam sat in the metal chair, his wrists cuffed to the table. His hoodie was damp with sweat. He kept his head down, his eyes fixed on the scratched-up surface of the table, refusing to look at the two men in front of him.
Detective Christian Blake sat across from him, flipping through the case file with deliberate slowness. The sound of each page turning was the only noise in the room.
Detective Carl Hoffman stood near the door, arms crossed, watching. Not saying anything.
Liam, the guy who got knocked down at the last, he clenched his jaw and swallowed, trying to keep his breathing steady.
"You know why you're here," Blake said finally, his voice calm. "You and your buddies picked the wrong night to try and snatch someone off the street."
Blake leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "So, here's what's gonna happen. You tell us who hired you, we make this easier for you. You keep your mouth shut, we'll let the DA throw everything they've got at you."
Liam didn't move.
Blake nodded to Hoffman.
Hoffman walked over and yanked Liam's chair back slightly, making the metal legs scrape loudly against the floor. Liam flinched but still said nothing.
"You think this is gonna go away if you don't talk?" Hoffman asked, almost casually. "You're looking at attempted kidnapping, assault, illegal possession of firearms, and that's just our list. You really want to take the fall for something you don't even understand?"
Liam forced himself to stay silent.
Blake sighed, tapping the file. "Your friends are already talking. Right now, they're telling us everything." He shrugged. "Maybe they're throwing you under the bus."
Blake watched him carefully. "If that's the case, guess what? We don't need you to talk. We just needed confirmation."
Liam stiffened. He'd been in trouble before, but this was way worse. Petty crimes and this case are on whole different level.
Blake leaned in. "You really want to take the hit for a job you barely understood?"
Hoffman sighed dramatically. "Alright, then." He turned toward the door. "We'll just send you back to the holding cell. See how long you last when your friends cut a deal and you're left holding the bag."
Blake stood up, pretending to lose interest. "Guess you'd rather sit in prison than tell us what we already know." and since he didn't reply he continued talking. "You know, I bet the guys who hired you? They don't give a damn what happens to you," Blake continued. "You think they're coming to bail you out? Nah. They're already moving on to some other desperate idiots willing to do the job."
Liam swallowed hard, his throat dry. "I.. I don't know who hired us," he stammered. "It was just some guy. He came up to us, said there was easy cash in it if we grabbed some women. Said how much we'd get depended on who we brought in."
Hoffman scoffed. "And you just went along with it? No questions asked?"
Liam dropped his gaze. "I really needed the money, so I went along… and it seemed easy at the time."
Blake's eyes narrowed. "And how'd that work out for you?"
Liam exhaled sharply. "Not like we expected," he muttered.
Blake studied him for a moment. "You got a name? Anything about the guy who hired you?"
Liam shook his head. "No name. Just some guy. He paid up front and disappeared."
They both stared at him without talking to him and that made him really nervous. "Look man I really don't anything other that what I told you. I told you both everything I know."
Hoffman then sat down in the chair, and spoke. " Not everything. Who were the guys who put your guy in the hospital? "
Liam's mind flashed back to the scene, the black hoodie, the mask, those ice-cold blue eyes. The way he dodged bullet like it was nothing. And then the way he looked down at them like he was disappointed they weren't a bigger challenge.
If David was here and heard those thoughts, he would be laughing his ass off. Liam seemed to scared shit of him.
He shuddered. Blake pressed. "Guys? No, no, It wasn't guys. It was a guy, A single person." He exhaled sharply.
"It… wasn't normal," he muttered, voice barely above a whisper.
Liam swallowed hard. His hands were shaking now. "He was fast. Too fast. Mikey shot at him point-blank. He dodged it." His voice cracked as he repeated, "He dodged a bullet."
Liam squeezed his eyes shut. "Blue eyes. That is all I could make out of him."
Blake and Hoffman exchanged a glance. They had everything they needed.
Blake stood up first, closing the file with a satisfied thump. "Well, that was easy."
Hoffman smirked, pushing back his chair. "Didn't even ask for a lawyer."
Liam's eyes widened as he realized what had just happened. "Wait, wait, hold on! What about the deal? I told you everything!"
Blake didn't even look at him as he walked to the door. "Yeah. You did."
Hoffman opened the door, stepping out. "Thanks for your cooperation, kid."
Liam jolted against his cuffs, his chair scraping against the floor. "Wait! You... you said.... !"
But they just shut door behind them.
To Be Continued.....