The Birth of a Predator
The rain had stopped. The air was thick with the scent of the city—gasoline, damp concrete, and the distant aroma of ramen from a late-night stall.
Renji Arata stood beneath a flickering streetlamp, his bloodied hands shoved deep into his pockets. His lips curled into a smirk as he stared at the blue holographic screen floating before him.
[First Mission: Destroy Takeshi's Life. Ruin His Reputation, Finances, and Existence.]
[Reward: +10 Intelligence | $50,000 | First Skill: 'Psychological Manipulation']
A small chuckle escaped his lips.
"Takeshi… you thought you won?" he muttered. "I was a fool to think life was about kindness, about love. But now… now I see the truth."
His eyes gleamed with something sinister.
"This world belongs to those who take."
A cold wind swept through the streets as Renji's mind sharpened. The system had chosen him. And he would use it to carve his name into history.
"System, show me my stats."
The holographic screen shifted.
---
[Host: Renji Arata]
Level: 1
Attributes:
Strength: 3 (Below Average)
Intelligence: 6 (Slightly Above Average)
Charm: 2 (Pathetic)
Psychological Manipulation: [Locked]
Wealth: ¥12,300 (~$80)
---
Renji's smirk widened.
"Pathetic," he whispered, shaking his head. "But not for long."
He pressed his finger against the 'YES' prompt for the mission.
The system dinged.
---
[Mission Accepted]
[Time Limit: 7 Days]
[Hint: True destruction begins from within.]
---
Renji cracked his knuckles.
Seven days? That was more than enough.
His mind raced, dissecting Takeshi's weaknesses. He needed information—weak points, scandals, anything that could burn his life to the ground.
And he knew exactly where to start.
---
The Whispering Abyss
The next morning, Renji stood in front of a sleek glass building—Kurogane Corp., the company where Takeshi worked.
His fingers clenched into fists.
"This bastard made a fool out of me. Let's see how much he laughs when his entire life burns down."
Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward.
Inside, the lobby was pristine—marble floors, high ceilings, and artificial waterfalls meant to impress.
The receptionist, a young woman with short brown hair, barely glanced at him.
"Do you have an appointment?" she asked, her voice laced with disinterest.
Renji leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"I'm an old friend of Takeshi Kurogane. I have… something he wouldn't want getting out."
The receptionist blinked, suddenly interested.
"Wait here," she murmured, before making a quick phone call.
Renji exhaled.
Good. The first step was complete.
Moments later, another man entered the lobby—broad-shouldered, a scar running down his jaw. Security.
"Follow me," the man grunted.
Renji smirked and stepped inside the abyss.
---
Predator and Prey
Takeshi's office was large—too large for someone who was only a middle manager.
Sleek black furniture, a bar stocked with expensive whiskey, and a city-view window that made him look more important than he really was.
And there he was.
Takeshi Kurogane.
The man who had stolen Renji's wife.
The man who had laughed in his face.
Takeshi leaned back in his chair, smirking.
"Well, well. The cuck comes crawling in," he sneered. "What do you want, Renji? A pity job? Akari already told me you're broke as shit."
Renji's fingers twitched. He wanted to rip this bastard apart.
But no. This wasn't about mindless violence.
This was about ruin.
He smiled.
"You're right," Renji admitted, stepping closer. "I'm broke. Weak. Pathetic."
Takeshi chuckled, swirling his whiskey. "Glad you finally understand."
Renji sighed dramatically.
"It's funny, though. Even a loser like me finds things out. Things that could… ruin a man."
Takeshi's smirk faltered slightly. "The hell are you talking about?"
Renji's grin widened.
"I know about the offshore accounts," he whispered.
Silence.
A flicker of panic crossed Takeshi's face before he scoffed. "You're bluffing."
Renji leaned in, lowering his voice.
"Three accounts. All under fake names. Massive tax fraud. Enough to send you to prison for twenty years."
Takeshi stiffened.
Renji's voice turned colder.
"Oh, and Akari? She's not loyal to you either. Want to see the messages she sent your boss?"
He pulled out his phone and showed a fabricated screenshot—messages between Akari and their CEO, hinting at something scandalous.
Takeshi snatched the phone, his face twisting in fury. "That… bitch…"
Renji could see it.
The cracks forming. The foundation breaking.
He tilted his head.
"You always said I was pathetic. That I was nothing," he murmured. "Tell me, Takeshi… how does it feel?"
Takeshi slammed the whiskey glass onto the table, rage boiling in his eyes.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Renji," he growled.
Renji only smiled.
"No, Takeshi," he whispered. "I've already won."
He turned and walked toward the door.
[Mission Progress: 30%]
Renji glanced at the notification and smirked.
Seven days?
Takeshi's life would be over in three.
And this was just the beginning.
---
A New Path
That night, Renji stood on the rooftop of his apartment, staring at the city below.
His phone vibrated.
A new mission appeared.
---
[Side Mission: Find an Ally]
Objective: Recruit someone who will follow you without question.
Reward: +5 Charisma | $10,000
---
Renji exhaled.
"If I'm going to rule this world… I'll need people to kneel before me."
His dark eyes gleamed under the moonlight.
"Let's begin."
....