Revenge wasn't fading. It was evolving.
Sharpening. Refining. Becoming something colder… more precise.
Tonight, Ethan wouldn't just fight—he would hunt.
The moment Ethan entered the simulation again, the world snapped into focus like a loaded gun clicking into place.
A passionate dreamer…
You cannot suppress the flames of revenge.
The Scavengers who harvested your organs must be erased.
Ethan's eyes darkened.
Even knowing it was just system narration, the mention of his organs made something in his chest twist violently.
Scavengers.
Filthy butchers who treated humans like spare parts.
Tonight…
they were prey.
He was already prepared to move.
His body—enhanced.
His mind—clear.
His intent—absolute.
Then—
the simulation shifted.
---
A man stepped into view.
Broad shoulders. Chrome mechanical arms. Eyes bloodshot from sleepless nights.
"My name's Wilson," he said, voice rough. "I run the Second Amendment gun shop."
His metal fingers twitched, producing a faint mechanical click.
"Yesterday… my cousin was taken by Scavengers."
A pause.
His jaw tightened.
"I don't know if she's alive. I don't know if she's already been cut open." His voice dropped. "I need someone to go in there and bring her back."
He looked at Ethan like he was the last hope left in Night City.
"I'll give you a weapon. Free. Something that suits your level."
A prompt appeared.
Do you accept Wilson's request?
Ethan didn't answer immediately.
Free weapon?
In Night City?
That alone sounded suspicious.
Weapons weren't cheap. Even the most basic firearms cost thousands. And in the simulation, his usable funds were limited.
But—
he was already going to wipe out the Scavengers.
This mission simply added profit.
---
A slow, dangerous smile formed.
"Deal."
---
Wilson exhaled sharply, relief flooding his face.
Around them, several street mercs exchanged uneasy glances.
Even mercenaries didn't like dealing with Scavengers.
"If we wait any longer, she dies!" Wilson snapped.
And just like that—
Ethan stepped forward.
You accept the mission.
Street Cred increased.
Street Cred: LV1
A selection interface opened.
Weapons hovered before him:
[Submachine Gun] [Shotgun] [Grenade] [Handgun] [Blade] [Blunt Weapon]
---
Ethan analyzed instantly.
Handgun? No—he already had one.
Grenade? Too situational.
Submachine gun and shotgun? Strong, but inefficient for his build.
His advantage was clear—
Body Level 7. Close combat dominance. Martial precision.
---
That left two.
Blade.
Blunt weapon.
---
He didn't hesitate.
Blade.
---
Wilson grinned.
"Good choice."
---
A flash of light—
And a weapon appeared in Ethan's hand.
---
Kang Tao Alloy Battle Blade (E-grade)
Damage: 40–57
---
The moment his fingers wrapped around the hilt—
Ethan's pupils sharpened.
The blade felt…
right.
---
He gave it a light swing.
Swish—
The air split cleanly.
Lightweight. Durable. Perfectly balanced.
---
With the Martial Arts Chip feeding him refined instincts, the blade felt less like a tool—
and more like an extension of his body.
---
"This…" Ethan muttered, eyes gleaming, "…is a killing weapon."
---
He stored it.
Turned.
And walked toward the Scavengers' den.
---
The unfinished building loomed like a corpse.
Broken concrete.
Exposed steel.
Dead silence.
---
Ethan didn't pause.
Didn't hesitate.
---
He raised his gun—
and fired.
---
BANG.
---
A Scavenger's head exploded before he even knew Ethan had arrived.
---
You killed 1 Scavenger. +200 USD.
---
Chaos erupted.
"He's back!"
"Kill him!"
"Rip him apart!"
---
They charged.
---
Ethan moved.
---
And everything changed.
---
The alloy blade flashed like lightning.
Every step he took was precise.
Every movement—perfect.
Every strike—fatal.
---
A Scavenger lunged.
Ethan sidestepped.
One heavy slash—
The man split open, collapsing in a flood of blood.
---
Another attacked from behind—
Ethan pivoted.
The blade cut upward—
Bone shattered.
Flesh opened.
Death followed instantly.
---
There was no hesitation.
No wasted motion.
---
Only efficiency.
---
You killed 1 Scavenger. +200 USD.
You killed 1 Scavenger. +200 USD.
You killed 1 Scavenger. +200 USD.
---
Then—
a new notification.
---
Blade Specialization Unlocked: Stillwater LV1
Heavy attacks deal +50% damage.
---
Ethan's lips curved slightly.
Good.
That meant growth wasn't capped.
---
He stepped deeper into the building.
Blood coated the floor.
Bodies piled.
---
Then—
the enemies broke.
---
Fear replaced madness.
They ran.
---
Ethan stopped.
---
He didn't chase.
---
Instead—
he thought.
---
That decision saved him.
---
Through the system, he hacked into a nearby camera.
And saw it.
---
The boss.
Waiting.
Heavy machine gun ready.
---
The next second—
BRRRRRRT—!
---
Bullets tore through the wall.
Concrete exploded.
Metal shredded.
Even fleeing Scavengers were cut down mercilessly.
---
Ethan moved instantly.
---
His heart compressed.
His muscles surged.
His skin turned crimson.
---
"Berserk."
---
He became a red streak.
---
The boss's eyes widened.
Too fast.
---
He raised the gun—
Too late.
---
SLASH—!
---
The blade fell.
---
The machine gun split in half.
So did both arms holding it.
---
"AAAHHH—!"
The boss screamed.
---
Ethan didn't answer.
---
One clean motion.
---
The blade cut across the throat.
---
The head flew.
Blood erupted.
---
You killed Elite Boss: Scav Boss. +2000 USD.
Street Cred increased.
Street Cred: LV2
---
The survivors fled instantly.
---
Ethan exhaled slowly.
Then moved to complete the mission.
---
He found her.
---
A small girl.
Green twin-tails.
Unconscious.
---
Belica.
---
She was drugged—but unharmed.
No organs taken.
No visible damage.
---
Ethan stared for a moment.
Then muttered:
"What's her attractiveness rating?"
---
10/10.
---
Ethan nodded seriously.
"Good. Wilson's my brother-in-law."
---
Even after the bloodshed—
he still had time for that.
---
After confirming safety, he looted the base.
---
+2000 USD
E-grade Chip: Trajectory Generation
---
Then—
he carried Belica out.
---
Wilson's reaction was explosive.
He nearly broke down when he saw her.
"You brought her back…"
His voice shook.
---
Then he turned to Ethan.
Eyes red.
Grateful.
---
"From now on—20% discount on everything in my shop."
A pause.
Then—
"I'm making you a custom shotgun. Free. I'll send it to your apartment in Watson."
---
Mission Complete.
Street Cred increased.
Street Cred: LV3
---
Wilson grinned.
"You need a codename now."
---
A prompt appeared.
---
Ethan frowned slightly.
Naming…
was his weakness.
---
After a long pause—
he typed one letter.
---
V
---
Wilson's eyes lit up.
"That's a damn good name."
---
And just like that—
Ethan gained his identity.
---
V.
---
A notification followed:
Wilson will spread your reputation.
Street Cred will increase over time.
---
"Smart man…" Ethan muttered.
---
It was already 4 AM.
Before sleeping—
he installed the new chip.
---
Trajectory Generation — Activated
---
A silver line extended from his pistol.
Predicting bullet paths.
Ricochets.
Angles.
---
Ethan's eyes sharpened.
---
"This… is broken."
---
With this—
he could dodge bullets without even leaving sight.
Kill enemies behind cover.
Control the battlefield.
---
Satisfied—
he finally slept.
---
---
Next Morning — Seabrook City
---
The entire city exploded.
---
4 MILLION USD — GONE.
---
CangHai Bank branches.
Public apology.
Media chaos.
---
At school—
everyone was talking.
---
Some said it was a mercenary gang.
Others said it was an inside job.
One idiot claimed it was a ghost.
---
Only Tyler came close.
"They used quantum tech and made the money disappear!"
---
Ethan almost laughed.
---
But he listened carefully.
Police task force.
City-wide investigation.
Capture within a week.
---
Ethan wasn't worried.
---
He left no trace.
---
Even Sherlock Holmes would fail here.
---
---
Afternoon — Physical Education
---
1000-meter run.
---
Ethan controlled his pace.
Finished third.
---
Tyler collapsed behind him.
"How are you stronger now?!"
---
"I've always been strong."
---
The teacher approached.
"You trained before?"
"No."
"Join the army?"
---
Ethan shook his head.
"No."
---
The teacher sighed but gave his number.
---
Connection.
Saved.
---
---
Then—
a message appeared.
---
URGENT NOTICE — ALL STUDENTS
Mandatory survey.
Physical examinations starting tomorrow.
---
Tyler cursed.
---
Ethan froze.
---
A cold feeling crawled up his spine.
---
Why now?
Why sudden?
Why everyone?
---
This wasn't random.
---
His eyes darkened.
---
"Are they… screening players?"
---
For the first time—
since stealing the money—
Ethan felt real danger.
---
Because if the exam exposed him—
The next knock on his door…
wouldn't be weak addicts.
It would be something far worse.
And this time… they would come prepared.
[Want to know what happens next?🤩
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