After leaving Martins house, Alex immediately returned to his safe house.
Laying on his single bed, he looked at the system notifications that were displayed.
[Ding!!]
[Target with exceptional talent detected]
[Name: Anastasia Nikolaevna Fletcher]
[Age: 20]
[Occupation: None]
[Skills: Hacking & Cybersecurity: Ex+
Data Analysis: Ex
Social Engineering: B-
Encryption/Decryption: Ex+
Psychological Profiling: B+
Combat/Firearms: B+
Target Tracking: A
Stealth and Concealment: Ex-
Long Range Marksmanship: A+]
[Ding!!]
[Congratulations Host for forming a new contact. Rewards will be distributed shortly]
[Rewards: Exp+ | Formula for Valkyrie Drug]
[Ding!!]
[Level Increased]
[New feature Unlocked]
[New feature Unlocked]
Looking at all the messages from the system, Alex couldn't help but feel intrigued by the novelty of it all as he continued to read the first notification, and what he read completely surprised even him.
'System, how do you rate these skills.?'
[Skills are acquired through continuous training and application to increase proficiency, and the System rates this proficiency from the lowest F, E, D, C, B, A, S, SS, EX, L]
"Wow…. She is damn good then."
[System recommends recruiting her]
Hearing the system's suggestion, Alex sank into his thoughts contemplating. 'I'll think ab0ut it later.'
He continued to read the system notifications.
[Level Up]
[New Feature: Skills Section Unlocked]
[New Feature: System Shop Unlocked]
Alex opened his Status window after seeing the new features that were unlocked.
[INFLUENCE SYSTEM | STATUS WINDOW
Name: Alex Gray
Age: 21
Status: Stable
Level: 5
Assets: $160 000 | RP: 160
Reputation: Operator
Shop
Skills: Tactical Intelligence: A+
Strategic Planning: S
Psychological Manipulation: S+
Firearms Handling: A
Combat Proficiency: A-
Leadership: B
Negotiation: A
Observation: S-]
Looking over his updated status, Alex was intrigued by the new features that were displayed on it.
'System, what's this RP and Shop now?' he asked.
[Host, RP (Reputation Points) is the systems currency you can use to purchase items in the Shop. They can be earned by completing System Task or earning by increasing your assets (Total Asset Value/1000)]
[System shop is one of the features of the system where it offers Host a multitude of information. From Fighting techniques to Blueprints for Advance Computers.]
'So, what you are saying is, I can buy anything I want in this system shop, even an untraceable gun?'
[System does not provide physical items—only the knowledge to build, design, or execute what you desire.]
"Interesting."
Even Alex couldn't help but feel excited with all the new features he was receiving from the system.
'Hehehe......this is become really interesting.'
He looked at the last rewards he received from the system.
[Overview:
The Valkyrie Drug is a next-generation, high-potency stimulant designed to enhance physical performance, heighten aggression, and create a rapid sense of euphoria and invincibility in users. Its chemical blueprint combines synthetic nootropics, modified amphetamines, and a proprietary dopamine-regulating agent to increase addiction rate and long-term dependency.
Primary Effects:
Rapid spikes in adrenaline and dopamineIncreased pain resistance (temporary)Heightened alertness, stamina, and aggressionInduced sense of fearlessness / emotional numbnessShort-term combat performance enhancement
Side Effects:
Severe psychological withdrawal (Paranoia, hallucinations)Cardiac strain under physical exertionMild neurodegeneration with prolonged useDependency after 3rd exposure in 72% of usersRapid onset addiction curves with unpredictable behavioral shifts
Distribution Potential:
Easily replicable with limited lab-grade accessHigh appeal in combat circuits, underground fight rings, and black-market security firmsLow production cost, high street valueAdministered via pill, powder, or injectable form]
[Receive Rewards: Y/N]
Alex pressed yes without a second thought after seeing the effects and potential the reward he received had. This could provide him with massive profits that he could use to continue expanding.
After he received the rewards, his brain was filled with knowledge of how to create this drug, it felt like being stuffed with food while you were already full, the feeling was discomforting but exhilarating at the same time.
After going through all the information that he had. Alex knew that his rise to the top was all but inevitable with the help of the system.
---
A few days later.
After Alex came up with plans on how to start his operations, the first thing he knew he was going to need was personnel to make the product. The issue is, with his crew destroyed and old contacts who were either scared off or pretending they'd never known him., it was going to be difficult to get people.
Its not like he can just post an Ad online of something, 'That would be a sight to see though.'
He needed to be discreet with his recruitment, and he knew exactly who to call.
"I guess it's time I check up on him."
----
Collins was a dedicated Police Officer, or at least that was what he would like to believe. He came in the Police Department with ideals and goals of punishing Bad people and protecting the innocent, he truly believed he could bring that change to the city.
But very soon, he learned that his ideals were meant to be no more than just that, Ideals.
But Mark still wished to make the city a better place and Alex showed him how; he can still remember the conversation he had with him vividly.
---
"You are new...?" Alex asked as he looked at Mark drowning himself in alcohol,
Mark looked at the man that just took a seat next to him, "Yeah."
Alex looked at the man intently as he drank his beer, a smirk slowly formed as he observed him more,
"The job is not what you expected huh?"
Surprised, he looked at him and hesitantly replied, "Yeah."
"You know, this city will never get better when the people trying to fix it have their hands tied to their backs." The man said to him as he proceeded to order himself a glass of whisky from the bartender.
Mark was confused about what the man was saying, and he found himself blurting out a question, "What do you mean?"
"Well, Mr.….?"
"Collins…. Mark Collins." Again, he blurted out his name without even thinking.
"Mr. Collins you see, this city is like a dying body which has its antibodies restrained, what do you do in a situation like that…...?" Alex asked rhetorically while sipping on his whisky,
"You introduce a less dangerous virus to wake the Antibodies up."
Alex then looked at Mark, "Mark, this city doesn't need just another cop, it needs someone who understands that to fight the greater evil, you also have to get your hands dirty."
After he said that, he left.
---
He never forgot the words said by Alex that day.
Arriving at the police precinct, he parked his car and went inside. The building was bustling as always with officers doing their jobs or just wasting taxpayers' money.
Sitting down at his desk, he looked at the file that was placed on the table as he opened it. Looking at its contents he furrowed his burrows and sighed. And a second later his phone rang, looking at the caller with the Unknown Number written, he picked it up, knowing who was on the other side of the phone.
"Mr. Gray, I was just about to call you."
"Ohh? What did you find?" Alex asked
"Well Mr. Gray, this man was difficult to track...but I did find that shortly after he left the scene, he boarded a plan headed for Rome under the name Simon Tempest, after that I lost track of him, and I can't get any more information on him."
Alex stayed quite for a moment and continued shortly after, "Good work Detective, I have another task for you."
Hearing this Mark couldn't help but furrow his brows and replied, "Mr. Gray, with all due respect, I don't work for you."
Alex laughed as he responded, "Don't be like that now detective, aren't we partners...you are breaking my fragile heart when you speak like that."
"*SIGH* what do you need...?"
"I need names, and address of some people, you think you can help me with that."
"That should be easy enough…"
"Good, I'll send you the details of what I want." Finishing his part Alex dropped the call.
"*SIGH* It's going to be another long day."
Mark said as he sat down on his desk and pulling out a cigarette to smoke.