The city felt different at night—quieter, more distant, yet alive in ways daylight could never replicate. Leon weaved through the streets, his mind focused on one thing: Sofia. The system never assigned a target without reason, and the fact that she was now in its sights sent ice through his veins.She wasn’t part of this life. She never had been. He had left to keep her safe, to bury her away from the chaos he lived in. And now, the same system that had been his lifeline was making her part of the game.He pulled up outside R-Tech Solutions, the small tech shop he had opened under an alias. From the outside, it looked the same—glass windows reflecting neon lights, the familiar hum of electronics buzzing within.Inside, the air smelled like solder and fresh plastic, a blend of memory and purpose. A younger employee, maybe early twenties, looked up from behind the counter.“Hey, you new?” the kid asked, adjusting his glasses. “Haven’t seen you around.”Leon adjusted his disguise—plain

The sun had long set, casting the secluded cabin in a shroud of darkness. Inside, the only illumination came from the soft glow of the fireplace and the dim light of a single lamp on the wooden table. Leon sat at the table, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the polished surface, his mind deep in thought.Sofia emerged from the small kitchenette, two steaming mugs in hand. She placed one in front of Leon and took a seat opposite him, cradling her own mug between her hands."Tea," she said softly. "Thought it might help."Leon offered a grateful smile, wrapping his hands around the warm mug. "Thank you."They sat in companionable silence for a moment, the crackling of the fire filling the room. The events of the past days had been a whirlwind, and both were grateful for this brief respite.Sofia took a sip of her tea, her eyes fixed on Leon. "I've been thinking," she began, her voice steady but laced with concern. "About the system, about why they're targeting me."Leon looked up

Leon sat in his dimly lit tech shop, the glow of multiple screens casting sharp shadows across his face. The alliance he had meticulously forged with Evelyn, Damien, Helena, and Tobias was a significant step forward, but he knew that to dismantle the Winters' empire, he needed more than just allies—he required a strategic plan that struck at the very heart of their operations."System," Leon called out, his voice steady.A soft chime acknowledged his command. "Yes, Leon?""Compile all available data on the Winters' financial transactions, properties, and known associates. Highlight any vulnerabilities or irregularities.""Processing," the system responded, its artificial intelligence sifting through vast amounts of information.As the system worked, Leon's thoughts drifted to his past encounters with the Winters. Memories of their ruthless tactics, the lives they had ruined—including his own—fueled his determination. He had once been a rising star in the tech industry, but a hostile t

Leon stepped out into the cold twilight of Prague’s backstreets, his mind still reeling from the events at Victor’s underground facility. The explosion that had sent shockwaves through Victor’s lab, the reanimated soldiers, and the crushing realization that his past had been manipulated—all of it haunted him like a relentless specter. But tonight was different. Tonight, there would be no more fighting—at least, not in the manner of previous battles. Instead, Leon had resolved to create a brief window of peace in which he could rebuild, reflect, and plan his next move.The private safehouse he’d arranged was tucked away on the outskirts of the city—a modest, stone building surrounded by a high, ivy-clad wall. For a few hours, the world outside might forget about the war waging in its shadows. Inside, the atmosphere was hushed, heavy with unspoken words and shared memories. Clara had insisted on staying to support him, and even Elena, though still recovering from past traumas, had come

Leon sat shop, the hum of servers and the soft glow of monitors casting elongated shadows across the room. The air was thick with anticipation; Operation Eclipse had struck a significant blow to the Winter family's empire, but Leon knew the battle was far from over. His mind raced, strategizing the next move, when the system's chime interrupted his thoughts."Incoming encrypted message from Evelyn Cross," the system announced.Leon swiveled his chair, tapping a few keys to decrypt the communication. Evelyn's face appeared on the main screen, her expression a mix of satisfaction and urgency."Leon," she began, "the media assault has the Winters reeling, but Sofia is already maneuvering to control the narrative. We need to escalate."Leon nodded, his fingers steepled under his chin. "Agreed. It's time to target their financial infrastructure. Without funds, their power diminishes.""I have contacts in international banking," Evelyn offered. "We can freeze their assets, but we'll need c