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100 Systems Invasion 40. Stricken Back
The light underneath Lou Yi and his feet glowed in a synchronized dance. This was the end of the Dragon Altar and the beginning of a new era. His era. Where the world would only remember the name of whoever is strong and wouldn’t question his original intention.But, a dash of golden slashed across from him. A sliver of an old friend, a young face from so long ago. Wanwan interrupted the Diversion that Lou Yi casted.And with it, he fell through reality, lost in the push and pull, the discordant song of space and time. He fell and flew, in a second, it no longer differed. Only darkness. He opened his eyes and then became aware that they were open in the first place.He felt strange.It felt empty.Why did it felt empty?But, it wasn’t empty anymore. Something else was there. A dazzling light, so vivid that his eyes hurt, he closed them. It was calling him. But he had to be somewhere, didn’t he?When he opened them again, he found himself in a world of chaos.Striker was disoriented. Th
100 Systems Invasion 41. Dear Me
She was dead. And with her body buried in a sacred funeral, he took a thumb driver out of her table’s drawer.Oh no, he didn’t meant to. She wanted me to have it, was a lie he prepared in case someone asked. But, no one ever ask him anything anymore. He was not the favorite people to have around. Who would, in their right mind, want to be associated with him. A King of Thief, he used to proudly declare himself, since long before he could remember, seeking attention while elusively avoiding any accusation the law enforcement tried so hard to arrest him with.Now? He didn’t care at all.Even so, he still prepared another argument. It was in his nature, he would say, as part of his brain would reminded him of the morality he was not familiar with. Then, they wouldn’t press for more, because that’s what they expected of him. They knew too well.One thing he didn’t prepare was, “What the hell are you doing here?”He bolted out of her room, out of her house, leaving behind a man he knew by
100 Systems Invasion 42. Strange Dream
He loved the sea. This fact would be revealed to a strange city-lover girl in front of him in one hour and forty minutes time.Currently, he was battling the wind, leaning against the opened door of the speeding rural train. As it passed beyond looming casuarina trees, sliver of blue sea water peeked along the tall, waving coarse grass. He took out his phone, holding it tight so it wouldn’t fall as he took a short video. A keychain that his sister gave to him jiggled left and right, reminding him to be petty and post the video to Instagram. A story for the annoying younger sister that was stuck in town. The quality of it was ignored. It would get to her nerve, either way.Click.The circling neon colors took his mind out of the annoying hair that grew too long, wiping away in his face. After another three weeks of quarantine, he should have went to the barber first thing in the morning. Not the sea. And that thought was quickly forgotten as the train passed through raised wooden house
100 Systems Invasion 43. 999 Damage Received
Clank!Striker’s last hit almost got his neck.Seth quickly pushed the sword away with his blackwood bow. He also managed to scrap the obsidian tip of his bow against Striker’s hand, but it was nothing. Striker’s maximum Resistance made him practically invincible for the next one hundred seconds or so.He felt another pain seared, cutting his breath short. Then, a bigger red stain bloomed on his chest. Even with the added Resistance from Stormweaver, he almost screamed due to the pain.Unfortunately, that wasn’t the end of Striker’s attack.“Seth!”He could hear Wade’s scream, but his mind flared with overwhelming pain he never experiences. The only thing on his mind was a plea.A plea to make this pain go away. A plea for Striker to stop attacking him.A plea so that he couldn’t feel anything.‘Please …’He didn’t want to feel anything.‘Please …’Dong![999 damage received.][You received a Gift.][Gift – Ghostwalker: Unlocked.][Ghostwalker: Teleport Systemist as far as their eyes
100 Systems Invasion 44. The Sacred Promise
Invasion Day 6Minor Memorial Library, Roxbury, CT“Who are you?”Seth repeated his question from yesterday.The stranger didn’t look up from the library’s computer, too immersed in her first-player shooter game. Seth was jealous of her indifference for once, hoping he could lay back on the breakroom’s smelly grey couch and play his own relaxing game.‘What’s the good of shooting animated people when you can shoot an actual infectores instead?’ She thought a little bitterly.The stranger raised an eyebrow, looking up at him in surprise. Perhaps she wasn’t expecting his question because of his inability to tell her identity immediately with the System’s help. “Tricky Fool.”“Your real name, not the one the System displayed. I don’t feel like calling you a Fool when you’re clearly not.” Seth didn’t want to offend her and set her on a rampage like Striker did. He couldn’t take another enemy when he had barely healed from the previous attack.“Beatrice Dooley.” The stranger smiled. “But
100 Systems Invasion 45. Dead Lines
Invasion Day 7Courtyard by Marriott, Fishkill, NYThis was the last chance.The last day for Seth to not lose the System.[1 hour before the System’s seven days free access ends.][Payment is needed to have full access to the System.][Eliminate 3 of your Ally.]The message flashed again in his phone when Seth opened the System’s User Interface, shining his face with luminescent blue hues. He tried not to think much about it. He’d be fine if he had a System, he’d survive this invasion.“Do you have a sister?”Seth faltered on his step, looking sideways at Beatrice, who walked a little slower than him. It was to be expected, she was dragging her axe and a big bag of something he didn’t know about. “Why do you ask that?”The female Systemist shook her head a little. “You gave me my own space in the library, but didn’t sleep more than one room away from me. You’re like a protective older brother, you know?”He scoffed, “I just don’t want you to betray me and call Striker instead.”“Yeah
100 Systems Invasion 46. Kill or Be Killed
Invasion Day 7Courtyard by Marriott, Fishkill, NYOutside of the deserted hotel, littered by unmoving corpses of infectore staff and guests, a fight broke out.Though, to say it was a fight was a bit far stretch. Calling it a one-sided fight was also not quite right, as it looked to be like Beatrice was beating the shit out of Striker. A physical bully, to put it easily.But, if Seth really wanted to describe it, it’d be a full-front attack on a disabled person.“Gah!”“Fuck–““Argh!”Striker’s pained shout sounded like music in Seth’s ear. He would like to hear it more, watching as the mad Systemist screamed like a girl, unable to move a muscle and wield his goddamned bright red blade.It would be perfect revenge if only Seth was the one who caused Striker to cry his lungs out.“The clock’s ticking, remember?” Beatrice told him over Striker’s useless glare and curses. Nodding quickly, Seth moved out and slipped through the woods, keeping himself hidden.Striker didn’t see him yet, b
100 Systems Invasion 47. The Clashes
Invasion Day 7 Courtyard by Marriott, Fishkill, NY 11 : 27 PM The time showed that only thirty-three minutes left before Seth’s seven days of free access to the System ended. Not much of a time, and definitely way less than he hoped he needed. Alas, that was what he had. It was a short time compared to how long he usually spent laying in bed, scrolling up and down on his feed, or playing puzzle games. It was especially short compared to how long he had planted his feet in the world. He’d like to travel out of space first if he could. But, even giving his two allies a proper greeting would take too much time from his plate. So, without further delay, their most awaited fight, Seth picked his arrow with apparent ease and took his aim. Veesh! The silver-tipped arrow breezed past his cheek, slicing the air like its namesake, and in a second, lodged itself an inch away from the blonde girl’s foot. “I’m warning you,” Seth said, picking another arrow from the dark leather quiver by h
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- 100 Systems Invasion
79. Table Turned
The raid was a bust.The lieutenant didn't even wait until they were in the privacy of his office before chewing him like useless gum. He demanded, "What is this, Monroe?"Mark bit back the urge to say, 'What did I tell you about raiding it yesterday, Sir?' He waited quietly and avoided any eye contact from the many people in bulletproof vests with bold 'PPD' on their back, strapping their gun back into safety and rounding up their failed attempt. "Why did I spend three hours of driving to the middle of nowhere with a full squad to take down a drug lab and slavery den while there's nothing here?"Again, instead of pointing out that the raid should have been done as quickly as he had suggested, Mark waited."Tell me, Monroe, why are you even screwing up this bad after the rookie slip up with that fake journalist in the warehouse?"'This is not my fault,' he thought. "We are too late, Sir," he said."Too late? Are you saying I'm too slow to act?" Madsen retorted angrily. "Do you even k
- 100 Systems Invasion
78. Make a Move
"You're so annoying, do I have to remind you every hour?" Rhea grumbled from the passenger seat, watching the dark-haired man behind the steering wheel as the car drove itself to the hill house. "Old news," Lucian commented and then glared at her. "But I already said not to let him into this again."Of course. "Mikhal's right. You do sounds like a jealous secret boyfriend.""Ha. Ha." There was no humor behind that. "First, I am not your boyfriend, I'm your fiance. Second, you're the one keeping this a secret, not me."Rhea grinned, "You didn't deny the first one? Are you jealous?""So what?" She frowned but didn't say anything else. She still couldn't figure out why he was jealous of that tall coworker of hers. No matter how many times she asked him, Lucian wouldn't tell.'Or you just never believe his answer,' a small voice at the back of her head supplied helpfully. She brushed it off because it was total drivel. There was no way Lucian actually felt jealous just because he liked
- 100 Systems Invasion
77. Running for Life
She was not as reckless as Lucian sometimes said to her. But she was still new in this espionage thing, and Mikhal suddenly pushed her down to the ground. Her heart raced, pounding noisily along with the blood in her ears. Mikhal's tall figure was equally low by her side. Confidence may fool many people, but she had none of it right now. Especially not after a burly man in a tank top suddenly pointed his long firearm in her direction, right before she took another shot of the drug lab with her phone. Breathing quietly, they waited in suspenseful silence until the man turned his weapon away from their direction. Another man came out of the drug lab's door, probably exchanging words before both of them went inside again. Rhea exhaled in relief, shoulders slumping down as both Mikhal and her shared a look. They moved closer, trying to get more proof from the small window at the side of the building now known as the drug lab. Not only from the chemical glasses with some colored liquid
- 100 Systems Invasion
76. Into Hidden View
After four days of work, Rhea finally got her day off again. Mikhal texted her, 'Meet you at East Station in twenty.' Smiling to herself, Rhea texted back an affirmation. "So…" Liz glanced at her from behind the steering wheel, "If I may ask, where are you going, Miss Rhea?""Out," she merely said."Any specific place in mind?"Rhea locked her phone, "Not really."The bespectacled girl looked uncomfortable for a second before she asked again. "Do you have any companions?""Yes.""Oh. Who is that?"Rhea narrowed her eyes, not liking where the bespectacled girl was going with this. "Is this an interrogation?""No, of course, not." Liz hastily said, topping it with an awkward laugh that she tried to make it sound natural. "I'm sorry if it came out like that, Miss Rhea. I didn't mean to."She sighed, turning to the sturdy houses that came into view as they finally reached the town's area. "It's fine. Lucian ordered you to do that, right?" Liz stayed silent, so she'd take that as a yes.
- 100 Systems Invasion
75. Coping Mechanism
The cafeteria was full of cola and burgers. "Free dinner for everyone!" one of the senior staff called out as they entered it. Rhea grinned – almost jumped in excitement – as her favorite food was served in front of her for free. Emi, on the other hand, chimed in a loud voice, "We don't pay to eat here!"She stuffed her face with the burger. She sat surrounded by a white shirt and blue vest-wearing staff, finally having a nice break out of the craziness of the afternoon shift. "I can't believe I was so excited about it before."Emi smiled broadly, munching on her mouthful bite of burger. She looked funny. "Didn't I tell you that it's crazy?""Yes, but you carefully left out the fact that it is precisely like that oddball group all over again, except, it happens continuously. Marching in a group in the lobby, then shoving each other to get in the elevator. Why do we only have four elevators, anyway?""But it only happens in the afternoon. After that, it's pretty slow, isn't it?"Rhea h
- 100 Systems Invasion
74. Unwritten Law
Lucian had been at the scene of serious diplomacy once, ages ago as he was still ten, where his father was showing him how to negotiate with a foreign mafia boss from another country. Earl would sign an agreement of letting said mafia boss move into Livingard and give him a little territory on the border to set up whatever operation they had planned. Earl would get back his prized butler slash right-hand man safely in one piece in exchange. He was fond of that man, his favorite butler. A middle-aged friendly guy who had a penchant for cutting apples into beautiful figures and dragging Lucian out of bed before dawn for a morning run. So, hearing that his favorite butler would be back after missing – he was captivated by the foreign mafia after accidentally crashing his motorbike to the mafia's daughter on the road – for three days, Lucian was eager when his father wanted him to tag along. It was supposed to be a valuable learning experience for him.One of the foreign mafia subordinat
- 100 Systems Invasion
73. At Least We Try
'Let him be, don't talk to him, whatever, just ignore him.'She didn't even want to see him. But bottling her overflowing emotions? It was a ridiculous idea.Then a notification chimed in, breaking into her bubble of thought, pulling her from the suffocating underwater feeling. 'How's' your girl's day out with Emi?' Mikhal texted her, oblivious to the chaos she made herself. 'She was great.' She texted back.'Cool. No more outings today?' His reply came seconds later, followed by three dots, signifying he was typing now. 'Imma starts the afternoon shift today. Dunno what to expect.''Expect the worst.''Never know u'r such a pessimist.'She wasn't. Fine, maybe she was. Just at the moment, though. Rhea responded with a laughing emoticon. Followed by a string of crying yellow faces.'What was that?' She bit her bottom lip, 'I want to go out.' Her thumb sent it before she even read the line. She considered deleting it. No use, Mikhal already typed again.'I'm free, if you were asking
- 100 Systems Invasion
72. The Walk Down
Sprinting to the beach, Rhea suddenly stopped before her sneakers touched the wet sand. Quickly taking them off, Rhea looked around for a place to put them without getting worried that the wave would sweep on them or someone take them away. Not that she was suspicious of some people enjoying the beach there, or that her shoes were extremely pricey – they were, not that Rhea knew about that, because it was Lucian who paid – but Rhea didn't want to lose her only pair of sneakers.She looked back to Lucian's parked car on the edge of the beach, where the dry ground met with green patches of grass. Squinting her blue eyes, Rhea calculated how much force she needed to get her shoes to the car's side. The light brown-haired girl got into a stance as if she would throw a slider with her sneaker as the ball. Then, Rhea let go of one of her sneakers in a powerful side swing. It flew in a bent trajectory and landed safely on the dry sand, though still a little far away from the car."Ah, I need
- 100 Systems Invasion
71. Wolf in the Flesh
It was the first time Rhea saw a wolf in real life.The wolf looked like how a wolf would in a book or movie. Nothing special, unlike the jet-black wild wolf she saw in a show. Or the majestic white wolf in legends. The animal in front of her looked just like the usual wolf. Short, triangular ears. Broad snout. A long tail. Looking slender yet seems powerful in its built. Its back was grey, so was its upper head. While the rest of its fur was light brown, and the underside was white.Rhea could not believe it."Should we continue?" Jo asked, stepping slowly on the gas pedal.As Jo drove the car past the watchful gaze of the wolf, Rhea felt a shudder run through her body. Either it was a creepy coincidence, or Lucian somehow controlled the wolf to appear there and failed Rhea's escape. Which sounded impossible. Both of them.It was some minutes later that Jo stopped the car. They were near the first building in the outskirt of Stradfield's little town. "Are you sure you want to get off
