A Strange System: Matteo's Rebirth

Chapter 3

The Secrets

The chill of the London night hit Matteo like a slap, but he barely noticed. His mind raced, replaying the events of the last hour in vivid detail.

The System, the shadowy man, the abilities he had somehow gained—none of it made sense, yet it was all undeniably real. His body still thrummed with the energy of [Rapid Regeneration], and the lingering sensation of [Shadow Step] left him hyper-aware of the darkness around him.

Objective:

Find Safe Shelter.

Suggested Location: Abandoned Warehouse near King’s Cross Station.

The glowing text appeared again, unobtrusive but persistent. Matteo frowned, the name of the location triggering a faint memory. King’s Cross—his father used to bring him there as a child.

He could almost hear his father’s laughter, see the way his eyes sparkled when he spoke about their family’s legacy.

Legacy. That word struck Matteo like a blow. His family’s empire, once vast and unshakable, had crumbled after his father’s death. Lily, his manipulative stepmother, had swooped in, consolidating power and discarding anyone who stood in her way. Was tonight’s attack her doing? Had she discovered something Matteo didn’t know he possessed?

“Focus,” Matteo muttered, shaking his head. He needed to survive first. Answers could come later.

Reminder:

Hostiles are still searching. Remaining undetected is critical.

Matteo ducked into an alley, keeping to the shadows. The streets were quiet now, save for the occasional hum of a passing car. He moved quickly but carefully, every sense heightened.

The System’s minimap provided a clear route, highlighting potential threats in red. For the first time, Matteo felt like he had the upper hand.

When he reached the warehouse, it looked just as he remembered—dilapidated and forgotten. A rusted metal door hung loosely on its hinges, creaking softly in the wind. Matteo hesitated, scanning the area for signs of danger. Satisfied, he slipped inside.

The air was musty, the faint scent of oil and decay mingling with the cold. Moonlight streamed through broken windows, illuminating stacks of abandoned crates and scattered debris.

Matteo found a relatively clean corner and sank to the floor, his muscles finally relaxing.

Objective Complete:

Shelter Secured.

Reward Unlocked: [Survival Instinct] - Heightened awareness of threats and opportunities.

Matteo exhaled, his breath visible in the frigid air. The tension in his chest eased as the words faded, leaving him alone with his thoughts. For the first time since waking up in the hospital, he had a moment to process.

“Alright,” he said aloud, his voice echoing in the empty space. “Let’s figure this out.”

He opened the System interface with a thought, the glowing text and menus reappearing instantly.

System Overview:

Host: Matteo De Cannio

Level: 1

Abilities:

[Rapid Regeneration]

[Shadow Step]

[Counterstrike]

[Survival Instinct]

Next Objective:

Uncover the truth behind your activation.

“Activation?” Matteo frowned. “What does that even mean?”

The System didn’t respond directly, but new text appeared.

Clue Unlocked:

The Mysterious System is linked to your family’s legacy.

First Lead: Journal of Emilio De Cannio.

Location: Vault 27, Royal Crest Bank.

Matteo’s heart skipped a beat. His father’s journal? He had no idea such a thing existed, but if it was hidden in a bank vault, it must be important. His thoughts churned, a mix of hope and suspicion. What could his father have known that would warrant such secrecy?

Before he could dwell on it, the System interrupted.

Warning:

Hostiles have tracked your location. Evacuation recommended.

“Damn it,” Matteo hissed, his moment of respite shattered. He rose to his feet, scanning the warehouse. Footsteps echoed faintly outside, the crunch of gravel under boots unmistakable.

“Fan out,” a voice commanded. “He has to be in here.”

Matteo’s pulse quickened. The System highlighted potential escape routes, but all of them carried risks. He couldn’t afford to be caught—not when he was so close to answers.

New Ability Unlocked: [Silent Takedown] - Neutralize enemies without alerting others.

The words glowed in his vision, and Matteo’s lips curved into a grim smile. “Alright, let’s see what this does.”

He crept through the shadows, his movements silent. The System guided him to the first guard, a burly man armed with a baton.

Matteo moved quickly, wrapping an arm around the man’s neck and cutting off his air supply. The guard slumped to the ground, unconscious.

Hostile Neutralized.

Matteo repeated the process with two more guards, each takedown smoother than the last. The final guard was near the exit, his back turned. Matteo hesitated, weighing his options. He could sneak past or eliminate the threat entirely.

The System didn’t wait for him to decide.

Recommendation: Neutralize for safer escape.

“Fine,” Matteo whispered, closing the distance in seconds. The guard barely had time to react before Matteo struck, his movements precise and controlled. The man crumpled without a sound.

Matteo slipped out of the warehouse, his breath coming in shallow bursts. He didn’t stop moving until he was several blocks away, the city’s lights blurring in his vision. Only then did he allow himself to breathe.

Objective Updated:

Retrieve the Journal from Vault 27.

“Vault 27?” Matteo murmured, his mind already racing. It was a high-security vault, the kind only accessible to elite clientele. How was he supposed to get in?

The System provided an answer.

New Objective:

Obtain access credentials from Royal Crest Bank’s VIP manager.

Reward: [Master of Disguise] - Temporarily alter appearance to avoid detection.

Matteo couldn’t help but laugh, the sound bitter. “Of course it’s not going to be easy.”

He straightened, his determination solidifying. Whatever secrets his father had left behind, whatever this System truly was—he would find out.

Because if tonight had taught him anything, it was that ignorance was no longer an option.

As he disappeared into the city, the System’s text glowed faintly, a silent promise of the challenges yet to come.