2024-05-07 23:08:26He shivered in the icy wind as he strolled down the alley, dressed in old, faded jeans and a white T-shirt that had small holes in it. In addition, he wore a blue beanie and an old boot that was now covered in dirt and dust.
Samantha's words kept echoing in his head as he placed his hands in his jeans pocket. He couldn't bear to see his ex-fiancee making out with his boss in his house and on his bed; thus, he left the apartment for them and decided to take a walk around the street and wallow in shame, anger, disappointment, betrayal, and frustration.'Indeed, you are a loser, Adams. Keeping a woman seems to be a challenge for you. You didn't even realize she was cheating on you and kept giving your hard-earned money to her to get fancy things while you dressed in old clothes and boots. You foolishly believed in perfect love', Adams thought.Crazy, self-deprecating laughter erupted from him. He leaned against the pole that was just next to him, slid down, and broke down in tears. How pathetic for a man to cry, but he couldn't help it. He felt as if a knife had been driven into his small heart."Sir, would you like to deposit your cash into your account?" He hears a small voice say: The voice sounded melodic and charming, bringing him out of his miserable trance. Adams raised his head. He couldn't care much about his bloodshot eyes as he stared at the red-haired lady.He pulled out his wallet and showed her the only cash left in there."There are only two dollars left on me. Do you think I should deposit this into my bank account?" He asks, and she nods."Of course, but it's still your choice," she replied.Adams chuckles sadistically. He accepted the small paper the lady had outstretched to him and then the pen. He fills it up and hands it to her along with the dollars.The young lady smiled and began operating her automated device. A few minutes later, Adams’ phone buzzed. He scrolled through it and saw there were two dollars added to his zero-dollar account.He looks up at the lady and asks, "Why didn't you take out the charges from the money? I don't have any extra cash left."The red-haired lady cracked up. "Actually, I need two dollars in cash to add to my capital to afford a taxi fare. I was hoping to find someone who would want to deposit cash. It's not for business," she replied.He experienced a rare moment where he didn’t feel like a loser. Adams let out a smile. He stands up to leave, and her next words halt him."Matters arise, but try not to lose hope in yourself. A successful man is a man who never gives up."Adams didn't look behind him as he continued walking down the Alley. If he hadn’t witnessed what he had earlier, he would have believed the lady. He felt he needed something strong to gulp down. He wanted to drink himself into a stupor and forget his sorrow.He continued walking until he got to a buzzing bar. It was almost seven o'clock in the evening, and he had no plans of returning to his nightmare of an apartment.Adams casually strode inside the bar. The faintly lit bar was blooming with loud music. The stench smell of alcohol, which he has always hated, assaulted his nostrils as he took a seat.The bartender immediately walked up to him and offered him a glass with different alcohols mixed. Adams shook his head at the bartender."I need something extra, extra strong," he demanded. The bartender nods and says,"This is a powerful combination, sir. It's so strong that only a shot can get you intoxicated."Those words made Adams grin in satisfaction. "Give me four shorts, then. I need to waste my life," he said. The bartender didn't refuse; after all, he'd get his commission according to the sales he made.In an instant, four shots of high-intoxicants were placed on Adams' table. Adams, without any hesitation, took up a glass. He twirls it and gulps it down in one go. His facial expression twisted at the awful taste, and he shook his head, trying to clear off the effects of the drink.Despite having a burning throat, he picked up the second glass and downed it. His vision became hazy as he mumbled incoherent words.Adams didn't stop himself. He gulped down the remaining glasses and the unbelievably powerful effect of the drink almost made him lose his balance.As soon as the bartender realized Adams' empty glasses, He smiled gleefully, walked up to him, and said, "Sir, each glass of drink is three dollars. Your bill is twelve dollars. Would you like to add more to the list?"Despite having been drunk, Adams could still understand what the guy meant. His bill was twelve dollars, but he only had two dollars on his card. 'What a ruined day', he thought, thinking of how to escape the situation he had put himself in."More shots, please,'' he demands.The bartender felt ecstatic and immediately went to the counter to get the drinks. Seeing that he was gone. Adams stands up from the chair. He looks around and makes sure no one is watching him.'No one here will recognize me; I'll just run, and they won't see me again,' he thought as he made his way out, but it was so wrong of him to think that way. The very next moment, he could hear heavy footsteps behind him.Adams picked up his pace, and so did the security personnels. He began running through the stress after successfully making his way out, but they kept following him. Adams stumbles and tumbles as he runs. His vision was blurry, and his physical balance was unsteady because of the drink he had drunk.Soon enough, four burly men caught up with him in the dark and empty alley. In the dark and empty alley, he found himself surrounded by four burly men, unsure of what to do."Pay us now and we'll let you off, or else get ready to meet your doom," a burly man with spider tattoos on his face said."I don't have money to pay; I'll pay later when I receive my salary," Adams muttered as he tried to keep his consciousness while panting."Oh, you'd pay later. You should have waited until later before coming to drink at the bar. No alcohol for poor men." Another man spoke.Adams wasn't properly hearing what they were saying, as his head was banging badly and his body was quivering as sweat covered his entire being."Losers can't buy drinks. Brother, let's deal with him quickly. We need to return. The boss is coming tonight."The burliest amongst them reminded them. The last thing Adams recalled was a strong fist landing straight on his properly carved handsome face.
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I Activated The Three Master Systems 003 - System Activated
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I Activated The Three Master Systems 004 - Overwhelming Adams
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I Activated The Three Master Systems 005 - Auction Banquet
Evans and Samantha gazed at each other in surprise, not believing their ears. Did a loser like Adams challenge them? How dare he? Evans felt furious. Evans couldn’t accept it positively when someone trampled on his pride."I so much hate Adams Smith. What audacity he has to compare himself with me and even threaten me! I'll see that he never gets a job in this city," he mumbled, fuming with rage as he picked up his phone.Meanwhile, Adams boarded a cab straight to the city's main mall. He took the time to shop for exquisite clothing.Unsurprisingly, most of the items he picked were quality material suits, the newest edition brogues, and cufflinks.There were also hair and skin treatments and shampoo. He didn't shop for many items.At six in the evening. Adams was all set; he had gotten himself a single condominium of three rooms, one of which he plans to convert into his study room.A kitchen, two bathrooms, and a living room. Also, a brand new middle-class black Bentley. He still had
I Activated The Three Master Systems 006 - Acquiring Sky Enterprise Ownership
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I Activated The Three Master Systems 007 - It's You, Aleric
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I Activated The Three Master Systems 009 - Kick Your Butt
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I Activated The Three Master Systems 010 - Gave Her Chills
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115 - How Much More?
_Name:_ Aleric Kyle Christopher. _System Type:_ APEX Survival Protocol _Health:_ 0.5% _Stamina:_ 9% _Combat Proficiency:_ 85% _Available Skills:_ 17 + (5×6) _Currency:_ $ _Available Balance:_ $940 + (300×6) _System Points:_ 130 + (25×6) _System Tokens:_ 52 + (16×6) _Assigned Tasks:_ 2 + 6 _Completed Tasks:_ 2 + 6 [System Notification: Critical Health Warning!] [Recommended Purchase: Restore Health (350%) – Cost: $1000] Aleric’s vision flickered, his body trembling from exhaustion. His breath was ragged, and every inch of him screamed in agony. He barely had the strength to stay upright, let alone move. Then, the system’s notification popped up, and his gaze sharpened. "$1000?" he muttered under his breath, grimacing. That was a lot. Did he even have that much? His mind raced as he forced himself to focus on his status screen. _Currency:_ $940 + (300×6) His tired eyes widened slightly. "Wait..." He did a quick calculation in his head. _$940 plus (300×6).
114 - Game Or Real
Aleric's eyes blazed with rage as he summoned the last vestiges of his strength. The system's warnings still echoed in his mind, but he decided to push them behind him. This wasn't the time for him to heed the system's warning. He either finished them off, or they finished him, and he couldn't let that happen. They can't outdo him when he is younger and immature, outdo him in real life, and then outdo him in the game. IMPOSSIBLE!!. {Skill Activation: Abyss Breaker} The air around him seemed to tear apart, revealing a dark, swirling vortex. His veins pulsed with otherworldly energy as if the very fabric of reality was being channeled through his body. Aleric's mind flashed back to the countless hours he spent playing HQ Virtual Game. He recalled the Master skills he learned, the strategies he employed, and the victories he achieved. The memories flooded his consciousness, imbuing him with a sense of confidence and purpose. With a battle cry, Aleric launched himself at his brothe
113 - Finish Or Die
Aleric groaned, pain thrumming through his skull like a war drum. His fingers twitched against the broken planks under him, but his body felt sluggish, unresponsive. His brother’s punch had carried more weight than expected, like getting hit by a damn truck. [Warning: Adrenaline Surge Required. Do you want to activate the Emergency Protocol?] Emergency Protocol? That meant pushing his body beyond its limits. That was just Risky. Dangerous. Way too extreme. But if he didn't act now, he'd be done for. "Activate it," Aleric growled, wiping blood from his mouth. [Apex System Protocol: Emergency Surge Activated] A violent jolt ripped through his veins. Heat flooded his limbs, numbing the pain and sharpening his senses. His heart pounded faster, his vision clearing in an instant. The world slowed. The eldest brother loomed over him, with muscles that showed his veins, a sadistic grin stretching across his face."You never learn, do you?" His fist came down, aiming straight f
112 - In His Past
The world shifted again. The damp, eerie swamp vanished in an instant, replaced by something else. Aleric found himself standing in the doorway of a dimly lit room, his breath catching in his throat. He knew this place. The familiarity of the place could never leave him. The torture. The suffering. He couldn't ever forget.His room. His old room. It was smaller than he remembered, the walls a lifeless shade of gray, cracked in places where time or rage had left its mark.The wooden floorboards creaked beneath his weight, some loose and splintered, as if they had been stomped on too many times. A battered bed frame sat in the far corner, its mattress sagging in the middle, covered in old, faded sheets.The desk against the wall was overturned, its drawers yanked out and empty, just as they had always been when someone had taken whatever little belonged to him. The only source of light came from a flickering bulb overhead, casting long, shifting shadows across the room. They str
111 - Level 7 Threat
Aleric barely had a moment to breathe before the system screen pulsed again, the translucent blue shifting to an ominous red. [NEW THREAT IDENTIFIED: OBSIDIAN STALKER – LEVEL 7] [Time Limit to complete the task: 5 Minutes] Tf!! His stomach clenched. Level 7?! He had barely survived the Level 3 creature. How the hell was he supposed to handle this? “No way! You must be joking! Give me a break. Yes, I know I have to complete ten tasks, but it doesn't have to be back to back-, okay? I'm still recovering.” [Request Denied!] And then, the world changed. The golden desert flickered and melted away, the dunes collapsing like sand slipping through an hourglass. The ground solidified, turning into rough, uneven stone. The sun above flickered, replaced by an eerie twilight, casting the world in a deep purple hue. A humid breeze rolled in, thick with the scent of damp moss and decaying wood. Aleric's boots scraped against the jagged rock as he steadied himself. Hell!! The desert wa
110 - Aleric In The System
Aleric Kyle Christopher's head felt like it had been stuffed with cotton. One moment he'd been—well, he wasn't entirely sure what he'd been doing. The memories were fragmented, like pieces of a shattered mirror. He remembered traveling to the city to visit a friend, though the name and face escaped him. There had been a counter, drinks flowing freely, and a beautiful woman with eyes like amber. The bathroom. Her lips against his neck. Then... nothing. Now, he stood in the middle of a vast desert, the sun beating down mercilessly on his exposed skin. Sweat immediately began to form on his forehead, trickling down his temple. "What the actual hell?" Aleric muttered, shielding his eyes from the blinding sun. He spun around, searching for any sign of civilization, but there was nothing but sand in every direction, stretching toward the horizon. A translucent blue screen suddenly materialized before Aleric, hovering at eye level. [Welcome, Aleric Kyle Christopher, to the APEX Survival
109 - Defeating Arkeia
Baxter's eyes scanned the horizon, taking in the endless dunes of sand that stretched out before him. The sun beat down relentlessly, making the air shimmer and dance. He squinted, raising a hand to shield his eyes. "Where am I?" he muttered, looking around for any sign of civilization. The NeuroSpark System's interface flickered to life, displaying a message before his eyes. [Location: Desert of Eternal Storms. Warning: Hostile creature detected.] Baxter's head snapped up, his senses on high alert. He scanned the horizon, searching for any sign of the creature. And then, he saw it. A massive, serpent-like creature emerged from the sand, its body undulating as it moved. Its scales glinted in the sunlight, a dull bronze color that seemed to absorb the light around it. Baxter's eyes widened as the creature charged towards him, its jaws open wide. [Threat detected: Dune Wraith. Level: 5. Health: 500. You're at risk of losing.] The System's interface beeped urgently, displaying t
108 - New Mission In The Desert
It was a small patch of skin, tinged a sickly grey, nestled between the creature's emerald scales. Baxter knelt beside the massive beast, his heart racing at the thought of what he had to do.“You’ve got this,” he murmured to himself, bracing for the final confrontation. Suppressing the lingering pain from the creature’s earlier attack, he focused all his remaining energy into his hands, the crackling electricity intensifying until it vibrated in the air around him.With a deep breath, Baxter pressed his palm against the discolored patch on the Chimera’s neck and unleashed a concentrated bolt of electricity. The moment it made contact, the air around him shattered with a brilliant blinding light. The Chimera shuddered violently. Its body convulsed as arcs of electricity coursed through it, illuminating the veins of energy visible beneath its scaled skin.Baxter’s eyes widened in disbelief as the creature’s muscles tensed, twitching uncontrollably before suddenly going still. The onc
107 - pterodactyl Chimera
Baxter's eyes darted around, trying to pierce through the mist and identify the approaching threat. The forest was eerily silent now, save for the occasional snap of a twig or rustle of leaves. "Okay, Bax," he muttered to himself, electricity crackling between his fingers. "You've got this. Just stay calm and—" A blood-curdling screech cut through the air, sending chills down Baxter's spine. He whirled around, just in time to see a massive, bat-like creature swooping down from the canopy above. Its wingspan was easily fifteen feet, and its leathery wings ended in razor-sharp claws. A long, serpentine neck extended from its body, crowned by a head that was a nightmarish fusion of bat and reptile. Rows of needle-like teeth glinted in its gaping maw as it dived--- --bombed towards Baxter, its talons outstretched and ready to rend flesh from bone. Baxter's newly upgraded reflexes kicked in once again. He dove to the side, rolling across the forest floor as the creature's claws raked th
