"PAYTON" called out Benjamin. "What the fuck is wrong with [System Map]?""Pardon Me, Master?""This guy's a System User!" Payton didn't respond."PAYTON!" barked Benjamin."Yes, Master Benjamin. According to the Skill[System Map], there are no System Users nearby," it replied softly."Don't give me that bullshit!" snapped Benajmin, disengaging his balled-up fist, and arming his legs instead. His right leg pivoted backwards, and his left shot up in the air, as a back kick. [Martial Arts] was still active."Oh," said Adin, who had already seen the movement and had backed his head away from the path of Benjamin's leg, however - It was a spin kick. Benjamin's right leg followed even quicker, than his left, and landed a blow acroos Adin's jaw.Adin stumbled a few feet backwards, and Benjamin landed on a handstand, kicking his legs to right himself up. He looked about the table. Amber had already deserted her seat, and stood behind him, by his left shoulder."Benjamin" she whispered. "It's
"The fuck?!" he winced and backed away. His hand felt heavy, and moist, almost like---It was blood. When Benjamin raised his hand, his knuckles had torn open, as if lacerated by some sort of Industrial machine. And the bleeding was rampant. He clutched his sliced hand in burning pain."But, [Enhanced Body]" muttered Benjamin."[Enhanced Body] is still active, Master Benjamin" replied PAYTON quickly. Benjamin wasn't so quick to trust the machine, so he manually pulled up the stats window himself.[Enhanced Body: Active][Martial Arts: Active]"What in the fuck?!" he cursed out loud.Adin made a high-pitched whistle. "Looking for this?" he asked, twirling the jagged piece of glass Benjamin had intended to stab him with.How?! thought Benjamin. Did he rip that out from my hand before it collided? But that's impossible!"Don't be too shocked, Mr. Benjamin Black. You're capable of some pretty crazy things yourself, aren't you?" Adin reminded. Of course. It was easy for Benjamin to believe
Adin shook his head and looked at him listlessly. "This is so pathetic. To think you were just this ignorant.""Finish the story, motherfucker!" cried Benjamin."The Cocksucker is a Mr. Martoni."Benjamin was familiar with the name Martoni. Incredibly familiar."I'm talking about Mr. Martoni Black, of course." Adin cocked his head. "I'm sure you're acquainted with him. He is the head of the Black family, after all."A tight gasp of air left Benjamin's lips, and he felt his arms limp. "What?" he started in a hoarse voice "Did you just say?""Hmm? You're not deaf too, right? You've been hearing me so far" reasoned Adin, and sighed. "Well, that's it for me. Been nice talking with you, Benjamin.""You fuck! Get back here""And do what exactly? Explain myself? Don't tell me--" Adin scratched his chin. "You're still not getting the memo. I thought it would be clear once I mentioned his name."Mr Martoni Black, was the figurehead of the Black Family. CEO, philanthropist, and eccentric. Mr. M
"I - I didn't think about that.""Of course. You were so eager to see yourself as a piece of shit." surmised Amber.Benjamin's hands went to his temple. Amber's ears perked up, and she moved to the Balcony. She thought she had heard -- "Do you hear Sirens?" she asked, panicking. Of course, the question was rhetorical. Whether there were sirens downstairs or not, was irrelevant. Sooner, or later, they WILL be there.Amber closed her eyes. One way or another, she had to take her chances. She left the balcony, left the restaurant, left a confused Benjamin Black who still stood frozen and transfixed by his thoughts. It was when she called the ground level from the elevator, that he appeared before her again."What do you think you're doing?" he asked ominously."Trying not to get arrested. But you can stay if you want to" she snapped back."You'll never make it. They already have your description. And who knows if there are some security cameras you missed on your way up? Or some even acr
"I said Freeze!" instructed one of the Vanguards."We are frozen, Sir," said Benjamin turning his head. The vanguard immediately pulled his pistol."This is your last warning," he said. Benjamin remembered he was still only at Level 3 of Enhanced Body. A Bulletd, especially from this distance, would still rip him apart. He said nothing further, except winking to Amber, who had long since frozen, with her hands on the table and her lips pursed. It's fine. "Well, if this isn't a mighty fine reunion," said a voice behind the squad. A man emerged. It was an officer with a familiar mustache and skinny build. Benjamin recognized him instantly when he came under one of the spotlights."You again!" he remarked. It was the detective/Captain he had disarmed back at MoonShot Inc."I'm so glad!" replied Benjamin cheerily."The fuck?""That you're alive, Captain." finished Benjamin.The Captain squeezed his fist but gave a satisfied smile. "Thank you for keeping me that way, O Mr. Benjamin. I'll
Benjamin looked around for Amber. Hopefully, she wasn't too shocked by the sights. Shocked was the hell of an understatement.Her mouth was fully agape at this point, and she let out a scream. A short shrill scream, tugging at her hair. The Captain was disturbed. From the dispatch call, Benjamin and a woman wearing a beige dress had been responsible for the assault at GRIDATTA. Why was she behaving as if it was the first time she saw that ability? Was it really the first time?Benjamin sat coolly, wondering, waiting to tackle Amber's emotions, her protests, cries, remonstrations, and whatever psychological response she would blurt trying to handle her nervous breakdown. But Amber only buried her face beneath the table, her fingers shivering while holding on to the maple tabletops.I'll deal with that later, thought Benjamin. And turned to the Captain, with a courteous smile. "You'll have to excuse my companion here. She's had a little too much to drink""That seems like a reasonable e
"Because the police must serve and protect asshole. I'm not going to endanger the life of many because of a maybe," said Bradley hotly. But after a few seconds: "And also, we received about 5 different calls back to back."Impossible, thought Benjamin. Was this Adin's handwork? But he had no phone on him the entire time. And from the looks of it, the police arrived way faster than their response time if Adin had made the call AFTER he left the GRIDATTA. What about before? No, then it would be too long a response time from the police."PAYTON?""Master Benjamin?""Is it possible, for a host to do two things at the same time? No, three things. Maybe four." PAYTON went silent."Yeah sure, take your time," replied Benjamin dryly."Huh?" asked Bradley, watching ass Benjamin seemingly address him without looking."Not you," Benjamin said sharply. "Were you able to contact your Linda?""Her number's disconnected. You want to finally tell me what this is all about?" asked Bradley.Benjamin sm
"I said do it!""At once, Master Benjamin."[Notice: DRIVER'S POV elevated to Level 4.]"How do I do this?" muttered Benjamin touching the wheel. A small blue menu popped on his screen.[RED LINCOLN CONTINENTINAL PICKUP 1983 detected. Use DRIVER'S POV? YES/NO]Benjamin engaged YES, and the truck roared to life.Bradley was even more starstruck. "I'm going to keep sounding like a broken record, am I? Just how in the fuck--"Benjamin had already gunned the accelerator pedal, and the truck jerked into motion. Speeding past the cottage houses. They shot out from the streets and onto the main highway."Which way did she go?" Bradley wondered, sticking his head out of the window."Left" snapped Benjamin, clutching down, and using the handbrake to drift into the last lane. Was this the ability of Level 4 [Driver's POV]? He did it so naturally, even more naturally than as if he had been practicing every day.He kicked the clutch down as the vehicle spun, and wobbled. The old and rickety suspe