Danger Void proved to be a handy ability.Ryan was forever thankful that he got it easy. The ability didn’t care about his malnourished physique nor about his lack of skill and experience in martial arts. No hit and punch could harm him anymore.So, going against two more fighters – both inexperienced and experienced ones – was easy. He evaded all their attacks, so it was only a matter of time until he could lay his punches and make them give up.By midnight, the underground fighting floor was blaring with cheers and heavy curses directed at him. To say the least, it wasn’t his fault that the fighter the audience bet on lost to him and his lousy punches.He didn’t care.Ryan came down here to give Jared a taste of his own medicine.“What a marvelous performance from our contender tonight!”The lights blinded him for a second. He didn’t like it.“And now, for the last fight,” the host paused for a dramatic effect, “Our champion, our hero, who have fighst countless opponents in this ver
There was no news about Jared’s victory last night, but Ryan’s beaten body was a trophy on its own.TEETS didn’t heal him. Not its obligation, it said. It only healed him that first time as a kind of gift and to make sure that Ryan's decision regarding TEETS’ installation was sound.[Do you want to call an ambulance?]Somehow, upon his easy defeat in Exhibit X’s ring, TEETS had become quite chatty. Perhaps TEETS didn’t want him as the Host to die so early. And that brought a question in his head.‘What happen if I die before achieving my goal?’Although Ryan was alone in his newly-bought house and was free to speak to himself, his jaw, his entire face, and his stomach were hurt to move. He could only lay on the couch in the living room, having no energy to bring himself upstairs.[TEETS success rate will decrease.]‘So what? You’ll disappear?’[All Systems will unmake once the success rate drop below 50% and then remake with different formats to ensure its success.]‘What’s your rate?
Early in the evening, Ryan set out with his newly bought convertible. He was following behind Jared’s car, driving under the gloomy sky of London and through its less populated street.His older brother-in-law had offered to ride together, but he wasn’t in the mood to deal with that CEO prick. Moreover, he didn’t want to buy another car just because Jared dumped him on an unfamiliar street.That being said, he’d just follow the CEO prick to whatever meeting place it was.About half an hour later, Jared’s car slowed down to a stop on a side road. The block was filled with red brick buildings and trees along the pedestrian. Several other cars lined up, not less fancy than the ones they owned.Getting out of the convertible, Ryan looked around his surroundings. A movie theater, beauty salon, several office buildings, and a few restaurants with their dim lights, contrary to neon bright, fast food service. Most buildings there were closed, either out of business or empty, but Jared walked
It had been a while since he met Violet.After two days of sleeping on medication, Ryan rose from his bed feeling fresher. As he went to the master bathroom, he was quite glad to find no broken nose and blue and yellow bruises on his face. In fact, there was no single soreness in his body anymore.He checked in a clinic, saying he got into a bar fight last night, so the doctor and nurses weren’t suspicious. He could easily report Exhibit X as an illegal fighting club to the police, but he had another plan for it.That being said, Ryan was ready to kickstart his plan.He ruffled his hair with a towel to dry it, slightly shivering from the cold shower. After getting dressed in a pair of new dark jeans and a black long-sleeved shirt, he checked the mirror again. He looked better, in his opinion. Two days of doing nothing drove him into spontaneous online shopping for clothes his size.Still, the smallest shirt he bought was too big for him. Mayb
Late at night, Novaris Pharmaceutical’s building was completely dark, saved for the ground floor where three security were on guard and a lit room on the highest floor. He had ensured that the room upstairs belonged to Jared, who worked overtime as the CEO. Ryan had descended to the first floor of the TeaTop building, ordering pizza and a coffee on the go. He didn’t eat dinner, but it wasn’t for him either. ‘Night Cloak.’ [Night Cloak Lvl 1 activated.] [Time Left: 59 minutes.] As the fast food restaurant was already empty of customers, most of the employees moved to clean the kitchen while a cleaning staff mopped the dining area. With Night Cloak activated, Ryan slipped behind the counter and grabbed a worn, uniformed polo shirt and a red cap with the restaurant’s logo at the front. He put on the stolen items, grimacing at the body odor. As his preparation was done, Ryan walked to the building next to his. He was
Getting out of Jared's office was easier than getting in.As Ryan past the security guards, he waved politely and thanked them. They didn't suspect a single thing. He just hoped that Jared doesn't look into the trash can in his private office because he dumped the box of pizza and an empty cup there.Back in the TeaTop building, Ryan browsed his phone for the stolen files, photos, and screenshots of Jared's suspicious chat with the mysterious contact named 'Uncle Frey.' It was a tedious work, but he had no one else to get it done.He fell asleep early morning, staring at the locked file with half-lidded eyes. 'I'll read it tomorrow when I can use Unlock again.'With that in mind, Ryan lay on the previous director's couch and let the dream pull him down.He was woken up by a continuous ringing from his phone. Violet's name is displayed on the screen, urging him to pick up the call. "Yeah?"Violet ranted in his ear, asking him where the hell h
It was a one-sided fight, exactly like what happened three nights ago in Exhibit X’s ring.The only difference was that Ryan was the one who gave his opponent punches upon punches until his knuckles hurt. If he peeled the black gloves away, he would find red blisters on his skin. He also suffered a few punches and kicks, but he was fine, considering what he had been through.But, damn.It felt good.It felt really, really good knowing Jared’s face was black and blue, swollen like a puffy fish with blood here and there. He never knew this feeling, rushing through his body like a remedy. His nerves burned with excitement.Ryan cackled darkly.“Ah… who knows I’ll be this happy,” he grinned, showing rows of white teeth to the panting man in front of him. “Now, I know why you like to hit people just because you feel like it. You and Violet, both. Although, I thought Violet only did that if she wanted som
Violet woke to her phone ringing continuously. She groaned and rolled on her side, trying to reach the source of the disturbing sound. "Wha's this…" Jared's assistant. She rubbed her eyes, trying to banish the sleepiness away. "Yeah?" 'I apologize for disturbing you this early morning, Miss Crowne,' the assistant's voice traveled through the speaker, thick with worry, 'I call from the hospital. Mr. Crowne just got admitted here last night.' "What?!" Violet's heart skipped a beat. She got up from her bed, almost stumbling because of the blanket around her legs. "What do you mean he's in hospital? What happened to him? How is my brother?" The assistant reported, 'He called me last night but didn't say anything. Then I tracked his location and found him in a deserted town out of London. I don't know what happened, but he was unconscious with several injuries. It's like he was fighting and lost. He is being treated by the doctors right now.'