Liam sat in the bunker, his back pressed against the cold steel walls, mind racing with everything that had just happened.
He had taken down two enemies with ease, but something wasn't adding up.
"They weren't normal thugs. They moved like they had training… but they weren't strong enough to be real threats."
His eyes narrowed as he called out,
"System! When you scanned those two earlier, what level were they?"
The System's interface flickered before responding.
> System: "Analysis complete. Both individuals were at 80% progress toward Level 1 activation."
Liam's stomach tightened.
"They weren't full System users yet… they were just on the verge of evolving."
His fingers tapped rhythmically against his knee as he pieced it together.
"I was wondering why I was able to take them down so easily."
If they had reached Level 1, the fight might have been tougher.
But something bothered him.
"System, this is bizarre. How did they get the System? And they spoke about their boss, Vance?"
He leaned forward, his eyes burning with suspicion.
"System, what the hell is going on?"
---
The Hidden Truth of the Systems
The System hesitated.
Liam had never seen that before.
> System: "Processing request… Accessing restricted data… Warning: Incomplete information detected."
A holographic data stream projected in front of him, showing dozens of fragments, broken files, and encrypted sequences.
> System: "Liam, my knowledge is incomplete. However, here is what I can confirm: There are multiple Systems in existence. But not all are equal."
Liam's breath hitched.
"Explain."
> System: "Your System—me—is an independent evolution-based System designed for a single user. I grow as you grow."
> System: "But others… they are distributed Systems. They do not evolve with their users. Instead, they are controlled."
Liam's heartbeat quickened.
Controlled?
"So… there's someone out there handing out Systems?"
> System: "Affirmative. Your recent opponents were likely receiving artificial System access from an external source—a creator, a supplier, or a handler."
Liam's fists clenched.
"So Vance isn't just some underground kingpin. He's got access to a System distribution network."
That explained why those two had been at 80% progression.
They hadn't earned their System power like he had.
They had been given it.
And that made them dangerous in a different way.
Liam's mind raced.
"If there's someone distributing Systems… then they're choosing who gets power. Which means…"
He gritted his teeth.
"Someone out there is playing god."
And he wasn't going to let them control his destiny.
---
Decoding Vance's Game
Liam stood up, pacing the bunker floor.
"If Vance is giving people Systems, then he has a source. A supplier. Maybe even access to more System Cores."
And if that was true?
He needed to shut it down.
Before Vance could build an army of System users.
---
The Next Move: Trap the Hunters
Liam exhaled, his smirk returning.
If they wanted to hunt him, he was going to turn the tables.
He pulled up his hacker contact's number—the one he had paid to trace the call from Vance.
> Hacker: "Got your info, kid. You sure you wanna do this?"
Liam: "Send me the details."
Hacker: "Your guy Vance? He's got an underground hub near Sector 6. Some old high-rise. Heavy security, restricted access, but I cracked their comms. They're setting up another System activation meeting in two days."
Liam: "Perfect."
Liam's eyes gleamed.
"They're gathering new recruits? Then I know exactly where to strike."
---
Setting the Trap
Step 1: Identify the Recruits
If Vance was handing out Systems, Liam needed to see who was getting them and how it worked.
He needed to witness a System activation firsthand.
Step 2: Sabotage the Process
If Vance had a way to mass-produce System users, Liam was going to break that supply chain.
Step 3: Take the Fight to Vance
No more waiting. No more hiding.
If Vance wanted a war, Liam was going to bring it to his front door.
---
The First Strike: Crashing the Party
The night of the meeting, Liam positioned himself nearby, watching the old high-rise through a stolen drone feed.
Dozens of recruits were being brought in.
At the front, a man in a dark suit stepped forward.
> Vance.
Liam's jaw tightened.
"Time to see how your operation really works."
He moved like a shadow, slipping into the service entrance.
His System-enhanced awareness let him navigate past guards, security cameras, and locked doors with precision.
Finally, he reached a side corridor overlooking the main hall.
And what he saw shook him.
At the center of the room…
A second System Core.
But this one was different.
It was chained. Suppressed. Connected to machines that pulsed with a dark energy.
Liam's heart pounded.
"They're forcefully creating System Users."
This wasn't natural evolution.
This was manufactured power.
Liam's mind locked onto one conclusion.
"This has to end. Tonight."
He pulled up his System interface.
> New Mission Unlocked: Destroy the Corrupted System Core.
Liam grinned.
"Vance, you have no idea what's coming for you."
Scanning the Battlefield
Liam crouched low in the shadows of the high-rise, his eyes locked onto the corrupt System activation ritual happening below.
His mother was safe in the bunker. Now, it was time to go to work.
His mind was razor-sharp, his combat instincts primed. He needed full data before making a move.
"System! Scan them all and give me their levels and relevant data needed for success."
The System's interface pulsed, analyzing the room.
> Scanning… Identifying all potential threats… Processing data…
Liam's breath slowed, his heartbeat steady.
---
Enemy Data Report:
Primary Target – Vance (Leader)
> System User Level 2.9 (Approaching Level 3 Upgrade).
Abilities: Unknown, but System Manipulation is highly likely.
Threat Level: Extreme.
Secondary Targets – Vance's Elite Enforcers (5 Individuals)
> System Users Level 1.8 – 2.2 (Enhanced Strength, Speed, and Reflexes).
Armed with melee weapons and concealed firearms.
Threat Level: High.
New Recruits (System Activation Ceremony – 12 Individuals)
> Level 0.9 (Not yet full System Users, but 90% activated).
Possible immediate threat if activated mid-fight.
Threat Level: Medium (Avoid letting them reach Level 1).
Corrupted System Core (The Key Target)
> Status: Suppressed and Artificially Controlled.
Function: Forces System integration without natural evolution.
Weak Point: Power Conduits attached to the mainframe.
Threat Level: Unknown (Possibly linked to a larger network).
Liam's eyes darkened.
"Vance is already close to Level 3… that makes him deadly."
But the real issue was the Corrupted System Core.
If Vance's organization could force System activations, that meant they weren't just making soldiers.
They were mass-producing System Users.
"If this spreads… this entire city will be flooded with artificial power."
Liam's jaw clenched.
"System, give me optimal strategies for neutralizing the threats and destroying the Core."
---
Mission Plan: The Counterattack
> Primary Objective: Destroy the Corrupted System Core before activation is completed.
Secondary Objectives:
Disrupt the ritual and prevent new System Users from being activated.
Sabotage the power structure of Vance's organization.
Escape without allowing Vance to reach Level 3.
Optimal Attack Plan:
1. Stealth Sabotage
Infiltrate through the ventilation shafts leading to the power conduits.
Sever the energy links before they complete the activation process.
This would cause an uncontrolled Core malfunction, preventing mass activation.
2. Distraction & Chaos
Set off explosives near the south exit to force panic and disarray among Vance's men.
Use smoke bombs to break their line of sight.
3. Neutralize Key Targets
Avoid direct combat with Vance (too risky).
Take down the Elite Enforcers first, preventing reinforcements.
If possible, disable the System Recruits before they reach full Level 1.
4. Extraction & Escape
Utilize the rooftop access route to escape once the Core is destroyed.
---
Infiltrating the Ceremony
Liam's muscles tensed as he moved silently, slipping into the ventilation shafts.
The heat from the Corrupted Core was suffocating, its energy pulsing unnaturally.
"This thing isn't like my System Cores… it's wrong."
Through the vents, he could see Vance standing before his recruits, arms outstretched.
"Tonight," Vance's voice boomed, "you will become something greater than human. You will join the next evolution of power!"
A cheer erupted from the recruits.
Liam's eyes flicked to the countdown timer on the Core's activation panel.
> 05:00 minutes until full activation.
"Shit."
He had to move—NOW.
---
Phase 1: Sabotaging the Core
Liam dropped silently into the maintenance tunnel behind the Core.
With his enhanced reflexes, he moved fast, slicing through the primary power conduits.
> Core Malfunction: 40% Disruption.
The Core flickered violently, its energy pulsating erratically.
Vance whipped around, sensing the disturbance.
"What the hell—?"
Before he could react, Liam severed another conduit.
> Core Malfunction: 70% Disruption.
The recruits began to panic. The room shook as the artificial power surged uncontrollably.
Liam grinned.
"That's right. Your little experiment is about to blow."
---
Phase 2: Unleashing Chaos
Liam pulled out two remote-triggered smoke grenades, tossing them into the center of the room.
A thick, blinding fog exploded outward.
The recruits coughed, stumbling in confusion.
The Elite Enforcers drew their weapons, scanning for an enemy they couldn't see.
Vance snarled, his voice cutting through the chaos.
"FIND HIM! KILL HIM NOW!"
Liam smirked in the shadows.
"Try."
---
Phase 3: Taking Down the Enforcers
The first Elite Enforcer came too close—Liam struck.
A swift elbow to the throat, followed by a brutal knee strike to the ribs.
The man collapsed instantly.
The second turned too slow.
Liam grabbed his wrist, twisted it hard, and disarmed his weapon.
A single, calculated punch to the temple—out cold.
The remaining three Enforcers finally spotted him through the smoke.
But Liam was already moving.
---
Phase 4: The Core's Destruction
Liam vaulted over the control panel, slamming his boot into the final power conduit.
> Core Malfunction: 100% Disruption.
WARNING: SYSTEM CORE COLLAPSE IMMINENT.
The Core erupted, sending out a shockwave of unstable energy.
The recruits screamed as the forced activation process short-circuited.
The artificial System Users were failing.
Vance stumbled back, shielding his eyes.
Liam landed smoothly, breathing heavily.
It was done.
The Corrupted Core was finished.
Vance's plan was ruined.
And now?
Liam grinned darkly.
"It's time to finish this."
---