The sound of rappelling ropes echoed against the concrete as we scaled the neighboring building's wall. In order: first the leader Ren, then Penny, Kai third, and finally, me. Ren stopped at the top, signaling for us to gather around.
— Listen closely, we are in enemy territory now — she said, her voice low and sharp. — There are soldiers all over the building. We're splitting into two pairs. Penny, you stay with the rookie and enter through the roof hatch. Kai and I will enter through the side. Use the walkie-talkies; cell phones are useless here.
We reached the top, and the view was intimidating. "The Banker" building was right there, surrounded by armed patrols below. I looked to the left and saw Ren and Kai vanishing into the shadows, waiting for our first move. I turned to Penny, trying to break the ice.
— So... we don't really know each other yet, right? We've never actually talked.
— Good — Penny replied without taking her eyes off the target. — Because I don't like you, and you shouldn't even try to please me. I only answer to the boss. If you're just going to waste your breath with small talk, better save your saliva.
My mind went into a tailspin. What is this girl's problem? I was even going to compliment the clothes she gave me! While I was lost in thought, Penny stood up and took off, sprinting and leaping into the void between the buildings.
— WHAT!?
She landed perfectly on the target roof, absorbing the impact with a flawless roll. Now it was my turn. I backed up a few meters, my heart hammering in my chest. I ran, but my courage evaporated just inches from the edge. I froze.
— I can't do it... — I whispered, feeling a cold sweat.
Penny just stared at me from the other side with her usual "resting bitch face." She simply turned her back on me and started walking toward the entrance. I held out my hand as a signal to wait, but she didn't even look back.
— Damn it! I'm going to have to do this!
I took a deep breath, letting the adrenaline take over. I ran and jumped in a completely clumsy way. Not knowing how to roll, I landed face-first on the concrete. A sharp, constant pain spread through every bone in my body. I stood up with difficulty, limping toward her.
— You could have taught me! You just had to tell me how you did that roll! — I complained, but Penny ignored me as she opened the hatch.
We made it in. We were about to alert Ren via radio when a voice echoed from the end of the dark corridor.
— Well, well... guests.
A man emerged from the shadows. He was massive, a literal wall of flesh. Wearing only a tank top and shorts, he displayed muscles that looked carved from stone. His pale face carried a disturbing smile of confidence. His fists were, quite literally, the size of my head.
— Seems like you were already waiting for us — I said, feeling a crushing pressure coming from him.
— Actually, I was — he replied, cracking his knuckles. — I know you have business here, but unfortunately, my superior doesn't want visitors today.
The air grew heavy. Suddenly, the System beeped intensely in my ears. A blue interface jumped in front of my eyes:
[SUDDEN MISSION: HUMAN TARGET ENCOUNTERED]Objective: Eliminate the target alone. Warning: Any external interference in the fight will cause the immediate death of the host. Reward: [Architect's Eye] – Level Evolution.
The man began to walk slowly toward me. We were trapped in a narrow corridor. Penny made a move to step forward, but I held out my arm, feeling sweat drip down. If she touched him, I was dead.
— Penny, listen carefully to what I'm about to say — I started, making up the most absurd excuse I could imagine. — You don't like me, right? Then you should know I'm a total pervert... and if you stay near me during a fight, I'm going to start getting "excited." Believe me, you don't want to be here when that happens.
As I spoke, I thought: This is the worst excuse in the world!
— So just get past the big guy and leave him to me!
The giant just watched, his ego too big to turn his back on an opponent he considered weak. Penny huffed and shouted as she ran past:
— I'm going to get help, you piece of shiiiiiit...!
I smiled at the response, but inside I was terrified. Not even Ren was as scary as that man. If this were an adult magazine, the title would definitely be "Bad Boy Learns a Lesson from the BIG GUY."
Without giving me time to think, he advanced. His right arm was thrown back with all the power of his hips. I managed to dodge at the last second, but the second blow was already coming: a devastating uppercut. It caught me square in the jaw.
The ceiling light began to flicker and go out. The impact caused a violent rotation of my head. It was an immediate cerebral "short circuit." I lost consciousness.
When I woke up, I realized I was being dragged down an all-white, intensely lit corridor. Scientists looked at me with indifference. The System panel reappeared:
[MISSION UPDATED]Status: Elimination failed. New Objective: Due to imminent danger, you must escape the secret laboratory basement.
I lost. Again — thoughts of defeat flooded my mind. — As always, I can't save myself... I don't even know how to use my skills. I didn't even get to test Decomposition...
The giant threw me onto a bare concrete floor and secured me in a chair with heavy chains before leaving. Minutes later, two soldiers and a scientist appeared. Robert, the scientist, examined my pulse with icy calm.
— Who do you work for? Don't lie, it will only make me angry.
— I don't know what you're talking about! — I exclaimed, but the lie rang hollow.
Robert signaled to the soldiers. A battery with heavy connectors was positioned.
— Answer seriously, boy. If you cooperate, I won't have to turn your "little friend" into a barbecue. Now, who do you work for?
— I'm not telling you anything!
The next sound was a deafening "BTZZZZ." Electricity coursed through my body like a thousand needles of fire. My voice broke into unintelligible grunts. When they pulled the connectors away, the smell of ozone and sweat filled the air.
— Ready? — Robert asked. — Let's change the question: is your leader Ren Ashi?
Panic for my companions mixed with pure rage from the torture. I felt a pressure claiming for freedom. SYSTEM!, I shouted in my mind.
DO YOU WISH TO DECOMPOSE AND ANALYZE THE CHAINS?][YES] / [NO]
I selected [YES]. In a millisecond, the metal disintegrated into code particles and was recreated under my command. Before they could react, I was on my feet, wrapping the recreated chain around Robert's neck.
— LET ME GO! OR I'LL KILL HIM RIGHT NOW! — I snarled.
Robert, choking, signaled for them to let me pass. I backed slowly through the door, dragging him with me until I reached the stairs. Behind me, the radio screamed: "The prisoner has escaped with Dr. Robert!"
I ran to the upper floors until I reached a corridor lined with reinforced glass walls. Inside them, artificial biomes housed animals I thought had been extinct since the collapse. This building was an ark where they were trying to recreate life.
But the automatic door at the end of the hallway slid open, and the massive figure of the "Wall of Flesh" appeared again. He cracked his knuckles but stopped abruptly when he saw the scientist in my hands.
The circumstances had changed. I had a hostage.