The rain-slicked streets of Hell's Kitchen shimmered under the dim glow of streetlights, reflecting your tense nerves. You had the stolen intel in hand, but the weight of what you uncovered pressed heavier with every step.
Your system buzzed softly, alerting you to unusual activity nearby.
The Ambush
Without warning, figures emerged from the shadows — heavily armed mercenaries clad in black tactical gear, their movements precise and coordinated.
Your instincts snapped on immediately. The Adaptation talent surged within you, heightening reflexes and sharpening perception.
[Alert: Hostile Encounter Imminent]
[Skill Boost: Adaptation Active – Reaction Speed +15%]
You rolled to the side as a bullet shattered the brick wall where you had just stood. The fight was on.
Tactical Combat
You moved fluidly between your attackers, your body instinctively adjusting to each new threat. One came at you with a stun baton, and another fired a compact SMG from a distance.
Using the environment, you ducked behind overturned crates, then sprang forward, closing the distance. Your punches landed with precision, enhanced by the martial arts (Daredevil style) skill you had trained hard to master.
Your system chimed repeatedly:
[Combat XP +700]
[Innate Talent Progress: Adaptation 5% → 8%]
The mercenaries weren't ordinary criminals—they fought with cold efficiency, their tactics eerily familiar.
The Warning
As you dispatched the last mercenary, your communicator buzzed with a distorted voice.
"This isn't over. You're in deeper than you realise. The Echo Protocol watches."
Your heart tightened. This warning confirmed the dangerous web you were entangled in.
A New Resolve
Despite the danger, the system granted you new stat points:
[Level Up Achieved]
[Stat Points Earned: 6]
You spread the points carefully:
Strength +1
Agility +1
Endurance +1
Intelligence +1
Perception +1
Luck +1
You were growing stronger, adapting faster, but the fight was only beginning.
The Path Forward
You knew you had to dig deeper into the Echo Protocol's secrets—and fast.
But for now, you vanished into the city's night, ready for whatever shadows awaited.