With Alex in his room, he couldn't help but think back to his conversation with Ana, hearing her say that she trusted him, it stirred something in him, something he had forgotten.
He didn't like the feeling at all because of the memories it brought back to him, but at the same time, he didn't dislike it.
He's been so lost in the darkness that was consuming him that he got accustomed to it, in fact he has grown to like the feeling, being in control, watching and manipulating people so they will accomplish his goals, this was the ultimate pleasure for him. But unknown to him, he has craved the same companionship he had with his brother Lucian.
A small part of him even wanted to just sit down with him and joke around like old times, but that was something he knew very well would never happen, and he embraced that fact.
'Ugh- 'he groaned as he sat down on his bed and leaned against the wall. Rubbing his temple as though trying to dispel all the thought that were plaguing his mind. "System, - "he called out to the system and the ever-monotone voice of the system responded,
[How could the system be of assistance Host.]
Hearing the voice ring out in his head, Alex unconsciously released a sigh of relief as though the system's voice brought with it a calmness to his chaotic thoughts.
'Show me my status' Alex thought while closing his eyes and taking a deep breath to calm himself.
[INFLUENCE SYSTEM | STATUS WINDOW
Name: Alex Gray
Age: 21
Status: Stable
Level: 6
Assets: $660 000 | RP: 290 > 2 290
Reputation: Operator
Shop
Skills: Tactical Intelligence: A+ Club & Entertainment Operations: D-
Strategic Planning: S Pharmaceutical Engineering: E+
Psychological Manipulation: S+
Firearms Handling: A
Combat Proficiency: A-
Leadership: B+
Negotiation: A
Observation: S-]
Looking at the increased RP he had, he smiled with excitement, 'This is decent amount of RP to do something worthwhile with,'
With how smoothly things were so far, he knew that anytime now they would face an obstacle, and he knew that he was severely lacking in combat skills. This was something he didn't like and planned to change with the following purchases.
'I can handle myself with guns, but I need something that would help me with unarmed combat and maybe improve the skills I already have as well,' he thought as he looked at the skills section on the status screen.
[Host, system recommends you purchase experience for combat and firearm handling]
Hearing the system recommendation, he was confused for a minute, 'But system, my proficiency in both those skills is high enough for now, it doesn't make sense to increase it.'
[Host is correct, your proficiency in both the skills is high enough, but you lack the experience. You know the how to, but lack real world experience in handling the skills. This is why system recommends you improve this aspect.]
Surprised by what the system said, 'Wait so you mean to tell me I can also purchase something like that...?'
[That Is correct Host]
'Why didn't you tell me about this?'
[Host never asked]
Alex couldn't help but feel exasperated hearing the system's response, 'Ugh…..lets just open the system shop and open the section where I can find these…'
[INFLUENCE SYSTEM | SHOP]
[Please select category: Knowledge | Skills | Perk]
[PERKS]
[Firearms Experience- Intermediate Level – 1 200 RP]
~Gain battlefield-level handling, instinctual reload/reaction responses. Built from years of simulated conflict and stress conditioning. ~
[Combat Experience – Intermediate Level- 1 200 RP]
~Muscle memory and reflex response for close-quarters combat. Includes grapples, strikes, counters, and pressure-based engagements. ~
[Host, please note that assimilating with the experience will take 9 hours, as the body with go through some changes.]
Seeing this, Alex didn't waste anymore time and just purchased them. He called out his system screen after.
[INFLUENCE SYSTEM | STATUS WINDOW
Name: Alex Gray
Age: 21
Status: Stable
Level: 6
Assets: $660 000 | RP: 2 290 > -110
Reputation: Operator
Shop
Skills: Tactical Intelligence: A+ Club & Entertainment Operations: D-
Strategic Planning: S Pharmaceutical Engineering: E+
Psychological Manipulation: S+
Firearms Handling: A
Combat Proficiency: A-
Leadership: B+
Negotiation: A
Observation: S-]
Seeing his RP balance go to negative, he couldn't help but feel like the system will warn him that the RP he owed will have interest, but he didn't hear that, which caused him to breath a sigh of relief.
After he made sure that there was nothing else he needed to do, he laid down on his single bed and he gave a silence command to the system to start the assimilation.
Immediately after he said that he felt his body grow weak and his consciousness fading. Soon he was in deep slumber. But his body was not sleeping at all.
His muscles tensed involuntarily; his hands twitched like a soldier mid-battle. Sweat soaked his shirt as phantom pain laced through his nerves.
To anyone watching, it would've looked like he was fighting something in his sleep.
Something primal.
Something Real.
---
Ashbridge Central
Inside a building that was in one of the many corners of this city stood an establishment that was known to many. Not because of some noble reasons, but purely because it was one of the best places for people to indulge in their desires.
The strip club was one of the many establishments that belonged to a gang known as Los Garra. This group of Mexican's had created a name for themselves and amassed a reputation for being brutal and unforgiving. Their boss, a feared figure amongst the streets was currently sitting with his lieutenants in one of the booths in the top floor of the strip Club.
The room was big enough to fit in twenty people without feeling overcrowded, the pink lighting creating an environment of pleasure and indulgent with the women wearing nothing but their underwear and without any bra's dancing and serving the four men in the room. The atmosphere was carefree as the men continued to flirt with the women and some even exploring their bodies with both their eyes and hands. The three men could be seen that they were enjoying themselves.
One man though was sitting in a single couch with a woman sitting on his lap. This man had a different aura to him, a scar running along his cheek and tattoo's filling his whole upper body, wearing a cream white three quarter short with long white socks and black sneakers. The man had a fierce expression.
As they continued to enjoy themselves, a knock disturbed them, "Adelante..." {Come in…}
The door opened soon after, allowing a slightly chubby man to walk in, "Jefe, descubrimos quien estaba vendiendo la pildora..." {Boss, we found out who is selling the pill}
The air in the room immediately changed after hearing this, the people inside knew that their boss was pissed by the loss of money after this new pill started circulating in the street. He even beat one of the girls that were in the room when he found out to death.
All the man in the room turned look at the one man they came to respect and fear at the same time,
The same man spoke, his voice deep and grating, "Quien es...?" {Who is it...?}
Not wasting any time, "Es un nuevo grupo que se hace llamar The Iron Hounds." {It's a new group calling themselves The Iron Hounds.}
A silence descended in the room until the man responded, He didn't yell. He didn't curse. He just spoke
"Hazles saber por que me llamo La Garra," {Make them know why I'm called The Claw}
As soon as he said that, the room knew that blood was about to be spilled in the street, the chubby man responded, "Si jefa," {Yes Boss} and immediately left the room.