Chapter 15: The Box Demon

The following day, Ethan received the keys from Weasel and headed to the address he'd been given. The apartment looked decrepit from the outside, a far cry from the modern high-rises on Manhattan Island. It was a six-story building with peeling paint and decades of wear. Surrounding it were a cluster of similar structures from the 1980s, their weathered facades speaking of better days.

Despite its condition, the area had its own charm, though its proximity to Hell's Kitchen was a double-edged sword. Known as the underbelly of Manhattan, Hell's Kitchen was infamous for its gang activity, where crime thrived in the shadows. But Ethan wasn't one to shy away from danger—after all, he'd faced far worse.

He entered the apartment, found the designated door, and stepped inside. A stale, musty smell greeted him. The room was a disaster: an old couch with exposed stuffing, a filthy carpet layered with grime, windows plastered with newspaper, and a television that looked like it hadn't worked in decades. The entire place radiated neglect, and it was clear that Weasel hadn't touched it in years.

Ethan sighed, deciding on the spot to throw everything out and clean from top to bottom. Though he wasn't a neat freak, even he had limits.

Without hesitation, he set down the black box he carried and began clearing the room.

Over the next few days, Ethan didn't sit idle. He continued accepting assignments through Weasel, using the money to sustain himself and cover the rent. Now that his living situation was sorted, he had more time to prepare for his tasks. Unlike his hasty approach before, he now scouted targets thoroughly, ensuring his plans were meticulous.

And while hunting criminals was his main focus, Ethan found a unique way to expedite his progress: creating villains himself.

Rumors began circulating.

"Have you heard about the guy with the black box? He's been stirring up trouble with the gangs," one mercenary said at Sister Margaret's bar.

"Yeah, I heard about him," another chimed in. "They say he targets small-time thugs and does something... weird."

"What kind of weird?"

"He forces them to buy his black box."

"What happens after that?"

"Well, here's the kicker. After they buy it, he pays them to take it back, and then he makes them buy it again. It's this endless cycle until he gets bored and kills them. That's why people are calling him the 'Box Demon.'"

"What's his angle?"

"No clue. Maybe he's just some psycho who enjoys messing with people."

Weasel, overhearing the conversation from behind the bar, couldn't help but laugh. He turned to Ethan, who was sipping a soda with a self-satisfied grin.

"I used to think Wade was the weirdest person I knew, but you've outdone him. Forcing people to buy your box? Really?"

Ethan smirked. "Careful with the accusations, Weasel. Without evidence, that's slander."

Weasel pointed at the black box sitting on the bar. "You carry that thing around everywhere. It's not exactly subtle."

"Subtlety is overrated." Ethan shrugged.

"And painting it black doesn't change the fact that it's the same box."

Ethan leaned back, grinning. "You caught me. Fine. But admit it, the results speak for themselves."

Indeed, they did.

[Unlock condition: Kill fifteen sinful villains (7/15)]

Ethan's strategy was working. By targeting small-time criminals and orchestrating their participation in illegal transactions, he pushed them from petty offenders to full-fledged villains. It wasn't fast, but it was effective. Each kill brought him closer to unlocking the system's next level.

Weasel adjusted his glasses, his tone suddenly serious. "I don't care about your little box antics, but you should know something. The Russian Ross gang is looking for you. Word is, you took something that belongs to them."

Weasel's gaze shifted to the black box.

Ethan smirked. "Calling it theft is a stretch. I'm safeguarding their illegal goods. They should be thanking me."

Weasel raised an eyebrow. "You realize they won't see it that way, right?"

"Doesn't matter. I'm not giving it back." Ethan's tone was resolute.

The black box wasn't just a tool—it was the key to his progress. And he wasn't about to let anyone stand in the way of his mission to rid the world of villains... even if it meant creating a few along the way.