Chapter 19
I sat up straight, staring at the rewards.
If someone saw my face right now, they'd think I was a lunatic because I couldn't stop grinning like an idiot.
[CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE RECEIVED:
- Agent 6 (Generator Rex)
- Marco Rossi (Metal Slug)
- C-1 (Robocop 2014)
- Background Customization Card +5
- Grapnel Gun (Batman: Arkham Knight)
- Harold Finch (Person of Interest)
- Snake Eyes (G.I. Joe)
- Character Assimilation Slot +1
- Gideon (The Flash)]
[1. Agent 6 (Generator Rex)
A master swordsman and elite operative, he is one of the most dangerous and disciplined fighters in his world. His combat skills extend beyond swordplay, he is highly trained in martial arts and acrobatics. Additionally, he is an expert in covert operations, piloting aircraft, and counter-surveillance making him an exceptional all-around combat specialist.
2. Marco Rossi (Metal Slug Defense)
A super-skilled soldier who's also a secret computer whiz. He's really good at fighting and knows all about military stuff, but he's also a tech genius who can build his own AI. He's a kind friend who looks after people, but he gets really mad when you talk about General Morden.
3. C-1 (Robocop 2014)
The C-1 is a high-performance motorcycle. Designed for speed, agility, and durability, it features advanced self-balancing technology. The bike comes equipped with reinforced armor plating, making it resistant to small arms fire and minor explosions.
4. Background Customization Card +5
Can be used to alter details of background, identity, and history in subtle of any summoned character. With five uses available, this card could ensure that his allies integrated seamlessly without attracting unnecessary trouble.
5. Grapnel Gun (Batman: Arkham Knight)
A compact, high-tensile grappling hook designed for rapid mobility and vertical traversal. It can attach to nearly any surface, allowing the user to quickly ascend buildings, scale walls, or swing across gaps. The grapnel gun features an accelerated retraction system, pulling the user toward the anchor point at high speed.
6. Harold Finch (Person of Interest)
A technological mastermind, he is the creator an AI capable of analyzing vast amounts of data to predict crimes. His expertise includes hacking high-security systems, encrypting and decrypting communications, counter-surveillance, and identity forgery. He is also highly skilled in electrical and mechanical engineering, having built various surveillance devices and cyber-infiltration tools. He has a remarkable pain tolerance, an ability to stay undetected, and knowledge of espionage, bomb defusal, and tactical planning.
7. Snake Eyes (G.I. Joe)
A ninja commando, a master of stealth, hand-to-hand combat, and weapons. Trained by the Arashikage Clan, he possesses extreme agility, speed, and reflexes. He is also highly skilled with firearms, tactical infiltration, and silent assassinations.
8. Character Assimilation Slot +1
Allows the host to assimilate traits or skills from chosen individuals.
9. Gideon (The Flash)
Gideon is an advanced artificial intelligence capable of processing vast amounts of data in real-time. An interactive AI, Gideon responds to voice commands. It can also integrated with other systems, allowing it to take necessary functions when needed. Designed as an assistant to you, with only you having the access. This dedicated, multi-purpose AI, exclusively responsive to your voice, is contained within the 'Toolbox' which can only be operated only with your biometrics.]
I took a deep breath, letting the excitement settle in. These rewards were really good.
Agent 6, Snake Eyes, Marco Rossi, Harold Finch.
Four characters in one draw, and an AI specially designed for me, that too all contained in
It seems to be my lucky day. I can't even choose my own personal favorite from the rewards.
And now, with an extra assimilation slot, I can assimilate three characters at once. And I had 6 characters to choose from since I had already obtained Jason Bourne and Chris Wolff from my previous draws.
The question was: Who?
I closed my eyes, running through my options.
I needed money. That was my current priority. If I wanted to build a base, secure a house, and start setting up things for my future plan for that I needed money and most of all I wanted to be rich.
After contemplating for a while longer, I finally made my decision.
Character Assimilation:
1. Jason Bourne (55%)
2. Chris Wolff (63%)
3. Harold Finch (65%)
As soon as I confirmed my choices, I was stunned to see the assimilation percentages already above 50% right from the start.
That was odd. The last time I had assimilated a character, the process had started at a much lower percentage.
Frowning, I decided to ask the system.
"Hey, system, why is the character assimilation already this high at the start?" I asked.
The system responded in its usual neutral tone.
[Assimilation percentages are determined based on the host's existing knowledge, physical capabilities, and relevant skills that overlap with the chosen character. The higher the compatibility in these areas, the greater the starting assimilation percentage.]
Considering the explanation. It made sense. Jason Bourne, Chris Wolff, and Harold Finch each had expertise that overlapped with my existing skills.
For Bourne, my hand-to-hand combat mastery, parkour skills, and high-speed combat calculation provided a solid foundation.
Chris Wolff was a master marksman and strategist. I already had an exceptional grasp of firearms and precision shooting. That likely accelerated the process.
Harold Finch's technical prowess aligned with my hacking mastery.
The system's logic checked out.
Now looking at the summoning characters. I would be summoning, since I can't function alone. They were needed. But could I trust them?
"System, when I summon the characters, will they be completely loyal?"
[Host, Summoned characters are bound by a soul contract to you. The contract cannot be broken. They retain their full abilities, memories, and personalities, but they are loyal to the host. They cannot betray the host under any circumstances. You can cancel their summoning, if the need arises.]
That was reassuring, but it still gave me pause.
Loyalty wasn't the issue. It was control.
They would follow my orders, but they weren't mindless puppets. They were their own people.
Future plans was still forming in my head, but one thing was certain. If I was going to summon them, it had to be at the right time, under controlled conditions, and with clear objectives in mind.
I glanced at the time. It was way past midnight.
I had a long day ahead.
--
--
[The Next Day]
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the wall.
I had been so blind.
The handler form the Iron Serpents might have killed his mother.
But them handing out hush money? Bullshit. Gangs don't bribe people to keep their mouths shut. They silence them permanently.
Which meant… they weren't acting alone.
Someone else had used them.
And I hadn't even questioned it.
Damn it, I knew I wasn't the sharpest, but I didn't think I was this dumb.
I clenched my jaw, my fingers tightening into fists. How had I missed something so obvious?
But then it hit me. Of course, I hadn't seen it before.
Even with my boosted intelligence, I lacked the necessary skills to truly connect the dots. Intelligence alone meant nothing without the ability to analyze, investigate, and break things down logically.
But now?
Now, I had those skills.
I had assimilated all three of them, and their instincts, experiences, and expertise were now a part of me.
The moment I woke up, my mind had already started piecing things together, things I had overlooked before.
I exhaled slowly. Calm down.
Anger wouldn't solve anything. I needed to focus on what came next.
Then, I spent the next hour going through the old evidence I had collected, photos, and scraps of information the old David had held onto.
But the more I looked, the more I realized something.
None of this would help me now.
Four years had passed since my mother's accident. Any lead from back then was long cold. Any person involved have erased their tracks.
This was a dead end. I sighed, rubbing my temples.
Fine. If I couldn't rely on the past, I'd focus on the future.
I picked up my tablet and checked the live feed from the warehouse.
The camera I had set up was focused on the underground bunker door, making sure no one had tampered with it. I flipped through the other feeds, scanning the surrounding area for anything out of place.
Good. Nothing out of ordinary.
Satisfied, I set the tablet aside and stretched out my limbs. My body still carried the lingering fatigue from yesterday's training, but it was nothing I couldn't shake off.
I needed to clear my mind.
So, I fell into my routine.
First, a light workout using the home equipment I had. Then came a quick shower, the hot water soothing my muscles.
After that, I headed to the kitchen. Cooking had become second nature, and in minutes, I had a solid breakfast ready, nothing fancy.
Once the dishes were cleaned and put away, I tackled the housework. Sweeping, wiping down surfaces, making sure everything was in order.
Then, my eyes landed on the small pile of laundry in the corner. Right. I had been putting that off. Might as well take care of it now.
There was a laundromat just a block away. I could throw the clothes in, maybe grab a coffee while waiting.
Just as I was about to step out, my phone pinged.
A message.
I pulled it out and glanced at the screen.
Elena: Good morning! 😊
It was a WhatsApp message.
I stared at it for a second and before I even realized it, a small, unconscious smile tugged at my lips.
I leaned against the doorframe, thumb hovering over the keyboard before I typed out a reply.
Me: Morning😊. Hope you're not up too early.
I hesitated briefly before hitting send.
Pocketing my phone, I grabbed the laundry bag and headed out. The laundromat wasn't far, just a short walk down the block.
As I walked, my phone vibrated again. Another message.
Elena: I always wake up early. Perks of being a law student. Gotta study if I wanna pass the bar exam. What about you? Early riser or night owl?
I smirked slightly.
Me: Depends. Some nights I barely sleep at all.
It wasn't a lie. My routine had been erratic lately, but I wasn't about to dump that on her.
I reached the laundromat, stepping inside as soapy scent filled my nostrils. It was mostly empty, save for an old man reading a newspaper in the corner.
Loading up the washing machine, I leaned against the wall, checking my phone again.
Elena: Work? or College?
I blinked.
Me: Yeah Work.
Yeah, right. Like I have a job right now.. I thought to myself.
A few seconds later, another message popped up.
Elena: Well, at least I know who to call if I need a caffeine-addicted study buddy.
I started typing a casual reply, but then a thought hit me.
She had said she was a law student. That never crossed my mind. I gasped dramatically in my message.
Me: Wait, what?! A law student? Elena, please, don't lie to me.
Typing appeared, then stopped. Then appeared again.
I could almost picture her frowning at her phone.
Elena: Excuse me?! Why would I lie about that?
Yeah, she was definitely offended. I didn't blame her. Probably should have phrased that better.
I took a deep breath, mustered up some bravery, and typed:
Me: Because when I saw you, I thought you were a model.
I hit send before I could second-guess myself.
A long pause. Then, finally...
Elena: …Smooth save. But you're still not off the hook.
I swept my imaginary sweat and grinned.
Elena was a student at Columbia Law School, set to graduate this May. Just a couple of months left before she was officially a lawyer. She still had to take the bar exam in July, but from the way she talked about it, she was confident.
Our conversation continued as I handled my laundry, flowing so effortlessly that I barely noticed time passing. By the time I got back home, I was still texting her, completely unaware of how long we had been at it. It wasn't until I was done folding and arranging my clothes that I finally put my phone down.
I decided to check in on Jayden. I headed downstairs and knocked on his door. A few seconds later, it cracked open, and the moment he saw me,
My mood soured. His face was bruised, lip busted and swollen along his cheekbone.
Before I could say anything, he moved to shut the door in my face.
I reacted on instinct, pushing through before he could lock me out. He stumbled backward as I stepped inside, closing the door behind me.
"Yeah, nice to see you too," I muttered, eyes already scanning him for more injuries.
To Be Continued...