Chapter 20: Echoes of Violence

The night was quieter than usual—but Alexander Reid knew it was a deceptive silence. After the destruction of Fisk's latest shipment, he could feel the tension in the air. The underworld was not resting. It was holding its breath. Every corner of Hell's Kitchen seemed sharper, every shadow deeper. The city was waiting for the next move, and so was Alexander.

Alexander sat on the edge of his penthouse balcony, overlooking the glittering sprawl of New York. The faint hum of traffic below was constant, but his mind filtered it out. His eyes were fixed on the skyline, yet his thoughts were on the blood he had spilled and the empire he was slowly dismantling. The lights of the city felt like eyes watching him, but he welcomed their gaze. He wanted them to see what he was doing—wanted Fisk to feel it.

His gaze was hard, focused. The system window hovered in his vision, displaying his latest gains from the last mission. The numbers were climbing, but they were not the source of his satisfaction. Power was a means to an end.

[Experience Gained: 120] [Level: 7] [Strength: 35] [Agility: 32] [Intelligence: 16] [Endurance: 27] [Stat Points Available: 3]

Alexander brought up his stat window, fingers trembling slightly with anticipation. He distributed his points, placing two into Strength and one into Agility. The familiar surge of power coursed through him—a warmth spreading to his limbs, tightening his muscles, sharpening his reflexes. It was intoxicating. Each upgrade brought him closer to the edge of human capability—perhaps beyond.

But with every increase in power, the danger around him also grew.

The phone buzzed. Marcus.

Alexander answered, his voice steady despite the tension coiling in his chest.

"You stirred the hornet's nest again, kid," Marcus said, his voice low and rough. There was a weariness in his tone, the sound of a man who had seen too many wars. "Word is, Fisk is getting frustrated. He's sending someone serious this time. Not just hired thugs."

Alexander's heart quickened. "Who?"

Marcus hesitated. "Rumor is Bullseye."

The name hung in the air like a death sentence. Bullseye—Fisk's deadliest assassin. A man with lethal precision, capable of turning any object into a weapon. He was not just a killer; he was a force of nature. A whisper in the underworld that struck terror into even the most hardened criminals. There were stories—a man killed with a toothpick, another impaled through the throat with a playing card. He never missed.

Alexander's jaw tightened. He had expected retaliation, but this was more than he had anticipated. This was Fisk's declaration—a sign that Alexander was now seen as a genuine threat. The Kingpin was done playing games.

"Thanks for the warning," Alexander said quietly.

"Be careful," Marcus replied. "This guy isn't like the others. He's different."

"So am I," Alexander said before ending the call.

That night, Alexander fortified his defenses even further. He installed additional security systems—hidden cameras with night vision, motion sensors placed at every possible entry point. The windows had already been reinforced with steel panels, but he checked them again, making sure there were no vulnerabilities. He positioned weapons strategically throughout his penthouse—knives taped under tables, firearms hidden within furniture compartments, smoke grenades near the exits.

He prepared for the inevitable confrontation. He reviewed every piece of information he could find on Bullseye—patterns, habits, weaknesses. There were few. The assassin was a phantom, his reputation built on precision and brutality. His ability to kill from a distance was unparalleled. Alexander knew that letting him strike first would be a mistake.

Hours passed, but sleep never came. Alexander remained vigilant, his senses heightened. He moved through his penthouse like a predator marking his territory. His mind raced through battle scenarios. Would Bullseye come through the windows? The roof? Would he attempt a long-range shot through the glass? Every possibility played out in Alexander's mind, and he prepared for each one.

He stood once more on his balcony, staring into the night. The skyline was no longer just a view; it was his battlefield. Each light represented a threat. Each shadow, a potential attacker.

When the attack came, he would be ready.

The shadows had embraced him. Now, he would see if he could survive their deadliest weapon.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥

💥 Can't wait for the next chapter? Good news—ALL advance chapters are available on Patreon for just $5! No more waiting, just pure binge-reading goodness! 🚀

👉 patreon.com/cyci07

✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨

If we hit 100 power stones, I'll drop 2 bonus chapters! Let's see if you guys can make me suffer! 😂

💬 Enjoying the story? Leave a review and let me know your favorite moment so far! It helps the novel grow and reach more readers!

Thanks for all your support—you guys are awesome! ❤️