Frizz finally arrived. This location was a major stronghold for the Korique Cartel in this city. The main base of operations, once this is obliterated. It will take years for them to gain another proper foothold. He sighed as he walked forward, ignoring the rather festive road.
It was election season, and all the supporters were going all out for their preferred politician, campaigning for them with such excited vigor. Frizz nostalgically smiled at the sight. He remembered when his father took him to various rallies and the snacks that coordinators would give out after.
(No time for the past.)
Frizz mused while politely shoving several onlookers and bystanders, trying to get a good look at the given location. He scoffed at the sight, feeling melancholic upon taking in the scenery since it was another apartment building.
Although it was old, this one was well taken care of.
(What's with criminals and apartments? There has to be a reason. I should ask FardGPT about this.)
He said, shoving the gate entrance and entering the building while putting on a mask. There was uneasiness in the air, and he felt his back send a chill. There was someone powerful here, someone familiar.
He was then greeted by two people who scanned him head to toe. They weren't expecting him, so they approached cautiously, hands hovering over their hidden pistol.
"Are you lost?"
"W-wait, brother. T-this guy is."
The two guards looked at each other, slowly realizing who this person was, but before they could alert their whole base. Frizz quickly dispatched them with a single swing of his hand. The two guards collapsed, their heads were half-opened.
Frizz felt his stomach churn at the visceral sight. No matter how hard he steeled himself, the sight of blood always creeped him out.
(I wanted to do that decapitating move that some characters do in the novels or manhwa. It seems I need practice.)
He said while looking around and heading to the second floor. The uneasiness was getting stronger by the minute; his senses were telling him to turn back. He hadn't felt this stress in a long time; it was both exciting and worrying.
*Bam!* A door was sent flying, catching his attention.
A dapper-suited gentleman came out of the room while wiping his eyeglasses, barely paying attention to Frizz. He then adjusted his hair and put on his eyeglasses, finally focusing on Frizz.
"We've finally met. You're taller than I expected. My name is Matthew."
*Boom!* With blinding speed, Frizz charged forward, but Matthew blocked his punch.
"Wow! Faster than I thought, too." Matthew scoffed, although a bit bothered by the speed.
*Wham!* The wall exploded outward, revealing a juggernaut of a person, charging at Frizz and sending him back. Slamming Frizz's back against the wall, that ambushing strike was enough to stagger him.
"You've caused me a lot of problems, you know?" Cheng Guo announced, also wearing a dapper suit, while adjusting his tie.
Frizz shakily stood up while equipping his two baseball bats, glaring at his two enemies. He uneasily smiles, but is still willing to fight. Nathaniel Macaraeg cursed upon watching the live video feed while trying to contact Divine Hesoyam Rosa and Hei for backup.
"Too much of a coward to face me alone?" Frizz taunted, frustrating Cheng. Matthew then raised a hand, signaling Cheng to calm down.
"Frizz Jay Sadies, our boss doesn't like it when you cause problems, and you've caused us a lot of problems," Matthew said, and with a single wave of his hand, the invisible floating eyeball following Frizz was decimated.
Frizz's connection with Nathaniel was instantly severed.
"Work with us."
Frizz raised a brow, confused.
"Work with us and help us rule this country. This is a new era, Frizz." Matthew said, trying to sound convincing. "People who can level up are the future. The world is slowly waking up to our existence."
"Even your boss, Hei, is making overtures to some politicians and agencies, but that's a mistake. The people may accept us, but the governments won't let us exist. We're too big a threat."
"Imagine, a single third-rate leveler with a good build can decimate battalions equipped with the latest weapons. That's how powerful we are." Matthew said, taking a step forward while extending a hand.
"Our boss recognizes your efforts. We can help you get what you want. Make your vision a reality."
Frizz scoffed at the offer. "Make my vision a reality? You're a corrupt drug-dealing super-powered sociopathic killer. What makes you think our goals align? I want to clean this city, not let you rule it."
Matthew's smile faded, not even bothering to think of a reply.
"Ah, we're just shitting you. We want you to die slowly and..."
"We wanted you to pay attention to us, not the thing behind you," Matthew said as Frizz turned around, spotting a ghost-like figure who then grabbed onto him. The hold was deathly cold; he felt his energy being sapped.
Matthew instantly appeared before him, sporting a wide, cruel, sadistic smile.
*Tchhk!* Frizz was stabbed in the chest by a sharp silver dagger. He felt the cold steel piercing his heart. He tried to scream for help, but nothing came out of his mouth aside from gasping breaths.
Matthew pulled out the dagger and stabbed him again, laughing maniacally. Cheng Guo laughed while pulling out his phone, recording the whole ordeal.
"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"
Their loud, cruel laughs invaded Frizz's mind as the ghostly figure let go, plopping him on the ground. His system then appeared, giving him the bad news.
[System]
Perks = Silenced.
Skills = Silenced.
Talents = Silenced.
"I know your head must be scrambling for answers." Matthew taunted, caressing Frizz's right cheek with the bloody dagger. "This wraith over here can turn off your perks, talents, and skills when you're in its presence." He said with a soft giggle.
"However, it's a one-time use. It's my special skill. I can't use it anymore after using it three times, and guess what? You're the third target." Matthew said, playfully tapping Frizz's cheeks with the dagger.
"Good thing you are such a waste. A second-rate leveler with no sense at all. You didn't even properly prepare for most of your encounters. You're overly reliant on your abnormal system."
"We're aware of your unusual system, and while it would've been nice to know more about it. We can't spare the time. That mystery will die with you."
Matthew commented as he repeatedly stomped Frizz's bleeding chest, blood gushing out with every stomp. He then stepped aside, noticing Cheng Guo, who was charging towards Frizz.
*Wham!* Cheng kicked Frizz's body like a soccer ball, sending it flying.
"Score!" Cheng shouted as Frizz blasted through the wall, surprising some of the bystanders outside. Matthew then took out his phone, approaching the hole in the wall.
The people outside were panicking at the sight, fleeing the area. Matthew then took a picture of Frizz, almost lifeless, and sent it to his leader.
"Boss, the problem has been dealt with."
[System]
Continue...?