The attack came without warning.
Alex was reviewing expansion plans when his enhanced senses detected the incoming threat—someone moving with inhuman speed and purpose toward his building.
*DANGER DETECTED*
*HOSTILE SYSTEM USER APPROACHING*
*WARNING: POWER LEVEL EXTREMELY HIGH*
The penthouse windows exploded inward as a figure in dark tactical gear crashed through them, landing in a perfect combat crouch. When he stood up, Alex could see the telltale glow in his eyes that marked another system user.
"Alex Chen," the intruder said, his voice carrying righteous authority. "You're under arrest."
*PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE: UNKNOWN SUBJECT*
*FEAR: MINIMAL*
*DESIRE: JUSTICE, ORDER*
*WEAKNESS: RIGID MORAL CODE*
*WARNING: SUBJECT HAS HERO SYSTEM*
"Hero System," Alex breathed, understanding flooding through him. "I wondered when one of you would show up."
The hero—he looked like he was in his twenties, with the kind of square jaw and determined expression that belonged in comic books—raised his hands, which began glowing with golden energy.
"Surrender now and I'll ensure you receive a fair trial."
Alex laughed. "You really don't understand how this works, do you?"
*COMBAT INITIATED*
*VILLAIN VS HERO: BONUS MULTIPLIER ACTIVE*
*ALL POINTS DOUBLED DURING THIS ENCOUNTER*
The hero moved first, crossing the room in a blur of motion. But Alex's Enhanced Reflexes kicked in, allowing him to dodge the golden energy blast by millimeters.
"Impressive," the hero said. "But you can't run forever."
"Who said anything about running?"
Alex activated his Intimidating Presence at full power. Most humans would have been paralyzed with terror. The hero stumbled slightly but kept coming.
*PSYCHOLOGICAL MANIPULATION: MINIMAL EFFECT*
*HERO SYSTEMS INCLUDE MENTAL RESISTANCE*
*SWITCHING TO PHYSICAL COMBAT*
What followed was a battle that destroyed half the penthouse. The hero had strength, speed, and energy attacks. Alex had cunning, ruthlessness, and supernatural tactical intelligence.
The fight ended when Alex did something the hero didn't expect: he grabbed Elena and held a knife to her throat.
"Heroes don't sacrifice innocents," Alex said, backing toward the emergency exit.
The hero froze. "Let her go. Your fight is with me."
"My fight is with anyone who stands in my way." Alex's smile was vicious. "But you're right about one thing—heroes don't sacrifice innocents. That's why you'll always lose."
*TACTICAL VICTORY THROUGH HOSTAGE USE*
*+200 VILLAIN POINTS (DOUBLED TO 400)*
*HERO SYSTEM USER TEMPORARILY NEUTRALIZED*
*TOTAL: 4,600 VILLAIN POINTS*
Alex and Elena escaped through the building's service elevator, leaving the hero standing amid the wreckage.
"Well, that was exciting," Elena said once they reached safety.
"It's also a problem," Alex replied. "If there's one hero, there are others. The systems are escalating."
*QUEST UPDATED: UNIFY CRIMINAL UNDERWORLD BEFORE HERO INTERVENTION*
*TIME LIMIT REDUCED: 15 DAYS*
*NEW OBJECTIVE: ELIMINATE OR CORRUPT HERO SYSTEM USERS*