Legend: Cash Levels
Episode 5 – Ambush Money
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Opening Scene – Normal Ain't Normal
Legend woke to the clatter of pots in the kitchen. The Bronx apartment was alive with its usual chaos, but it felt different now. Miles was scrolling his phone at the table, hoodie half-on, while Salina moved in sweats, her hair tied up, making coffee.
From the outside it looked like any Saturday morning. But Legend knew the truth: the apartment was running on secrets.
His HUD buzzed.
[CASH FLOW | +$800 Deposited]
Balance: $7,800 / $8,000 Max
The cap loomed. He'd need to spend, fight, or unlock something new to push higher.
Salina caught his eye for a split second while pouring her cup. Just long enough for him to know last night wasn't a dream. She hid the smile behind her mug, but he'd seen it.
Miles broke the silence. "Yo, Legend. You tryna hit the gym with me today?"
Legend raised an eyebrow. "Since when you care about the gym?"
Miles shrugged. "Since I realized dudes bigger than me don't respect me. I'm tired of being the little one. You fought that dude last week like it was nothing. I wanna learn that."
Legend smirked. "That wasn't nothing. But I'll put you on the basics."
Salina set her cup down a little too hard. "Don't break him. He's not built like you."
Miles groaned. "Ma, I'm nineteen. Stop babying me."
Legend let the argument play itself out, but inside, he felt the pressure. Miles wanted in. Salina wanted him safe. And Legend? He wanted to keep both of them close without either learning the whole truth.
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Scene 1 – The Ambush
That night, Legend headed out for his meeting with the Cash Syndicate. The streets buzzed with summer heat, sneakers squeaking against cracked pavement. He cut through an alley near the bodega, hoodie up, smoke curling from his lips.
That's when shadows peeled off the walls. Four figures in masks, moving silent, fast.
"Yo, that's him. The cash boy."
They rushed. Legend swung, caught one, but the second grabbed his wrist — and suddenly his HUD flickered.
[ALERT: $300 siphoned!]
He froze. They weren't just thugs. They were money vultures — people who could drain balances through contact.
"Run your flow," one hissed, twisting his arm. "Or we'll drain you dry."
Legend's blood went hot. The HUD pulsed.
[NEW SYSTEM TRIGGERED – COMBAT ABILITY UNLOCKING…]
His fist tightened. The screen flashed.
[SKILL UNLOCKED – CASH KNUCKLE]
Convert up to $100 per punch into explosive force.
Legend grinned. "Bet."
The next punch landed like a shotgun. The masked man flew back, smacking the brick wall so hard he slid unconscious to the ground.
Another lunged. Legend threw two more punches — -200, -200 — and each landed with the crack of thunder. The alley lit with sparks as fists met jaw, ribs, and concrete.
By the time the last one staggered back, shaking his head, Legend's eyes burned with smoke. "Tell whoever sent you—money's mine."
The vulture ran.
Legend wiped his lip, breathing heavy but grinning. His HUD flashed again.
[LEVEL UP]
• Level: 9
• Hourly Income: $900/hr
• Max Balance: $9,000
[BONUS]
• Stat Boost: Strength +1, Endurance +1
Legend spat blood and lit a fresh blunt. "So this game really wants me to fight for it, huh?"
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Scene 2 – Salina's Claim
Later that night, he came home still buzzing from the fight. Miles was gone again, out with friends. The apartment lights were low. Salina sat on the couch, scrolling her phone.
"Rough night?" she asked without looking up.
Legend dropped onto the cushion beside her. "Handled it."
She put her phone face-down. "I don't like when you come home bleeding."
"I don't like people trying to rob me." He leaned back, smirking. "But they learned quick."
Salina's eyes traveled over him. Relief softened into something else — something warmer. She reached out, touched his knuckles, still raw from the fight. "Your hands scare me."
"They should."
"They also…" She trailed off, her lips curving, then shook her head. "Forget it."
"Say it."
"They make me want to do stupid things."
He grinned. "Then do them."
What followed was less conversation, more gravity. She kissed him hard, claiming him like she'd been waiting all day to remind herself who she belonged to. The couch became theirs again, the Netflix screen another silent witness.
When it was over, she curled against him, weak, her breath shaky. "No one else gets this," she whispered. "Not the men at the bar, not the ones texting me. Only you."
Legend kissed her hair. "Good. Keep it that way."
Her eyes shone. "I will."
The HUD buzzed faintly.
[SECRET INFLUENCE – Salina Loyalty Strengthened]
Charisma +1 | Suspicion -5%
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Scene 3 – Cash Syndicate's Warning
The next day, the Cash Syndicate boss called him.
"You passed the test," the voice growled. "Word is you flattened vultures in an alley. Not bad."
Legend smirked. "They should've stayed home."
"Listen, rookie. Money's not just about stacking. It's about war. And war needs soldiers. We're watching you."
Legend's HUD pinged with a new mission.
[MISSION AVAILABLE – Syndicate Run]
Move contraband cash across boroughs. Payment: $5,000 + XP.
Legend lit another blunt, staring at the glowing text. "Guess it's time to really play."
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Scene 4 – Miles Starts Asking
That evening, Miles sat across from him, arms crossed.
"Bro, I heard about the alley."
Legend froze. "From who?"
"Word travels. You dropped dudes twice your size. That don't just happen. I know you're hiding something."
Legend leaned back, calm. "You're my brother. You eat when I eat. That's all you need to know."
Miles frowned. "Not good enough. Put me on."
Legend's HUD pulsed faintly, almost like it was testing him.
[DECISION: Trust Miles? Y/N]
Legend ignored it. For now.
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Scene 5 – Cliffhanger
Late that night, Legend walked alone. His phone buzzed.
Unknown number: I know about the library. That glow wasn't random. It chose you. And I'm coming for it.
Legend stopped in his tracks, eyes narrowing. The HUD flickered violently, warning signs flashing.
[ALERT: NEW ENEMY DETECTED]
The message ended with a single word:
Collector.
Legend clenched his fists, smoke curling from his lips. "Good. Let him come."
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HUD Update (End of Episode 5)
• Level: 10
• Hourly Income: $1,000/hr
• Max Balance: $10,000
• Current Balance: $8,500
• Skill Unlocked: Cash Knuckle – Convert up to $100 per punch into explosive force.
• Perk: Keep It Low + Secret Influence (Salina Exclusive)
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Closing Beat
The Bronx skyline hummed under the midnight glow. Legend exhaled, the smoke rising like a crown only he could see. The world was changing fast — money, fists, loyalty, secrets.
And now someone else wanted the glow that had chosen him.
But Legend wasn't scared. He was hungry.