The roof access door slammed shut behind me.
Twenty floors down. Twelve armed professionals hunting me for five million dollars. And somewhere at the bottom, Mercy was alone with an incomplete suit and a metahuman who wanted me dead.
"Gaius," I said, keeping my voice low. "Give me a tactical overview."
"Scanning." His crisp British accent was oddly reassuring in the chaos. "Twelve hostiles confirmed. Distribution: three on floors 85-90, two on floor 75, four between floors 60-65, three on ground level blocking exits."
I checked the plasma gauntlet on my wrist. One shot, maybe two before it overheated. The Glock had fifteen rounds. Against twelve professionals.
Math wasn't on my side.
```
[>> TACTICAL ASSESSMENT <<]
Ralph's Status:
Health: 45% (Exhausted, injured, running on adrenaline)
Combat Capability: 30% (Untrained, fatigued)
Equipment: Minimal
Enemy Status:
Number: 12 active bounty hunters
Motivation: $5 million reward
Advantage: Numbers, position, building knowledge
Recommended Strategy: STEALTH & EVASION
Direct combat probability of success: 8%
```
"Eight percent," I muttered. "Great."
"However," Gaius continued, "I retain limited access to certain building systems the intrusion did not fully compromise. Environmental controls, emergency systems, structural monitoring."
I stopped at the stairwell door. "You're saying you can help me cheat."
"I prefer 'strategic environmental manipulation,' but yes."
A smile tugged at my lips despite everything. "I'm starting to like you, Gaius."
"The feeling is mutual, Creator. Now, shall we begin your descent? Three hostiles are currently on floor 87, moving toward the executive elevator bank. If you take the service stairs now, you can avoid them."
I pulled open the stairwell door, started down.
The service stairwell was bare concrete and flickering fluorescent lights. My footsteps echoed no matter how quietly I tried to move. Every sound felt amplified, like the entire building was holding its breath.
"Hostile update," Gaius said. "Two targets on floor 85, east corridor. They're stationary, likely watching the main elevator."
"Can I go around them?"
"Affirmative. Service corridor branches at floor 84. You can bypass their position entirely."
I kept moving, legs burning. The burns on my arms throbbed with each step. My ribs ached where I'd hit the wall during the Plastique fight. Marcus Webb had never been athletic, and Ralph Luthor's body hadn't seen a gym in months.
But I kept moving.
Floor 88. 87. 86.
"Wait." Gaius's voice sharpened. "Movement on floor 84. One hostile entering the service corridor. He's blocking your bypass route."
I froze on the landing between 85 and 84. "Options?"
"You could backtrack to 86, take the main corridor. But that puts you in visual range of the two hostiles on 85."
"Or?"
"Or you engage the single target on 84. Success probability: 35%."
Thirty-five percent. Better than eight, worse than I wanted.
"Is there a third option?"
"Yes." I could hear the satisfaction in Gaius's voice. "The service corridor has an industrial freezer unit. Used for temperature-sensitive materials. I can seal it remotely."
I understood immediately. "Lure him inside, lock him in."
"Precisely. Non-lethal, efficient, eliminates the threat."
"Do it."
I descended to floor 84, plasma gauntlet raised. The service door opened silently—thank god for LexCorp's quality hinges. The corridor stretched ahead, dimly lit, with doors on either side.
A man stood thirty feet away, back to me. Military posture, tactical vest, assault rifle.
"Target confirmed," Gaius whispered. "Freezer unit is three doors to your right. I'm adjusting the temperature now—when he checks it, the cold air will be obvious."
"And if he doesn't check it?"
"Then you'll need to be creative."
The bounty hunter turned, and I ducked behind a support column. My heart hammered. He hadn't seen me. Not yet.
"Initiating phase two," Gaius said.
A soft alarm chimed from the freezer room. Temperature warning. The kind maintenance would investigate.
The bounty hunter's head turned. He muttered something into his comm—too quiet for me to hear—then walked toward the freezer door.
I held my breath.
He pulled the door open. Cold air billowed out, visible in the corridor's warmth. He stepped inside, rifle raised, checking the shadows.
"Now," Gaius said.
The door slammed shut. Magnetic locks engaged with a heavy thunk.
The bounty hunter spun, realized too late. He rushed the door, shoulder-checked it. Solid. Started pounding.
"How long will that hold?" I asked.
"Indefinitely. The freezer is rated for minus forty degrees. He has approximately six minutes before hypothermia becomes severe. Twelve before death."
I stared at the door. A man was dying in there. Because of me.
```
[>> SKILL ACTIVATED <<]
Analysis Level 2
Assessment: Target is a professional killer hunting you for money. He would not hesitate to put a bullet in your head. This is survival, not murder. You gave him more mercy than he would have given you.
Emotional Response: Guilt (natural but impractical)
Recommended Action: Continue mission
```
The system was right. But that didn't make it feel better.
"Moving on," I said quietly.
___
Floor 78. 75. 70.
The building felt like a vertical maze. Every corridor looked the same. Every shadow could hide someone waiting to kill me.
"Two hostiles ahead," Gaius warned. "Floor 67, maintenance level. They're stationed at the elevator junction. No way around them this time."
I leaned against the wall, breathing hard. My legs were screaming. The adrenaline was wearing off, leaving just exhaustion and pain.
"Combat assessment?"
"Both targets armed with submachine guns. Body armor. Professional spacing. If you engage directly, probability of success: 22%."
"Better than eight."
"Barely."
I checked my weapons. Plasma gauntlet—one shot. Glock—fifteen rounds. Against two professionals with automatic weapons and armor.
"Environmental options?" I asked.
"Limited. Maintenance level has electrical systems, water pipes, HVAC." A pause. "Wait. There's a natural gas line running through that section. Old infrastructure from before LexCorp upgraded to full electric."
My mind raced. "Can you rupture it?"
"Negative. But I can adjust the pressure. Make it leak slowly."
"And if someone fires a gun near leaking gas..."
"Boom," Gaius confirmed. "However, you'll need to ignite it. The gas alone won't explode without a spark."
I looked at the plasma gauntlet. One shot.
"Do it. Start the leak."
"Adjusting pressure now. You have approximately ninety seconds before the concentration becomes critical."
I descended to floor 67. The stairwell door opened to a maintenance corridor—exposed pipes, metal grating floors, the hum of machinery. And fifty feet ahead, two men in tactical gear.
They saw me immediately.
"Contact!" one shouted, raising his weapon.
I dove behind a pipe junction as bullets sparked off metal. Submachine gun fire—short controlled bursts. Professional.
"Gas concentration at 15%," Gaius reported. "Not yet flammable."
I blind-fired the Glock around the corner. Didn't hit anything, but made them take cover.
More gunfire. A bullet punched through the pipe I was hiding behind. Water sprayed everywhere.
"20% concentration. Getting close."
"How close is close?"
"25% is the lower explosive limit. We're at 22%."
Another burst of gunfire. They were advancing, using suppressive fire. In ten seconds they'd have an angle on me.
"24%," Gaius said. "25%. You're clear to ignite."
I raised the plasma gauntlet, aimed at the space between the two bounty hunters.
And hesitated.
If I fired, they'd die. No maybe about it. Burned alive in a gas explosion.
```
[>> WARNING <<]
Hesitation = Death
Current threat status: CRITICAL
Enemy closing to lethal range in 5 seconds
Decision required NOW
```
One of them appeared around the corner, weapon raised.
I fired.
The plasma bolt hit the gas-filled space and the world turned orange.
The explosion slammed me backward into the wall. Heat washed over me. My ears rang. The sprinkler system activated, rain falling from the ceiling.
Through the smoke and water, I saw the two bounty hunters on the ground. Not moving.
"Targets neutralized," Gaius confirmed. "Though I should note—that was closer than I would prefer."
I coughed, stumbled to my feet. My back hurt from hitting the wall. New bruises on top of old ones.
But I was alive.
"How many more?" I asked.
"Seven hostiles remaining. Three on ground level, four between you and Sub-Level 13."
Still so many.
"Mercy," I said into the comm. "You there?"
Static, then her voice: "Ralph? What the hell was that explosion?"
"Me being creative. Status?"
"Suit's at 75% completion. Working on weapon mounts. Where are you?"
"Floor 67. Fighting my way down."
A pause. "Ralph, there are at least four more between you and here. You can't—"
"I'm coming, Mercy. Just stay put. Keep working."
"Ralph—"
"I'm coming."
I cut the connection, started moving again.
```
[>> XP GAINED <<]
Environmental Tactics: +20 XP
Combat Survival: +25 XP
Strategic Thinking: +15 XP
Total: 500/500
[>> LEVEL UP <<]
RALPH LUTHOR
Level 1 → Level 2
New stat points available: 5
Distribute as desired:
- Intelligence (99)
- Speed (30)
- Strength (25)
- Charisma (45)
- Endurance (40)
- Dexterity (35)
```
The system floated in my vision, waiting.
Five points. I could boost my physical stats—speed to run faster, strength to hit harder, endurance to last longer.
Or...
"Put three points in Intelligence," I said. "Two in Endurance."
```
[>> STATS UPDATED <<]
Intelligence: 99 → 102 (MAXIMUM HUMAN LIMIT EXCEEDED)
Endurance: 40 → 42
New threshold reached: GENIUS+ TIER
Additional Analysis capabilities unlocked
Pattern recognition enhanced
Multi-layered strategic planning available
```
I felt it immediately. Like a fog lifting. The pain was still there, the exhaustion still real, but my mind felt... sharper. Clearer. I could see three moves ahead instead of one.
"Interesting choice," Gaius observed. "Most would prioritize physical enhancement."
"I can't outfight them," I said, descending the stairs. "But I can outthink them."
"Spoken like a true Luthor."
Floor 60. 55. 50.
My new Intelligence was already working. I saw patterns in the bounty hunters' movements, predicted their positions, found gaps in their coverage. It wasn't precognition—just probability and logic operating at maximum efficiency.
"Four hostiles ahead," Gaius reported. "Floors 45 to 40. They've set up a kill zone. Multiple firing positions, overlapping coverage. They're expecting you."
"Let me guess. No way around."
"Correct. The main corridor is the only route to the sub-levels from here. All service passages have been sealed."
I reached floor 45, looked through the stairwell door window. The corridor beyond was a nightmare. Overturned desks for cover. Clear sightlines. At least three firing positions I could see.
And probably a fourth I couldn't.
"They're smart," I admitted.
"Professionals," Gaius agreed. "Your previous tactics won't work here. No gas lines, no freezers. Just open space and trained killers."
My enhanced Intelligence processed options. Scenarios played out in my head. Direct assault—dead in five seconds. Retreat—trapped between this group and the ones above. Wait them out—Mercy trapped, Plastique escaping, suit incomplete.
No good options.
Then I saw it. A fire suppression sprinkler directly above the center of the kill zone. And next to it, a smoke detector.
"Gaius. Can you trigger the fire suppression system?"
"Yes, but water won't stop bullets."
"Not the water. The chaos." My mind raced. "Trigger it. Full activation. Make it seem like a real fire."
"And then?"
"Then I need you to cut all the lights on this floor."
A pause. "Ah. I see. Risky. But possible."
"Do it."
Thirty seconds later, alarms shrieked. Water poured from every sprinkler. The corridor turned into a rain-soaked confusion of noise and movement.
I heard shouting. The bounty hunters calling to each other, trying to maintain positions.
Then the lights died.
Total darkness except for emergency lights—and those were behind me.
I pulled the door open, stepped into the corridor.
Water everywhere. Alarms screaming. Darkness ahead, backlit by the stairwell.
Which meant they could see my silhouette.
Gunfire erupted. I dropped flat, crawled left behind a desk. Bullets punched through furniture, sparked off walls.
But in the darkness and chaos, their aim was wild.
"Two targets, eleven o'clock," Gaius said. "One target, two o'clock. Fourth target unknown position."
I waited for a lull in the firing, then raised my Glock and fired twice toward eleven o'clock. Didn't aim for headshots—aimed center mass, largest target.
Someone screamed.
Return fire, but undisciplined now. Panicked.
I moved right, low, staying behind cover. My enhanced Intelligence tracked the sound of their weapons, calculated positions, predicted movements.
Three rounds toward two o'clock. Another scream.
"Two targets down," Gaius confirmed. "Two remaining."
"Where's the fourth?"
"Still unknown—wait. Movement behind you. He circled through the side office."
I spun just as a figure emerged from a doorway ten feet away. Close quarters. His weapon coming up.
I fired first.
Three shots. Center mass. He went down.
The last bounty hunter fired from across the corridor. Bullets hit the desk I was hiding behind, wood exploding into splinters.
I was pinned.
"Mercy," I said into the comm. "I need you to do something for me."
"What?"
"Access panel 45-B. Cut power to this floor's emergency lights."
"Ralph, that's your only light source."
"I know. Do it."
"You're insane."
"Probably. Do it anyway."
The emergency lights died.
Pure darkness now. Just water, alarms, and two people trying to kill each other.
But I knew where he was. I'd been tracking his muzzle flashes, calculating his position. My Intelligence-enhanced mind held a three-dimensional map of the corridor.
And he didn't know where I was anymore.
I moved left, silent as I could. Counted steps. Visualized the space.
He fired again—at where I'd been. Wasting ammo.
I was ten feet behind him now. Could hear his breathing over the alarms.
Raised my gun.
"Gaius, lights on. Now."
The lights blazed.
The bounty hunter spun, blinded after the darkness.
I shot him twice.
He fell.
```
[>> COMBAT VICTORY <<]
Enemies Defeated: 4
Method: Tactical superiority
XP Gained: +40
Total: 40/1000 (Level 2)
[>> SKILL ACTIVATED <<]
Strategic Planning Level 1
Analysis Level 2 (Enhanced)
Combined effect: Combat scenarios +30% success rate
```
I stood in the flooded corridor, surrounded by bodies, ears ringing from gunfire and alarms.
Seven down. Five left.
And I was almost there.
"Mercy," I said. "I'm coming. Three more floors."
"Ralph, you sound terrible."
"I feel worse. But I'm close. How's the suit?"
"Weapons are mounted. Running final diagnostics. We'll be ready when you get here."
"Good. Because I have a feeling we're going to need it."
I started down the stairs again.
Sub-Level 5. Sub-Level 10.
Almost there.
And then Gaius spoke, urgency in his voice for the first time.
"Ralph. Stop."
I froze. "What?"
"Security breach. Storage room on Sub-Level 13. The door has been opened."