Chapter 5 – The First Revenge
Revenge is a funny thing. Most humans get caught in the moment, blinded by anger.
Mr. Tarlow, however, was a D-Rank schemer with desperation sewn into every thought. And desperation… when combined with greed, becomes predictable.
Orion, scan vicinity. Danger probability?
"High. Three coordinated D → C-Rank threats detected. Potential collateral chaos: moderate. Probability of amusement: optimal."
Perfect. I loved it when the universe delivered predictable chaos wrapped in human ego.
The morning air smelled of baked bread and desperation. Citizens murmured as I walked past the plaza. Their whispers weren't of fear this time—they were curiosity, fascination, awe.
"Jobless… dangerous… maybe even a hero," someone said under their breath.
I smiled faintly. Let them talk. Let them fear. Let them adore. All at the same time.
Three figures emerged from the shadows. Brute, schemer, wildcard. Same faces as before—but coordinated. This time, they weren't alone. Tarlow had reinforced them with gadgets and dirty tricks.
I sighed dramatically. Here we go.
Orion, probability of brute overpowering suit enhancement?
"0.3%. Probability of civilians witnessing full chaos: 78%. Probability of villain humiliation: 96%. Moral conflict index: rising."
I grinned. Moral conflict? Please. My definition of morality was chaos with purpose.
The fight began.
Brute charged like a human battering ram. I sidestepped effortlessly, letting his own weight and momentum throw him into a stall of rotten produce. Citizens gasped, laughter mingling with horror.
The schemer tried hacking my drones. I let him, carefully. His actions triggered a feedback loop, exposing his illegal activities on the central billboard. Public humiliation: achieved.
Wildcard attempted smoke, tripwires, and blinding lights. My suit adaptation analyzed, mirrored, and neutralized. A harmless stun left him flailing.
Orion, tally results.
"All targets neutralized. Public exposure: 100%. Funds confiscated and redistributed: 124,000 credits. Happiness index: +31%. Legendary prank status: upgraded."
The crowd stared. Some clapped. Some murmured warnings. Everyone saw a jobless boy who controlled chaos like an artist.
And Tarlow? He seethed from a hidden corner, plotting, thinking he could beat me next time.
Orion, probability of Tarlow's next move?
"Extremely high. Estimated creativity: above average. Probability of effective retaliation: 2.1%. Estimated entertainment value: maximum."
I chuckled quietly. Let him try. Every failure, every plot, was data for my next experiment.
By the time the city quieted down, I walked away casually, backpack over my shoulder, hands in pockets, hair slightly messy, the boy who no one thought could be dangerous.
The first wave of revenge had failed spectacularly. But the legend of the Jobless Genius had officially begun. Citizens whispered. Merchants grumbled. Minor villains plotted. And in all this… I learned more about human greed, fear, and predictable chaos than any book could teach.
Orion, note observation:
"Master Rocky, the public now believes in a mythical figure. Probability of widespread recognition: rising. Should we escalate experimentation?"
I smirked. "Always."
Cliffhanger / Foreshadowing for Chapter 6
Tarlow begins assembling bigger, more coordinated villains, escalating to C → B-Rank threats.
Citizens' fascination grows, starting urban legends about Rocky's chaotic interventions.
Rocky prepares next-level tech experimentation, laying groundwork for planetary-scale tools in later arcs.
Orion hints at ethical questioning, foreshadowing its philosophical growth.