The abandoned metro tunnels smelled of rust and mold.
Their breaths came out in shallow puffs as Elias, Sophia, and Callum crouched near the old ticket booths, their backs to the wall.
Across from them, hidden behind debris and old vending machines, was Safehouse Sigma — their target.
It was supposed to be a hidden refuge.
Instead, it looked heavily guarded.
At least eight armed mercenaries in tactical gear patrolled outside.
"Well," Callum whispered, adjusting his glasses nervously, "this is... suicide."
Sophia smirked. "You want to go back out there and deal with the bounty hunters?"
Callum shut up immediately.
Elias scanned the area calmly.
His watch vibrated.
> [Optional Task: Eliminate All Hostiles Silently - Bonus Reward: Assassin's Instincts I.]
Perfect.
Elias' recent upgrades — agility, stealth, and now enhanced charisma — made him faster, quieter, and smarter.
But it still wasn't going to be easy.
---
Sophia handed Elias a small blade and a worn pistol.
"I know you like to do things your way," she said, eyeing him carefully, "but maybe just this once — don't be a hero."
Elias gave her a half-smile.
"No promises."
They moved like shadows.
Callum hacked a side door, while Sophia created a distraction by knocking over an old cart and setting off a false alarm down the tunnel.
In the confusion, Elias slipped into the fray.
He was a ghost.
One by one, the mercenaries fell — stunned, choked out, or knocked unconscious.
No alarms.
No blood.
Within minutes, the outside was clear.
---
They slipped inside and immediately found a mess — broken screens, scattered papers, old tech.
But hidden under the floorboards was what they needed:
A new identity kit — passports, ID chips, new clothes.
And a black briefcase.
When Elias opened it, his heart skipped.
Inside were bundles of cash — real money, not digital credits.
Enough to live off-grid for years.
"Jackpot," Callum whispered, wide-eyed.
But there was more.
At the bottom of the briefcase was a small metal vial labeled "Nanocyte Serum: Prototype."
His watch blinked furiously:
> [Special Item Detected: Accept and integrate Nanocyte Serum?
Effect: Regenerates minor injuries, boosts immune system.]
> [Yes] [No]
Without hesitation, Elias pressed [Yes].
The serum injected itself into his bloodstream immediately.
A warm sensation spread through him, making his muscles feel lighter, his skin tougher.
Another piece of the puzzle, he thought.
Another step forward.
---
Later that night, they hid in an old subway car.
Sophia and Callum argued over whether they should split up to stay safer.
Callum wanted to leave the city entirely.
Sophia wanted to rally allies in the resistance.
Elias just stared at his reflection in the subway window.
Was he even the same person anymore?
Was this still about survival?
Or was it about something... more now?
The world around him was cruel, broken, unfair.
Kids starved in the streets.
Honest men were crushed by systems designed to bleed them dry.
And here he was — with power growing in his veins.
Maybe it wasn't enough to survive.
Maybe he needed to change everything.
---
Elias Grey:
Age: 19
Profession: Former Student, Current Fugitive
Skills: Enhanced agility, stealth mastery, charisma boost, medical knowledge, driving ability, nanocyte regeneration.
Attitude: Calm, observant, occasionally ruthless when cornered.
Flaws: Deep mistrust, burdened by loneliness.
Appearance: Tall, athletic build, light brown skin, short black hair, intense grey eyes.
Sophia Vale and Callum Reed: Supporting cast remains unchanged but growing closer to Elias emotionally.
---