Liam sat in his room, his mind racing a mile a second.
His body still thrummed with the power of the Level 2 upgrade, his reflexes sharper, his awareness heightened. But something didn't sit right with him.
The System Core he had taken…
"Why was it just out in the open like that?"
He narrowed his eyes and asked aloud,
"System, why was the System Core just sitting there? It felt… too easy."
The System's interface flickered, processing his question.
> System: "The System Core was placed there intentionally."
Liam's stomach tightened.
"By who?"
> System: "Unknown. However, the probability of external intervention is high."
Liam's mind spun.
"Someone left it there… knowing I would take it?"
His fingers tapped his desk rapidly.
This wasn't just about him getting stronger.
There were other players involved.
"System, second question. Are there more systems like you on Earth?"
The System's response was immediate.
> System: "Yes. But their origins, capabilities, and users remain undisclosed."
Liam's breath caught.
"So I'm not the only one with a System? Someone else has this kind of power?"
His jaw tightened.
That changes everything.
If someone else had a System, they could be:
A potential ally.
A dangerous enemy.
Or the one who left the System Core behind.
Liam leaned back, exhaling slowly.
"I need to know who else is in this game."
The System's panel shifted, bringing up a new interface.
> New Mission Unlocked: Identify Other System Users.
Progress: 0%
Liam's eyes burned with intensity.
"Looks like I just found my next challenge."
---
A Message From the Shadows
As Liam processed this game-changing information, his phone buzzed.
Unknown Number.
Again.
His gut clenched.
He let it ring twice before answering.
"Carter," a calm voice said on the other end.
Liam's muscles tensed.
It wasn't the gravel-voiced man from before.
This voice was controlled, smooth… dangerous.
"You've stepped into something bigger than yourself," the voice continued.
Liam's grip tightened on his phone. "That so?"
A slight chuckle. "You think you're the only one playing this game?"
Liam's breathing slowed.
"They know about my System?"
"What do you want?" he asked coldly.
"You took something that wasn't meant for you," the voice said. "And now? You have a target on your back."
Liam's heart pounded.
"The System Core. They knew about it."
His mind calculated at lightning speed.
This wasn't just a business war anymore.
This was a hunt.
"You're going to regret this, Carter," the voice whispered. "Because the real game starts now."
The line went dead.
Liam slowly set the phone down, his eyes glinting with determination.
"Fine. Let's play."
---
The Counterattack
Liam opened the System interface.
> Mission Update:
Identify Other System Users (Progress: 1%)
"So that guy has a System too."
That meant one thing.
The System Cores weren't just some rare artifact.
They were being monitored. Controlled.
And whoever left them behind?
Wanted something in return.
Liam cracked his knuckles.
If he was being hunted, he wasn't going to just sit back and wait.
He was going on the offensive.
Step 1: Expand his network.
He needed more allies, more resources, and more information.
His business empire had to grow faster, smarter, stronger.
Step 2: Find the next System Core.
If he wanted to upgrade further, he needed to locate another Core before his enemies did.
The faster he leveled up, the harder he'd be to stop.
Step 3: Hunt the Hunters.
If they were watching him…
Then it was time to turn the tables.
A slow, dangerous smirk formed on Liam's lips.
"I'm done playing defense."
---
A New Power Move
Liam sent out three messages that night.
1. To an underground information broker—requesting intel on any "unusual activity" in the city.
2. To a hacker-for-hire—to track the number that called him.
3. To a black-market dealer—seeking the location of rare artifacts.
The first step to winning any war?
Gather intelligence.
As he leaned back in his chair, his System flickered.
> New Passive Ability Unlocked: Intuitive Prediction.
Allows for advanced foresight in strategic decision-making.
Liam's smirk widened.
"Let's see who gets outplayed first."
Because the next time his enemies came for him?
They wouldn't be walking away.
---