2026-07-05 20:41:19
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
112
[BANG]The wooden panels shuddered, and the old iron latch snapped instantly. But the door didn't fly open. It smashed hard against the iron bed frame Caleb had just wedged there, holding the frame solid."Open the door, you bastard!" a rough voice shouted from the hallway.Caleb stood in the dark, his breath coming in quick gasps. He didn't answer... he looked through the small crack in the broken wood.Standing in the dim hallway was Ronald, a thick cloth wrapped around his bleeding jaw where Caleb had broken it with the lantern. But Ronald wasn't alone. He had brought two large broad-shouldered dock workers with him. Both of them carried thick iron rods, their faces dark with anger."Push it!" Ronald lisped through his broken teeth, pointing his finger at the wood. "Break it down! I want to break his arms!"The two big men slammed their shoulders against the door together. The wood groaned, and the iron bed frame began to slide back an inch at a time against Caleb's boots. Hi
111
Caleb stood perfectly still while his mind went blank. His body was completely exhausted from the twelve-hour shovel shift, and he had no strength to fight a man of Ronald's size.[PING!][NEW MISSION GENERATED: HALLWAY JUSTICE][Task: Refuse to hand over your money and slam the iron lantern into Ronald's face the moment he reaches for your pocket.][Current Progress: 0 / 1][Reward: $5.00]Caleb didn't say a single word. He didn't run neither did he beg. He just stood there, his face... an unreadable mask.Ronald took his silence as utter fear. He laughed, stepping close and reaching his thick hand straight for Caleb's coat pocket. "Smart choice beggar. Let me take that cash."The moment Ronald's fingers touched his coat, Caleb moved. He didn't hesitate. He swung the old iron lantern he was carrying right into Ronald's jaw.[CRACK]The solid metal smashed hard against Ronald's teeth. Blood sprayed onto the wall as Ronald let out a sharp shriek, stumbling backward down the hallwa
110
Caleb gripped the rough handle of the shovel. The wood splintered against his palms, but he drove the iron blade deep into the heavy pile of coal. He hoisted the first load, his collarbone screaming in protest as he swung the weight over the side into the high iron cart.The work was brutal. Every scoop required him to bend his torso, making his wrapped ribs grind painfully against his chest. Sweat poured down his face, turning the black dust on his skin into dark streaks.The other laborers worked quickly, shouting and cursing at each other to keep the pace up. But Caleb remained a complete ghost. He didn't speak a single word to anyone. He just kept his eyes locked on the coal, moving his arms rhythmically, scoop after scoop.Around noon, a large thick-necked laborer named Flint stepped directly into Caleb's path and intentionally slammed his empty shovel against Caleb's blade, stopping him from working.Flint leaned his weight against his shovel, looking at Caleb's clean gray sh
109
Caleb forced his jaw to stay locked. He didn't come this far to fail a system task. He grabbed the iron spokes again, put every single ounce of his remaining strength into his grip and threw his entire body weight to the left.[SCREECH]With a loud metallic crack, the hardened slag inside broke apart. The iron wheel spun quickly to the left, releasing a massive rush of white steam through the pipes.Caleb fell backward onto the concrete floor, gasping for air as his chest heaved painfully against the tight cloth.From deep inside the walls, a low steady thrumming sound began to echo. The cold metal pipes grew warm to the touch as the restored heat started flowing up to the rooms above.[Progress: 1 / 1][PING!][Mission Success. 1/1 slag cleared.][Reward Disbursed: $4.00 cash generated.][Total Balance: $13.00][Current Health Status: 21%. Warning: Extreme physical exertion has caused minor tissue regression. Rest mandatory.]Four bills slid into his pocket, bringing his total to
108
"Let's go," Mike muttered, turning away quickly. "We have other blocks to check on."The three men hurried down the muddy alley, their heavy boots splashing through the water until they vanished into the fog.Caleb stood alone in the dark road. He reached into his pocket and counted what was left. One five-dollar bill. Three single ones.Eight dollars. He was completely broke again.[Progress: 1 / 1][PING!][Mission Success. 1/1 revenue delivered.][Reward Disbursed: $1.00 cash generated.][Total Balance: $9.00][Current Health Status: 25%.]A single paper dollar bill slid into his pocket, making his total nine dollars. The system is ruthlessly keeping him on the absolute edge of poverty.On the porch, Nora was still on her knees, holding Lily tightly. She looked up at Caleb through her tears, her face filled with complete shock. Nobody in the lower sector ever gave up their own money for a stranger."Why... why did you do that?" Nora whispered, her voice shaking as she stood up. "
107
They weren't gang members; they wore polished brass badges pinned to their lapels—the crest of the Vane Estate Debt Collectors.One of them, a man with a brutal scarred jaw and a heavy iron truncheon swinging from his belt, slammed his boot against Nora’s wooden porch rail, shattering the old pine board into splinters."Nora!" the lead collector roared, his voice cutting through the foggy alley. "Come out here! We know you're inside!"Caleb froze in the shadow of a rusted shipping container, his hand tightening around his new clothes. His heart gave a sickening thud against his bound ribs.Nora pushed the front door open, her face completely bloodless as she stepped onto the porch. She looked tiny and fragile against the three massive men towering over her. Lily was hiding behind her skirt, her small hands clutching her mother’s apron in terror."Mr. Fredrick, please," Nora begged, her voice trembling violently. "I paid the housing tax last week. I gave your runner the ten silver p
You may also like
The Return of Doctor Levin
Dane Lawrence146.1K viewsRevenge Of The Rejected Son-in-law
Teddy155.8K viewsThe Billionaire Heir
Teddy133.3K viewsTRILLIONAIRE IN DISGUISE
Lyonlee333.4K viewsTHE HEIR THEY BURIED ALIVE
VINCENT 207 viewsMy Wife Said Only Death Could Set Me Free
Svard55 viewsMy Cheating Wife Shocked: I'm the octomillionaire Heir
AL Farwa135 viewsTHEY HUNTED THE WRONG MAN
Eun140 views