Duel of systems

Harold

The subject suddenly fell to the ground in front of his bodyguards. I watched carefully through my magnifying glass, trying to unravel the scene and the possible reasons behind his fall. A sense of relief came over me, finally this had come to an end, the target had been eliminated.

Lucia, a harmless looking woman, but with lethal skill, was the most suitable person to carry out this type of assassination. She was certain that she had used some lethal poison, thus avoiding arousing suspicion and ensuring that no one would point her out as the culprit.

The man's bodyguards desperately tried to revive him, placing him in a van in the hope of saving his life. As I witnessed this frantic attempt, my phone rang, interrupting the scene in front of my eyes.

"[Target deleted]"

Immediately, I tried to call Lucia to coordinate our next step, but her phone remained silent, unanswered. A worry grew inside me, compelling me to leave the building in search of answers. I carefully deposited the rifle on the bed, making sure to put on a bulletproof vest and goggles to conceal my identity. I left the weapons in the room, avoiding arousing suspicion or being recognized. I locked the door and headed for the elevator, ready to face the challenges ahead.

Lucia had taken precautions and had secured a room in the hotel to avoid complications and allow me to enter without problems. My goal was to meet her there and get her out as quickly as possible, keeping us safe from any imminent danger.

I tried to keep a serene appearance and my mind blank, acting like an ordinary hotel guest. I mentally prepared myself for the scenario I might encounter there, aware that, even though the mission was over, an investigation into the man's death would take place. If the bodyguards confirmed what had happened, the place would quickly fill up with authorities.

[...]

Ten minutes later, I arrived at the hotel where the mission had taken place. Policemen surrounded the place, their flashing lights flashing amidst the chaos, indicating the seriousness of the situation. The entrance to the luxurious hotel was impressive, with an imposing facade adorned with carefully designed architectural details and large columns rising into the night sky. A doorman, with a somber but professional look, guarded the entrance behind the glass doors. I decided to enter, preparing to face the unknown.

The reception area was located in a large, open space. The counter, crafted with fine wood and gold accents, exuded a sense of luxury and sophistication. The receptionist, elegantly dressed in a blue suit, was busy chatting with a couple of policemen and a concerned guest. I had never been in such a dazzling place before, but I also felt a strange discomfort coursing through my body.

Taking advantage of a brief moment of distraction, I approached the receptionist, aware of the delicacy of my question.

"Excuse me, is the lady from Lodging 450 still here?", I asked cautiously, trying to hide the urgency in my voice.

The receptionist looked at me with a certain reserve, her face reflecting the caution her position demanded.

"I can't provide that information unless you are a police officer or have a joint booking with her. Also, a death just occurred near the hotel, so I can't provide you with any information at this time," he replied, keeping his tone professional.

It was obvious that obtaining information would be complicated, but I remembered that I had made the reservation together with Lucia, which made me think that I could be successful. I showed her my documents and she looked them over carefully as she searched for my name in the system.

"Ah, well... uh... Miss Lucia... She is still at the hotel. About an hour ago she requested the room keys. If you wish, I can call her," the receptionist finally replied, letting out a sigh of relief.

"No need, I'll go straight to the room. Thank you," I replied, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders.

Aware that Lucia might have left the room, I prepared to scour the vast areas of the huge hotel in search of her. However, the overwhelming presence of police officers hindered my movement. It was clear that more than just a death had occurred, and security had been stepped up accordingly. Cautiously, I tried to act naturally, blending in among the guests so as not to arouse suspicion.

I decided to head for the basement, as it was the most likely place where Lucia would be hiding. Although I knew that I might also encounter policemen on the way, I trusted in Lucia's cunning, who had probably planned to take refuge in one of the cars in the parking lot. With a firm step, I started walking there, remembering every detail of the map Lucia had provided me with. I knew I had to go down some stairs and into the basement.

As I headed in that direction, I spotted several policemen carrying some people in handcuffs. A shiver ran down my spine as I considered the possibility that Lucia might be among them. However, to my relief, I quickly noticed that they were men, probably members of the user group I had been working with in the past.

Determined to move on, I continued on my way to the basement, feeling the urgency increase with each step. With each passing second, Lucia was at risk of being injured and in desperate need of help.

[...]

When I finally reached the basement, I found an almost empty space. The hotel parking lot stretched out in front of me, illuminated by dim lights that cast eerie shadows in every corner. Luxurious automobiles were neatly parked, from sleek sports cars to dazzling high-end vehicles. A few meters away, a narrow hallway with several doors caught my attention. I decided to call Lucia's cell phone, keeping my ear alert for any hint of her presence.

Suddenly, a faint sound caught my attention near one of the cars. I moved quickly, aware that I might be on to a crucial clue. However, to my disappointment, I saw no one in the vicinity. Still, something prompted me to take a closer look inside the vehicle, and it was then that I discovered bloodstains. I traced the crimson footprints to one of the basement rooms.

The basement's metal doors, imposing and mysterious, lined the length of the hallway. But on one of them, there were fresh traces of blood. Without hesitation, I carefully opened the door, not knowing what awaited me on the other side. What I found took my breath away.

Lucia lay on the floor, her delicate figure lying limp, with a visible wound on her leg. I ran to her, my heart pounding, and quickly examined her. Fortunately, she was still alive, but in urgent need of medical attention. She had cuts and bruises on her body, evidence of the struggle she had faced.

I approached her and called out to her in a shaky voice.

"Chief...I mean, Lucia...wake up..."

Her eyes blinked faintly and looked at me with a mixture of pain and relief.

"Leandro..."

"Yes, it's me. Don't worry, everything will be fine. I'll get you to a hospital," I assured him, feeling some concern.

"But not yet... there are policemen around. I can wait a little longer. First, let's clean up the blood. The security cameras were sabotaged, but it won't last long before they notice," Lucia whispered in a cracked voice.

"Okay, I'll do it," I replied, knowing it was our only option.

I felt a mixture of discomfort and determination as I began meticulously cleaning the bloodstains, aware that we were in a supply room. The place was cluttered with cleaning supplies, an odd setting for such a dramatic scene. My mind wandered, trying to process what had happened and the possible implications of our actions. Even though the mission was over, I knew there would be consequences and an ongoing investigation. I had to make sure I left no trace.

As I meticulously went about the task, my mind was flooded with thoughts of the attack on Lucia. Who would have been capable of stabbing her? I knew there were other dangerous users, but I didn't have enough information to identify who was responsible. I decided to ask him directly, searching for answers in the dark.

"Who attacked you? Do you know who it was?", I asked in a firm voice, trying to hide my growing unease.

"Another user. He's extremely dangerous. I've come across him on several occasions. He's a real psychopath. He kills his victims with inhuman cruelty. I was saved thanks to the system's notification," Lucia replied in a cracked voice full of anguish.

I understood the gravity of the situation. This user represented a real threat and we had to be cautious. However, I was also concerned for my own safety. Lucia looked at me with intensity and warned me.

"You are not safe either. That psychopath is carrying out missions to increase his abilities. You must be careful. He is a wealthy man, with power and resources to pursue any target," Lucia warned seriously.

"Really? If I meet him on a mission, I'll have to be very careful," I replied, feeling worry wash over me.

"He'll hunt you down if he sees you. Don't underestimate his ability," Lucia added, her gaze fixed on mine.

We continued our conversation in whispers, assessing our options and waiting patiently for an opportunity to move. Suddenly, however, the door burst open. A gray-haired man with a somber look stood in the doorway, grinning mischievously. He was tall and wore a suit.

"Miss Lucia...and someone else," he uttered with a sinister smile.

"We're not on a mission, so you have no right to meddle in our affairs," Lucia replied determinedly, defiantly.

The man glared at us, his eyes cold and piercing. He was marked by scars and tattoos that highlighted his menacing appearance.

"I'm not doing anything to them... Ah, it's too bad you ran away from me. You must have some pretty impressive stats. You're the third person to manage to do so. Next time, you won't be so lucky," the man declared in an icy voice gave me chills.

I stepped in front of Lucia, ready to protect her from any possible threat, but the man addressed me directly, scorning me.

"You're just a rookie. With just a gun, I could take you out. Back off, petty. This is a matter between high-level users," he said with a contemptuous and defiant look.

From one moment to the next he kicked me in the abdomen demonstrating his speed and strength.

I felt intimidated and vulnerable in the face of his menacing presence. His gaze was cold and merciless, enjoying being in front of us.

Lucia, with her usual shrewdness and cunning, managed to disconcert him with her words, making him hesitate for a moment.

"You know very well that you cannot interfere in another user's life. You are overdoing it by preventing us from moving freely and assaulting Leandro," Lucia said in a firm, authoritative voice.

The man glared at us, but finally withdrew, hesitating at Lucia's words. His figure faded into the distance, leaving a chill in the air. The tension in the room was still present, however, and Lucia's warning echoed in my mind.

"Don't be confident, he can't kill us while we're not on a mission, but you're bound to run into him at some point. The nearest missions are in another city. You must prepare to go there," Lucia warned in a low voice, full of seriousness.