The Shadow Employer

Kael's eyes scanned the desolate alley, his stomach growling with hunger. He had been living on the streets for as long as he could remember, and every day was a struggle to survive. Standing up from his makeshift bed, a discarded carton, Kael dusted himself off as he wondered what he would eat today.

Just as he was about to start his daily scavenging, Kael heard a grunt behind him. He turned to see Mr. Edmond, his "landlord," a stout man with a weird mustache and a lingering stench of alcohol, stumbling down the alley.

Kael's instincts told him to be wary. Mr. Edmond was not a man to be trifled with, especially when he was in one of his drunken moods. Kael took a step back, his eyes fixed on Mr. Edmond's burly frame.

"Good day, Mr. Edmond," Kael said, trying to sound as non-threatening as possible.

Mr. Edmond's bloodshot eyes narrowed. "Good day to you, Kael," he growled. "I hope you have my money."

Kael's heart sank. He had been putting off paying Mr. Edmond for weeks, hoping to scrape together enough coins to pay for a decent meal. But now, it seemed like Mr. Edmond had run out of patience.

"I'd pay you as soon as I get the money, sir," Kael stammered, trying to placate Mr. Edmond.

But Mr. Edmond was having none of it. He took a menacing step closer to Kael, his massive frame looming over the young man.

"Tomorrow, 9 pm," Mr. Edmond snarled, his breath reeking of cheap liquor. "My money, or your life."

Kael's heart racing, he watched as Mr. Edmond stumbled away, leaving him shaken and scared. He knew he had to get out of there, and fast. But where could he go? And how would he survive?

As he stood there, frozen with fear, Kael's eyes fell upon a nearby trash can. He rummaged through it, searching for anything edible. And that's when he saw it - a small, intricately carved silver pendant, glinting in the faint light of the alley.

Kael's heart skipped a beat as he picked up the pendant. It felt strangely warm to the touch, and he could sense a strange energy emanating from it.

What was this thing? And how did it end up in a trash can?

As Kael stood there, pondering the mysteries of the pendant, he felt a sudden surge of energy course through his body. It was as he ad been plugged into a power source, and his cells were being infused with an electric charge...

_System Notification_

You have activated the System.

Congratulations, you are now a part of the System.

Your current status:

- Strength: 10

- Agility: 10

- Intelligence: 10

- Endurance: 10

You have 100 System Points.

What do you want to do?

A) Spend System Points to upgrade your stats.

B) Explore the city to learn more about the System.

C) Seek out other individuals with connections to the System.

Choose your response:

Kael was confused. What's happening? How am I seeing all these?

Am I dreaming? He asked himself.

Okay, Maybe it's just in my head.

He tried dropping the trinket back into the trash can but the image came back again.

_System Notification_

You have activated the System.

Congratulations, you are now a part of the System.

Your current status:

- Strength: 10

- Agility: 10

- Intelligence: 10

- Endurance: 10

You have 100 System Points.

What do you want to do?

A) Spend System Points to upgrade your stats.

B) Explore the city to learn more about the System.

C) Seek out other individuals with connections to the System.

Choose your response:

"C" he responded, confusingly.

You have chosen to seek out other individuals with connections to the System.

Explore the city, and you'd come across a small, unassuming building that seems to be emitting a faint energy signature. You can sense that this building is connected to the System, and that there may be others like you inside.

Kael knew he had seen a place that fit this description. He quickly picked up his bed a hid it at a spot, where no one could see.

In about 20 minutes, he was in front of the building.

"Well, here goes nothing" he said as he approached the building cautiously, his senses high on alert for any sign of danger.

As he entered the building, he was greeted by a woman with piercing blue eyes and long flowing red hair.

"Welcome, Kael," she says, her voice dripping with an otherworldly elegance. "I have been expecting you. My name is Aria, and I am a member of a group known as the System's Chosen."

Kael was surprised.

"How, how do you know my name?" He stammered.

Aria chuckled slightly.

It's the system. We know everything and anything.

She said as she walked down a dark hallway, the sound of her shoes, piercing the silence.

The System's Chosen are a group of individuals who, like you, have been chosen by the System to wield its power. The group is dedicated to helping its members master their abilities and unlock the secrets of the System.

Aria said as she stopped abruptly in front of a blue door.

_System Notification_

You have gained 50 System Points for completing the quest "Seek out other individuals with connections to the System."

Your current status:

- Strength: 10

- Agility: 10

- Intelligence: 10

- Endurance: 10

- System Points: 150

What do you want to do?

A) Ask Aria more questions about the System's Chosen and their goals.

B) Request to join the System's Chosen and begin training with the group.

C) Decline Aria's offer and strike out on your own, determined to uncover the secrets of the System.

Choose your response:

_System Notification_

"Choose Option B, Aria said as she walked into the room.

The room was dimly lit, with books and papers arranged neatly on a table.

The monitor was on and it looked like someone was working on a project and had to leave to attend to something.

"Choose Option B", she said again, jolting me back to my senses.

"B", I muttered under my breathe.

You have chosen to request to join the System's Chosen and begin training with the group.

Aria's eyes light up with excitement.

"Excellent choice, Kael," she said.

"I will take you to meet our leader, who will determine whether you are worthy to join our ranks."

Right there, in the room, there's another door.

"Come, let go meet our leader" She beckoned.

Aria leads the way to a large, ornate door deep within the building. She knocks three times, and a low, rumbling voice answers from inside.

"Enter."

Inside the room, there's a figure shrouded in shadows. Kael approaches the figure, and the figure steps forward, revealing a tall, imposing man with piercing red eyes.

"I am Ryker, leader of the System's Chosen," he said. "And you, Kael, are a potential recruit. I must warn you, our training is not for the faint of heart. Are you prepared to face the challenges that lie ahead?"

Ryker's eyes seem to bore into Kael very soul, as if searching for any sign of weakness.

_System Notification_

You have been presented with a challenge by Ryker, leader of the System's Chosen.