Episode 8 — Bigger Bags
⸻
Cold Open — The Numbers Don't Lie
The Bronx never really slept, but some mornings it did sound like it was mumbling in its sleep. Legend stretched on the couch, HUD flickering alive.
[CASH FLOW | +$1,500 Deposited]
Balance: $9,340 → $10,840
The number sat clean, bigger than it used to. The system had been rewarding him for the last two jobs—combat XP, neighborhood goodwill, and handling volatile cash without crying. His hourly tick had crept up again.
He grinned, lighting a blunt. "So we're leveling."
From the hallway, Miles popped his head out, hair wild, hoodie half-on. "Yo, bro, Hot 97 posted my clip on their page. Comments going nuts."
"Good," Legend said. "You ready for when it gets bigger?"
"I was born ready," Miles said, then tripped on his own shoe lace. He laughed at himself anyway, shaking it off.
Salina walked out behind him, wrapped in a robe, sipping coffee. She smirked at Legend on the couch. "And you? You ready for when it gets bigger?"
Legend snapped his fingers. $200 fluttered out of nowhere into his palm. He slid it across the table toward her.
[SNAP: -$200] → Balance: $10,640
"Already bigger," he said.
She bit her lip, pocketed the cash, and kissed him on the forehead. "Don't die today."
⸻
Scene 1 — The Call
His phone buzzed mid-morning. The number wasn't saved, but he knew it anyway. Syndicate.
"Legend," the boss's voice growled. "We've seen your runs. Tonight, you move bigger bags. Staten again. Risk's higher. Reward's higher. Fifteen stacks if you bring it home."
Legend leaned back, blowing smoke at the ceiling. "And if I don't?"
"You don't call me back."
Legend grinned. "Guess I'll call."
[Mission Accepted: High-Value Transport]
Payout: $15,000
⸻
Scene 2 — Preparation
Legend knew better than to roll into Staten with just his pockets and a prayer. He snapped $1,000 into bills—Balance: $9,640—folded them into separate rolls, tucked them in jacket, pants, sock. Emergency bribe fund.
He snapped another $1,500—Balance: $8,140—and handed it to Miles.
"Studio time. Get your track finished. Real equipment. Real engineer."
Miles blinked. "You serious?"
"You think I'm gonna let you half-ass your big break?"
Miles hugged him quick, trying not to look emotional, and mumbled, "Thanks, bro."
Salina, watching from the kitchen, smiled but shook her head. "You keep giving and giving. One day someone's gonna take more than you want to give."
Legend smirked. "Not if I hit harder."
⸻
Scene 3 — The Run
The van hummed low, full of duffel bags stacked like bricks of destiny. Legend sat on top of them, calm, HUD keeping score.
[Agitation Risk: 55% → Stable]
The driver muttered, "Feels heavier tonight."
"Because it is," Legend said.
They rolled through Queens easy enough. It was crossing into Staten where the night decided to flex.
Two black SUVs cut them off front and back. Doors opened, men stepping out in formation. Not Syndicate rivals. Not vultures. These men moved too clean.
Legend's HUD flashed red.
[Threat Detected: Collector's Agents]
The tallest one smiled. "Legend. Snap some cash for us. Just want to see the magic."
Legend grinned, snapped $300—Balance: $7,840—a roll of bills in his hand. He tossed it on the pavement.
"Test over," he said.
They didn't move for the money. They moved for him.
Legend pumped $200 into Cash Knuckle, dropped the first with a single swing. The driver floored the van, clipping two more. The rest scrambled back into their SUVs.
As they pulled away, the tallest one stood in the street, untouched, smiling. He mouthed two words: Next time.
The HUD pulsed:
[Combat Clear | XP +2,000 | Level Up]
Level: 15
Hourly Income: $1,700/hr
Balance: $7,840
Legend lit a blunt, voice calm. "Next time, I charge."
⸻
Scene 4 — Payout
The drop finished clean. No cops, no explosions. Just the quiet exchange of dirty cash in a cleaner suit.
Under the bridge, the Syndicate boss handed him an envelope. "Fifteen, like I promised."
Legend weighed it, pocketed it.
[Mission Payout: +$15,000] → Balance: $22,840
The boss smirked. "Word is, someone else is watching you. Someone not us. You careful, or you'll get collected."
Legend exhaled smoke. "He'll have to work overtime."
⸻
Scene 5 — Home Wins
Back at the apartment, Salina sat on the couch, TV glowing against her skin. She looked him over—bruised knuckles, dirt on his jacket. She shook her head, then pulled him down into a kiss.
"You're crazy," she whispered. "And you're mine."
Legend kissed her back, slow. "Both true."
Miles burst in from the hallway, phone blasting. "Bro! My track hit 50k streams in a day. Comments going off. They asking for a video."
Legend snapped $1,000—Balance: $21,840—handed it over. "Shoot it. Make it worth something."
Miles froze, then grabbed him in a hug that actually meant something. "I won't waste it. I promise."
Salina leaned against Legend's shoulder. "You're building more than money."
Legend smirked. "Money builds everything."
⸻
Scene 6 — The Collector Speaks
Late that night, when the apartment was quiet, his phone buzzed. No number. Just a voice. Calm.
"You impressed me tonight," the Collector said. "Snapping cash in front of my men. Brave. Stupid. Both."
Legend leaned back, blunt glowing. "Next time, send more men. I'll still leave richer."
The Collector chuckled. "Next time, I take more than men. I take your flow. Sleep well, Legend. You'll need the rest."
The line went dead.
The HUD glowed red.
[Quest Updated: Collector Conflict Approaching]
Legend snapped $100—Balance: $21,740—rolled the bill in his fingers. "Then let him try."
⸻
HUD — End of Episode 8
• Level: 15
• Hourly Income: $1,700/hr
• Balance (end): $21,740
• Earnings this episode: +$15,000 payout + hourly
• Spends this episode: ~$3,000 (prep bribes, Miles's studio, mission cash drops, home support)
• Perks Active: Snap (cash only), Cash Knuckle, Overflow, Keep It Low
• Allies: Salina = permanent anchor; Miles = rising star (first real traction)
• Threat: Collector's agents confirmed, Collector speaking directly
⸻
Closing Image
Legend lay back on the couch, Salina asleep against him, Miles in the next room recording rough hooks on repeat. His balance glowed steady in the HUD, bigger than it had ever been.
But outside the window, he could feel eyes in the dark. Money bought cars, clothes, studios, safety nets. But enemies? Enemies were never for sale.
He snapped once more—$20—just to feel the cash drop into his palm. He smiled, low. "Come collect if you can."