Episode 27 — Collector's Net
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Cold Open — HUD Dials Red
Miami night. Skyline glowing. Legend sat behind the wheel of the new Subaru WRX STI, engine humming like a caged beast. Blunt between his lips, HUD bleeding warnings:
[CASH FLOW | +$4,600 Deposited]
Balance: $475,940 → $480,540
But then:
[System Alert: Collector Net Expanding — 72% Coverage in Miami.]
[Silver Tongue: At Limit.]
[Vehicle Defense: Escape Probability — 81%.]
Legend smirked. "So now I'm a fish in his ocean. Guess I'll swim faster."
Salina leaned in from the passenger seat. "Legend, you're not acting like yourself. You're too calm about all this."
He exhaled smoke, calm. "Calm's how I live. Loud gets you killed."
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Scene 1 — Miles's Show Cracked
That weekend, Miles had a major outdoor show. Thousands screaming, cameras everywhere. Halfway through his set — lights cut.
Collector's men stood in the sound booth, calm, watching.
The crowd booed. Chaos stirred.
Legend walked up smooth, Subaru parked on the sidewalk behind him like a getaway dragon. He lit up, leaned in close to the agents. "Flip the lights. Or I'll flip your world."
They laughed. "You can't smooth talk your way through every blackout."
Legend smirked. "Watch me."
He snapped $3,000—Balance: $477,540—and shoved the stack into the tech's hand. Lights surged back. Miles roared, the crowd exploding louder than before.
HUD pulsed:
[Influence: Miles — Respect Reinforced. Collector Pressure Rising.]
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Scene 2 — Salina's Crack
Later, at the afterparty, Salina cornered him. "I found another hotel receipt in your jacket, Legend. Stop lying to me."
HUD screamed.
[Exposure Risk: MAXIMUM.]
Legend moved smooth, hand on her cheek. "That's a setup. Collector's planting receipts now. You think I'd risk you when you're the only one I bring home?"
Her eyes softened. Doubt broke into loyalty. She kissed him rough. "Then burn every receipt. With me."
HUD pulsed:
[Silver Tongue Success. Salina Loyalty Maintained.]
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Scene 3 — Mission Trap
The 305 Syndicate called: "Run tonight. Miami docks to Queens. Hot bag. Dangerous."
Legend rolled in the Subaru. Halfway north, Collector's SUVs boxed him in again.
Leader stepped out. "No smooth talk tonight. Give us the bag, or we kill your whole crew."
Legend exhaled smoke, smirked. "You can't afford my crew."
They moved in. Guns up.
Legend floored it. The Subaru screamed, armored shell eating bullets. He clipped SUVs, drifted through traffic.
He snapped $4,000—Balance: $473,540—and made cash rain from the windows. Enemies swerved, greed faster than hate.
HUD pulsed:
[Escape Successful — Vehicle Defense Activated.]
[Mission Complete: +$50,000] → Balance: $523,540]
[Level Up: 30 → 31]
Hourly Income: $4,800/hr]
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Scene 4 — Collector Face-to-Face
Back in Miami, Legend stepped into his building lobby. Lights flickered. And there he was. The Collector. Sharp suit, smile like knives.
"You think your car saves you. But wheels don't outrun truth."
Legend smirked. "Truth pays cheap. Lies pay better."
The Collector stepped close. "Your Silver Tongue is fraying. One more slip, and even Salina will see. Even Miles. What will you do when your own family bleeds you?"
Legend exhaled smoke in his face. "Buy more family."
The Collector's smile didn't fade. "Then I'll raise the price."
He vanished into shadows.
HUD screamed:
[Collector Influence: MAXIMUM. Next Encounter = Fatal Probability.]
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Scene 5 — Random Chaos: The Wrong Wedding
The next day, Legend got pulled into a wild side quest. Driving Salina to a mall, they passed a wedding outside a church. Suddenly, a man screamed, "That's him! That's the guy who owes me money!"
Before Legend could blink, groomsmen rushed him.
He laughed, lit a blunt. "Wrong groom, wrong bag."
He snapped $1,500—Balance: $522,040—and scattered bills. The groomsmen dove, chaos breaking the wedding.
The bride fainted. Salina yelled, "Legend, what the hell?!"
Legend smirked. "Free entertainment."
[Side Quest Complete: The Wrong Wedding]
[Reward: +$2,000] → Balance: $524,040
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Scene 6 — Salina's Confession
That night, Salina curled against him. "Legend… sometimes I feel like you're not mine. Like the world is pulling you apart."
HUD pulsed red.
[Exposure Risk Active.]
Legend kissed her forehead, smooth. "The world can pull. I don't move. You're the anchor."
Her eyes softened, heat rising. She kissed him slow. "Then never cut the rope."
HUD flickered green.
[Silver Tongue Success. Loyalty Reinforced.]
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Scene 7 — Closing Trap
Late that night, back on the balcony, Legend saw it: the Subaru parked below, hood glowing faint red.
An envelope on the windshield.
He went down, picked it up. Inside:
A photo of Salina sleeping. Miles recording. Legend in the Subaru.
Note beneath: Cars can't outrun nets.
HUD screamed.
[Collector Net 100%. Escape Probability Reduced: 40%.]
Legend lit the note, blunt smoke curling with the fire. "Then I'll cut the net with cash."
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Closing Beat — Escape Route
Balcony breeze hot. Miles blasting music. Salina asleep. Subaru rumbling below.
HUD glowed:
[CASH FLOW | +$4,800 Deposited]
Balance: $528,840
Legend smirked. "Car's just my exit. My lies are the real armor."