Chapter 3: The Snake Pendant, New Alliances, and a Deadly Warning
The wail of police sirens grew louder as Ryan and Sophia walked out of the old warehouse, the cool night air nipping at their cheeks. A fleet of patrol cars skidded to a stop nearby, their red and blue lights painting the desolate docks in a flickering, eerie glow. Two officers stepped out, their hands resting on their holsters as they approached.
"Evening, folks. We received a report of trespassing and possible assault here. Are you two okay?" one of the officers asked, his gaze sweeping over Ryan's disheveled clothes and Sophia's grip on the baseball bat.
"We're fine, thanks," Sophia said, stepping forward with a calm confidence that surprised Ryan. "I'm Sophia Laurent—this warehouse belongs to my family. We caught a group of masked men here, harassing my friend Ryan. They ran off a few minutes ago, but they had weapons—a gun, at least."
The officers' expressions sharpened. "Masked men with a gun? Can you describe them?" the second officer asked, pulling out a notebook.
Ryan stepped in, recalling the details. "There were ten of them, all wearing black hoodies and ski masks. One was taller than the rest, holding a handgun. Their voices were distorted—probably using voice changers. They didn't say much, just threatened me."
He hesitated for a moment, then pulled the silver snake pendant out of his pocket. "One of them dropped this. It might be a lead."
The first officer took the pendant carefully, examining it under his flashlight. The silver snake coiled tightly, its red gemstone eyes glinting in the light. "Interesting. This doesn't look like cheap jewelry. We'll get this dusted for fingerprints and run it through our database. Do either of you have any idea who these men might be?"
Ryan and Sophia exchanged a look. "No," Ryan said honestly. "I've never seen them before. They mentioned something about my 'secret,' but I have no idea what they're talking about." He couldn't exactly tell the police about the Ultimate Cashback System—not unless he wanted to become a lab rat.
Sophia nodded in agreement. "I don't recognize them either. My family's owned this warehouse for years, and we've never had trouble with trespassers before."
The officers took down their statements, asked for contact information, and assured them they'd investigate the area thoroughly. "We'll increase patrols around the docks for the next few nights," the first officer said, handing Ryan a business card. "Call us if you see anything suspicious, or if you remember any more details."
After the police left, Ryan let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks for handling that. I probably would've messed up the statement."
Sophia laughed, the sound light and warm in the tense night air. "I've had to deal with my fair share of police reports—restaurant break-ins, noisy customers, you name it. Practice makes perfect. Besides, you looked a little shaken up. Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, just… still processing what happened," Ryan said. He held up the snake pendant, which the police had returned to him after examining it. "Whoever these guys are, they're not messing around. And this pendant—there's something off about it."
Sophia leaned in to look at it, her hair brushing against Ryan's arm. He felt a faint tingle at the contact. "My grandfather used to collect antiques. He had a few pieces with snake motifs—snakes are a symbol of power and secrecy in a lot of old organizations. Maybe these men are part of some kind of group?"
"A group that knows about my system," Ryan muttered, more to himself than to Sophia. He quickly changed the subject when he saw her confused expression. "We should probably get out of here. It's getting late."
Sophia nodded. "I'll drive you home. My car's parked a few blocks away."
Ten minutes later, they were in Sophia's sleek black Mercedes, cruising through the city streets. The interior was warm and luxurious, a far cry from the taxis Ryan was used to. Sophia glanced at him as she drove. "You still haven't told me why those men were after you. What's this 'secret' they mentioned?"
Ryan hesitated. He trusted Sophia—she'd saved his life, after all—but the Ultimate Cashback System was too dangerous to share with anyone. If the wrong people found out, he'd be in even more trouble. "It's… complicated," he said finally. "I can't tell you right now. But I promise, when I can, I will."
Sophia didn't push him. "Fair enough. But if you ever need help—with anything—you can call me. I mean it." She handed him her phone, and he typed his number into it. Their fingers brushed again, and Ryan felt his heart skip a beat.
She dropped him off outside his rental ten minutes later. The street was quiet, with only a few dim streetlights illuminating the way. "Thanks for the ride. And for everything tonight," Ryan said, leaning against the car window.
"Don't mention it," Sophia said, smiling. "And don't forget—you owe me a meal. A really good one."
"I won't," Ryan said. "I'll call you tomorrow to set it up."
He watched her drive away, then walked up to his rental. Mrs. Higgins was nowhere to be seen—probably already in bed, counting her rent money. Ryan unlocked the door and stepped inside, the weight of the day's events hitting him all at once.
He collapsed onto his bed, pulling out the snake pendant and staring at it. The red gemstone eyes seemed to glow in the dark, as if watching him. Who were these masked men? How did they know about his system? And what did they want with it?
Just as he was about to put the pendant down, the system's mechanical voice sounded in his head:
"Ding! Detected unusual energy signature from unknown object. Scanning… Scan complete. Object: Snake Pendant. Belongs to 'The Serpent's Hand'—a transnational secret organization specializing in the acquisition of supernatural artifacts and abilities. Warning: This organization is extremely dangerous. Members have a history of eliminating targets who refuse to cooperate."
Ryan's blood ran cold. A transnational secret organization? Supernatural artifacts? This was way more serious than he'd thought. He'd stumbled into something far bigger than a simple extortion attempt.
"Ding! Emergency task unlocked: Investigate The Serpent's Hand and locate their local hideout. Reward: 300% cashback rate for 24 hours, plus a system-generated defensive force field. Failure penalty: The Serpent's Hand will be notified of your exact location within 72 hours."
Ryan sat up, his mind racing. An emergency task? A defensive force field? The system had never mentioned anything like this before. It was clear that The Serpent's Hand was a threat the system couldn't ignore.
"Accept task," he said aloud.
"Ding! Task accepted. Current progress: 0%. Hint: The Serpent's Hand often uses legitimate businesses as fronts. Check local establishments with snake-related logos or names."
Ryan nodded, making a mental note of the hint. He needed to start investigating first thing in the morning. But for now, he was exhausted. He put the pendant on his nightstand, set his new phone's alarm, and fell asleep, his dreams filled with masked men and coiling snakes.
The next morning, Ryan woke up to the sound of his alarm, the sun streaming through the curtains. He felt more refreshed than he had in weeks—maybe because he finally had someone he could trust, or maybe because the system's task had given him a sense of purpose.
He washed up, put on a clean shirt and jeans, and grabbed his phone and the snake pendant. First on his list: breakfast, then a trip to Burger Haven to meet with the employees and hire a new manager. Then, he'd start investigating The Serpent's Hand.
He walked to a small café near his rental, ordering a stack of pancakes, bacon, and a cup of coffee. He paid with his phone, smiling as the system's prompt sounded:
"Ding! Host spent $12 on breakfast. 200% cashback triggered. $24 credited to your bank card. Please check!"
His balance was now $24,278.50 + $24 = $24,302.50. He ate quickly, then hailed a taxi to Burger Haven.
When he arrived, the restaurant was already busy, the employees working hard to keep up with the orders. They looked up when Ryan walked in, their faces lighting up.
"Boss!" one of the cashiers, a young girl named Mia, said. "We were wondering when you'd be back. Jake's already gone—he packed his stuff and left first thing this morning."
"Good," Ryan said. "I need to talk to all of you. Can we gather in the back in ten minutes, once the rush dies down?"
The employees nodded, going back to their work. Ryan walked around the restaurant, checking the inventory and the condition of the equipment. It was clear that Carter had neglected the place—some of the fryers were dirty, and the tables needed to be refinished. But with a little investment, it could be a great business.
Ten minutes later, the employees gathered in the back office. There were five of them: Mia, the cashier; two cooks, Tom and Jerry (yes, that was their real names); a drive-thru attendant, Lisa; and a cleaner, Mrs. Gonzalez.
"Thanks for coming," Ryan said, leaning against the desk. "First off, I want to say I appreciate all of you staying. I know working for Carter wasn't easy."
They nodded, Mrs. Gonzalez speaking up. "He was a mean man, always yelling. You're a good boss for giving us a raise and overtime pay."
"Thank you," Ryan said. "Now, the first order of business: a new manager. I don't have time to run this place myself, so I need someone who's reliable and knows the restaurant business. Does anyone here want the job? Or do you know someone who might be good for it?"
Mia raised her hand. "My cousin, Sarah. She used to manage a fast-food restaurant downtown for five years. She got laid off last month because the place closed down. She's great—fair, hardworking, and she knows how to handle difficult customers."
"Perfect," Ryan said. "Can you have her come in for an interview tomorrow at 10 AM? I'll pay her $25 an hour, plus bonuses if the restaurant meets its sales targets."
Mia's eyes widened. "$25 an hour? That's way more than she was making before! She'll definitely come."
"Good," Ryan said. "Next, I'm going to invest $5,000 in renovating the restaurant—new fryers, new tables, a fresh coat of paint. I want this place to look clean and welcoming. Tom, Jerry, can you let me know what equipment needs to be replaced first?"
The two cooks nodded, listing off the equipment that was broken or outdated. Ryan made a note of it, then turned to Lisa. "I want to update the drive-thru system to make it faster. I'll have a technician come in next week to install a new one."
Lisa smiled. "That would be awesome. The current system is so slow—customers get mad all the time."
Ryan finished the meeting, telling the employees he'd be back tomorrow with Sarah. He walked out of the restaurant, feeling confident about the future of Burger Haven. With the right manager and a little investment, it could be one of the most popular fast-food places in the city.
Now, it was time to start investigating The Serpent's Hand. He pulled out his phone, searching for local businesses with snake-related names or logos. He found a few—Snake Eyes Tattoo Parlor, Serpent's Tail Bar, and Viper Security Services. He decided to start with Viper Security Services—security companies were often used as fronts for illegal organizations.
He hailed a taxi to Viper Security Services, which was located in a run-down office building downtown. The building's exterior was covered in graffiti, the windows cracked and dirty. Ryan walked inside, the smell of cigarette smoke and mildew hitting his nose.
The reception area was small, with a worn couch and a desk where a man with a tattoo of a snake on his arm was sitting, scrolling through his phone. He looked up when Ryan walked in, his eyes narrowing.
"What do you want?" he asked, his voice gruff.
"I'm looking for a security guard position," Ryan said, lying smoothly. "I saw your ad online."
The man raised an eyebrow. "We don't have any ads online. You sure you're in the right place?"
"Yeah, this is Viper Security Services, right?" Ryan said, pretending to check his phone. "The address says 123 Main Street, Suite 402."
"It is," the man said, "but we're not hiring. Get out."
Ryan didn't move. He stared at the man's snake tattoo, which looked almost identical to the snake on the pendant. "That's a nice tattoo. I've seen one just like it before—on a pendant."
The man's face darkened. He stood up, reaching for something under the desk—probably a gun or a knife. "What are you talking about? Get out of here before I throw you out."
Ryan backed up, knowing he wasn't ready to confront them yet. "Just asking. Sorry for bothering you."
He walked out of the office building, his heart racing. That had definitely been a lead. The man's reaction had confirmed that Viper Security Services was linked to The Serpent's Hand.
He pulled out his phone, calling Sophia. He needed her help—she knew the city better than he did, and she had connections he didn't. "Hey, it's Ryan. Do you have time to meet? I need your help with something."
"Sure," Sophia said. "I'm at the restaurant. Come over—I'll buy you lunch."
Ryan hailed a taxi to Sophia's restaurant, arriving ten minutes later. The restaurant was busy, but Sophia was waiting for him at a table by the window. She waved him over, a plate of salad and a glass of wine already on the table.
"Thanks for coming," Ryan said, sitting down. He told her everything—the system's warning about The Serpent's Hand, the emergency task, his visit to Viper Security Services.
Sophia listened carefully, her expression serious. "The Serpent's Hand… I've heard of them. My father does business with a lot of people, and he's mentioned them a few times. They're ruthless—they'll do anything to get what they want. And they have connections in the government and the business world. You're in a lot of danger, Ryan."
"I know," Ryan said. "That's why I need your help. I need to find out more about Viper Security Services—who owns it, who works there, anything. I can't do this alone."
Sophia nodded. "My father has a friend who's a private investigator. He owes my dad a favor. I can call him and ask him to look into Viper Security Services. He'll be able to find out things the police can't."
Ryan felt a surge of gratitude. "Thank you. I don't know how to repay you."
"You already did," Sophia said, smiling. "You gave those employees at Burger Haven a second chance. Not a lot of people would do that."
They talked for a while longer, Sophia telling Ryan about her family's business and Ryan sharing a little more about his past—growing up in the slums, working odd jobs to make ends meet. He didn't mention the system, but he told her about his dream of building a better life.
As they talked, Ryan felt a connection growing between them—something he'd never felt with anyone before. Sophia was smart, kind, and brave, and she didn't care that he'd grown up poor. For the first time in his life, Ryan felt like he belonged.
After lunch, Sophia called her father's friend, the private investigator. She spoke to him for a few minutes, then hung up, smiling. "He'll look into Viper Security Services right away. He said he'll have information for us by tomorrow afternoon."
"Perfect," Ryan said. "I'll meet you here tomorrow at 3 PM?"
"Sounds good," Sophia said. "And Ryan—be careful until then. Don't go anywhere alone, and if you see anything suspicious, call me immediately."
"I will," Ryan said. He walked out of the restaurant, feeling more hopeful than he had in weeks. With Sophia's help, he might actually be able to take down The Serpent's Hand.
He decided to stop by Burger Haven on his way back to his rental, to check on the employees and make sure everything was running smoothly. When he arrived, the restaurant was still busy, but the employees were working efficiently, laughing and joking with each other. It was a far cry from the tense, unhappy atmosphere under Carter's management.
"Boss!" Mia said, waving him over. "We've had more customers than usual today. Everyone loves the new attitude around here."
"That's great to hear," Ryan said. He walked into the kitchen, where Tom and Jerry were busy cooking. "How's the equipment holding up?"
"The fryer's still acting up, but we're managing," Tom said. "We can't wait for the new one."
"It'll be here by the end of the week," Ryan said. He pulled out his phone, transferring $5,000 to a new bank account he'd set up for Burger Haven. "I just transferred the money for the renovations. You can start ordering the new equipment tomorrow."
Tom and Jerry's eyes widened. "Thanks, boss!" they said in unison.
Ryan smiled, walking out of the kitchen. He was about to leave when his phone buzzed. It was a text message from an unknown number—same as the one from last night:
"You're getting bold, Ryan. Asking questions about Viper Security Services? You should know better than to poke the snake. We have eyes everywhere. Your little private investigator won't find anything—he'll be dead before he gets the chance. And your pretty little friend Sophia? She's next. If you want to keep her safe, bring the system to the old warehouse at midnight tomorrow. Come alone. No tricks. Or she dies."
Ryan's blood ran cold. He stared at the text message, his hands shaking. They knew about Sophia. They knew about the private investigator. They were threatening to kill them both.
He quickly called Sophia, his voice trembling. "Sophia, we have a problem. The Serpent's Hand just texted me. They know about you, they know about the private investigator. They're threatening to kill you if I don't bring the system to the warehouse at midnight tomorrow."
There was a pause on the other end of the line, then Sophia's voice, calm but determined. "Don't panic, Ryan. We'll figure this out. The private investigator is a professional—he knows how to stay safe. And I have security at the restaurant and at my house. They won't get to me."
"But what about the warehouse?" Ryan asked. "They want me to bring the system. I can't do that—if they get their hands on it, they'll use it for evil. But I can't let them hurt you either."
"We won't let that happen," Sophia said. "Meet me at my house in an hour. My father has a safe room there, and we can call the private investigator. We'll come up with a plan."
"Okay," Ryan said. "I'll be there."
He hung up the phone, his mind racing. He couldn't let The Serpent's Hand win. But how could he stop them? They had connections, they had weapons, and they knew everything about him.
Just then, the system's voice sounded in his head:
"Ding! Detected host is in extreme danger. Emergency boost activated: Cashback rate temporarily increased to 400% for the next 24 hours. Defensive force field prepped for deployment. Hint: The Serpent's Hand's local leader is the owner of Viper Security Services. His name is Victor Kane. He has a scar across his left cheek and is known for carrying a gold-plated gun."
Ryan's eyes widened. Victor Kane. A scar across his left cheek. A gold-plated gun. That was useful information. But would it be enough?
He hailed a taxi to Sophia's house, a large mansion in the wealthy part of the city. The gates opened automatically as the taxi approached, and Ryan was dropped off at the front door. Sophia was waiting for him, her father standing beside her. He was a tall, imposing man with gray hair and a serious expression.
"You must be Ryan," he said, holding out his hand. "I'm Marcus Laurent. Sophia has told me everything. I'm sorry you've been dragged into this, but rest assured—we'll protect you and Sophia. The Serpent's Hand has crossed the wrong family."
Ryan shook his hand, feeling a little intimidated. "Thank you, Mr. Laurent. I appreciate your help."
"Call me Marcus," he said. "Come inside. The private investigator is already here. We'll discuss our plan."
Ryan followed them inside, the mansion's opulent interior taking his breath away. They walked into a large study, where a man in a black suit was sitting at a desk, looking at a laptop. He stood up when they entered, holding out his hand.
"I'm Jake Harris, the private investigator," he said. "I've already dug up some information on Victor Kane and Viper Security Services. He's got a long rap sheet—extortion, assault, even murder. He's the local leader of The Serpent's Hand, and he reports directly to someone in Europe. The warehouse where they want you to meet is a trap—there are at least twenty men there, armed with guns and explosives."
Ryan's heart sank. Twenty men, armed with guns and explosives. It seemed impossible to win.
"But we have a plan," Jake said, smiling. "The police are already monitoring Viper Security Services. We'll set up a sting operation at the warehouse. We'll have snipers on the roof, officers hidden around the perimeter. When you show up, we'll wait for Victor Kane to reveal himself, then we'll move in and arrest everyone."
"But what if they hurt Ryan before we can move in?" Sophia asked, worried.
"I'll be wearing a wire," Ryan said. "And the system has a defensive force field. It can protect me if things go wrong."
Marcus nodded. "It's a good plan. But we need to be careful. Victor Kane is smart—he won't fall for anything obvious. Ryan, you need to act scared, like you have no choice but to give them the system. Once he's confident, we'll strike."
Ryan nodded. He was nervous, but he knew this was the only way. He had to stop The Serpent's Hand, not just for himself, but for Sophia, for the employees at Burger Haven, for everyone they might hurt.
As the sun set, Ryan and the others finalized their plan. Jake gave Ryan a wire and a small tracking device to put in his pocket. The police would monitor his location and listen in on the conversation. Snipers would be positioned on the warehouse's roof, ready to take out any threats.
Before Ryan left, Sophia pulled him aside. "Be careful," she said, her voice soft. She handed him a small silver cross pendant. "My grandmother gave this to me. It's supposed to bring good luck."
Ryan took the pendant, putting it around his neck next to the snake pendant. "Thank you. I'll come back, I promise."
He hugged her, then walked out of the mansion, getting into a police car that would take him to a safe location near the warehouse. As the car drove through the city, Ryan stared out the window, his mind focused on the task ahead.
Midnight approached. Ryan got out of the police car, walking toward the old warehouse. The night was quiet, too quiet. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears, the sound of his footsteps echoing through the empty streets.
He pushed open the warehouse door, stepping inside. The lights turned on instantly, blinding him. When his eyes adjusted, he saw Victor Kane standing in front of him, a gold-plated gun in his hand. He had a scar across his left cheek, just like the system had said. Behind him were twenty masked men, all holding guns.
"Welcome, Ryan," Victor said, smiling coldly. "I'm glad you decided to cooperate. Hand over the system, and your little friend will live."
Ryan pretended to be scared, his hands shaking. "I… I don't know how to hand it over. It's bound to me."
"Then we'll take it by force," Victor said, taking a step forward. "Bring him here."
Two masked men lunged at Ryan, but he activated the system's defensive force field just in time. A bright blue shield surrounded him, the men bouncing off it and falling to the ground.
Victor's eyes widened. "What the hell?"
That was the signal. Ryan heard the sound of police sirens, the warehouse's doors slamming open as officers poured in. Snipers fired from the roof, taking out the masked men's guns.
Chaos erupted. Masked men ran in all directions, firing their guns. Victor cursed, firing his gold-plated gun at Ryan. The bullet hit the force field, bouncing off harmlessly.
Ryan ran toward Victor, determined to take him down. He tackled him to the ground, the gold-plated gun flying out of his hand. Victor struggled, but Ryan held him down, punching him in the face.
"You'll regret this," Victor spat, blood dripping from his mouth. "The Serpent's Hand never forgets. We'll come for you, for your friend, for everyone you care about. The boss will make you suffer."
Ryan punched him again, knocking him out. Officers ran over, handcuffing Victor and the other masked men.
Ryan stood up, breathing heavily. The force field disappeared, and he felt exhausted. But he'd done it—he'd helped take down The Serpent's Hand's local operation.
Or so he thought.
As he walked out of the warehouse, the police chief approached him, shaking his hand. "Great work, Ryan. You helped us take down a major criminal organization. Victor Kane has been on our most-wanted list for years."
Ryan smiled, but his smile faded when he saw the police chief's eyes. They were cold, empty—just like Victor's. And then, the police chief whispered something in his ear, his voice low and menacing:
"Congratulations on passing the test, Ryan. The boss is impressed. He'll be in touch soon. And tell Sophia—her father's debt is about to come due."
Ryan's blood ran cold. He stared at the police chief, realizing with horror that he was also a member of The Serpent's Hand. The sting operation had been a test. They'd known about the plan all along.
The police chief walked away, leaving Ryan standing in the middle of the docks, the weight of the new threat crashing down on him. The Serpent's Hand was bigger, more powerful than he'd ever imagined. They had people everywhere—even in the police department.
And now, they were coming for Sophia's father. What was the debt Marcus owed them? And what would they do if he couldn't pay it?
Ryan pulled out his phone, calling Sophia. He needed to tell her what had happened. But as he dialed her number, he saw a text message from an unknown number—different from the previous ones:
"The game has just begun, Ryan. Prepare yourself. The boss is coming for you—and he's not like Victor. He's worse. Much worse."
Ryan stared at the text message, his heart sinking. He knew this was just the beginning. The real threat was still out there, and it was coming for him and everyone he cared about. He had to be ready. But how?