The alley reeked of damp garbage and stale liquor. Lu Chen pushed his new [Eyes of Deception] skill to its limit, masking his actual level. To the outside world, he still registered as a "Zero," perhaps a slightly enhanced one. But even with the skill active, the System's warning wouldn't lie.
[Target: Shadow Assassin (Level 15)]
[Weakness: Over-reliance on stealth, vulnerable to sonic disruptions.]
[Current Plan: Ambush from above, swift kill with poisoned blade.]
Lu Chen stopped abruptly, pretending to tie his shoelace. He looked up, his eyes scanning the rooftops. There. A faint shimmer, almost invisible against the grimy concrete of a third-story balcony. The assassin was a master of stealth, but not to the [God-Level Appraisal System].
"Come out," Lu Chen said, his voice echoing in the narrow alley.
Silence. Then, a soft thud as something landed behind him. Lu Chen didn't turn. He already knew.
[Target: Shadow Assassin (Level 15)]
[Distance: 2 meters behind you.]
[Weapon: 'Venom Fang' Dagger (Epic Grade) - Poison Effect: Paralysis within 3 seconds.]
[Attack Angle: Neck slice.]
Lu Chen lunged forward, not backward, rolling under the assassin's initial strike. A cold wind brushed his neck as the [Venom Fang] dagger whistled past where his head had been.
The assassin cursed, a low, guttural growl. "How did a Zero like you—"
Lu Chen didn't let him finish. He spun, his newly enhanced muscles giving him surprising speed. He aimed a kick not at the assassin, but at a stack of empty metal bins beside him.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The bins crashed to the ground, creating a deafening racket that reverberated through the alley.
[Shadow Assassin (Level 15) Status: Disoriented by sonic disruption. Agility reduced by 30% for 2 seconds.]
The assassin stumbled, clutching his ears. His stealth, his most potent weapon, relied on absolute silence. He hadn't expected a direct, noisy counter.
This was his chance.
Lu Chen darted forward. He wasn't a fighter, not yet. But he had the System.
[Target: Shadow Assassin (Level 15)]
[Current Weak Point: Exposed left kidney (recent injury from a previous mission). Striking it will induce severe pain and disrupt Mana flow.]
Without hesitation, Lu Chen drove his fist into the assassin's side. It wasn't a clean punch, more of a desperate shove, but the System had guided him precisely.
A sharp cry of pain escaped the assassin's lips. He recoiled, clutching his side. His movements became sluggish, and his stealth shimmered, becoming visible for a split second. Lu Chen saw a gaunt, scar-faced man in dark leather.
"You... how did you know?" the assassin gasped, his breath ragged.
"Doesn't matter," Lu Chen said, keeping his distance. He knew he couldn't go toe-to-toe with a Level 15 Awakener. He needed to be smart. He needed to be unfair.
His eyes darted around the alley.
[Target: Loose electrical wire — Current: Low, but enough to create a temporary shock.]
[Target: Rusted pipe — Weak point at the joint, will burst under heavy impact.]
The assassin, recovering from the pain, lunged again, this time aiming for Lu Chen's leg. The [Venom Fang] gleamed.
Lu Chen grabbed a discarded brick. He didn't throw it at the assassin. Instead, he smashed it against the rusted pipe near the assassin's head.
CRACK!
The pipe burst, spraying a foul-smelling stream of water directly into the assassin's face. The assassin cried out, momentarily blinded and gagging on the filthy water.
[Shadow Assassin (Level 15) Status: Temporarily blinded and gagging. Vulnerable to head trauma.]
Lu Chen saw his chance. He wasn't strong enough for a killing blow. But he could escape.
He dashed towards the end of the alley, where a loose electrical wire hung dangerously low. He grabbed it, ignoring the faint tingling sensation, and swung it directly at the assassin, who was still sputtering.
ZAP!
A low-level electrical current arced, hitting the assassin squarely in the chest. He convulsed, his body locking up for a crucial second. The [Venom Fang] dagger clattered to the ground.
Lu Chen didn't look back. He sprinted out of the alley, his heart pounding. He had survived. He had even managed to damage a Level 15 Awakener. The System wasn't just about finding treasure; it was about finding victory in impossible situations.
He ran until he reached a busy main street, blending into the crowd. He glanced back, but the assassin was nowhere to be seen. He was alive.
But who sent the assassin? And why? He had just earned a lot of credits, but he hadn't done anything that should warrant a Level 15 hit.
Then, his mind flashed back to the Blue Moon Exchange. The manager had looked at him strangely. And the amount he paid... 180,000 credits. Maybe that was too much attention for a "nobody."
[Ding! New Side Quest Triggered: Identify the Shadow Broker.]
[Objective: Discover who sent the Level 15 Assassin.]
[Reward: Skill — 'Shadow Walk' (Allows for temporary stealth similar to the assassin, but better).]
Lu Chen clenched his fists. This was no longer just about getting rich. Someone wanted him dead. He needed to get stronger, and fast.
He pulled out his ID bracelet and checked his current balance. 180,000 credits. He had money. He had a system. He had enemies.
"Time for some shopping," Lu Chen muttered. "This Level 3 body isn't enough."
He walked towards a discreet, unflashy building he had seen earlier. It had no signs, just a single, glowing rune above its door. He had appraised it earlier.
[Building: The 'Awakened Black Market Supply House']
[Rating: Underground, Illegal, High-Quality. Known for rare items and illicit mana potions.]
[Note: Entrance requires a bribe or an Awakener above Level 5. Or, a very convincing disguise.]
Lu Chen smirked. He had a better option than a bribe or a disguise. He had the truth.