David froze as the trenchcoat man collapsed, blood pooling under him. He couldn't believe the guy got ambushed and beaten to death. Darkness hid the man's final moments, his body limp. David stepped over, grabbed the man's wristwatch, and let his system absorb it. Then he bolted to the back door, where the main fight roared.
Players were trapped, bullets flying everywhere. They had no way out. Chris yelled as a bullet grazed his arm, blood soaking his sleeve. Jill shouted, "Chris!" and ducked, bullets just missing her head.
"You're all dead!" a big Player roared, tearing his shirt to show a vest full of explosives. "Brother, I'm coming!" Before he could blow up, a sniper's shot hit his head, dropping him.
David ran up, threw Jill over his shoulder, and pulled Chris behind a wall. A huge explosion shook the ground, the blast rattling their bones. Jill held her head, dizzy. "Thanks," she mumbled.
"No problem. Buy me a drink tonight, we're square," David said, grinning. "I'll call an ambulance for Chris. You need a hospital too." Carrying Jill, her breasts pressed against his back, soft and warm. * God, grabbing those would feel so good, * he thought, heart racing.
As David turned to go, Jill called, "David, you're a good guy."
He laughed. "Nah, I'm a bastard, but thanks. Rest up. I'll visit you at the hospital after my report." He smiled wide, walking off, ready for what's next.
Jill watched him leave, a small smile on her face. She shook her head. "Weird guy." She used to think David was scum, dealing in smuggling and gambling. Now, she saw something more.
In his car, David checked his new system, excitement growing. * Finally, this thing works. Better be good, * he thought, lighting a cigarette to calm down. He smoked only when stressed, keeping it in check. * No point wasting time on cheap hookers. I want a classy woman, * he thought, blowing out smoke.
[System: Story System Activated]
[Host: David Stoll]
[Current Points: 3000]
[Store: Unlocked - Spend points on items and skills]
David read the system's rules. As a Judge, he could hunt Players in the Resident Evil world, killing them to take their wristwatches and earn points. He could join Story Realms to gain control, turning worlds into his resource pools. Resources included everything, even women like Jill. Story Realms were long fights, needing patience and planning.
Death Challenges were another option, short and brutal, testing strength, brains, or teamwork. They had high death rates but gave good points for new Players. Challenges had no cooldown, so reckless Players could grind them like easy dungeons. Most powers, bloodlines, and items were blocked, making it fair. * Fair, but not really, * David thought, smirking. The rules were loose, leaving room for smart plays.
His half-Player role excited him. He could stay in his home world, hunt Players, and blend in as a local. * That's a big edge, * he thought, curious about the possibilities.
He opened the store to check options.
[Item: Infinite Ammo Desert Eagle]
[Attack: 100-180]
[Fire Rate: 1.3 seconds per shot, 6 rounds, 1 round recharges per second]
[Price: 3000 points]
[Item: Super Kevlar Vest]
[Armor: 500]
[Dodge: 300]
[Element Resistance: 30]
[Health: 100]
[Bonus: +10% movement speed, +10% firearm speed]
[Price: 1000 points]
David frowned. The Desert Eagle was slow, and the vest was okay but not great. * Gear wears out. Skills last, * he decided. He checked basic skills: fighting, shooting, talking, exploring. Nothing caught his eye.
Then he saw a grayed-out skill with a note: * Only for unknown users. * As he read, it lit up, unlocked for him.
[Skill: Joyous Heart Technique]
[Origin: Martial Arts World, Joyous Sect]
[Effect: Gain power by sleeping with women. If partner knows technique, both get double power.]
[Price: 1000 points]
* Hell yeah, this is perfect, * David thought, eyes shining. * Forget fair fights. I'll sleep my way to power. * He bought it instantly. Light flashed in his mind, data flooding his brain, giving him a quick headache. The skill appeared on his panel.
[Skill: Joyous Heart Technique - Level 1/20]
[Effects: +5 Strength, +5 Agility, +5 Intelligence per level]
[Bonus: +5 base attack, +1% movement speed per level]
* Decent start, * he thought, rubbing his chin. His phone rang.
"David here," he answered.
"Apple Tavern, 8 p.m. Heavy Crimes Unit party. My treat," Jill said, then hung up.
At 8 p.m., David reached the Apple Tavern, hoping for a quiet drink with Jill. Instead, the whole tactical team was there, a loud group party. * No alone time, * he thought, laughing.
"Hey, Barry, you're early," David said, waving.
"It's night already," Barry said, face serious. A man of justice, Barry once hated David's shady deals. After seeing David's true self, he softened. They weren't so different, just took different roads.
As they talked, the door opened. Jill walked in, looking amazing. A tight tube top hugged her chest, thin straps around her neck, with a short skirt and high boots. A towel hung at her waist, good for wiping sweat after a run. It was her classic game style, bold and sexy.
* Damn, she's perfect, * David thought, eyes bright. "You look gorgeous," he said.
Barry smirked, patting his shoulder. "Go for it. Don't miss your chance."
David walked over, boosted by his new skill. * I need a woman to test this power, and Jill's the one, * he thought. "Hey, Jill, you're stunning tonight."
She smiled. "Not as good as street girls."
"To me, you're the best," David said, offering his arm. "Drink with me?"
"Sure," Jill said, surprising herself. She wouldn't have agreed before he saved her. She still didn't trust his shady work, but he earned a shot.
They sat, and David ordered strong cocktails to loosen her up. * Get her drunk, and I'm halfway there, * he thought, smiling slyly. "I hate mess. Grew up fast, on my own. Life's tough. You roll with it or fight. I fight, because I won't go down easy."
Jill sipped her drink, listening. She drank a lot, clearly used to it. David's stories about his hard childhood and rise from thug to cop hooked her, making her rethink him.
Barry kept others away, giving them space. * He's helping me, * David thought, amused.
"You've got reasons for your choices," Jill said, raising her glass. "I judged you wrong. Cheers."
"No problem. Takes time to know someone. You're the toughest, prettiest woman I know. I like you, Jill," David said, being open.
She brushed her hair back, a soft move that stirred him. "Thanks, but I don't want a boyfriend."
"Fair enough. Just friends then? You make me want to stay on the good side," David said smoothly, not pushing too hard. * Friends is a start. I'll work my way in, * he thought, plotting his next step.*
They drank more, bottles stacking up. David ate yogurt earlier to slow the alcohol, but Jill was tipsy, cheeks red. His stories of grit kept her interested, her walls coming down.
Hours later, David checked his watch. "Time to go. I'll walk you home. You're tired."
"I'm fine," Jill said, waving him off, head spinning.
"Not letting you walk alone. Friends help friends. Plus, I'm going your way," David said firmly.
Jill paused, then nodded. "Okay."
They took a taxi to her small apartment, a cheap one-bedroom with a tiny living room and kitchen. At the building's entrance, Jill stopped. "I'm good. Thanks."
"Goodnight," David said, starting to leave. Then he turned back. "Wait, Jill. Can I use your bathroom?"
She laughed, drunk and amused. "A tough guy needs my toilet? Fine, come up."
* Perfect, * David thought, following her. Inside, he used the bathroom, shaking his big dick with a grin. * Tonight's gonna be good. *
Jill sat in the living room, smoking, a beer on the table. "You can go now."
David took the beer, sipping. "Thanks for the drink."
She went to the bathroom, and David moved fast. He crushed a sleeping pill into a new beer and poured it into a glass. * This'll knock her out, * he thought, heart pounding.
Jill came back, still buzzed. "You're still here?"
"Just relaxing. Want a drink?" David asked, sliding the spiked glass toward her.
She grabbed a water bottle instead, missing the drugged beer. "I'm dizzy. Lock the door when you leave," she said, drinking water.
* Shit, she didn't take it, * David thought, but he stayed cool, planning his next move.