《Urban Warrior System》 Prologue: The Fall Rain lashed against Chen Yan''s face like needles, soaking through his cheap suit as he trudged down the crowded city street. His umbrella had broken hours ago, and he hadn''t bothered replacing it. Why would he? Everything else in his life was broken too. At twenty-nine years old, Chen Yan was a complete failure. Ten years ago, he¡¯d been a rising star: top of his class in university, charismatic, and full of plans to conquer the world. Now? Fired, dumped, broke, and drowning in debt. Even his mother¡¯s disappointed voice echoed in his head like a cruel reminder. "You could¡¯ve been someone, Chen Yan. Instead, you¡¯re¡ª" "Shit," he muttered, letting the memory die as a taxi whizzed by and peppered him with muddy water. He didn''t walk anymore, but his gaze fell on the glitter of lights from downtown. A world not giving a hoot about his existence-just some faceless drone chewed up and spit out by those more cerebral and unforgivingly brutal than himself. Like Zhang Ming, his so-called best friend, who had stolen his idea of doing business and had left him with practically nothing. Or Liu Yue, his ex-girlfriend, who had dumped him for a man of more "promise". Chen Yan lit a cigarette with shaking hands. His soaked lighter barely managed to spark. He sucked in deep and coughed hard as the smoke scratched his throat. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. "Fucking pathetic," he muttered to himself. His legs crossed the crosswalk; his eyes were glassy. The sound of the traffic faded away. Chen Yan wasn''t paying attention anymore. He didn''t care about the bills that had piled up, or about the landlord threatening to throw him out on the streets. Not even about the truck barreling toward him. Then, in an instant, blindingly bright, it was over. --- Chen Yan blinked. He was standing-or floating?-in a strange void, with swirling lights and shifting shapes. His body felt weightless. "Am I. dead?" he asked aloud. A voice answered, dry and sarcastic. "Yes and no. Mostly yes. Kind of." "What the hell?" The voice chuckled. "Oh, relax drama queen. This is your big break! How many people get a second chance at life, huh? Now, say thank you to your new best friend: Me." A glowing blue screen showed in front of him. In what would remind one of a video game-like interface, text scrolled in with a bright glow. [Welcome to the Urban Warrior System.] [Your life has been a colossal failure. Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯re here to fix that.] [Objective: Rewrite your fate and achieve greatness. Good luck, Chen Yan!] Chen Yan squinted at the words, his disbelief giving way to anger. "What the fuck is this? Some kind of joke?!" The voice replied laconically, "Oh sure, because death is so hilarious. Face it, buddy¡ªyou screwed up your first run. Lucky for you, I''m feeling charitable. We''re going back. You''ll get a second shot, but this time, you''re playing by my rules." "And who the hell are you supposed to be?" The voice laughed, a sharp, mocking sound. "I''m the System. Your guide, your coach, your best shot at not dying a useless piece of trash again. And trust me, you need me more than I need you." Chen Yan''s fists clenched. "Why should I believe any of this? It could just be some dying hallucination!" "Sure, sure. Because hallucinations totally feel this real." Without warning, the void shifted. Chen Yan felt himself yanked, as if into a vortex. The voice''s laughter followed him, his sight blurring. "Buckle up, buddy. Level One of your new life. Try not to fuck it up this time." Chapter 1: Back to Square One Chen Yan was thrown into wakefulness, his body jerkily rising into a panic of gasps. The crown of his head thudded against the cold metal framework of a bunk bed. His skull screamed in protest with one immediate, sharp pain. "Ah, fuck! What the¡ª" "Yo, Chen Yan, what''s with all the noise? Bad dream?" came a familiar voice from above. Chen Yan froze mid-groan, his heart hammering. Slowly, he lifted his eyes to the bed above him. That voice-it was unmistakable. With cautious movements, Chen Yan looked around. Stale air punched him in the face first: instant noodles, damp socks, and sweat-mostly that-rammed him with the force of a sledgehammer. Then there was chaotic clutter: peeling wall posters of some random rock bands, a desk messed up with soda cans, textbooks, and what looked like dirty laundry. His throat tightened. He knew this place. No way. This can''t be real. He scrambled to his feet, legs all tangled in the scratchy blanket, and then he stumbled across the tiny dorm room, grabbed the mirror hanging on the door, and looked into it. Staring back was not the worn and haggard man he was accustomed to seeing every morning rising in his first life, but instead, impossible-the reflection coming back from the mirror was years younger: smooth skin, bright, sparkling eyes, and not a line or wrinkle anywhere. "Fuck me," Chen Yan breathed. "I''m. twenty again." --- "Fucking serious, bro, you just look like you''ve seen a ghost," Wang Qi said, looking up over the top bunk with an arched brow. His bed-head was practically a nest, and a shirtless torso only contributed to the bird imagery. Chen Yan barely heard him. He turned to his phone charging on the desk, his hands shaking. The screen sprang to life. The date stared at him like a slap in the face. 10 years ago. "This can''t be." A memory of the truck burst forth-the sound of screeching tires, the blinding lights, the sickening crunch of impact. And then that voice. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. "Fuck. That voice. It wasn''t a dream," Chen Yan muttered, his pulse quickening, his chest tightening. Wang Qi climbed down, slapping a hand on Chen Yan''s shoulder. "Yo, you''re acting weird. Did you flunk a test or something? Chill, man. College isn''t that serious." Chen Yan blinked at him, trying to process. Wang Qi¡ªhis old roommate. His lazy, obnoxious, but ultimately harmless friend. Someone Chen Yan hadn''t thought about in years. "...Yeah. Just stressed, that''s all," Chen Yan muttered, shaking off his hand. Wang Qi shrugged. "Well, whatever. I¡¯m grabbing breakfast. Don¡¯t skip class, man. Prof Zhao hates slackers." As Wang Qi left, Chen Yan slumped into the desk chair, his mind racing. --- A chill crept over the room. Without warning, a glowing blue screen materialized in front of him, and that same voice echoed in his head: "Welcome back, Chen Yan. Miss me?" Chen Yan''s stomach fell. "You again?! What the fuck is this?!" The text scrolled across the screen smoothly: [Welcome to the Urban Warrior System.] [Your Starting Mission: Rewrite your fate. Task 1: Earn 500 yuan within 24 hours.] The voice went on, always so smug. "Pretty straightforward, right? You''ve got a fresh start. Don''t waste it." Chen Yan''s fists were clenched. "What the hell do you want from me?" "Me? I''m here to help you fix your sorry excuse for a life. Be grateful, champ. Not everyone gets a do-over." "Fix my life? By making me sell shit for pocket change? How is 500 yuan gonna help?" The System chuckled darkly. "Baby steps, my friend. You think you''re ready to take on the world overnight? Please. You''re lucky I didn''t start you off with something harder, like pole dancing for tips." Chen Yan''s eye twitched. "You''re a real asshole, you know that?" "''Thanks for noticing. Now, get moving. Clock''s ticking." The blue screen flickered, the timer ticking down ominously: [23:57:45 remaining.] --- Chen Yan leaned back, rubbing his temples. His heart was still racing, but finally, his brain caught up. He was given a second chance, quite literally a miracle. In his first life, he was too proud and stubborn when hustle became tough. This time, it wouldn''t happen. "Alright, System. You want me to earn money? Fine." The first thing that came to his mind was selling junk. Campuses were full of students seeking bargains, and Chen Yan knew he had plenty of things that he never used. He rummaged through the dorm, pulling together a box of random items:
- Old phone cases - Keychains - Secondhand textbooks
He lugged the box toward the university plaza, a popular marketplace where students exchanged everything from snacks to electronic gadgets. --- As Chen Yan was rigging up a bench as a makeshift stall, the System piped up again. "Bold move, but your sales pitch sucks. Need a boost?" Chen Yan muttered softly under his breath, "I don''t need your help, asshole." "Oh, really? Because you¡¯ve been sitting here for ten minutes, and the only person who stopped was a dog." Chen Yan glared at the glowing screen. "Fine. What¡¯s your big idea?" "Charisma boost. Five minutes. Use it wisely." A strange sensation washed over Chen Yan¡ªa surge of confidence, like he could charm the socks off a nun. His voice felt smoother, his posture more commanding. "Hey, you! Yeah, you," Chen Yan hailed as a student passed by. He held up the cell phone case as if he were holding a rare relic of some sort. "Check it out. Vintage design and extremely hard to find nowadays. Only 50 yuan!" The student seemed doubtful but walked closer. "Really? It''s vintage?" Chen Yan nodded, lying through his teeth. "Really, really. Limited edition. Absolutely for someone with your style." In minutes, students flocked to his stand. Chen Yan worked the crowd like a pro: with fast wit and the occasional white lie, he sold almost everything in his box. --- When Chen Yan finally returned to his dorm, he was exhausted but triumphant. He counted his earnings: 610 yuan. The System chimed in, smug as ever. "Not bad, rookie. Mission accomplished." The blue screen appeared once more: [Task 1 Complete: Reward Unlocked ¨C Beginner Combat Skill: Iron Fist] Chen Yan frowned. "Iron Fist? What the hell is that supposed to mean?" "Oh, you¡¯ll see. Let¡¯s just say it¡¯ll come in handy the next time someone tries to mug you." Chen Yan¡¯s stomach tightened. "Wait. Is someone going to try to mug me?" The System didn''t say it directly. Instead, it giggled, the voice dark and mocking. "Let''s just say that life is about to get a whole lot more interesting for you." --- Later in the night, Chen Yan lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. His body was sore, while his mind buzzed. He thought of his first life: how he had wasted his potential, trusted the wrong people, and let pride get in the way of survival. This time, he promised himself, things would go differently. No more being a pushover. No more second-guessing oneself. Yet just as he was finally plunged into the dream world, a question plagued his mind. What is this System, really? And why should it be inclined to help me? Chapter 2: First Fight, First Real Danger The next morning, Chen Yan woke up. different. It wasn''t the satisfaction of having earned a quick 600 yuan or the smug System gloating in the background. No, this was something else. His body felt alive-his muscles lighter yet stronger, his senses sharper. He sat up and flexed his hands. A faint warmth pulsed in his fists, subtle yet unmistakable. "Morning, champ," the System greeted, its voice overlying with fake enthusiasm. "How''s it feel to wake up as a slightly less pathetic version of yourself?" Chen Yan huffed, rolling his eyes. "I feel fine. What the hell did you do to me?" "Nothing much. Just a small enhancement. Your new ability-Iron Fist-unlocks the hidden power of your body, enabling you to utilize strength and precision in combat. Dynamite in the fist-if that makes sense. Not that you have anything to boast about just yet." Until finally, Chen Yan''s curiosity took the better of him and he stood up to have a look around the dorm room. His roommate Wang Qi lay sleeping on the top bunk, snoring away. Perfect. He strode over to the wall beside the door and made a fist with his right hand. The energy started building up, as he focused his breathing and punched. The room seemed to fill with the sound of cracking plaster. Chen Yan stumbled backward, staring in wide-eyed disbelief at the fist-sized indentation he''d just placed in the wall. "Holy shit," he whispered. "Impressive, huh? Don¡¯t get too excited, though. You¡¯re still squishy. Get cocky in a real fight, and you¡¯ll end up as street pizza." Chen Yan glared at the glowing blue screen that appeared in his peripheral vision. "You¡¯ve got a real way with words." The System chuckled. "Thanks for noticing." --- In the morning, after all the classes, Chen Yan wanted to go to the plaza in campus for a simple meal. A sea of students was present in the campus plaza enjoying their free time. Snacks and cold drinks were sold by vendors, while the air reverberated with bursts of laughter and humming conversations. Chen Yan took a baozi at a stall and sat on a bench, feeling the warmth of the steamed bun against the coolness of the autumn breeze. That was when he noticed the dispute. Opposite over the plaza, beside an alley that was barely wide enough to drive down stood a small woman - small in physical size, but obviously much larger in attitude - corralled by two men. She had very long black hair outlining a sharp, determined face.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. The two were much larger, both in black leather jackets that screamed wannabe gangsters. One jabbed a finger in her direction, his voice loud enough to carry. "Don¡¯t give me that crap, girl. Your brother owes us, and if he doesn¡¯t pay, we¡¯ll take it out on you." "I told you," the woman snapped, her voice steady despite the threat. "I don¡¯t have the money. My brother will handle it. Just give him a few more days." The second thug laughed, a low threatening sound. "We have heard that one before. Now, either cough up the cash or come with us. Boss might enjoy having a chat." A familiar knot tightened in Chen Yan''s chest, the same feeling he had so many times in his first life when he''d been too afraid to act. "I smell a hero complex brewing," the System chimed, "Better sit tight, champ, no shame in running away." Chen Yan gritted his teeth. "You''re such a prick, you know that?" "Guilty as charged. But seriously, don''t do anything stupid. These guys don''t play around." That''s when the screen popped up: [Task 2: Defend the Innocent.] Objective: Protect Lin Xia from harm. Failure: Severe penalties. Chen Yan''s face froze. "Severe penalties? What kind of penalties?" "You don''t want to find out," the System said ominously. Chen Yan muttered under his breath. "You really like pushing me, don''t you?" "What can I say? You''re fun to mess with." --- Chen Yan stood, stuffing the rest of the baozi into his mouth. He approached the alleyway, his heart racing while trying to show a relaxed composure. "Hey!" he called out, his voice steadier than he had expected. The two thugs turned around, their eyes narrowing. "Who the hell are you?" the first one asked. Chen Yan shrugged, forcing a smirk. "Just a guy who doesn''t like to watch assholes harass women. Why don''t you step back before this gets ugly?" The second thug laughed. "Oh, we''ve got a comedian here. You want to play hero, kid? Fine. Let''s see how funny you are after we break your face." Chen Yan''s pulse coursed as the first of the thugs leapt for him. There was little time in which to think, and yet somehow his body managed to take on a life of its own. Heat coursed through his fists, up his arms, as, in one swift movement, he dodged under the swing coming for him and socked the thug square into his gut. The thug doubled over, wheezing. Chen Yan''s eyes widened in surprise. "Holy shit. That actually worked." "Focus, dumbass!" the System barked. The second thug charged, swinging a metal pipe he''d pulled from his jacket. Chen Yan barely dodged; the pipe whistled past his ear. Instinct kicked in for him, and he counterattacked with a right hook to the thug''s jaw. The impact sent the man sprawling. Adrenaline coursed through Chen Yan¡¯s veins as the first thug recovered, pulling a knife from his pocket. "Alright, kid. You¡¯re dead." For a moment, panic threatened to overwhelm him. Then the System¡¯s voice cut through his thoughts. "Activate Iron Fist, idiot!" Chen Yan took a deep breath and felt his fists burn with warmth. The instant that thug pounced on him, Chen Yan dodged and delivered a strong fist onto his wrist. A knife fell on the ground, accompanied by a fistic pound to the side of this thug''s head. He collapsed to the ground, unconscious. The alleyway was quiet again. Chen Yan stood over the two thugs, his fists still trembling from residual energy. Then he turned to the woman, who had wide eyes fixed on him. "Are you okay?" he asked. She nodded slowly. "Yeah. I¡­ I don''t know how to thank you." Chen Yan rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly embarrassed. "Don''t mention it." --- As they stepped back into the plaza, the woman introduced herself. "I''m Lin Xia. My brother''s in some trouble with those guys. Thanks for stepping in." Chen Yan nodded. "Chen Yan. And don''t worry about it. Just¡­ stay safe, alright?" Lin Xia hesitated, her sharp gaze studying him. "You''re stronger than you look. That wasn''t just adrenaline, was it?" Chen Yan forced a laugh. "What can I say? I''ve got a mean right hook." Before she could press further, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, which displayed a notification from the System: [Task 2 Complete: Reward Unlocked ¨C Minor Agility Boost] Chen Yan smirked. "I''ve gotta go. Take care of yourself, Lin Xia." --- Back in his dorm, Chen Yan fell onto his bed and stared at the ceiling. His body was aching all over from that fight, but a small, warm sense of pride curled up in his chest. The System''s voice returned, devoid of mockery this time. "Not bad, rookie. You might actually survive this game after all." Chen Yan let out a sigh. "Thanks¡­ I think." But once the adrenalin wore off, there was this nagging little voice in his head. Who were those guys? And why does the System seem so hell-bent on putting him in harm''s way? One thing was certain, however: this was only the beginning. Chapter 3: The Ripple Effect Chen Yan strolled into campus, with the warm sun cast on his face. For the first time since his unpredictable rebirth, he had ever felt this strangely satisfied. The after-effect of the adrenaline rush from yesterday evening still hadn''t worn off, neither did the slightest bit of pride that he stood up for two thugs, used new powers, and then triumphantly walked away. Not bad for a guy who, in his previous life, had made a career out of running away. The good mood didn''t last. "Chen Yan," a voice snarled from behind. He turned toward the man and found himself staring at one of yesterday''s thugs. Bruises coloured the man''s face. His left eye was swollen shut, but the twist of his lips spoke unequivocally: scowl. Chen Yan stiffened, the battle instincts yelling at him to prepare for a fight. The thug didn''t attack but jabbed a finger in the direction of Chen Yan. "You think you''re smart, huh? You think this is over? Luo Ming knows your name now, kid. Enjoy your last days while you can." With that, he turned and limped away, leaving Chen Yan there with a sinking feeling in his chest. "Well, that escalated quickly," the System chimed in, its tone amused. "Congrats, champ. You¡¯ve officially pissed off a crime lord." Chen Yan¡¯s fists clenched. ¡°Who the hell is Luo Ming?¡± "Small-time crime boss with a big ego and a short temper. He runs some rackets in the city: gambling, loans, the usual shady stuff. Word on the street is, he doesn''t take kindly to people messing with his business. And guess what you just did." Chen Yan swallowed hard. "Great. So now I''ve got a target on my back?" "Bingo. But hey, look on the bright side¡ªyou¡¯re still breathing. For now." --- Chen Yan spent the rest of the morning in a distracted haze, replaying the thug¡¯s words. By lunchtime, he found himself wandering to the library, seeking the quiet to think. That¡¯s when he spotted Lin Xia. She sat at a corner table, her head buried in a thick book. Still, even from a distance, Chen Yan could make out the tension in her shoulders, the way she bit her lip as if to hold her worries at bay.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. He approached cautiously. "Lin Xia?" She looked up with a start then relaxed when she saw him. "Chen Yan. What are you doing here?" Trying to think, he said, tugging out a chair across from her. She hesitated, tightening her fingers around her pen. "Studying. Or at least trying to." Chen Yan leaned forward. "Look, about yesterday¡­ Are you okay? Did those guys come back?" Lin Xia shook her head. "No. But¡­" She blew her breath out, dropping her pen. "They won''t stop. My brother owes them a lot of money. He thought he could gamble his way out of debt, but it only got worse. Now he''s in hiding, and I''m the only one left to deal with his mess." Chen Yan frowned. "Why didn''t you tell me this yesterday? "What difference would it have made?" she snapped, her voice shrill with frustration. "You''ve already done more than enough. I cannot ask you to get involved any more than you already have." Chen Yan leaned back, his mind racing. "Ding ding ding. Here comes the guilt trip," the System said. "Shut up," Chen Yan muttered under his breath. Lin Xia raised an eyebrow. "What?" "Nothing," Chen Yan said quickly. "Look, if you want to stay out of this, fine. But if these guys are after you, I can''t just sit back and do nothing." --- The familiar blue screen popped up in front of Chen Yan''s eyes. [Task 3: Sabotage Luo Ming''s Operations.] Mission objective: Cause at least 10,000 yuan of loss to Luo Ming''s criminal undertakings. Bonus: Gain intelligence on Luo Ming''s organization. Chen Yan stared dead at the text, his stomach plummeting. "You''ve got to be kidding me." "Oh, I never kid about tasks," the System said, its voice almost gleeful. "Time to roll up your sleeves, champ. This one''s a biggie." "Do you want me to die?!" Chen Yan hissed under his breath. "Relax. You''ve got this. Probably." Lin Xia frowned. "Chen Yan, are you okay? You''re acting¡­ weird." He waved her concern away. "I''m fine. Just thinking. Listen, do you know anything about Luo Ming''s businesses? Anything that could give me an edge?" Lin Xia hesitated and then nodded. "My brother mentioned a gambling den he runs near the old factory district. It''s small, but it''s one of his main sources of income." "That''s a start," Chen Yan said, his mind already weaving a plan. Later that night, Lin Xia brought Chen Yan to meet Wu Tian, a wiry man with messy hair and an affixed smirk. They were to meet in a dingy caf¨¦ on the fringe of campus, well away from prying eyes. "This is the guy?" Wu Tian said, eyeing Chen Yan skeptically. "He doesn''t exactly scream ''mastermind.''" Chen Yan forced a smile. "Nice to meet you too. Wu Tian chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "So, you''re the hero who pissed off Luo Ming. Bold move, kid. Dumb, but bold." "I prefer to think of it as necessary," Chen Yan replied. Right. Well, if you''re serious about taking a shot at Luo Ming, you''ll need more than guts. Lucky for you, I''ve got skills. For the right price. Chen Yan turned to Lin Xia, who nodded slightly. "What do you mean by skills?" Wu Tian smirked, pulling out a laptop. "Hacking, surveillance, sabotage-you name it. You want to hit that gambling den? I can get you the floor plans, security details, and maybe even access to their accounts. But it won''t be easy." "Nothing worth doing ever is," Chen Yan said. A plan was mapped out, with Wu Tian''s assistance: to sabotage this gambling den where Chen Yan had been undertaking a simple task, highly dangerous since it entailed sneaking inside the premises and installing the device provided by Wu Tian that was capable of bringing down power and security mechanisms. The night of the operation found Chen Yan crouching behind a dumpster outside the gambling den, his heart pounding in his chest. "Nervous?" the System asked, his voice almost teasing. "Shut up," Chen Yan muttered. For a little while, everything went according to the plan, Wu Tian''s stolen security feed told him when and where the guards would be Chen Yan slipped in. Just about the time that he put the device there, suddenly the lights dimmed. "What the.?." was heard in a voice resounding from the hall. In an instant, Chen Yan completely froze, his thoughts rushing. "Time to improvise, champ," it said. Chen Yan smiled self-satisfactorily. "Improvise, huh? Let''s see how this Iron Fist really works." Chapter 4: A Dangerous Game Chen Yan slammed the door to Wu Tian''s dingy hideout, huffing heavily. The shallow cut on his arm oozed blood, but it was the real ache in his ribs that stung. He sank into the nearest chair and glared at the bright blue screen before him. "This¡­ is¡­ insane," he panted, his voice hoarse. "Insane? You did great!" the System chimed. "Sure, you took a few hits, but hey, you walked out alive, didn''t you? That''s what I call a win." Chen Yan growled, clutching his side. "A win? I almost got stabbed¡ªagain. This isn''t a fucking game, you lunatic!" The System chuckled darkly. "Oh, but it is a game, champ. You''re just mad because you don''t like the difficulty setting." Before Chen Yan could yell at the screen, Wu Tian sauntered in, his hand holding a laptop and an oblique grin marking his face. "Well, well, look who''s still breathing. I was beginning to think you''d gotten yourself killed." "Almost did," Chen Yan growled out, leaning back with a wince. "Tell me it was worth it." Wu Tian plopped into the chair opposite him and turned his laptop around. "Oh, it was worth it, all right. That little stunt of yours cost Luo Ming''s gambling den at least twenty grand in damages. And the best part? I managed to pull some juicy intel before their systems went dark." Chen Yan sat up a little straight despite himself. "What kind of intel?" "Names, transactions, and." Wu Tian tapped a file up onscreen. "Mentions of someone called ''The Broker.'' Ever hear of them?" Chen Yan shook his head, frowning. "Oh, now this is interesting," the System interjected, its tone unusually serious. "The Broker¡¯s not just some random thug. They¡¯re the puppeteer pulling all the strings in this city¡¯s underworld. If Luo Ming¡¯s connected to them, you¡¯re playing with fire." "Great," Chen Yan muttered. "Because my life wasn''t already complicated enough." ---This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. The next day, the repercussions from the gambling den attack made themselves abundantly clear. Chen Yan was walking to class when he first noticed something was off. Students were huddled in small clusters, speaking nervously among themselves. He turned the corner onto campus plaza and saw the source of their anxiety. Two of Luo Ming''s men stood in the middle of the plaza, their leather jackets and menacing glares sticking out like wolves in a flock of sheep. One of them¡ªa burly man with a scar running down his cheek¡ªgrabbed a random student by the collar. "You know him?" the thug barked, shaking the terrified student. "Where''s Chen Yan?" Chen Yan dodged behind a nearby pillar, his heart racing. "Looks like your fan club''s here," the System quipped. "Not funny," Chen Yan hissed. He edged around the pillar, keeping out of sight as he watched the thugs intimidate another student. His fists clenched. He wanted to step in, but his ribs still ached from the fight at the gambling den. Charging into another brawl now would be suicidal. Fortunately, someone else beat him to it. "Hey! Leave them alone!" Chen Yan''s heart sank the moment Lin Xia strode into the plaza, her eyes flashing defiance. The scar-faced thug whirled to her, curling his lips. "And who the hell are you?" "None of your business," Lin Xia returned with an archness worthy of any girl in the boys'' dormitory. "But if you''re looking for Chen Yan, you won''t find him here. Now get lost before I call security." The thug laughed, a harsh, ugly sound. "Big talk for a little girl." He took a step toward her, but before he could get closer, a sharp whistle cut through the air. "Alright, that''s enough." Chen Yan stepped into view, his hands shoved casually into his pockets. His heart was racing, but he kept his face calm, even cocky. "You wanted to find me? Here I am." Lin Xia''s eyes widened. "Chen, what are you doing?" "Handling it," Chen Yan said with a reassuring nod before he faced the thugs again. "Now, what do you guys want? An autograph?" Scarface growled, "You think you''re funny, kid? Luo Ming''s put a price on your head, and we''re here to collect." Chen Yan smirked, despite the unease creeping up his spine. ¡°Well, if you¡¯re going to try, you¡¯d better bring more guys next time. Two¡¯s not enough.¡± The thug lunged, but Chen Yan was ready. --- All seemed slow at that instant when the punch of the first thug came. Chen Yan began to develop his skill: Iron Fist. He should feel some familiar warmth crawling along his arms. Thus, sidestepping it, Chen Yan gave that thug a hard jab into the ribs. He stumbled back, panting for breath, but immediately out came the second. Chen Yan dodged a swing and found himself moving with an ease he hadn''t expected; he countered with a roundhouse that sent the thug sprawling. The fight was quick and brutal, but the skill of Iron Fist made all the difference. In the blink of an eye, the two thugs were groaning on the ground, clutching their injuries. Chen Yan stood over them, his breath ragged. ¡°Tell Luo Ming this is his one warning. Stay out of my way.¡± Scarface glared up at him, his voice a venomous growl. ¡°You think you¡¯re untouchable, kid? You¡¯ve got no idea who you¡¯re messing with.¡± --- That night, back in Wu Tian¡¯s hideout, the System dropped another bombshell. [Task 4: Gain Leverage Over Luo Ming.] Objective: Gather intelligence or leverage that can be used to negotiate with Luo Ming or further ground his operations. "Serious?" Chen Yan groaned. "I just fought off his goons, and now you want me to dig deeper into this mess?" "What can I say? I believe in you," the System said mockingly. Wu Tian wrinkled an eyebrow. "What''s with the muttering? You sound like a madman." Chen Yan waved him off, engrossed in his work. "We must hurt Luo Ming where it pains him the most. Is there anything we could use?" Wu Tian was taken aback and nodded after a while. "There''s one thing, though: Luo Ming has a lieutenant, some man by the name of Jiang Li; he used to be quite loyal, but recently friction is building between them, and if we can make him flip. maybe we''ll get him." Chen Yan nodded, determination written on his face. "Then find him." Chapter 5: Turning the Tide The air inside smelled of desperation and stale, spilled alcohol, while the beat from the dance floor pummeled a background second heartbeat. Chen Yan leaned into the bar, nursing his drink without meaning to ever finish it. His eyes swung around the room, hitching on the tall figure back-a man with eyes that missed nothing and wore a sour expression, arms crossed to fold over his chest. "That''s Jiang Li," Lin Xia whispered, huddling in next to Chen Yan. "Are you sure about this? He''s not exactly the trusting type." "Neither am I," Chen Yan muttered. "But if we''re going to take down Luo Ming, we need someone who knows his operation from the inside." Lin Xia frowned but said nothing more. Wu Tian¡¯s voice crackled in Chen Yan¡¯s ear through a discreet earpiece. ¡°You¡¯ve got about ten minutes before the club manager notices you¡¯re not here to party. Get moving.¡± ¡°Copy that,¡± Chen Yan said. He straightened his jacket and started toward Jiang Li, weaving through the crowd. The System¡¯s voice chimed in, sarcastic as always. "Ah, the diplomatic approach. I give it five seconds before someone throws a punch." "Shut up," Chen Yan hissed under his breath. Jiang Li had noticed him well before he could get close on. The man''s gaze was knife-sharp, slicing across the dimness of the lighting to home in on Jiang Li. Stepping ahead, Jiang Li made his imposing presence felt when Chen Yan neared. "You''re either brave or stupid to come here," Jiang Li said, his voice low and gravelly. Chen Yan smirked, forcing confidence into his tone. "Can''t it be both?" Jiang Li didn''t laugh. "What do you want?" --- "I want to take down Luo Ming," Chen Yan said forthrightly. "And you''re going to help me do it." Jiang Li raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? And why would I stick my neck out for you?" "Because we both want the same thing," Chen Yan said. "Revenge. Luo Ming left you out to dry, didn''t he? Left you to take the fall while he walked away clean." For a moment, Jiang Li''s face hardened further, and the mention of his betrayal cut a bit close to home. Chen Yan pressed on, "Look, I know you don''t trust me, but I''m not here to waste your time. You help me, and I promise Luo Ming goes down. Hard."Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Jiang Li said nothing for a very, very long while, leaning in then, his tone very low and dangerous. "Alright, kid. You''ve got my attention. But talk is cheap. If you want my help, prove you''re not just another loudmouth with a death wish." "What do you have in mind?" Chen Yan asked, though he had a bad premonition that he might not like the answer at all. Jiang Li gestured upwards, toward the stairs on the second floor. "Up there''s the office where the club stores its records. Financials, client lists, that kind of thing. Luo Ming doesn''t trust computer files, so he writes it all down on paper. If you''re serious about screwing him over, get me something good to work with." Chen Yan raised an eyebrow. "You want me to commit theft in an office in the middle of a busy nightclub?" Jiang Li smiled wryly. "Just what I said, prove your worth." The Interface of the System blinked out in view, and words scrolled along the screen. [Mission 5: Gather Evidence from Luo Ming''s Nightclub.] Objective: Retrieval of incriminating documents from the office of the nightclub undetected. "Oh, I love this dude," the System chimed in with mock appreciation. "He really knows just how to push your limits." Chen Yan sighed. "Alright, I''ll do it. But if I get in trouble, I blame you." "Complain if you want, champ, just don''t get in the way." --- Chen Yan hustled low to the stairwell out of sight, the sounds of the dance floor a masking cloak; the problems lay with the bouncers stationed at the top of the stairs. "Wu Tian," Chen Yan whispered into the comms unit. "Can you give me a distraction?" "Already on it," Wu Tian replied. Moments later, the club''s sound system screeched with feedback, causing several patrons to groan and cover their ears. One of the bouncers cursed. "What the hell is that?" "Go check the sound booth," the other bouncer said, motioning for his partner to leave. One down, Chen Yan waited until the other bouncer was distracted and slipped up the stairs past him. The office was locked, but the System was happy to chime in helpfully: "Don''t worry, I''ll lend you a hand. Try the door now." Chen Yan turned the knob, surprised that it wasn''t locked. "You can hack locks now?" "Just say I do, now hurry up before anyone sees." In the office, Chen Yan rummaged through whatever drawers were of value. He pulled out a folder labeled "Accounts" and stuffed it in his jacket. Just as he was turning to leave, a small red light flashed on the desk. "Shit," Chen Yan muttered. "Silent alarm. Nice going, Sherlock," the System said. "Better move your ass." Chen Yan slipped out of the office just as heavy footsteps echoed up from the stairs. Two bouncers were coming up fast-their voices angry. Quick thinking, Chen Yan popped into a maintenance closet, holding his breath while the two bouncers stomped by. The coast clear, he slipped back down to the dance floor, instantly mingling with the crowd on it. Jiang Li was waiting near the exit, his arms crossed. "You actually pulled it off," he said, a note of surprise in his voice. "There was ever any doubt?" Chen Yan said, handing over the folder. Jiang Li opened it, running his eyes down the contents. A slow smile spread across his face. "This is good. Very good." "So, are you in?" Jiang Li nodded. "I''m in." --- Back at Wu Tian''s hideout, the group sifted through the documents. Wu Tian''s face lit up as he decoded the financial records. "These accounts have everything: payoffs to officials, debts owed to bigger players, and¡­ wait a second." "What is it?" Chen Yan asked. Wu Tian pointed to a name repeated in the records: The Broker. "Whoever this Broker is, they''re not just pulling strings-they own Luo Ming. Every major deal he makes goes through them." Chen Yan frowned. "The Broker¡­ "Careful, champ," the System said abruptly, sounding serious. "You''re getting close to the real game now. Don''t bite off more than you can chew." Chen Yan fisted his hands. "Why do I get the feeling you know more about this than you''re letting on?" The System chuckled. "Because I do. But that''s a story for another time." --- Their moment of triumph was disrupted by the knock on the door. Jiang Li instinctively laid his hand on his waist, where he had concealed a pistol. "Expecting company?" Chen Yan asked. Jiang Li shook his head. The door exploded open and three of Luo Ming''s enforcers stormed in, guns pointed. "Luo Ming says hi," the first thug sneered. Chapter 6: Ambushed The knock on the door was sharp and deliberate-that kind of knock that instantly raises the hair at the back of Chen Yan''s neck. He exchanged a glance with Jiang Li, already reaching for the pistol he''d tucked into his waistband. "You expecting anybody?" Chen Yan asked quietly. Jiang Li shook his head; hard lines formed around his mouth and eyes. "No. Be quiet.". It wasn''t before any man present could say anything that the door splintered in with the weight of a heavy boot. Three men burst inside, armed to the teeth. The lead thug was grinning as fluorescent lights above cast a macabre shadow on his face. "Luo Ming sends his regards." "Shit!" Wu Tian exclaimed in a high voice, as he dived to the protection provided by an overturned table. A shot rang, and suddenly mayhem exploded into the room. --- Jiang Li launched an attack immediately, shooting two swift shots that made the enforcers scramble for shelter. Chen Yan''s body turned tense, his heart bursting with excitement. The System''s voice rose above the mayhem-calm and irritatingly confident: "Time to shine, champ. Don''t die now." Chen Yan crouched low, snatched a heavy chair up and slung it into the closest thug. The chair landed with great force upon his chest, sending him falling in a heap. The second man raised his gun against Jiang Li, but Chen Yan charged forward, and with that Iron Fist once again burst with fierce scalding heat through his arms. His punch connected with the thug¡¯s jaw, the impact cracking like a hammer on stone. The man dropped, unconscious before he hit the floor. ¡°Not bad,¡± Jiang Li muttered, reloading his pistol. Another shot whizzed past Chen Yan¡¯s ear, embedding itself in the wall. He dropped to the ground, rolling behind an overturned couch. ¡°Wu Tian! Tell me you¡¯ve got something!¡± Wu Tian peeked out from his hiding spot, clutching a makeshift Molotov cocktail¡ªa bottle of liquor stuffed with a burning rag. ¡°This is all I¡¯ve got!¡± ¡°Then use it!¡± Chen Yan shouted. Wu Tian flung the bottle in the direction of the other thug, who dodged, with the liquid spilling out along the floor. The moment that surprise hit them, Jiang Li could land a shot on the mark.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. In the hush after the storm, all that could be heard was the labored breathing of Wu Tian and the small crackling of fire. Chen Yan leaned against the wall, his heart running amok. Thick smoke and gunpowder surged heavily in the air, a pungent mix of both attacking the nostrils and producing a searing pain in them. "Well, that was fun," Wu Tian said, still shaking a bit as he took stock of the damage. "Fun''s not the word I''d use," Lin Xia said, coming out from the kitchen with a fire extinguisher. She sprayed the fire out before turning to Chen Yan, pale but determined-looking. "Are you all right?" "I am," Chen Yan said, though his bruised knuckles suggested otherwise. He turned to Jiang Li. "And you?" Jiang Li wiped the blood from a shallow cut on his arm. "I''ll live. But we can''t stay here. Luo Ming knows where we are now." Chen Yan nodded grimly. "Then we move." --- They moved the group to a safe house that Jiang Li used-a dingy, run-down apartment complex on the city''s fringe. Blackout curtains draped all the windows, and there was a lingering hint of mold in the air. The tension was palpable as they settled in. Lin Xia said, "This is getting out of hand. Luo Ming''s not just coming after you anymore, Chen. He''s coming after all of us." "I know," Chen Yan said gravely. "But if we back down now, we''re as good as dead. Luo Ming won''t stop until we''re no longer a threat." "And you''re okay with that?" Lin Xia snapped. "Risking all of our lives just to play hero?" "Enough," Jiang Li said, his voice cutting through the argument. "We don''t have time for this. Luo Ming''s coming after us because we''re hurting him. That means we''re doing something right." Lin Xia looked like she wanted to argue, but she held her tongue. --- The interface of the System suddenly appeared in front of Chen Yan when they all caught their breath, the words glowing ominously. [Mission 6: Force Luo Ming''s Hand.] Objective: Sabotage one of Luo Ming''s key alliances. Failure: Severe penalties. Chen Yan frowned. "You really don''t give me a break, do you?E" "What can I say? I like to keep things interesting," the System said. "And if you''re smart, you''ll realize this is an opportunity, not a punishment." "Sabotage an alliance? How am I supposed to do that?" "Figure it out, champ. You''re resourceful." Chen Yan groaned, rubbing his temples. "Wu Tian, can you pull up anything on Luo Ming''s connections? Business partners, allies, anyone we can target?" Wu Tian nodded, fingers already flying over his laptop. "Give me a minute." Jiang Li crossed his arms. "It won''t be easy to sabotage Luo Ming''s alliances. Most of his partners are as ruthless as he is. You''ll need to hit them where it really hurts." "Financially, then," Chen Yan said. "If we can make one of his allies doubt him, it will weaken his position." --- As Wu Tian worked, he found a trail of messages between Luo Ming and a nameless source. "This is strange," Wu Tian said, frowning at the screen. "Luo Ming''s been paying someone off-a lot of money, too. But the name''s redacted." Jiang Li leaned over his shoulders. "The Broker." Wu Tian looked over at him. "You sure?" Jiang Li nodded grimly. "That''s how they work. Everything through middlemen and fake accounts. The Broker doesn''t show his hand unless he wants you to know he''s in it." Chen Yan frowned. "And if they are backing Luo Ming?" Jiang Li''s voice was grim. "Then you''re not just fighting Luo Ming anymore. You''re fighting the person who controls half the city." The System chimed in; his tone was oddly amused. "Getting nervous, champ? Don''t be. The Broker''s just another player on the board. You''ll take them down eventually¡ªif you don''t screw up first." --- Later that night, the group was going to infiltrate a meeting between Luo Ming and one of his allies, the first step in their plan to sabotage his network. As Chen Yan sat quietly, replaying the details in his mind, Jiang Li came up to him. "Can I have a minute?" Jiang Li asked. "Of course," Chen Yan said. An unreadable expression sat on Jiang Li''s face. "You''ve got guts, kid. But guts won''t keep you alive in this game; you need to start thinking like them." "What do you mean?" ¡°I mean stop reacting. Start controlling the board,¡± Jiang Li said. ¡°Or one day, you¡¯ll realize too late that you¡¯re the one being played.¡± Chen Yan didn¡¯t respond, but Jiang Li¡¯s words echoed in his mind long after the conversation ended. Chapter 7: Into the Lion鈥檚 Den Above them, the dim light of the safe house flickered as Wu Tian spread a map across the table. The faint smell of mildew and old paper did little for the tense atmosphere in the room. Chen Yan leaned over the table, his brow furrowed as he studied the map''s layout of the luxury hotel. Here it is, Wu Tian said, tapping a corner of the map. Private suite on the top floor. That''s where Luo Ming''s meeting with Qian Hua is happening. "Qian Hua," Lin Xia repeated. "What do we know about him? "A corrupt businessman," Jiang Li said, arms crossed. "He bankrolls half of Luo Ming''s operations. Without his money, Luo Ming''s empire crumbles. But Qian''s not a fool. He''ll walk if he thinks Luo Ming''s losing control." Chen Yan nodded, piecing together the plan in his head. "Then we need to make him think exactly that. Wu Tian, do you have those forged documents?" Wu Tian handed Chen Yan a slender folder. "These make it look like Luo Ming''s been skimming profits and planning a double-cross. Plant them somewhere Qian will find them, and the rest will take care of itself." "And if we get caught?" Lin Xia asked, her voice tight. Jiang Li shot her a sharp look. "We won''t. If everyone does their job." Chen Yan stepped in before the argument could escalate. "This has to go perfectly. If we mess up, Luo Ming will know we''re targeting him, and the fallout will be brutal." He turned to Lin Xia. "You sure you want to do this?" Lin Xia looked back into his eyes steadily. "I''m not sitting on the sidelines anymore." --- Under neon lights, the city bathed the luxury hotel in glitter, its sleek facade an ode to wealth and power. Chen Yan adjusted the fake ID badge on his loaner-staff uniform as he hopped through the employee entrance, his eyes adjusting to the inside light. Jiang Li pressed in right behind him, his face unreadable. ¡°Stay sharp,¡± Wu Tian¡¯s voice crackled through their earpieces. ¡°You¡¯ve got about fifteen minutes before the next security patrol. Don¡¯t screw this up.¡± ¡°Relax,¡± Chen Yan muttered. ¡°We¡¯ve got this.¡±This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. The service elevator carried them to the top floor, where Jiang Li and Chen Yan slipped into the shadows near the suite¡¯s entrance. Guards stood at either end of the hallway, their postures alert. "Security''s tighter than expected," Jiang Li whispered. Chen Yan tapped his earpiece. "Wu Tian, can you create a diversion?" "Already on it," Wu Tian replied. A moment later, an alarm sounded from the service elevator, and the guards turned their attention toward it. "What the hell?" one of them muttered, heading toward the source of the noise. "Go," Jiang Li hissed, pushing Chen Yan forward. --- The private suite was a spectacular show of wealth, everything covered in either gold accents or expensive art. Chen Yan and Jiang Li moved swiftly into the study where the meeting would be held. Chen Yan found a desk in the corner, the drawers slightly opened. He pulled them open all the way, scanning what was inside before slipping the forged documents inside. Done, he whispered, now we get out. "Not so fast," Jiang Li said, motioning for Chen Yan to stay low. Voices echoed from the adjoining room as Luo Ming and Qian Hua entered the suite. "You''ve got to reassure me, Luo," Qian Hua said, his tone sharp. "Your operations have been chaotic lately. I''m not putting my money into a sinking ship. Luo Ming¡¯s voice was calm, but there was a hard edge to it. ¡°Relax, Qian. Everything is under control. The recent disruptions are nothing but minor setbacks.¡± ¡°Minor setbacks?¡± Qian scoffed. ¡°I¡¯ve lost three shipments in the past week because of your ¡®minor setbacks.¡¯ You¡¯d better have answers.¡± Chen Yan¡¯s heart raced as he and Jiang Li listened from their hiding spot. Jiang Li¡¯s eyes flicked toward the exit, silently urging Chen Yan to move. --- As they slipped out of the study, a guard stepped into their path. His eyes widened in recognition. ¡°Hey! You¡¯re not supposed to be here!¡± ¡°Run!¡± Jiang Li barked. Chen Yan sprinted, his heart rate skyrocketing as the shouted warning of the guard set off others. The suite boiled over into chaos as Chen Yan and Jiang Li sprinted through the hallways of pulsating lights, dodging oncoming security personnel. "Wu Tian, we need an exit!" Chen Yan yelled. "Staircase!" Wu Tian said, "Left, then right." Locking the elevators. Chen Yan turned left; Jiang Li closely followed. Guards gave chase, and shouts grew louder. In a flash, one guard pounced toward Chen Yan, but he leaned to one side and turned up his Iron Fist skill. With a powerful punch into the man''s gut, it sent him crumpled onto the ground, buying Chen Yan and Jiang Li a few precious seconds to get further away. The stairwell door slammed shut behind them, and Chen Yan doubled over, gasping for breath. Jiang Li leaned against the wall, looking dark. "That was too close," Jiang Li said. "But we made it," Chen Yan replied. "For now," Jiang Li muttered. "Luo Ming''s not going to let this slide. We just put a massive target on our backs." Chen Yan straightened, determination burning in his eyes. ¡°Then we¡¯ll deal with it. One step at a time.¡± --- Back at the safe house, the group gathered to review the mission. Wu Tian grinned as he replayed footage from the suite¡¯s surveillance cameras, showing Qian Hua storming out of the meeting in a rage. "He found the documents," Wu Tian said. "And judging by that reaction, he bought the story." "Good," Jiang Li said. "But don''t get cocky. This is just a small victory. Luo Ming will double down on finding us now." Lin Xia turned to Chen Yan, her expression troubled. "How far are we going to take this? At some point, someone''s going to get hurt-or worse." Chen Yan faltered, her weight settling in upon his shoulders. "We have no other option. If we quit now, everything would''ve been done for naught." --- From within the depths of his own private office, Luo Ming was studying the CCTV of how Chen Yan managed to slip away. His jaws were tight, his hand already reaching for the phone. "Contact The Broker," Luo Ming said, his voice cold. "I want a meeting. It''s time we deal with this little pest."