《Just call me a hero》


 Chapter 1

    Chicago City, Police Precinct.


    "Good grief, is this my apprentice?"


    Detective He sam stared in shock at Antonia, who sat calmly across from him. His expression was a mix of amazement and an indescribable sense of unease.


    He glanced at the profile in his hands again:


    Name: Antonia Aguilar


    Age: 22


    Height: 2.3 meters


    Weight: 198 kilograms


    Antonia, a fresh graduate from Chicago Police Academy, had been assigned to the Huxi Precinct for her first posting.


    Recalling Antonia''s entrance earlier that morning, He Sam was still at a loss for words. The towering figure had walked into the precinct, causing a stir so intense that even the seasoned officers panicked.


    The station''s guard at the door nearly collapsed from fright. The precinct''s lone firearm¡ªa 64-model pistol¡ªwas hurriedly armed by the station chief and instructor.


    In mere moments, all on-duty officers were mobilized, forming a tight cordon around Antonia as if they were confronting a notorious criminal mastermind.


    It was a scene straight out of a high-stakes movie¡ªtense, chaotic, and strangely exhilarating.


    Only after Antonia explained his purpose did the officers conduct a thorough background check, complete security screenings, and verify her identity.


    Finally, it was confirmed that the "giant" before them was indeed their new colleague.


    As the precinct''s most experienced officer, He sam had over a decade of service under his belt. It was no surprise that the precinct chief had assigned the newcomer to him as her mentor.


    But looking at Antonia now¡ªhis towering physique, muscular build, and intimidating demeanor¡ªHe sam couldn''t help but feel overwhelmed. His grin, meant to be friendly, carried an aura of sheer dominance that was hard to ignore.


    "Master, need some water?"


    Antonia''s deep voice pulled He sam from his thoughts. Seeing his apparent discomfort, she quickly stood up, grabbed a bottle of water, and extended it toward him.


    Standing at 2.3 meters tall, Antonia''s movements were particularly striking.


    He sam had to crane his neck just to make eye contact.


    "Cough... I''m good. You drink it," he replied, feigning calmness as he waved him off.


    After taking a deep breath to compose himself, he said, "Antonia, right? I''ve gone through your records, and everything checks out. Next, we''ll handle your onboarding procedures. Once that''s done, you''ll receive your badge and other documents. However, we''ll need to custom-order your uniform to fit your size."If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Antonia nodded respectfully, her eagerness to start evident.


    As the pair completed the necessary paperwork, Antonia''s towering presence turned heads at every turn.


    ---


    System Activated


    [Congratulations to the host! The Police System has been successfully bound.]


    [Note: This system aids the host in eradicating crime. Rewards will be granted based on the severity of the captured criminal''s offenses.]


    This revelation was Antonia''s long-kept secret. He was not originally from this world, having arrived five years ago. The system had promised to activate once she joined the police force.


    With her induction into the precinct now official, the system''s voice echoed in her mind.


    [System initialization complete.]


    [Skill unlocked: Identity Recognition.]


    [Skill details: Within a 5-meter radius, the host can automatically identify the personal information of anyone nearby. Skill is upgradable.]


    Antonia''s eyes lit up with excitement. This was precisely the advantage she needed to excel as a police officer.


    "Antonia, stop daydreaming! Let''s head out for patrol so you can familiarize yourself with our jurisdiction," Sam called out.


    ---


    Patrol on midway Street


    At 10 a.m., the two officers arrived at Dinglong Street, a bustling area known for its chaotic night market scene.


    As they walked, sam shared anecdotes from his years on the force, along with practical advice no classroom could teach.


    "Master, how many criminals have you caught over the years?" Antonia asked, his curiosity genuine.


    Sam chuckled. "We''re just a small precinct, kid. Most of the cases we handle are petty thefts or minor disturbances. It''s not every day we get to collar big-time criminals."


    Antonia nodded, his expression thoughtful. "But have you ever caught an A-list wanted criminal?"


    At this, He sam froze momentarily before bursting into laughter. "Antonia, do you think A-list criminals are lurking on every corner? They''re rare, and even if one showed up, it''d take more than sheer strength to bring them down."


    Before he could elaborate further, his phone buzzed.


    "Yes, this is He sam¡­ A disturbance on Bus 87? Got it, we''re on our way."


    ---


    The Chase Begins


    Sam hung up and turned to Antonia. "There''s trouble on Bus 87. Let''s check it out!"


    The two officers hurried to the scene, weaving through traffic to catch up with the moving bus.


    Upon arrival, the situation was chaotic. Passengers were shouting, and the driver was visibly shaken. A man in his late 30s had brandished a weapon, threatening everyone on board.


    Antonia''s system kicked into action:


    [Target identified: Lasan, male, age 38. Criminal record includes armed robbery and assault. Threat level: High.]


    "Master, the suspect''s name is Lason. He''s wanted for multiple violent crimes," Antonia reported calmly.


    Sam blinked in surprise but quickly trusted her instincts.


    "Alright, follow my lead," he instructed.


    As they approached the bus, Antonia''s towering figure immediately drew attention. The suspect''s bravado faltered as he realized he was outmatched.


    Before Lasan could make another move, Antonia lunged forward with precision and disarmed him. His size and strength made resistance futile, and within moments, the man was subdued and handcuffed.


    The passengers erupted into applause as the officers escorted the suspect off the bus.


    ---


    First Arrest, First Reward


    [Congratulations, host! You have successfully apprehended a wanted criminal. Reward: Strength Enhancement +1.]


    Antonia felt a surge of energy course through his body. The system''s reward not only boosted his physical capabilities but also reinforced his resolve to rid the city of crime.


    ---


    Reflections at the Precinct


    Back at the precinct, the officers were abuzz with tales of Antonia''s heroics.


    "Did you see him in action? he''s unstoppable!"


    "That guy didn''t stand a chance. he''s like a walking tank!"


    Antonia, however, remained humble. he knew his journey had just begun. The system was his secret weapon, but it was his dedication to justice that would truly define his legacy.


    As he settled into his role, one thing was clear: Chicago had gained a formidable new protector, and the city''s criminals were in for a rude awakening.

 Chapter 2: The Thiefs Misstep

    Sam received a call from the office, informing him of a theft on a bus nearby.


    For petty cases like this, Sam had his own methods honed over years of experience.


    "There''s very little cash on people these days, so petty thieves often target mobile phones," Sam explained to Antonia. "The phone call I just received is about a stolen phone."


    "Passengers were playing with their phones on the bus, and one of them put their phone back in their pocket. Less than two minutes later, when they went to take it out, it was gone!"


    "And what''s interesting," Sam added, "is that the bus didn''t stop during that time."


    Antonia''s eyes lit up. "So the thief must still be on the bus!"


    Sam smiled in approval. "Exactly. The bus driver has locked the front and rear doors and is waiting for us to take action."


    "Let''s go. You just started today, and you''re already handling a case. It may just be a small theft, but it''s a good opportunity for you to learn."


    As he spoke, Sam began trotting ahead, with Antonia quickly following.


    "I can''t believe it, is that a gangster chasing the cops?"


    "Damn, just look at those muscles! With one slap, I''m done for..."


    This scene caught the attention of several passers-by, who watched in amazement.


    Since Antonia was in plain clothes, his imposing figure and presence gave the impression that he was a thug chasing down the police.


    Sam, realizing the potential misunderstanding, sighed and said, "Antonia, your build might be a disadvantage for our line of work¡ªit can scare off potential suspects before we even begin."


    Antonia simply grinned without responding.


    In his mind, he thought: If it scares the suspect, then why not end it quickly and decisively?


    A short time later, they arrived at the scene.


    A bus on Route 87 had pulled over, and as Sam and Antonia got closer, the noise inside became apparent.


    Sam flashed his badge to the driver and instructed him to bring the person who called in the complaint.


    Antonia, meanwhile, boarded the bus.


    As soon as he entered, the noise inside the bus died down. All eyes turned to him, stunned by his size and presence.


    "Mom, look at that giant!"


    A child pointed at Antonia in shock, and his mother quickly covered his mouth in response.


    Antonia smiled politely, used to such reactions, and ignored the curious stares.


    At this point, Antonia activated the identity recognition skill granted by the system.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    [Name: stella , 36 years old, professional housewife, no criminal record.]


    [Name: lara, 24 years old, worker at Orange Red Network Technology, no criminal record.]


    [Name: Max, 26 years old, professional thief with two previous arrests.]


    [¡­]


    The system quickly processed the identities of all the passengers, and Antonia locked onto the thief responsible for the phone theft¡ªFan Max, a repeat offender.


    Fan had several past crimes under his belt, had been arrested twice, and had two criminal records to his name.


    However, Antonia didn''t act immediately. As he was scanning the passengers, another name popped up on his system:


    [Name: marco, 32 years old, Class A wanted criminal¡­]


    Antonia''s heart raced with excitement, but he kept his composure. He had just identified a Class A wanted criminal on his first day!


    Marco''s criminal record was chilling. He had been involved in a burglary where he killed five members of a family, and had been on the run for three years. The public security system had just listed him as a Class A wanted criminal.


    Antonia''s pulse quickened, but his face remained calm as his gaze briefly flickered over Marco, who remained unaware of the looming danger.


    Meanwhile, max who had stolen the phone, seemed increasingly nervous, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.


    Sam was still speaking with the reporter, explaining that while they understood the frustration of the stolen phone, they had to follow proper procedures to handle the case.


    But before he could finish, the bus erupted in chaos.


    Sam looked up in shock. Antonia had already pinned someone to the ground.


    "Ah! He''s hitting people! He''s attacking someone!"


    "Comrade police, who is this person? How can you let him behave like this?"


    Passengers were screaming, and some more courageous ones were questioning Sam, unsure of who Antonia was since he wasn''t in uniform.


    "Antonia!" Sam shouted, clearly shaken. "You can''t just go around doing things without evidence! You''re making things worse!"


    Antonia, however, was unphased.


    He had already pinned max¡ªthe phone thief¡ªto the ground. Antonia''s gaze was unwavering as he held max in place.


    As for marco , Antonia had no intention of confronting him just yet. He needed to wait for the right moment, as there were innocent passengers on the bus who might be put in harm''s way if things escalated.


    Passengers were still murmuring, and Sam had to step in to defuse the situation.


    Turning to max, Antonia spoke in a calm yet commanding voice, "Give up the stolen phone. Hand it over, and come with us to the station."


    Everyone was taken aback, confused by the sudden change in tone. They had expected more confusion, but Antonia''s confidence left them speechless.


    Sam, though perplexed, could only watch as Antonia remained firm. He had already crossed his arms, pinning max, who was visibly shaking.


    Max, realizing he had no way out, looked around desperately. He had planned to deny everything, but one glance at Antonia''s steely eyes shattered any hope of escape.


    Antonia''s grip tightened, and with a voice low and threatening, he said, "Hand over the phone, now."


    Max''s face turned pale. He was no rookie when it came to handling police, but facing someone like Antonia made him freeze.


    "Okay, okay! I''ll give it to you! Just... just let go of me!"


    Antonia released his grip, and max quickly fumbled through his pockets, pulling out the stolen phone.


    Sam, still stunned by the events, looked at the phone in Antonia''s hand and then at the terrified criminal.


    For once, Sam couldn''t help but feel a little shaken. Antonia''s ability to assess and act so decisively, even on his first day, was a force to be reckoned with.


    As for the other passengers, they slowly started to relax, realizing that they were witnessing a rare scene. The intimidating newcomer wasn''t just physically imposing, but his sharp instincts and unwavering determination were enough to leave anyone in awe.


    In the end, the phone was returned, and max was escorted off the bus. As for marco Antonia had yet to make his move. But soon enough, the criminal would have nowhere to hide.


    Sam couldn''t help but mutter to himself, "I''ve got to keep an eye on this one... He''s going to change the way we do things around here."


    And Antonia, with his new skill, had only just begun his journey into the heart of justice.

 Chapter 3: Buy One, Get One Free, My Regrets Are Endless

    Antonia''s sudden action brought an eerie silence to the bus.


    Earlier, Sam had been watching with growing unease as Antonia, without any clear evidence, detained Max in front of everyone. It was an act that could easily offend both the suspect and the passengers.


    Sam, who had been a seasoned officer for years, found this rookie''s behavior reckless. He understood that young officers were often eager to make a name for themselves, but there was a line between enthusiasm and proper procedure.


    Arresting someone without evidence was crossing that line. Even if there were suspicions, the protocol required careful confirmation before making an arrest. What if they caught the wrong person?


    In today''s world, where information spreads online like wildfire, a mistake like this could have serious repercussions. The Chicago Police Department''s reputation would be on the line, and both Sam and Antonia would face backlash.


    At that moment, Sam deeply regretted bringing Antonia along. Perhaps it would have been better to let him patrol for a few weeks first to temper his enthusiasm.


    But reality had other plans.


    In one swift move, Antonia subdued Max. His towering height of 6 feet 5 inches and his commanding presence were enough to overwhelm the suspect. Max, under the weight of such authority, quickly broke down and confessed his crime.


    He admitted to being a thief and offered to return the stolen items.


    Antonia, confident in his assessment, released his grip. The passengers watched as Max swallowed hard, too scared to even think of running.


    Reaching into his pocket, Max pulled out a brand-new smartphone and handed it over to Antonia with trembling hands.


    "That''s my phone!" the owner cried out, his voice filled with relief and gratitude.


    The bus erupted with reactions.


    "Wait, he''s really a thief?"


    "I can''t believe it! He looks so honest!"


    "This officer is incredible! He caught the guy right away!"


    "Amazing!"Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Sam was stunned. Just moments ago, he had assured the phone''s owner that recovering the stolen property would be nearly impossible. Antonia''s bold move had completely turned the situation around.


    Not only had the suspect confessed, but the stolen phone had been returned on the spot.


    Antonia had achieved this on his very first day on the job!


    Sam felt a swell of pride. Although he had initially doubted his rookie partner, Antonia''s success reflected well on both of them. After all, they were a team. This victory meant a bonus¡ªnot a large one, perhaps¡ªbut the honor and recognition were what mattered.


    Sam could already imagine bragging about this incident to his friends over a few drinks.


    With a smile, Sam approached Antonia and clapped him on the back.


    "Great work, Antonia!" Sam praised. "I underestimated you. To catch a thief on your first day¡ªimpressive!"


    Antonia responded modestly, though there was a glint of pride in his eyes. He quickly cuffed Max, ensuring the thief couldn''t slip away.


    Sam, still amazed, asked, "How did you know he was the thief?"


    Max, equally curious, looked up at Antonia.


    Antonia shrugged nonchalantly. "I have a knack for spotting criminals. Plus, his behavior was off¡ªhe seemed nervous, and his eyes kept darting around. But the biggest giveaway was his pants. They were bulging, as if he was carrying something more than just a phone."


    Sam nodded, satisfied with the explanation. As Antonia''s mentor, he felt it was his duty to temper the rookie''s enthusiasm with a word of caution.


    "Antonia," Sam said seriously, "it''s good to be motivated, and I won''t scold you today. But in the future, remember this: as police officers, we must follow procedures. Don''t let your instincts lead you to act impulsively. Discipline is key¡­"


    Before Sam could finish, Antonia''s eyes darted to another passenger. Without warning, he lunged forward and grabbed the man, lifting him effortlessly as if he were a sack of flour.


    "Antonia!" Sam yelled, his voice cracking with shock.


    The bus descended into chaos.


    "What''s happening now?"


    "Why is he grabbing someone else?"


    "Let me go!" the man shouted, struggling in Antonia''s iron grip.


    Sam''s heart raced. The thief had already been caught¡ªwhy was Antonia arresting another passenger?


    The man Antonia had grabbed was Marco, and he was squirming desperately to break free.


    "Antonia, put him down!" Sam demanded, panic seeping into his voice. "We''ve already caught the thief. You can''t just grab random people!"


    Sam''s mind raced. If Antonia was wrong this time, the situation could spiral out of control. The passengers were already on edge, and another mistake would tarnish their success.


    But then, Sam''s sharp eyes caught a glint of metal.


    "Be careful!" he shouted, his voice filled with urgency.


    In Marco''s hand was a dagger, and he was aiming it directly at Antonia''s chest.


    Regret washed over Sam. Why hadn''t he stopped Antonia sooner? If Antonia got hurt¡ªor worse¡ªit would be his fault.


    Time seemed to slow as Sam braced for the worst.


    But Antonia didn''t miss a beat. Without even turning his head, he raised his free hand and slapped Marco''s wrist with precise force.


    The dagger clattered to the floor.


    "Ahhh!" Marco screamed in pain, clutching his broken wrist.


    The bus fell silent once more.


    ---

 Chapter 4: Are You Sure? Is He Really a Class A Wanted Criminal?

    The bus fell eerily silent following Marco''s blood-curdling cry of pain.


    Moments ago, chaos had engulfed the vehicle. Now, everyone''s eyes darted between Marco and Antonia, their disbelief palpable.


    Marco''s arm, which moments ago had held a dagger, now twisted unnaturally¡ªan unmistakable testament to Antonia''s sheer strength.


    The silence stretched.


    Passengers exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions a mix of shock and fear.


    They first looked at Marco, whose face was pale and drenched with sweat, then turned their gaze to Antonia.


    Good grief¡ªhow much force was behind that seemingly effortless slap? If Antonia had aimed for someone''s head instead of Marco''s arm¡­


    The very thought made everyone shudder.


    For a moment, no one dared to breathe too loudly. Then, all at once, their gazes fixed on Antonia as if they were staring at a supernatural being.


    Sam, who had been rooted in place, was no exception. His initial intention to rush forward dissolved mid-step. Instead, he froze, his mind racing.


    What kind of monster is this rookie?


    As a seasoned officer, Sam prided himself on being physically stronger than most, but he knew such power was beyond even him. To twist a man''s arm with a single slap¡ªit wasn''t just strength; it was precision and control.


    Sam''s earlier skepticism toward Antonia evaporated in an instant. He now stared at his partner with a mixture of awe and disbelief.


    Antonia, however, seemed completely unfazed.


    Sam''s gaze shifted back to Marco, and the longer he looked, the more uneasy he felt. Something about Marco was nagging at his memory.


    "Marco?" Sam muttered aloud, his voice uncertain. "Is this... is this Marco? The Class A wanted criminal from Chicago¡ªthe one who murdered a family of five during a burglary three years ago?"


    The mention of Marco''s name hit the bus like a thunderclap.


    Passengers who had been too stunned to move earlier suddenly erupted into panicked whispers.


    "Did he just say Class A wanted criminal?" "No way! This guy killed a family of five?" "And we''ve been sitting here with him this whole time?!" "I was sitting next to him!"


    Marco, who had been writhing in pain, stopped his howling. His expression twisted into one of fear and anger as he realized his identity had been exposed.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Antonia gave a calm nod toward Sam and said, "That''s him. Marco. I''ve seen his picture in the papers. There''s no mistake."


    This, of course, was a lie. Without his uncanny identification skills, Antonia wouldn''t have recognized Marco at all. But he needed to give Sam an explanation, and this one would suffice.


    Sam, still staring at Marco, let out a sharp breath. "Everyone off the bus!" he barked. "Clear the area¡ªnow!"


    He needn''t have said it twice.


    If Marco had been an ordinary thief like Max, the passengers might have stayed to watch the drama unfold. But upon hearing Marco''s name and realizing he was a Class A wanted criminal, the passengers bolted for the door.


    In seconds, the bus was empty, save for Antonia, Sam, Max¡ªwho was still handcuffed¡ªand Marco, who was subdued and in visible agony.


    Once the bus cleared out, Sam handed a pair of handcuffs to Antonia, who swiftly secured Marco to one of the bus''s metal poles.


    Given that Marco''s arm was mangled, Antonia cuffed his uninjured wrist, ensuring there was no chance of escape.


    A quick body search confirmed it¡ªthis was indeed Marco, the Class A wanted criminal who had evaded capture for three years. His crimes had been horrific¡ªbreaking into a family home with the intent to steal and ending up murdering all five occupants.


    Faced with undeniable evidence and realizing there was no escape, Marco reluctantly admitted his identity. He demanded medical attention for his injuries, but neither Sam nor Antonia paid him any heed.


    Sam, who had been tense throughout the ordeal, suddenly broke into an excited grin. "We did it! Antonia, do you realize what this means? We caught a Class A wanted criminal! This is huge!"


    Antonia, still composed, shrugged. "Didn''t you say these criminals are hard to catch? And even harder to encounter?"


    Sam froze mid-celebration, momentarily lost for words. He wanted to argue, but something about Antonia''s tone made him pause. Was his rookie partner subtly mocking him?


    Unable to respond, Sam waved the comment away and focused on the bigger picture. "Stay here," he said. "I''m calling for backup."


    ---


    Meanwhile, at the police station, Chief Rex was in his office discussing station matters with Instructor Matt.


    "Our station''s performance has been mediocre for years," Matt began, his tone serious. "If we don''t improve, we''ll fall further behind. The competition is only getting tougher, and we can''t afford to sit idly by."


    Rex sighed, his frustration evident. "Do you think I don''t know that? But what can we do with limited resources? We''re already working our team to the bone."


    Matt nodded sympathetically. Grassroots policing was no easy task. Major cases required extensive resources, which they lacked, while smaller cases often went unresolved due to manpower constraints. It was a constant balancing act with no easy solutions.


    Changing the subject, Matt asked, "What do you think of the new recruit¡ªAntonia?"


    Rex chuckled, clearly amused. "Calling him ''little'' Antonia seems a bit ironic, doesn''t it?"


    Matt smirked but said nothing, letting Rex continue.


    "He''s a good kid," Rex said. "Top of his class at the academy, excellent grades, but he''s young. No experience yet, and with his size and demeanor, he''s bound to face some challenges. That''s why I paired him with Sam. He needs guidance. In a few years, maybe he''ll¡­"


    Before Rex could finish, his office phone rang. He picked up the receiver, his tone casual.


    "Hello, Chief Rex speaking."


    The voice on the other end spoke rapidly.


    Rex''s expression changed almost instantly. His calm demeanor was replaced by shock, his eyes widening as he gripped the phone tighter.


    "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice rising. "Is it confirmed? Marco¡ªthe Class A wanted criminal?!"