Chapter 5 LEVEL UP

More guards came and surrounded Carrick. He stood strong, holding his disruptor tightly.

One guard sneered at him. "You're trapped. Give up now and we might go easy on you." The guards had seen the previous experiments of previous subjects, they were always so weak. This guard couldn't see the reason the doctors wasted so much money and time experimenting on such useless people. Now facing against Carrick, he believed Carrick will be the same as the previous subjects.

Carrick on the hand, remembered all the times he had given in to the Gale family. He had always stepped down and tried to stay quiet just to stay alive.

But what did he get for being quiet? His brother hated him. His own father had tried to kill him.

Carrick's eyes narrowed. He made a promise to himself: he would never give in again.

"I'd rather die," Carrick said, his voice firm and his smile cold.

«Ding!

New skills acquired!

Undying Resolve (non upgradable)

Description: In desperate times, Host's resolve to persevere will give all attributes ×2 boost.»

'Hehehe, things just keeps getting better and better.' Carrick chuckled inside.

The guards opened fire, but Carrick's disruptor rendered their laser guns useless. Seeing them shocked at the fact their guns weren't working, he rushed at them with the knife he used to kill the previous guard. With his strength and agility boost now both at 20 each, he found it easier to take down the guards.

Suddenly, a guard landed a lucky blow, sending Carrick crashing to the ground. The disruptor flew from his hand, sliding across the floor, broken to pieces.

"No!" Carrick shouted, scrambling for the device.

The guard raised his gun, ready to deliver the final blow. Carrick rolled aside, avoiding the bullet by mere inches.

With a loud shout, Carrick launched himself at the guard, tackling him to the ground. They wrestled, punching each other. Carrick kicked away from the guard, then picked up the knife which lay beside him, just as the guard made one more jump at him, Carrick made it his last.

Puchi!

«Ding! Congratulations to Host for killing a level 4 hostile individual. 700 XP and 300 gold coins has been awarded to Host. Host is now a few points away from leveling up.»

As he stood up, Carrick realized he was bleeding - the bullet had grazed his arm. He gritted his teeth, ignoring the pain, but soon, he saw the wound healing at a speed visible to the naked eye. In no time, the wound had scabbed.

'This revitalization skill is no joke.' Carrick inwardly rejoiced.

The disruptor lay nearby, now trashed. Carrick picked it up, but it was now just a piece of junk.

Fortunately there were no more guards heading his way, it seemed that Victor and his team had drawn all the attention to themselves. The corridor was silent, except for the sound of his own ragged breathing.

Carrick leaned against the wall, catching his breath. He had won, he was very proud of himself. His first battle and he had emerged victorious. Although he knew it was with the help of the system, still..

«Ding!

Host, you're clear to escape.» The system's voice echoed in his mind.

Sigh!

"It seems from now on Rambosia will not stop haunting me."

«Host is correct. Host is therefore advised to lay low while he continues to level up and amass skills and wealth»

Carrick nodded, wincing in pain. "I'm ready."

'It seems I have to really make use of Victor and his fallen Mafia family. With their help, I can lay low and grow at a steady pace.

Carrick made his way through the deserted corridors, his eyes looking for any signs of danger. He knew that Rambosia wouldn't give up easily, sooner or later more guards would be here, but he had a head start. Although he didn't know what part of the city he was in right now, he had a feeling he was in a place that could easily link him back to the Gale family.

As he turned a corner, he saw Victor waiting for him, a hint of a smile on his face. There was blood all over him.

"Well done, V5," Victor said, clapping him on the back. "You're a natural."

Carrick grinned, feeling a sense of pride and belonging. "Thanks to you and your team. I owe you one."

"I know this isn't the time, but I'm curious, how did you manage to break through the brainwash? That had never failed before." Victor asked and Carrick saw pure curiosity in his eyes, although Victor just escaped the Rambosia, that didn't mean he could trust him with the secret of the system.

"Luck I guess." Carrick shrugged.

Victor's expression turned serious. "We need to get out of here, now. My team has bought us some time, but Rambosia will regroup soon."

Carrick nodded, following Victor through the narrow corridors. They reached a secret exit, and Victor handed Carrick a new device.

"This is a secure comms device. Use it to contact me when you need help."

Carrick took the device, feeling a sense of gratitude. "Thanks, Victor. I won't forget this."

Victor smiled, but didn't move away from Carrick, he stared long at Carrick which started to creep the teenage boy out.

"Where will you go now V5?" Victor asked even though he had already guessed the answer.

"Well, I don't know. I guess I can just find a motel and you know, get a job if I can."

"That only established the fact that you have nothing in mind. Why don't you come join my family? You can offer your services to them."

With that, Carrick slipped out into the night, ready to start his new life as a fugitive. But he knew he wouldn't be alone. He had Victor, Erebus, and his own determination to drive him forward.

«Ding! Host has reached level 2. Attributes have been boosted.»

Carrick smiled, feeling a sense of excitement. He was just getting started.