The small, dingy apartment Eric rented was far from luxurious. Peeling wallpaper, a leaking faucet, and a mattress on the floor were the least of his concerns. It was a temporary base of operations, nothing more. This was where he would begin his transformation.
The city outside was alive with noise—horns blaring, sirens wailing, and the distant hum of people going about their lives. It was a harsh reminder of the world he was preparing to confront.
Before Eric could take on the physical challenges ahead, he needed information. The gangsters who murdered his family had been let off easy, their crimes reduced to involuntary manslaughter. Six years in prison had been a slap on the wrist for lives destroyed.
They had walked free, and now Eric needed to find them.
He sat at the rickety desk in the corner of the room, his laptop humming softly as he began his search. His incredible understanding worked like a supercomputer, piecing together fragments of data from social media, news reports, and public records.
[You analyse available information on the targets. Two confirmed locations identified. New skill unlocked: Digital Investigation (Intermediate).]
Their names and faces were burned into his memory, but now he had more. He found businesses they frequented, addresses tied to their names, and even a few connections to local underground networks.
He made notes, sketching out their routines and relationships. The five were spread out across the city, living comfortable lives far removed from the blood they had spilled.
The rage simmered in his chest, but he didn't let it control him. He would strike when he was ready—on his terms.
--Forging the Body--
The next phase of his transformation began in a dusty, run-down gym on the outskirts of the city. The kind of place where fighters trained in silence and the walls smelled of sweat and effort.
Eric stepped inside, his ribs still tender but healing quickly. The gym owner, a grizzled man named Hank, gave him a sceptical once-over.
"You don't look like you belong here," Hank grunted, wiping his hands on a towel.
"I don't," Eric replied evenly. "But I need to learn. Boxing, grappling—whatever it takes. I'll pay."
Hank raised an eyebrow, but money was money. He nodded toward the equipment. "You'll start with the basics. Don't waste my time."
Eric threw himself into the training with relentless determination. Every punch, every grapple, every bead of sweat was a step closer to his goal. His incredible understanding turned the physical grind into an intellectual exercise.
[You train in boxing. Proficiency increased. Skill unlocked: Straight Punch (Basic).]
[You spar with a partner. Proficiency increased. Skill unlocked: Grappling Escape (Basic).]
He studied every move like it was a mathematical equation, dissecting techniques and perfecting his form. His progress was faster than anyone in the gym had seen, but he kept his head down, avoiding attention.
When the gym closed at night, he continued his training in the shadows, practicing parkour in the abandoned buildings near his apartment. He learned to vault over obstacles, climb walls, and move silently in the dark.
[You train in parkour. Proficiency increased. Skill unlocked: Silent Landing (Basic).]
--Amassing the Tools--
While his body and skills improved, Eric continued to grow his wealth. His stock portfolio had already seen significant gains, and he reinvested the profits wisely.
[Stock portfolio updated. Current net worth: $150,000. Projected annual growth: +35%.]
But money alone wasn't enough. He needed tools—gear that would give him an edge. A simple search online led him to a black-market dealer known only as "Shade," who specialized in discreet, high-quality equipment.
The meeting took place in a dimly lit warehouse. Shade was a wiry man with sharp eyes and an unsettling grin.
"You've got cash?" Shade asked, eyeing Eric warily.
Eric nodded, handing over a stack of bills. "I need what you can get me. Lightweight armour, surveillance gear, non-lethal weapons."
Shade chuckled. "Planning to play superhero, huh? Whatever. Your money, your business."
The dealer handed over a duffel bag filled with the basics—kevlar-lined clothing, a compact headset with night vision capabilities, and a set of collapsible batons. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
As Eric inspected the equipment, a notification appeared in his mind:
[You acquire basic gear. You analyse the process of equipping the gear. New skill unlocked: Tactical Preparation (Basic).]
Weeks passed in a blur of training, planning, and preparation. Eric's body grew stronger, his movements faster and more precise. His mind was sharper than ever, analysing every detail of his surroundings with uncanny precision.
He had become something more than just a man with a grudge. He was a hunter, methodical and unrelenting.
One evening, as he stood in front of the cracked mirror in his apartment, he donned his gear for the first time. The kevlar-lined jacket fit snugly, the batons felt natural in his hands, and the headset gave him a clear view of the darkened room.
He stared at his reflection, his heart steady, his resolve unwavering. He wasn't the old Eric Thorn anymore. That man had died in a pool of his own blood.
Now, he was something else—an entity shaped by pain, driven by justice. The gangsters who had destroyed his family had no idea what was coming for them.
As he recalled all the training he had been through, a notification appeared:
[You analyse host training. Summary of skills gained is being generated:
Host: Eric Thorn
Combat Skills: Breathing Technique (Intermediate), Vigilante Training (Basic), Unarmed Combat (Novice), Punching Technique (Basic), Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Basic), Straight Punch (Basic), Grappling Escape (Basic), Silent Landing (Basic), Tactical Preparation (Basic)
Life Skills: Accounting (Mastery), Stock Analysis (Mastery) Digital Investigation (Intermediate).]
A sense of accomplishment filled him as he noted all the skills he had gained. He then silently left his accommodation, the shadows embraced him as he disappeared into the city, his path set.