The city was unraveling fast.
Reon sat beside Mina in their tiny apartment, listening to the distant screams and sounds of chaos echoing from the streets below. Gunshots. Sirens. Shattered glass. The outer world was collapsing—economies first, then governments, now people.
And yet, amidst it all, a sleek silver drone descended from the smoke-filled sky.
It hummed gently as it landed on the rooftop just across from Reon's window.
> [SYSTEM ALERT]
✅ Black Market Delivery Arrived
Contents:
Armored Transport Vehicle (Code: RHINO-V7)
Mobile Solar Generator (Portable, Foldable)
Civilian Auto-Security Drone
Encrypted Wristbands x2
Emergency Food & Water Packs (6 months supply)
Combat Protocol Training Module (Neural Interface)
Safehouse Blueprint + Location Chip
He didn't hesitate.
"Mina, grab your backpack."
"Where are we going?" she asked, voice quiet, frightened.
"To somewhere safer," Reon replied. "Somewhere no one can touch us."
---
Ten Minutes Later – Rooftop Extraction
He had carried her up the stairs, their things packed tightly in two bags. The armored vehicle was already waiting—four wheels, matte black shell, and a reinforced body. The AI onboard greeted him:
> Welcome, Owner: Reon Kael
Fuel Level: 100%
Destination Protocol: Safehouse Available
Auto-Defense: Engaged
Reon gently placed Mina inside the vehicle and activated the wristbands. A ping vibrated on both their arms—secure comms linked.
"I've got us covered, okay?" he told her. "No matter what happens, I'll keep us safe."
"Okay," she whispered, clutching her bunny tighter.
The drone loaded their supplies into the rear, and the vehicle roared to life.
Just as they drove off, Reon spotted shadows moving on the rooftops behind them.
Too late.
They had been noticed.
---
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
> ⚠️ First Wave of Wealth Hunters Detected
Entity Type: Freelance Agents
Threat Level: D to B Rank
Intent: Capture or kill any Wealth-Holders and claim remaining assets.
Note: Stealth is recommended until combat training is complete.
Reon's grip on the steering tightened.
The world wasn't just collapsing—it was hunting him now.
---
Sector 12 Highway – Abandoned Stretch
They drove for an hour without interruption, winding through abandoned tunnels and bypassing looted checkpoints. Reon activated the Safehouse Chip, and a holo-map blinked to life.
> Safehouse Location: Verdant Hollow – Former Agricultural Dome, Unregistered Territory
Distance: 62 kilometers
Accessibility: Road access, partial terrain traversal required
Defensibility: Moderate
Power Grid: Solar only
"We'll stop for the night in one of the tunnels," Reon muttered to himself. "Then head to the dome."
But just as he exited into a narrow pass near an overpass, a new alert flashed:
> ⚠️ Ambush Detected
Hostile Drones: 3
Armed Individuals: 2
Distance: 200 meters
System Suggestion: Engage Auto-Defense OR Prepare for Manual Control
Reon narrowed his eyes.
> "Manual."
He took a breath and triggered the Combat Protocol Module. Instantly, a sharp pain shot through his head—like a spike driving into his brain. Lines of data flooded his eyes, and muscle memory uploaded into his nerves.
He gasped, his body surging with sudden awareness.
> ✅ Reflexes boosted
✅ Movement prediction uploaded
✅ Basic firearm usage unlocked
✅ Environmental awareness increased
The road ahead exploded in flame.
---
First Combat – The Ambush
Two mercenaries with crude weapons and hacked drones emerged from behind a broken tower. One of them grinned.
"Outta the car, rich boy. We saw your drone delivery. That ride's worth more than the slums."
Reon didn't even blink.
He swerved hard, using the RHINO's reinforced frame to slam into the closest attacker, sending the man flying into a wall. Sparks danced across the hood.
The other opened fire—but the Auto-Defense turret popped up and fired a stun blast, instantly knocking him unconscious.
The hacked drones tried to surround the vehicle—but Reon was faster now. His movements were fluid, calculated. He manually targeted the drones through the wristband, directing the Security Drone to slice through them with high-velocity wing blades.
> ✅ All threats neutralized
Remaining Balance: $49,457,800
Combat Training Progress: 12%
System Level: 1 → 2
New Skill Unlocked: "Tactical Wealth Deployment"
(Use money to instantly construct temporary defenses or summon backup assets)
---
Reon stood over the downed mercenary, his breath steady, eyes cold.
"You tried to kill me for a number on a screen," he muttered. "This isn't about money anymore."
He grabbed one of their radios.
"Who's sending you?" he asked.
Static.
Then a voice crackled on the other end.
"You don't know what you've gotten into, boy. You're a walking vault. Every syndicate, survivor gang, and rogue AI will be after you. The world's falling apart—but your blood smells like gold."
The signal died.
Reon stared into the darkness.
He was no longer just a survivor.
He was a symbol.
And symbols got hunted.
---
End of Chapter 3