Chapter 2: The Mission That Changes Everything
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1. The System's New Mission
The morning sun filtered through the massive glass windows of the Blackwood estate, casting long streaks of light across the marble floors. Ethan sat at the edge of his enormous bed, his hands clutching his head.
The system's cold mechanical voice still echoed in his mind.
"Another heroine?!" he muttered. "No, this is exactly what I'm trying to avoid! I can't keep getting involved with these women, it's only going to get me killed!"
But the system was unforgiving.
System:
> "Mission failure will result in Death Penalty."
Ethan gritted his teeth. "Of course it will…"
The timer had already begun ticking in his mind.
47 hours, 52 minutes, 19 seconds.
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2. Blackwood Family Dynamics
Ethan left his room and walked down the grand staircase of the Blackwood mansion. The Blackwood family was the wealthiest and most influential family in the country. Their power wasn't just money; they had control over private security forces, martial arts training facilities, underground networks, and even ties with government officials.
Aiden Blackwood – the man whose body Ethan now inhabited – was the sole heir to this empire. Everyone in the mansion treated him with reverence and fear.
But Ethan wasn't used to this.
He felt like an imposter every time the maids bowed to him or the guards saluted.
"I don't belong here… and if they find out, I'm dead."
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3. Gathering Information
He needed information about Heroine C immediately.
"System, at least tell me who she is."
System:
> "Heroine C: Sophia Hartley. Daughter of influential business tycoon Richard Hartley. Known for her intelligence and kindness. Currently in danger."
Ethan frowned. "Danger? What kind?"
System:
> "Classified. You must investigate."
Ethan cursed under his breath. "Of course you won't make it easy for me…"
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4. The Investigation
Ethan called his personal assistant – a sharp, calculating man named Damien Cross.
"Damien," Ethan said, trying to sound authoritative, "I need every piece of information on Sophia Hartley's current situation. Now."
Damien hesitated. "Sir, may I ask why—"
"Because I said so."
Within an hour, Damien returned with the information.
"Sir, Sophia Hartley has been kidnapped."
Ethan froze. "Kidnapped? By who?"
"By the Viper Syndicate," Damien replied. "A dangerous underground group known for trafficking and extortion. They've demanded a ransom from the Hartley family, but… there's more."
"What more?"
Damien lowered his voice. "They've given the family 48 hours to pay… or Sophia dies."
Ethan's blood ran cold.
"Forty-eight hours… that's exactly my time limit."
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5. The Rescue Plan
Ethan paced his room, thinking furiously.
"I'm not a fighter! I don't know martial arts like Aiden did… if I go there, I'll die before I can even reach Sophia!"
But the system interrupted his thoughts –
Ethan blinked. "Wait… you're actually giving me help this time?"
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6. Training
The Blackwood estate had its own martial arts training hall, staffed with some of the deadliest fighters in the country. Ethan spent the next four hours being thrown, punched, and beaten by these masters.
"Focus, young master!" one of the instructors barked as Ethan hit the mat again.
"I am focusing! You're just insane!" Ethan shouted, coughing.
By the end of the session, Ethan was bruised all over but the system rewarded him –
He could feel it immediately. His movements were sharper, his reflexes quicker, his strength doubled.
"Okay… maybe I actually have a chance now."
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7. The Mission Begins
That night, Ethan infiltrated the Viper Syndicate's hideout – an abandoned factory on the outskirts of the city. Damien accompanied him, along with a small squad of Blackwood security agents.
The place was crawling with armed guards.
Ethan's heart pounded. "I can't believe I'm actually doing this…"
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8. The First Encounter with the Hero
As Ethan and his team moved through the shadows, he suddenly spotted another group already inside the factory.
They moved with precision, silently taking out guards one by one.
And at the center of the group… was Lucas Veylan.
The hero.
Ethan's breath caught in his throat.
Lucas was everything the manga had described – tall, lean, with an aura that made him seem untouchable. His presence alone radiated confidence and strength.
"Oh no… if he sees me here, he'll think I'm up to something!"
Ethan ducked behind a pillar, praying Lucas wouldn't notice him.
But it was too late.
Lucas's sharp eyes met Ethan's across the factory floor.
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9. The Rescue
Before Ethan could even think, the alarms went off. The Viper Syndicate had discovered the intrusion, and chaos erupted.
Gunfire and martial arts clashes filled the air.
Ethan spotted Sophia tied to a chair in the center of the factory. He ran toward her, dodging bullets and fists with his enhanced reflexes.
"E-Ethan Blackwood?!" Sophia gasped as he cut her restraints.
"Don't ask questions! Just run!"
But a massive figure stepped in their path – the Syndicate's leader, a towering martial artist named Graves.
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10. The Battle
Graves lunged at Ethan, his fists like sledgehammers.
Ethan barely dodged, the Combat Boost allowing him to counter with strikes he never thought possible.
"System, any advice?!"
System:
> "Don't die."
"Thanks for nothing!" Ethan shouted as Graves swung at him again.
Lucas appeared out of nowhere, engaging Graves alongside Ethan. For a brief moment, the villain and the hero fought side by side.
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11. The Escape
Together, they managed to defeat Graves. Lucas's skill was otherworldly; Ethan knew he wouldn't have lasted two seconds against him.
But Lucas's eyes never left Ethan.
"Why are you here, Blackwood?" Lucas asked coldly.
Ethan forced a smile. "I… was just doing the right thing."
Lucas didn't look convinced.
But there was no time for questions. Ethan grabbed Sophia's hand and fled the factory before the police arrived.
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12. The Aftermath
Back at the Blackwood estate, Sophia thanked Ethan tearfully.
"I… I misjudged you, Aiden. You're not the person everyone says you are."
Ethan forced a smile. "Yeah… maybe I'm not."
But deep down, he was panicking.
"This is bad. The heroines are starting to trust me. Lucas has seen me in action. The story is shifting… and I don't know if that's a good thing or a death sentence."
The system chimed –
"Hidden reward…?" Ethan whispered.
The system's voice grew darker.
"Congratulations, Host. You have unlocked the Hero's suspicion meter."
A red bar appeared in Ethan's vision.
It was already 40% full.
Ethan's blood ran cold.
"Oh no… Lucas is starting to suspect me."
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Chapter 2 End (Suspense)