Chapter 40: Mathilda
January 11
Mathilda sat bored on the sofa, holding her little brother and watching cartoons.
Her father hadn't come home for dinner. Lately, he was always "busy" and often stayed out all night.
Mathilda was young, but she wasn't naive. She knew her father wasn't a good man.
He was a gang member. He had done time for drug possession.
But with her mother gone too soon and her grandparents refusing to take them in, she was stuck.
Her father was a bastard. Not long after her mother died, he remarried a woman with loose morals.
Not only did that woman give him a son, but she also brought along a daughter from a previous relationship—a girl several years older than Mathilda.
Mathilda couldn't resist. She was twelve.
She couldn't feed herself, let alone escape this toxic household to live independently.
Fortunately, life wasn't all misery.
Her half-brother was different. Unlike his mother or his half-sister, he wasn't hateful.
He was sweet and clingy, always following Mathilda around like a duckling.
If there was anything in this wretched home worth staying for, it was him.
Tonight, her father was absent again. Her stepmother, Maggie, had stormed out earlier in a huff.
She had been gone for over two hours.
Mathilda wasn't worried. In fact, she was glad Maggie was gone.
It gave her a chance to enjoy cartoons with her brother in peace.
But the peace didn't last.
A loud, jarring voice shattered the moment.
"Mathilda, time for bed."
Mathilda didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
Liv. Maggie's daughter from before she married Mathilda's father.
Mathilda suspected even Maggie didn't know who Liv's real father was.
But one thing was certain: the guy must have been ugly and fat.
Otherwise, given Maggie's undeniable beauty, how could she have produced a daughter like Liv—overweight, plain, and mean?
"Maggie said we could watch until she gets back!" Mathilda argued, hugging her brother tighter.
Liv had a new boyfriend recently. Before Maggie left, Liv had been on the phone with him for hours.
She had only just hung up.
Mathilda knew Liv's game. If she had finished her call earlier, she would have kicked them off the TV long ago to watch her late-night dramas.
Liv wasn't hideous, thanks to Maggie's genes, but she was significantly heavier than most girls her age. Combined with her nasty personality, she and Mathilda fought constantly.
Click.
The channel changed. Cartoons were replaced by hippies and heavy metal music.
Mathilda spun around furiously.
Liv stood there in her pajamas, remote in hand, looking down at Mathilda like a victorious hen.
"Bed. Now."
She issued the command with smug superiority.
Mathilda was about to scream back when her brother tugged on her sleeve.
"Sister... I'm sleepy," he whispered, rubbing his eyes.
Seeing his tired face, Mathilda swallowed her rage. She glared at Liv one last time, then picked up her brother to carry him to bed.
Seeing Mathilda retreat, Liv smirked triumphantly.
That smirk was the last straw.
Mathilda knew she couldn't win a fight against the sixteen-year-old Liv. But she wasn't going to leave without a parting shot.
As she passed Liv, Mathilda swung her hand and smacked Liv's fleshy bottom as hard as she could.
Smack!
"AH!"
Liv yelped, her face twisting in shock and rage.
"Mathilda! I'm going to kill you!"
She spun around and grabbed Mathilda's arm before she could escape.
Mathilda quickly set her brother down and pushed him toward the bedroom.
Just as Liv raised her hand to strike...
Click. Creek.
The front door opened.
The sound of high heels clicking on the floor echoed in the hallway.
Maggie, who had been missing for nearly three hours, finally returned.
"Mom! Mathilda has been watching cartoons all night!"
"I told her to go to bed, and she hit me!"
Liv was Maggie's biological daughter and the favorite. She immediately played the victim, twisting the story to get Mathilda in trouble.
Mathilda knew the odds were stacked against her. But she was stubborn.
She glared at Liv, then turned to Maggie to defend herself.
But then she stopped.
Mathilda was observant. She noticed something.
Maggie's clothes were rumpled. Her hair was a mess—damp strands of blonde hair plastered to her forehead with sweat.
Her face was flushed a deep, conspicuous red.
She looked exhausted, and her legs seemed unsteady as she walked.
"Did Maggie go for a run?" Mathilda wondered.
She looked exactly like Mathilda did after a long-distance race at school.
But Maggie hated exercise. Why would she be running in the middle of the night?
Distracted by the mystery, Mathilda forgot to defend herself.
"Liv, keep it down."
Maggie's voice was breathless.
She had just experienced... something unprecedented.
The fear that her husband might come home and catch her had only heightened the thrill. The entire experience had been a mix of anxiety and ecstasy.
She felt a satisfaction she hadn't felt in years. It was like discovering a new continent.
Maggie wiped the sweat from her forehead. She gave Liv a token warning, then looked at Mathilda and her son.
In a rare display of affection, she patted both of their heads.
"Go to sleep, kids. Looks like your father isn't coming home tonight."
"Goodnight."
With that, she stumbled toward her bedroom, looking like she was about to collapse from exhaustion.
She left behind a confused Mathilda and a bewildered Liv, staring at each other, wondering what had happened to their mother.
Chapter 41: Léon the Professional
January 11
Morning light filtered into the room. Hunter stretched, sitting up on the messy sofa.
He glanced around the apartment. It was even more chaotic than before.
Ironically, his "kindhearted neighbor" had come over to "help him organize," but the place ended up looking like a tornado had hit it.
Hunter reached into his Personal Inventory, grabbed a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.
He lit one up, his eyes landing on several used wrappers scattered on the floor.
Buying those condoms after meeting Mia was the best investment I've ever made.
He hadn't expected his new neighbor to be thatenthusiastic.
It was almost surreal.
They had just met. She offered to help move boxes. Then they moved to the sofa.
Then... spontaneous combustion. The neighbor's passion was like a wildfire—intense and unstoppable.
They had been at it for over two hours.
The result? The apartment, which he had just started to organize, was a disaster zone again.
The brand-new bed sheets and comforter he had just bought? Soaked. They'd need dry cleaning before he could use them again.
Even the mattress needed to be aired out.
Note to self: Buy a waterproof mattress protector. Or stock up on absorbent towels.
It was late May, the most comfortable time of year in Los Angeles.
He hadn't turned on the AC last night, just cracked a window. Thanks to the fresh air, the room didn't smell too funky when he woke up.
Hunter finished his cigarette, crushed the butt in an ashtray, and got up to clean the battlefield.
After a quick shower and a simple breakfast, he pulled out his laptop.
He spent the morning setting up his internet connection and then began teaching himself programming and computer science, grinding his new skill.
After lunch, he left the apartment.
He emailed his new address to Mia.
Based on their last call, he suspected Dom had grounded her again.
So, he didn't call.
I'll wait a few days.
Then I'll "accidentally" discover Brian working at the parts shop.
That's when I call Mia and drop the bomb: "Hey, that FBI agent who interrogated me? He's working at Harry's now."
That will kill any chance Brian has with her. And Dom will owe me another favor.
After that, he can't possibly object to his "savior" dating his sister.
As for Vince and the others? Hunter didn't care about them before, and he certainly didn't care now.
He spent the afternoon at a boxing gym, then headed to a shooting range to practice his marksmanship.
Afterward, he browsed a massive gun store nearby.
Rows upon rows of firearms—pistols, shotguns, SMGs, semi-auto rifles, sniper rifles.
It was a candy store for men.
Hunter marveled at American gun culture but could only stare longingly at the price tags.
The civilian versions of the military-grade weapons he wanted cost five figures. His wallet was still too light for that.
These "Gun Supermarkets" were everywhere in the US. You could buy almost anything, albeit in a semi-automatic, civilian-legal configuration.
Hunter settled for buying several boxes of 9mm ammo with his ID, then left the store, looking back reluctantly at the rifles he couldn't afford.
Still no call from Charlie.
Hunter wasn't worried. Stealing a ton of gold from Steve wasn't a simple job. In the movie, they spent months planning the Venice heist. He could wait.
He stopped in Chinatown to buy groceries.
Finding a secluded corner, he stashed everything into his Personal Inventory.
He had discovered a new feature: Time Stasis.
Items stored in the inventory didn't change state.
Yesterday, he had bought ice cream and cold beer. When he took them out hours later to put them in the fridge, they were still frozen solid.
If I had known that earlier, I wouldn't have spent hundreds on a new fridge.
But electronics were cheap in the US, so he didn't dwell on it.
Back at his apartment building.
No elevator. Six floors.
As he trudged up the stairs, an idea struck him.
I wonder if Rock Climbing or Parkour would unlock new skills?
The thought excited him. If Charlie and Parker didn't call soon, he'd go find some extreme sports to test the theory.
He reached the fourth-floor landing.
Hunter's enhanced smell picked up the scent of cigarette smoke.
He looked up. Through the gap in the stairwell, he saw legs dangling from the landing above.
He climbed another flight.
Sitting on the stairs near the sixth floor was a young girl.
She had a bob cut and couldn't be older than twelve or thirteen.
She was smoking a cigarette with practiced ease, looking bored.
As Hunter looked at her, she looked back at him.
Their eyes met.
Hunter's mouth twitched.
Yesterday, he had felt a vague sense of familiarity with his passionate blonde neighbor. He couldn't quite place where he had seen that "milfy" face before.
He had dismissed it as a coincidence.
But now?
Seeing this rebellious, smoking girl on the stairs...
A dormant memory unlocked.
Mathilda.
This is 'Léon: The Professional'.
Wow. This world really is a mess
Chapter 42: One Week
January 11
As a movie buff, Hunter recognized the white girl immediately.
Her face, though still young and immature, already held the shadows of her future self—the future Lady Thor.
Through the gaps in the stair railing, he saw her short legs swinging back and forth in boredom. The cartoon socks on her feet were eye-catching.
Hunter wasn't a lolicon. While he was very interested in the adult version of Mathilda (Natalie Portman), right now, she was just a "cute kid."
"Hello!"
Hunter wasn't socially awkward. He smiled and nodded at Mathilda as he climbed the stairs.
Despite looking like a typical rebellious American teen due to her dysfunctional family, Mathilda was polite to strangers.
"Hello, sir," she replied.
Her eyes carried a deep, unshakeable sadness. Her gaze lingered on Hunter's handsome face for a moment before she hurriedly crushed her cigarette and tossed the butt aside.
"Are you the new tenant?"
She had noticed someone moving into Apartment 6A next door.
"That's me," Hunter confirmed with a smile.
The building only had six floors, with four units per floor (A, B, C, D).
Hunter lived in 6A. Mathilda's family was likely in 6C.
He wasn't sure if 6D was already rented by Léon, the hitman.
Unlike the little girl, Hunter was very interested in Léon.
Not romantically—Hunter was straight, and his recent interactions with enthusiastic Western women confirmed his healthy appetite.
He was interested in Léon's profession.
Léon had a broker ("Tony") who handed out assassination contracts for hefty payouts.
Hunter's skills required a lot of money to level up. He wouldn't mind opening another revenue stream.
But getting into the hitman world wouldn't be easy. Léon was socially stunted and extremely cautious. Using him as an entry point would be tricky.
Hunter wasn't in a rush. He wasn't ready for that life yet anyway.
After a brief chat with the kid, Hunter walked past her and entered his apartment.
Once inside, he grabbed a towel from his Personal Inventory and wiped the sweat from his forehead. May in Los Angeles was starting to heat up.
He began prepping dinner.
The appearance of a new plot character didn't shock him. After meeting Charlie Croker, he already knew this world was a fusion of multiple movies. Mathilda just confirmed the scale.
He cooked a Chinese meal using ingredients he bought in Chinatown. His cooking was getting better every day.
While eating, he opened his laptop and searched for Stella Bridger's locksmith company.
Since he was currently unemployed and had a Lockpicking skill, finding a job at her company seemed like a smart move.
He knew he could level up Lockpicking by himself through trial and error. But just like with boxing and shooting, having a professional mentor would skyrocket his EXP gain.
Working for Stella would give him money, skill EXP, and a chance to get close to the blonde beauty.
However, his search came up empty. Stella kept a low profile.
Hunter waited until bedtime, but Charlie Croker still hadn't called.
Old Parker, however, did reach out.
He offered Hunter a small side job—modifying a car for an underground street race.
The pay was low, only $2,000.
Early the next morning, Hunter left the apartment.
He finished Parker's job in a few hours. After checking for surveillance, he used the client's garage to finish painting and upgrading his own motorcycle with the parts he bought from Brian's shop.
A high-performance street bike, custom-built by his own hands, was born.
He called Parker to confirm the job was done, then slipped away quietly.
That afternoon, he went for a swim at the beach and a run along the coast, grinding his physical stats.
For the next few days, Hunter lived a simple, disciplined life.
Parker didn't have more work. Charlie remained silent.
He had lived in the new apartment for a week but hadn't seen Léon once. He couldn't be sure if the hitman was actually his neighbor yet.
He did run into Mathilda often. They chatted, and he even invited her over for a Chinese meal, which she loved.
Mathilda's stepmother, Maggie, also visited one night for another "deep conversation" that lasted several hours.
Mia still hadn't contacted him. Dom's grounding order must be strict.
And Stella Bridger remained elusive. Her company wasn't listed publicly in a way he could easily find.
Days passed.
Life was monotonous, but Hunter was in a good mood.
He had unlocked several new skills and boosted his stats further. He was getting stronger every day.
Chapter 43: Taking the Initiative
January 11
After bidding farewell to the kind neighbor who had come over to "warm his bed" again, Hunter lay back lazily.
The past week had been dull and simple.
Everything was going smoothly, but Hunter was starting to get bored.
"Charlie Croker hasn't called. They probably haven't realized how tricky Steve is yet."
"Charlie is cautious. Just prepping the heist will take time."
"I showed off my skills with the van. If he needs me, he'll call."
"I still can't find Stella Bridger's company. She must only work with high-end clients or government agencies, keeping a low profile."
"I haven't seen Léon yet, so the hitman plotline is still dormant."
Hunter stared at the ceiling.
"Looks like I need to make the first move. Time to resolve the Dom situation."
It had been over a week since he tipped off Mia about the FBI.
He had given her his new address.
But Mia hadn't called. She hadn't visited. She certainly hadn't come over for a sleepover.
Hunter wasn't sure what was happening at the Toretto house. He had been too busy grinding skills to check.
But seeing that things weren't progressing, Hunter decided to force the issue.
Brian O'Conner was lurking near Dom, waiting for an opening.
It was time for Brian to serve his purpose.
As for the FBI investigation or potential retaliation? Hunter didn't care.
His stats were skyrocketing.
[Host: Hunter Sun]
[Lifespan: 18 / 72]
[Attributes]
Intelligence: 20 (Genius Level)
Strength: 17 (Superhuman)
Agility: 17 (Superhuman)
Constitution: 17 (Superhuman)
Endurance: 17 (Superhuman)
[Free Attribute Points: 0]
[Skill List]
Driving Lv 4 (762/10000): Consider driving a tank next?
Lockpicking Lv 2 (72/500): You can open locks with a wire.
Cooking Lv 3 (43/2000): Master of the Eight Great Cuisines. You'll never starve.
Reading Lv 3 (17/2000): Knowledge is the ladder of progress.
Mechanics Lv 4 (2275/10000): You can fix almost anything.
Swimming Lv 2 (430/500): You are a free fish.
Running Lv 2 (229/500): Life is motion.
Marksmanship Lv 3 (871/2000): Under the AK, all men are equal.
Gambling Lv 2 (114/500): Maybe try online poker?
Painting Lv 2 (53/500): Good enough for street sketching.
Intel Gathering Lv 2 (112/500): The more you know, the higher the success rate.
Mechanical Engineering Lv 2 (13/500): Complexity is the charm of machinery.
Mathematics Lv 2 (229/500): The end of the universe is math.
Disguise Lv 2 (411/500): Look less like yourself.
Foreign Languages Lv 2 (417/500): No language barrier.
Reproduction Lv 3 (11/2000): Enjoy life, create life.
Boxing Lv 2 (417/500): Fists defend peace!
Computer Science Lv 2 (27/500): Computers aren't just for Solitaire and Minesweeper.
Electrician Lv 2 (13/500): Never pay for wiring repairs again.
Carpentry Lv 1 (2/200): Is this stool better than the last one?
Climbing Lv 0 (44/100): Want to be Spider-Man? Keep trying!
Hunter had triggered several new skills and leveled up old ones.
In just over a week, he had earned 16 Free Attribute Points.
He distributed them evenly across his stats.
Now, he was physically superior to any normal human. His Personal Inventory had expanded to 54 cubic meters.
With this kind of power, the FBI wasn't a threat.
As long as he secured the gold from The Italian Job, money would never be an issue again. He could focus entirely on becoming unstoppable.
But first, Dom.
The next morning, Hunter drove to "The Racer's Edge" parts shop.
He bought more tools to fill out his collection. While browsing, he scanned for Brian.
He wasn't there.
Hunter asked a clerk and learned it was Brian's day off.
That was fine. Knowing Brian still worked there was enough.
Hunter left the shop, found a secluded spot to stash his new tools into his inventory, and started his engine.
Destination: Dom Toretto's House.
Hunter remembered the address from when he dropped off Mia.
He wasn't sure if Brian was already at the cafe trying to charm Mia, so going straight to the house was safer.
He found a discreet spot near the Toretto house to park and wait.
Night fell quickly.
Chapter 44: A Deal with Dom
January 11
Hunter waited for hours.
He kept his eyes glued to the Toretto house.
He wasn't sure if the FBI had confirmed Dom's involvement in the highway heists yet, but he remained cautious, hiding in the shadows until nightfall.
No one else seemed to be watching the place.
Notably, this afternoon's stakeout had unexpectedly triggered a new skill: [Surveillance].
It was a practical addition to his arsenal.
Over the past month, Hunter had realized something about his System.
Initially, he had to learn skills through trial and error. But once a skill leveled up—even just to Level 1—knowledge flooded his brain.
Take Driving and Mechanics, his highest-level skills.
When Driving hit Level 3, riding his old motorcycle felt like second nature. He could gauge the bike's condition just by the sound of the engine.
Now that it was Level 4, the bike felt like an extension of his own body. He was confident he could push any car to its absolute limit the moment he touched the steering wheel.
Every skill not only boosted his stats and Inventory size but also fundamentally transformed him into a superhuman polymath.
So, he welcomed every new skill with open arms.
Waiting was boring.
Fortunately, Hunter had his Personal Inventory. He pulled out snacks, drinks, and books, turning his stakeout into a picnic.
Finally, as darkness settled, the roar of an engine approached.
Hunter peeked out.
An old-school Dodge Charger tore down the street and pulled into the Toretto driveway.
Hunter tensed. Dom is back.
He didn't move yet.
He waited to see if anyone—especially the sharp-eyed Brian—had followed Dom home.
After confirming the coast was clear, Hunter emerged from the shadows.
His motorcycle was already safely stashed in his Inventory, which was now large enough to hold two or three cars. His stealth was maxed out.
He walked up to the front door and knocked heavily.
Like most American homes, it was a two-story wooden house with a small lawn and a detached garage.
The soundproofing wasn't great. Hunter heard heavy footsteps approaching.
The door swung open.
A towering, bald figure filled the frame.
"You."
Dom recognized Hunter instantly.
His face darkened.
This was the Asian kid who had slept with his sister. It was hard to forget him.
While Dom glared at him, Hunter sized up the street legend.
They were about the same height—Hunter might have been slightly taller—but Dom was wider. A lot wider.
"Dom. I know you don't want to see me."
"I wouldn't risk coming here if it wasn't urgent."
"Let me in. It's not safe out here."
"I don't know if they're watching the house right now."
Dom's expression shifted.
He scrutinized Hunter with cold eyes, then stepped aside with a grunt.
Hunter glanced around nervously, acting as if he were checking for tails, then slipped inside.
The moment he crossed the threshold, the System chimed.
System Notification
New Skill Acquired: [Acting]
Trigger: Detected host performing to conceal true intentions.
Hunter paused for a fraction of a second, then masked it perfectly.
Dom poked his head out, scanned the street, and shut the door.
He followed Hunter into the living room.
"Talk, kid. Why are you here?"
Hunter glanced around, disappointed not to see Mia. Dom was still wary.
"I warned you last time for Mia's sake," Hunter began.
"This time, I want to make a deal."
Dom's stoic face twitched into a frown.
He stared at Hunter in silence before speaking. "What kind of deal?"
"A few days ago, when I tried to visit Mia, I spotted a suspicious guy near your place."
"He seemed to be investigating you. Following you."
"So, I turned the tables. I followed him for a few days."
"Now I'm almost certain. He's either FBI or LAPD."
"I'll give you his identity. In exchange, you do one thing for me."
"Don't worry. For someone like you, it should be easy."
Chapter 45: Dom's Request
January 11
When Hunter mentioned that someone was investigating and tailing him, Dom's already grim expression became terrifying.
However, after hearing Hunter out, his gaze turned even colder.
"Kid!"
Dom's knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists. "Don't you dare use my sister as a bargaining chip!"
Hunter looked at him in surprise, a smirk curling on his lips.
"Dom, you don't actually think I'm trading this intel for permission to date Mia, do you?"
To Dom, that smile was incredibly punchable.
For a second, Dom wanted to smash his fist into the brat's face. Full force. Just to show him how angry a big brother gets when he finds out a pig has been rooting in his garden.
"Hmph."
Dom snorted coldly but didn't press further.
He realized the kid wasn't here to negotiate a romance.
A few days ago, Dom had ignored his instincts and moved a batch of stolen electronics because the buyer offered a good price.
Just as Hunter had warned, they almost got caught by the LAPD.
Dom wasn't sure if the FBI was involved yet, as Hunter claimed, but he felt the heat. He had already started looking into things himself, but if Hunter had solid intel, he'd take it.
Seeing Dom's silence, Hunter smiled. He knew he had won.
He stated his terms first.
"I know you have connections everywhere, Dom. I need you to find someone for me."
"Her name is Stella Bridger. She's a famous safe-cracker."
"I need her current address. Or her company's address."
"Her?"
Dom raised an eyebrow.
He hadn't heard the name, but as Hunter said, Dom had pull in the LA underground. Finding someone with a name and a profession wasn't hard.
Hunter nodded, not elaborating.
Then, without waiting for Dom to ask, he dropped the bombshell.
"Dom, when I tried to visit Mia a few days ago, I noticed someone watching you."
"I tailed him for a few days. I've confirmed his identity."
"His name is Brian. He works at The Racer's Edgeparts shop on 14-5 Rockdean Street."
"I've watched him. He's trying to get close to you."
"And I've seen him meet with unidentified men in suits carrying weapons."
"If he's not FBI, he's an undercover cop."
Hunter paused, letting the information sink in.
Dom's brow furrowed deeply. Hunter continued, feigning ignorance.
"Dom, I don't know why the FBI or LAPD is after you."
"But based on what I've seen from Brian, you're in deep trouble."
"For Mia's sake, take this warning seriously."
"Whatever you've been doing... stop. At least for a while."
"It might be best to leave LA until the heat dies down."
Hunter knew Dom wouldn't just leave.
The crew had been hitting trucks carrying millions of dollars in electronics. They had pissed off major corporations. In a capitalist country like America, messing with corporate money was worse than murder.
If this were the real world, the FBI would have crushed them after the third heist. The only reason they were still free was plot armor.
But Hunter didn't trust plot armor anymore.
Dom stared at Hunter, his face expressionless.
Since finding out about Hunter and Mia, Dom had looked into the kid. He knew Hunter wasn't a cop.
Mia didn't know about the heists, so she couldn't have told him.
That meant this kid had figured it out on his own. Through observation. Through logic.
For a moment, Dom felt a grudging respect.
He's smart. Not bad looking either.
An orphan. No background. But resourceful.
If he's genuinely good to Mia... maybe I shouldn't stand in their way.
Dom's gaze softened.
"I'll put the word out on the woman you're looking for," Dom finally said. "I'll let you know when I find her."
Hunter's smile widened. He sensed the shift in Dom's attitude.
Before he could speak, Dom interrupted him.
"You don't have a car yet, do you? Mia says you can ride, so I assume you have a license."
Dom walked to the corner of the living room. He scanned a wall covered in keys.
He picked a set and tossed them to Hunter.
Hunter caught the keys instinctively, feeling the cold metal against his palm. He looked up, confused.
Dom stood with his arms crossed, looking down at him. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Advance payment. The car is in the shop's warehouse."
"Kid, I need you to do one more thing for me."
"Keep an eye on this Brian guy. Get me photos. Especially of him meeting with the Feds or the cops."
"And... don't call Mia for a while."