The tone on the other end sharpened instantly. "State the name."
"De Warden," she said without missing a beat. "I stumbled upon the escapees in Mega City and immediately reached out."
The man inhaled sharply. "Address?"
She glanced at the bloody note in her hand and recited the address flawlessly. Street name, building number… she even added a bonus and described the SUV vans that almost knocked her off her feet earlier.
"I suggest you move quickly," she added. "He's armed, paranoid, and aware that he's being hunted."
"Stay on the line," the voice ordered. "We'll need—"
Jenna hung up and sneered.
"Stay on the line, my foot. Who do you want to get into trouble?"
Before the number could call again, Jenna turned on the flight mode and grinned, dropping onto the bed.
"Well, prison breaker," she murmured, swinging her legs, "let's see how you enjoy being chased."
Unbeknownst to her, there was a beeping bug under her bed.
Inside an SUV parked outside the Churchill gates, De Warden threw his head back, laughing boisterously. The sound filled the vehicle, rich, loud, almost delighted.
But the driver, the bald-headed guy and Shin didn't join in. Because there was something wrong with it.
It wasn't relief nor pure amusement.
It was a crazed laughter they were all too used to. One that never failed to send chills down their spines.
De Warden wiped at the corner of his eye as though he'd genuinely been entertained.
"She wants me back in prison."
Another peel of laughter burst out of him.
"Exactly how I thought my enemy to be. Crude and daring. Not some damsel in heels."
Shin glanced at him through the rearview mirror. He hadn't seen him so excited about an enemy in a long while. The last time he was like this, his enemy was tortured to death in the most heart-wrenching way.
"What next, boss?" He asked.
"She wants me hunted." He tilted his head, eyes glinting. "Then I'll show her what being hunted actually feels like."
…
Jenna suddenly felt goosebumps crawling up her arms, like invisible fingers brushing against her skin.
She froze mid-swing as her heart dipped for reasons she couldn't fathom. She shrugged, ruling it as paranoia.
Who wouldn't be?
The Apocalypse was coming.
With the thought crossing her mind, she sat up straight, thinking of how to break into the warehouse. That place was filled with guards, in and out.
She needed to devise a plan.
At that, she called the System again.
"System?"
[Host.]
"Can you cause system failure and mechanical malfunction?"
There was a brief pause.
[Clarify the scope of malfunction.]
"Power grid. Security system. Automatic locks. Anything mechanical." She continued, "On a large scale that could get everyone in the vicinity occupied."
There was a longer pause this time. Long enough that Jenna wondered if it was calculating… or hesitating.
[This Unit can.]
Her eyes glinted but before the next minute, it dimmed.
[ Host has not unlocked the point features.]
[ Current balance: 0. ]
"…wait, what? I have to pay for your help? And with points? What does that even mean?"
[ System's interference requires Points expenditure. Host balance is insufficient. ]
Her eye twitched.
"Insufficient?" she repeated flatly. "Your currency isn't antiques and cores?"
[ Negative. ]
[ Antiques and cores are system upgrade materials.]
Her jaw tightened and she said through gritted teeth. "You already said that."
There was a microsecond pause.
[ Points are service currency. ]
Jenna let out a hollow laugh.
"So let me get this straight," she said slowly. "I provide you high-quality antiques, put my life on the line to also get high grade cores, and that upgrades you…"
[ Correct. ]
"But when I actually need your help, I have to pay in Points."
It hesitated.
[ …correct. ]
"Then what am I getting out of putting my life on the line to feed you?"
[ Host has received: ]
[ Upgradable spatial storage. SSS-Rank Invisibility (starter cheat privilege). Rebirth and early apocalypse knowledge. An upgradable farm. A fountain of life. Additional benefits will unlock progressively. ]
She folded her arms.
"Tell me I didn't earn some of those things you just mentioned."
[ It is a mutually beneficial transaction. ]
"Mutually?" she snapped. "Feels like I'm being farmed."
There was silent for a beat.
Then it said:
[ The System ensures Host survival probability increases by 73%. ]
She didn't respond. Because that was an appealing offer. Without the System, she would die again in the apocalypse. And with 73% chance of survival, it was worth it.
"Fine," she said. "Tell me about the points."
[ Points are earned through missions, kills, achievements, and survival milestones. ]
[ They are currencies]
"How do I unlock the point feature?"
[ Host will need to trigger qualifying event.]
"Then, how do I raid the warehouse?! I can't do that on my own. Five minutes invisiblity will not be enough do anything!"
Previously, she had an advantage. Serving as an assistant to Blake would have given her a free access into the warehouse and enabled her to use her invisiblity ability to hide from the cameras and guards while she emptied the warehouse.
But with Hazel's unfortunate death, things had changed.
Blake would most likely be away from the warehouse, and it would be closed for the time being. And Jenna didn't have time to waste waiting for it's reopening.
[ There is an alternative. ]
Her eyes narrowed. "I don't like the tone of that."
[ The System can provide temporary credit. ]
She blinked. "…what does that mean?"
[ A point loan. ]
Her eye twitched again. "You're a loan shark now?"
[ Terminology inaccurate. ]
She rolled her eyes and dragged a hand down her face. "What are the terms?"
[ The System will advance required Points for requested large-scale malfunction. ]
[ Upon Host acquiring Points in the future, debt will be deducted automatically. ]
[ With interest. ]
Of course.
"What's the interest rate?"
There was no hesitation this time.
[ 60%. ]
Jenna choked.
"That's outrageous! This is exploition!" she yelled.
[ The System is offering opportunity. ]
She began pacing aggressively now.
"So if I borrow 2,000 Points—"
[ Repayment required: 3,200 Points. ]
Her breath hitched.
"You're a greedy loan shark!"
[ The System exists to grow. Host growth ensures System growth. It is a fair exchange. ]
[ However, host retains right to decline. ]
That stung like a face slap because it was true. She could refuse, but would fail miserably. Unfortunately, she needed it.
Her jaw clenched so hard it hurt.
"Fine! How much do I need for a complete blackout?"
[ 2,500 Points. ]
"And with your ridiculous interest?"
[ 4,000 Points total repayment. ]
Jenna held the side of her neck, as though it would fall off if she didn't. She whimpered, feeling like crying. And the worse part, she didn't know how much points would be allocated for every successful mission.
It could be 1 point.
If that was the case, how long would it take to finish paying?
That wasn't even the worse part. This may not be the last time she'd require the system's service.
Her brain throbbed.
She had thought she would have a peaceful and laid back apocalypse this time, but unfortunately…
[ Deal? ]
Jenna bared her teeth at the mechanical voice in her head.
She wanted to curse at it. Wanted to punch it and it's greedy System God. But instead, a begrudging response left her throat.
"…Fine," she said through gritted teeth.
A soft chime echoed in her mind.
[New feature unlocked: Survival Points. ]
[ Debt registered: 2,500 Points. ]
[ Interest: 1,500 points.]
[ Total Outstanding debt: 4000 points]
"Since you're so vicious with your loan, then, I can also do the same with my demand."
She breathed through her nose. If she were a dragon, Jenna would be breathing flames by now.
"We leave for the warehouse now."
She wanted this done before her siblings returned from school. Once she was done clearing the warehouse, she'd take advantage of the chaos and leave the city with her siblings, so she could hoard supplies without distraction.
[Noted. ]
[ Your payment covers a large-scale within 1000 meters. Additional scale requires additional points.]
[Time duration two hours. Additional time required 200 points per minute.]
Jenna wanted to vomit blood. She knew this system was petty but never knew it could be this greedy.
Good thing she wouldn't need more time. Two hours should be enough.
She thought.
But she failed to ask the man waiting for her in his SUV if he'd allow her plans go smoothly.