BEYOND BETRAYAL: WAR WITHOUT END

Carrick sat in the armory, getting ready for the ambush operation. Victor had chosen a small team of 20 people, including Carrick.

Carrick knew that revealing his identity could jeopardize the mission. So, he decided to wear a mask to conceal his face.

Before heading out, Carrick checked in with the Erebus system. "System, show me my stats," he requested.

«Ding!

STAT (System for Transfer and Analysis of Tactical data):

Host: Carrick Gale

Age: 18

Status: Healthy

Attributes:

Strength (STR); 35

Intelligence (INT); 40

Agility (AGI); 35

Vitality (VIT); 40

Endurance (END); 40

Charisma (CHA); 25

Combat stats:

Attack power (ATK); 45

Defense (DEF); 40

Health points (HP); 100%

Mana points (MP); 300

Accuracy (ACC); 60%

Evasion (EVA); 55%

Performance metrics:

Experience points (XP); 1,400

Level; 3 (1,400/20,000)

Skills:

Revitalization (passive, upgradable) lvl 3

Ever-Calm (passive, non upgradable)

Undying Resolve (active, non upgradable)

Weapon master (passive, upgradable) lvl 4

Hand-to-hand combat (passive, upgradable) lvl 5

Gold or currency; 3,000

Kills or deaths; 13 kills, 1 death

Win-loss record; 1 win against Continental

Goal: To be a Mafia Lord.

(System suggests the host to level up quickly as the current pace is equivalent to a snail's crawl).»

"It seems you are right. Perhaps this mission will give me what I need." Carrick said. To him, this mission was just a means to level up.. becoming a Mafia Lord was all that matters, nothing else did.

*

Carrick crouched behind a stack of crates, his heart racing with anticipation. The warehouse district was dimly lit, the only sound was the distant hum of the city's nightlife. He glanced at Victor, who nodded silently. Carrick had wore a black gangsta rag over his face just in case someone who knows him will be in one of the cars.

"Remember, take out the guards first," Victor whispered to the group. "Then we go for the shipment."

Carrick nodded, his eyes fixed on the convoy approaching in the distance. Two black SUVs, flanked by motorcycles, sped towards the warehouse.

"Get ready," Victor hissed.

The convoy screeched to a halt outside the warehouse. Guards poured out, scanning the area. Carrick took aim, his gun aimed at the nearest guard.

"Now!" Victor shouted.

Carrick squeezed the trigger, his gun firing in unison with the others. The guards who were shot fell dead, as they were caught off guard. The motorcycles roared to life, speeding towards the ambushers.

"Incoming!" someone yelled.

Carrick leapt aside, avoiding the rain of bullets. He returned fire, taking out a motorcycle. The rider crashed to the ground, screaming. The system's notification kept ringing inside his head, he could not help but grin. He looked exactly like the Joker in one of DC's movies.

The SUVs opened fire, their windows shattering under the onslaught. Carrick sprinted towards the nearest vehicle, gun blazing. He tore open the door, dragging out a struggling guard, due to the Undying Resolve active skill, his strength and attributes had doubled, he was now stronger than the guards.

"Get the shipment!" Victor bellowed, although he was shocked to see Carrick yanking out carbon steel, he still kept his wits together and delivered orders.

Carrick tossed the guard aside, diving into the SUV. Crates filled the interior, stamped with the Gale Family crest. Carrick's heart skipped a beat. This was it.

Suddenly, the warehouse erupted into chaos. Reinforcements arrived, pouring out of the shadows. Carrick's group fought back, but they were outnumbered.

"Fall back!" Victor shouted. Staying here will spell their doom, and besides, they have achieved their aim. They had taken out most of the Gale family's men and also destroyed some of the important merchandise.. whatever it was.

Carrick grabbed a crate, sprinting towards the exit. Bullets whizzed past, the sound deafening. He burst through the door, crate in hand, and saw Victor's team pinned down. Just as he was about to help them, someone blocked his path.

"Put down the crate and I promise to give you a quick death."

Carrick froze. He recognized exactly who was in his path. It was none other than his half-brother 'Domino'.

Carrick and Domino faced off amidst the sounds of gunshots and painful screams, their eyes locked in a fierce stare. Carrick felt his anger rising as he was staring at the one of the people responsible for his painful death. Till this moment he could not shake off the fear he felt in that burning car, meanwhile Domino was just plain arrogant as he could not accept the fact someone had the guts to rob the Gale Family. The air was thick with tension as they circled each other, their fists clenched and ready.

Carrick, the younger half-brother, was now slightly skilled in Hand-to-hand combat as he had been training hellishly with Marcus back at the Alistair family mansion, his movements were fluid and calculated. Domino, on the other hand, relied on brute strength and aggression.

Without warning, Domino charged at Carrick, swinging a powerful punch. Carrick dodged the attack with ease, countering with a swift kick to Domino's stomach. Domino grunted, rolling over, but quickly recovered and launched himself at Carrick again.

The two half-brothers clashed, their fists flying in a flurry of punches and blocks. Carrick landed a solid punch to Domino's jaw, but Domino retaliated with a vicious uppercut that sent Carrick crashing to the ground.

Domino pounced, pinning Carrick down with his knees. He raised his fist for the finishing blow, but Carrick rolled out of the way just in time, using Domino's momentum against him. Carrick sprang to his feet, delivering a devastating combination of kicks and punches that sent Domino stumbling back.

Domino snarled, his eyes blazing with anger. He charged again, but Carrick was ready. With a swift and precise movement, Carrick took Domino down with a perfectly executed extension kick.

The two half-brothers struggled on the ground, their bodies locked in a fierce grappling match. Carrick managed to gain the upper hand, pinning Domino's arms behind his back. Domino thrashed and kicked, but Carrick held firm, his grip unyielding.

Finally, Domino lay still, defeated. Carrick released his grip, standing up and towering over his half-brother. Their chests heaved with exhaustion, their eyes still locked in a fierce stare.

"Whoever you are, you just made a terrible mistake. No one dares steal from the Gales." Domino said through gritted teeth.

"Really brother? And here I thought the family was declining?" Carrick said before removing his mask. Domino was shocked and speechless.

"I'll leave you alive so you can pass on a message to Father. Tell father I'll be back, and when I do, it won't end well for him and the rest of you." Carrick said and then slammed the butt of his pistol on Domino's head. Domino fell unconscious.

"Keep moving!" Victor yelled. He hadn't seen the exchange between Carrick and Domino, although he had caught a glimpse of them fighting, but he didn't know the full details.

Carrick sprinted towards the getaway car, the crate clenched tightly. They sped away, leaving the carnage behind.

As they caught their breath, Carrick opened the crate. Gold bars and stacks of cash glittered in the sunlight.

"We did it," Victor said, grinning.

«Ding! Congratulations to Host on completing his very first mission and taking a step towards his goal.»

«Ding!

Level 3 (15,400/20,000)»

Carrick smiled, soon he will be able to level up again.