Herald of death

Ethan's car glides silently to a stop in the shadow of a dilapidated warehouse. The area is desolate, punctuated by the echoes of distant machinery. Twilight casts long shadows across the graffiti-covered walls.

The warehouse's once robust structure succumbed to rust and decay. Broken windows punctuate the upper levels, and fences topped with barbed wires encircle the property. A gate hangs slightly ajar, squeaking as a mild breeze nudges it back and forth.

Ethan remains in his car for a moment, surveying the scene. The street is lined with other similarly weathered buildings. A few abandoned vehicles are scattered around, their tires flat and their bodies painted by urban artists. A gray fret truck is parked along the building in a near impeccable state.

According to Tombstone's information, this is the spot where a group of cash-in-transit thieves met to plan their heists and share their spoils. She contacted them with the information on the transport, making it an unmissable opportunity while threatening them with tons of proof of their activities. They agreed for Ethan to be their point of contact and the one who would take Tombstone's share.

Using predator's sight, Ethan detects four individuals inside the warehouse: three men and one woman. He also senses the residual heat from three car engines that were recently parked inside.

Stepping out of his vehicle, Ethan cautiously approaches the squeaking gate, pushing it open just enough to slip through. As he moves stealthily across the concrete ground, he scans the perimeters for any sign of life.

The air is thick with the scent of metal and old oil. As Ethan nears the entrance, the faint sounds of conversation reach his ears.

One of the men is yelling, "Fuck that cunt, can't we just hide for a month or two?! With how fucked up the world is getting, cops won't care about us."

"She knows about our hiding places, and she has all of our bank accounts. She can destroy our lives with a single email," another grumbles.

The woman chimes in, "I'm more worried about how we are going to sell. Those items are worth way more than the cash they usually transport, but who will buy them?"

Ethan takes a moment to center himself, planning his entrance. Pushing the door open with careful precision, Ethan steps into the dimly lit interior. The warehouse is vast, with a high ceiling supported by exposed steel beams. The four of them are gathered around an old, makeshift wooden table cluttered with maps and numeric devices.

Ethan's attention is quickly drawn to a section where cars are parked. Their conversation pauses as one of the thieves follows Ethan's gaze and grins. Three still warm, unassuming vehicles hide many high-end modifications behind tinted windows.

The first is a common sedan, with its structure reinforced by steel rods and its body armored with steel plates on the inside. The windows are made of polycarbonate, bullet-resistant glass. The tires are a puncture-proof brand capable of handling racing track-like accelerations. The hood has been slightly elevated to fit a powerful engine.

Beside it sits a typical family SUV secretly outfitted with a complex ensemble of electronic devices, antennas, and hidden road trap dispensers.

The third vehicle, a nondescript van, might be the most modified of all. Its interior has been stripped and refitted with armored panels. The back shelters a mounted M2 Browning and what appears to be a harpoon. Its structure has been reinforced with sturdy and heavy steel beams, a titanic engine, and powerful suspensions.

Ethan cancels predator's sight before turning to the crew of thieves. Each member of this small group has an evidently distinct role, as reflected in their appearance.

The first man has a disciplined posture and a short, precise blond haircut that hints at a military past. His body is trained to its utmost, or maybe it’s the effect of the system. A handgun is well concealed in his pants, hidden by his ample shirt.

Beside him sits another man whose arms and neck are covered in prison tattoos. His long brushed black hair and the tainted glasses clipped to his shirt outline an old-time personality. He's the one who's marking down their plan on the maps before them.

The third man contrasts sharply with the other two. His thin body makes him seem miniscule in comparison. His eyes, hidden behind thick-rimmed glasses, avoid Ethan's gaze. He's typing on his phone, his free hand frantically clicking a pen.

The woman of the group, with her short-cropped hair and oil-stained overalls, is clearly their mechanic. Her hands are marked with long-healed scars and burns. She exudes a quiet confidence, unfazed by Ethan's presence.

"James Clarke, ex-Para, wanted for murder. Liam Turner, convicted for burglary, armed robbery, money laundering, and grand theft auto. Oliver Shaw wanted for identity theft, credit card fraud, hacking into financial institutions, and cyber extortion. And Zoe Morgan," Ethan lists to confirm their identities, their expressions hardening with each word.

"What, no crime listing for me?" Zoe says as she approaches.

"I could add all the crimes you share. But no one is accusing you of those," Ethan retorts. "How are the preparations going?"

Liam turns a map towards Ethan and explains, "We have a window when they traverse a tunnel. The problem is their escort; we don't know how they are equipped or the abilities they have."

"I'm here to handle any elite soldiers we encounter; you focus on the other tasks," Ethan states firmly. The group looks at him with a mix of surprise and skepticism. Demonstrating his capabilities, Ethan utilizes his silent steps, enhanced by his level twenty-three strength and level twenty dexterity. He swiftly moves behind them, his actions too quick for them to react, leaving them visibly bewildered.

Liam taps his pen on the table. "Then we have everything we need. We'll stop them in the tunnel with the SUV, take out the driver and their guards with tear gas, drag the armored transport inside the truck, and be gone before Stirling Lines sends a helicopter."

"The next transport will depart in three hours; we leave in two," James orders.

The four of them start moving around, preparing their gear, and loading their vehicles. Ethan quickly changes into military gear from his haversack. Liam and James are discussing on the other side of the building, unaware that Ethan is listening.

"We know nothing about him except what the bitch told us. How do we trust this guy to not screw us up?" Liam's voice is low but tinged with irritation.

James responds with a measured tone, "Look, I get it. But we don't get to choose here. The moment he walked in, I felt like prey. He's a monster who has killed many people; I can just feel it."

"And what if he's playing both sides? What if he's here to let us do the dirty work and then takes us out to snatch the whole prize?" Liam's skepticism is palpable in his every word.

Oliver chimes in, having approached quietly. "I've tried digging up anything on him, … nothing. He's a ghost. No social media, no warrants, not even a stray photo online," he reports.

"I'm going to say that it would be a shame if a guard got him. But we could always just hand over the bitch her share and disappear," Liam suggests, the strain clear in his voice as he contemplates their risky predicament.

Zoe brings a radio jammer and a radio to Ethan. "Once this is activated, it'll block all communications unless you are tuned to a specific frequency," she explains.

Ethan secures the radio and jammer onto his plate carrier, then tests the radio by switching it on to ensure it picks up the static from Zoe's radio. "All set. I'm guessing you won't let me drive one of the cars."

"Certainly not," Zoe replies with a smirk before joining the others.

Ethan Reed

Lv.12 (Harbinger) Human

Class change available

Strength: 23 + Charisma: 12 +

Dexterity: 20 + Perception: 16 +

Constitution: 20 + Willpower: 19 +

Intelligence: 20 +

Available characteristic points: 1

Titles

Dungeon conqueror (D)

First dungeon conqueror (D)

Dungeon conqueror (F)

First dungeon conqueror (F)

First hunter

Goblin hunter

Slayer of the first incursion

Kin slayer

Kobold hunter

Skeleton hunter

Abilities

Anonymity (F)

Identification (F)

Insight (E)

Piercing shot (F)

Predator's sight (E)

Silent steps (F)

Spell casting (F)