I Can Extract Game Items

Derrick sat by Tara's bedside, holding her hand tightly as she rested. The relief of seeing her awake, alive, and speaking was almost too much to bear.

He knew exactly who was responsible for this miracle. Only one person could have pulled this off: August. Or, more accurately, Aleman.

Derrick leaned back in the chair, careful not to disturb Tara. He slipped his phone from his pocket as he scrolled to August's number. After a moment of hesitation, he pressed call.

The line buzzed a few times before a familiar voice answered. "Derrick. You're up early," August voiced with a light tone.

Derrick's voice was thick with emotion as he spoke. "August… thank you. I don't even know how to say this, but—thank you. Tara woke up. She's… she's back. I know you're the reason for it."

There was a pause on the other end of the line before August replied. "How's she doing now?"

"She's tired, but she's okay. The doctors are running tests, but they're calling it a miracle." Derrick's voice softened. "And I know it's because of you. You did something, didn't you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," August voiced before chuckling lightly. "Maybe she just has a strong will to live."

Derrick chuckled softly as his eyes glistened. "You tall bastard. You've gone and done something I can never repay. Thank you so much, man."

A peal of light laughter rang out from the other end as they both joyously cackled.

After a brief silence, August spoke; "You don't owe me anything, Derrick. Just take care of her and the baby. That's all the thanks I need."

Derrick nodded, even though August couldn't see him. "We will. I promise."

"And don't let anyone figure out it was me," August added with a serious tone. "You know what'll happen if people start connecting me to Aleman."

"Don't worry," Derrick assured him. "Your secret's safe with me. I wouldn't put you in that position."

"Good," August's voice lightened up again. "I'll come by and visit once she's been discharged and you're all settled back home. But until then, just focus on your family."

Derrick smiled as his grip on Tara's hand tightened slightly. "We will. And August… you're a good man. Never forget that."

There was a soft chuckle on the other end of the line. "I'll try to remember. Take care, Derrick."

The call ended, and Derrick set his phone down, his heart full of gratitude. As he turned back to Tara, he silently promised himself to repay August someday, even if he didn't know how yet.

For now, all that mattered was that his wife and unborn child were safe, and his best friend was still the same selfless man he'd always been.

...
Experience tales at empire

...

Fox sat in the moderately lit room as a fluorescent bulb flickered overhead. Her hand moved rapidly as she unraveled the blood-streaked bandage wrapped around her upper arm.

The wound beneath was clean but deep. It was a sharp reminder of her recent failure.

Failure to acquire Aleman which led to the capture of two of her subordinates.

She winced slightly, though her expression remained cold and stoic.

The sound of heavy boots echoed through the narrow hallway outside. Fox tensed instinctively as her green eyes flicked toward the door. A moment later, it swung open, and a man entered with a presence that suffocated the air in the room.

He was tall and his figure was shrouded in a dark coat that seemed to absorb the light around him. A black cloud swirled unnaturally over his face, obscuring his features entirely except for two faintly glowing white eyes that pierced through the haze.

This was The Collector... known as the silent but deadly leader of this region of the Onis—

"Fox," The Collector's voice was smooth but carried an edge that sent a shiver down her spine. "You failed."

Fox stiffened. Her hands paused mid-motion as she secured a fresh bandage.

"Aleman outsmarted us. He was far more capable than we anticipated."

"Excuses," The Collector voiced while taking slow, deliberate steps toward her.

His presence felt heavier with each step, like a storm pressing down on the room. "You've never failed an operation before. But now, you've failed a very important one. The higher-ups are… displeased."

Fox swallowed hard but kept her tone firm. "We didn't have enough information on him. All we knew was that he could extract items from Enders Light. We had no idea he had supernatural abilities beyond that. He blindsided us."

The Collector's silver eyes flared slightly, and his voice dropped to a dangerous tone. "That was your job to uncover. You underestimated him, and now we're in a worse position."

Fox's frustration rose as she jumped to her feet. "This wasn't underestimation. It was a lack of intel. Aleman isn't just some gamer with a unique ability—he's something else entirely. And now we know that he's consumed multiple Fruits of Corruption. That alone makes him a priority, but—"

"But nothing," The Collector's voice interrupted like a blade slicing through her argument. "Failure is failure, Fox. And Aleman isn't just any target. He's the first confirmed player with more than two abilities acquired in real life. Add to that the fact that he was part of the team that cleared the Swordking Dungeon…"

Fox's eyes widened slightly. "The Swordking Dungeon…?"

The Collector nodded as he leaned closer. "The same dungeon a group of high leveled players from our organization failed to conquer Which means Aleman may possess the Fruit of Sin or at least knows those who do."

Fox's breath hitched. She had heard whispers of the Fruit of Sin. She knew it was even more legendary and rarer than the Fruit of Corruption due to its capability of granting abilities that work both in the game and reality.

If Aleman truly had it…

"I won't fail again," she voiced with a resolute tone. "Now that I know what I'm up against, I'll prepare better. I'll get him next time."

The Collector's laugh was low and cold. "No, you won't. Not alone."

Before Fox could respond, the door opened again. Three figures entered the room, immediately commanding attention with their presence.

Fox recognized them immediately since no ordinary group of people would be given access to this establishment.

Drakos was the first, almost blocking the doorway with his large frame. His dark brown skin glistened faintly as if imbued with an inner energy, and his muscular build radiated power.

His piercing brown eyes eyes met Fox's with a flicker of recognition. A massive great axe hung across his back, etched with runes that glowed faintly.

Orlma followed closely behind. She was slender and graceful with silver hair that cascaded over her shoulders like liquid moonlight.

Her blue eyes gleamed with intelligence and calculation. She was clad in a black gown with a long slit that reached her inner thighs.

Her plush snow thighs were visible and would cause any male figure to drool.

Lyriss at the rear had emerald-green hair tied in a high ponytail that swayed as she moved. She was shorter than the others, but her deep cold dead amber eyes made her presence quite ominous. She carried twin daggers at her hips.

Lyriss was the type of person who could disappear into shadows without warning—a predator waiting for the right moment to strike.

Fox's lips thinned into a hard line. "Drakos, Orlma, and Lyriss. It's been a while."

Drakos folded his arms. "Not long enough. The last time we saw each other, you looked down on us... You thought you were invincible huh...?"

"It seems Aleman gave you a hard time," Orlma added icily.

Lyriss smirked, leaning casually against the wall. "I'll admit, I didn't expect to see you here licking your wounds, Fox. Guess Aleman really is full of surprises."

Fox's glare was sharp, but she bit back a retort. Turning to The Collector, she said, "You're bringing them in for this?"

The Collector's silver eyes flicked toward her. "Aleman is no longer a single-player problem. If he is the same Aleman in Enders Light, he's a far bigger priority than we realized. His extraction ability alone was enough to put him on our radar. But now, with confirmed multiple abilities and the possibility of him possessing the Fruit of Sin…"

He trailed off, letting his words settle over the room.

"The four of you will work together," he continued. "Your combined skills will be necessary to capture him. And make no mistake, this is not a kill order. Aleman is far more valuable alive."

Drakos cracked his knuckles. "We're really just after retrieving the Fruit of Sin for the organization... If this Aleman has it then he will get what's coming to him."

Orlma's eyes narrowed. "He outsmarted Fox. That means he's clever, not just powerful. We'll need a strategy."

Lyriss tilted her head. "I don't mind a bit of cat and mouse. The question is, can he keep running? He had the help of other players in the game to defeat us in the past... Unfortunately for him, this time will be different."

Fox clenched her fists. "You're underestimating him. Aleman isn't like the others we've taken down. He's unpredictable."

"That's why you're all here," The Collector voiced with a final tone. "No mistakes this time. No underestimating him. Work together, and bring him in."