Back in his apartment, Rael sat alone. The envelope from the vault rested on the table. The city lights blinked outside like nervous stars.
He took a breath, opened it.
Inside were five photos, a handwritten letter, and a flash drive. The first photo made his fingers curl into fists.
It was his father. Beaten. Cuffed. Surrounded by men in suits—one of them was smiling.
That man... was Elliot Lang, head of Lang Enterprises—the same man who testified against his father.
[Emotional Anchor Detected: Rage] Bonus Unlocked: +20% Critical Damage Against Named Enemies
Ash whispered softly.
"These files are codenamed Raven Files. They expose secret deals, betrayals, and hidden experiments done by the elite. Your father was framed because he refused to be part of it."
Rael inserted the flash drive.
Scene 1: Truth Hurts
The screen flickered.
A video loaded.
His father's voice came through.
"If you're seeing this, it means I'm gone. Rael, never trust the system of power in this city. Lang, Calderon, and even those in the Syndicate—they're all part of something called Project Raven. I tried to stop them. That's why I was erased."
Another file opened.
[PROJECT RAVEN – TEST SUBJECTS]
Names and faces rolled by.
And then he saw one he didn't expect.
Nova Calderon.
Rael froze.
Scene 2: Confrontation
Later that night, Nova appeared at his door.
"Thought you might be full of questions," she said, casual.
Rael handed her the flash drive.
"You were part of Raven?"
Nova didn't flinch. "My father ran it. I was supposed to be the heir to his empire."
"And now?"
"I'd rather destroy it than inherit it."
Rael looked into her eyes. There was pain there. Real pain.
[Choice Available: Trust Nova | Doubt Nova]
Rael chose silence.
Sometimes, silence was louder than both.
Scene 3: Preparing for War
Rael stood at the rooftop, the city sprawled before him.
Ash spoke again.
[New Mission: Dismantle Project Raven] Sub-Goals Unlocked:
– Find the other victims– Build your own faction– Take down Lang Enterprises
Rael whispered to the wind, "You took everything from me. Now it's my turn."