The night had a pulse — a rhythm that Elias had come to recognize. Every city had its heartbeat, its low hum of violence, greed, and desperation. Blackridge was no different.
Under the dim glow of street lamps, Elias leaned against the peeling brick of an old pawn shop, watching the street below. The Watchdogs were still reeling from the hit on Pier 9. Their reputation had taken a blow, but Elias knew it wouldn't last long. Gangs were like predators — they adapted, they struck back, and they moved on.
Dizzy was at his side, nervously flicking a switchblade open and closed. "So, what now?" he asked, breaking the silence.
Elias didn't answer immediately. His eyes were fixed on a black van parked across the street. It wasn't marked, but Elias had seen it before. The Watchdogs used it to move smaller goods, not the bigger shipments, but it was still enough to keep them in business.
"I'm thinking we shake them up a little more," Elias said, his voice cold.
Dizzy raised an eyebrow. "You want to hit another van? These guys are gonna come for us if we keep poking them."
"We're not hitting just any van," Elias replied. "This one's special. It's linked to a new contact I've been tracking."
The system chimed in, its alert almost as familiar as the thrum of the city itself.
******
[System Alert: Hidden Objective Detected]
Objective: Contact the Watchdog's Unknown Supplier
Time Limit: 48 Hours
Requirements:
- Make contact without revealing identity
- Gather Intel on Supplier's operations
- Leave no trace
Reward for Completion: +10 Crime Points | +2 Skill Points | Unlock New Skill or Item
******
Elias's eyes flicked to the notification. It was the kind of opportunity he couldn't pass up — a chance to get close to the people really pulling the strings.
"We hit the van," Elias said. "But not for the usual reasons. We're going after someone bigger."
Dizzy looked confused for a moment but then grinned. "So we're playing with fire now? Sounds like fun."
Mara entered the room, wiping her hands on a rag. "You're going after them? The Watchdogs, I mean."
Elias nodded. "The van. We shake things up a little. Make them think twice before they come after us again."
Mara narrowed her eyes, thinking for a moment. "You sure about this? If you mess up, you might just expose everything we've been building."
Elias's jaw tightened. "If we don't strike first, we'll get stomped. I've played the waiting game before. I'm done waiting."
The team prepped for the mission, quickly assembling the gear they'd need: burners, basic explosives, flashbangs, and Mara's hacking tools. It was a simple operation, but the stakes were higher than usual.
The van sat quietly in the dark, a faint light flickering from the interior. Elias signaled for Dizzy to move in. Dizzy crept forward, staying low and out of sight. Elias kept watch, eyes darting over the street, every sense alert.
As Dizzy reached the van, Elias noticed something — a shadow on the rooftop of a nearby building, watching them.
Elias didn't blink. He'd been expecting this. Someone was on their tail, and now was the time to find out who.
Dizzy tapped the side of the van, and the door slid open. The Watchdog driver was there, slumped over. His eyes were wide and empty, a bullet hole in his temple.
"Someone beat us to the punch," Dizzy muttered, glancing at Elias.
Elias stepped forward, his mind racing. This wasn't just a coincidence. Someone else was making moves in Blackridge — someone who was already one step ahead of them.
The system chimed again, a new alert flashing on the screen.
******
[System Alert: Rival Group Identified – Unknown Party]
Intel Thread: Unknown Watcher
Progress: 0/3
Requirement: Identify and confront the watcher
Reward: ???
******
"This is bad," Elias muttered, his gaze scanning the rooftops. "Someone's watching us."
"What do we do?" Dizzy asked, his voice tight.
"We finish what we came here for," Elias said. "But we're getting answers. One way or another."
With that, Elias turned back to the van. There was no time to waste. Whatever game was being played in Blackridge, Elias wasn't about to be left behind.
******
[Objective Complete: Disrupt Watchdog Operation – Van Intercepted]
Crime Points: +6
Skill Points: +1
New Intel Thread: Unknown Watcher - Tracking Progress: 0/3
******
Elias's mind raced as they left the scene. There were no answers yet — just more questions.
But one thing was clear. Someone was playing a deeper game in Blackridge.
And Elias was going to find out who.