CITY CONQUER SYSTEM

The night in Veridia City was always unforgiving to the poor. For Ryder Vance, who lay sprawled in a dead-end alley, tonight smelled only of wet asphalt and the copper stench of his own blood. Crash! An expensive dress shoe slammed hard into Ryder’s face. He coughed violently, spitting fresh blood onto the ground. Chase didn't stop there. He planted his foot onto Ryder’s chest, digging the tip of his shoe directly into Ryder’s already fractured ribs. A subtle cracking sound resonated, followed by a muffled groan from Ryder’s mouth. "Poor as dirt, yet still clinging to your foolish pride," Chase sneered. He swirled the crystal glass in his hand, then poured the remaining cold champagne straight over Ryder’s face and open wounds. The alcohol stung the gash on Ryder’s temple like fire. He groaned, squeezing his eyes shut. "Back inside, you only dared to stare at this drink from afar, didn't you? Here, enjoy it. Consider it charity," Chase burst into laughter. "Darling, that's enough. You're wasting your expensive drink on a stray dog," Chloe complained from behind. The woman in the maroon dress crossed her arms, staring at Ryder with absolute disgust as if looking at filth. "Ryder, honestly, it makes me sick seeing you force yourself to come to the reunion in that cheap thrifted suit. Did you think coming here would make me take you back out of pity? Look in the mirror. You're just a parasite." "You bastard..." Ryder hissed, trying to push Chase’s foot off his chest, but his strength was completely spent. Thump! Chase kicked Ryder hard in the stomach again, sending his body sliding a few inches across the asphalt. "Listen, tramp," Chase whispered coldly, crouching beside Ryder’s head. He reached into his pocket and tossed several hundred-dollar bills. The money landed right in the dirty pool of blood beside Ryder’s face. "That’s for your hospital bill. Take it." Chase grabbed Ryder’s hair, forcing his face close to the puddle of blood. "But pick it up with your mouth. If you want my money, crawl and lick this asphalt like an obedient dog. Otherwise, I’ll make sure you die a slow death in this gutter tonight." Chase released his grip roughly, then stood up and wrapped his arm around Chloe’s hips. "Let's go, babe. My hands reek from touching trash." "Just leave him to die here. The police won't bother dealing with a hobo's corpse anyway," Chloe replied clingily, spitting right next to Ryder’s hand. The two walked away, entering through the back door of the Lust & Luxury nightclub. Ryder lay alone. His head throbbed painfully, his vision fading between the agonizing ache and the sting of alcohol in his eyes. His jaw clenched tight against the explosive rage surging in his chest. If I have to die here... I swear I will make you all beg for death... [BEEP!] [Conditions Met: Absolute Despair & Extreme Vengeance.] [The City Conqueror System is binding to Host: Ryder Vance...] [Physical Synchronization: 10%... 50%... 100%. Reconstructing muscle and bone damage.] [Starter Bonus: $10,000,000 Cash Balance & Passive Skill 'Alpha Dominance' Activated.] Ryder gasped. The excruciating pain that had been torturing him vanished without a trace. A rush of surging warmth flowed through his blood vessels, mending his fractured ribs. The muscles beneath his worn suit tightened, radiating a surge of formidable new strength. The cracked screen of his phone nearby suddenly lit up brightly. [YOUR PRIVATE OFFSHORE ACCOUNT HAS RECEIVED A TRANSFER: $10,000,000. SENDER: UNKNOWN SYSTEM.] Ryder pushed himself up and stood tall. His posture was now straight and commanding. He wiped the blood and champagne from his face, staring toward the club entrance with a lethal glint in his eyes. A transparent screen reappeared before him. [Main Mission: Acquire the VIP Club 'Lust & Luxury' tonight. Evict Chase from your territory.] [Rewards: SCBD Penthouse Title Deed.] The corners of Ryder’s lips slowly curled upward into a sinister, deadly smile. --- Inside the VIP area of *Lust & Luxury*, the pounding electronic music echoed loudly. Chase leaned back on the leather couch, laughing proudly while holding Chloe, who clung to him continuously. Suddenly, the music ground to a complete halt. The dim main lights instantly switched to a blinding glare. "Hey! Who turned off the music?!" Chase barked in annoyance, slamming his hand on the glass table. A woman dressed in a crisp black suit approached with a impassive expression. She was Raven Vane, the manager and controller of this nightclub. Four giant bodyguards followed right behind her. "This VIP area must be cleared immediately, Mr. Chase," Raven said without preamble. Chase shot up instantly, his face turning red. "Cleared? Are you insane, Raven?! I paid fifty thousand dollars for this table!" "Your money is no longer valid tonight," Raven interrupted sharply. She took a step back, bowing respectfully toward the entrance of the VIP area. "Ten minutes ago, my new boss bought this club in cash. He requested that this area be cleansed of the stench of trash." "Who dares to kick me out?!" The sound of relaxed footsteps echoed from the hallway. A man strolled in with both hands tucked into his trouser pockets. Though his shirt and suit looked worn, his posture and stride radiated an aura of absolute dominance that made the security guards instinctively bow their heads. Chloe’s eyes widened, her breath hitching in her throat. "R-Ryder...?" "Ryder?!" Chase froze, his arrogant face instantly turning deathly pale. "Impossible! You should be dead in the alley!" Ryder pulled up a chair opposite Chase and sat down, crossing his legs. His gaze was cold as ice. "Dead?" Ryder chuckled softly, his voice deep and remarkably calm. "I just woke up from hell, Chase." "Raven! You’ve been tricked!" Chase pointed in panic. "This hobo is definitely scamming you! I just trampled him outside, he couldn't possibly—" "Mr. Ryder has already transferred one hundred million dollars into our corporate account," Raven cut in coldly, dismissing Chase as if he were entirely worthless. She turned and bowed respectfully to Ryder. "Your orders, Boss?" Ryder looked at Chase, who was now trembling, then glanced at the pool of alcohol on the glass table. "Drag him out," Ryder ordered casually. "But before that, make him lick the floor under my shoes. If he refuses, break both of his legs." Two guards immediately stepped forward, grabbing Chase’s arms from both sides. "Let go of me! I can pay double! Ryder, who do you think you are?!" Chase screamed in panic, thrashing as his body was forced down onto his knees on the floor. Chloe was left behind alone near the couch. She took a slow step back, her entire body trembling as she stared at Ryder—the man she had just told to die like a dog. Now, he sat cross-legged like a tyrant holding both of their lives in his hands. Chloe swallowed hard, forcing a sweet smile onto her pale lips. She stepped closer with an overly affectionate tone. "Ryder... you... you must be joking, right? I was just acting harsh earlier so you’d hate me and move on..." Ryder looked at the woman from top to bottom, his face devoid of any emotion. "Shut your mouth," Ryder said softly, yet his tone made the hair on Chloe’s neck stand on end. "Or do you want to join him in licking this floor?"