Chapter 24 - The Target
╔═════════════╗
║ - EHV -
╠═════════════╣
║ EHV Index: 0.05
║
║ - Training -
║
║ - Back to Status -
╚═════════════╝
Matteo was looking at the EHV section of his 'Status'. "Quirk what is EHV Index?"
[ The 'Viables' consist of 5 different power levels ]
[ Initiate Viable ( EHV Index : 1 to 5 ) ]
[ Adept Viable ( EHV Index : 6 to 10 ) ]
[ Elite Viable ( EHV Index : 11 to 20 ) ]
[ Master Viable ( EHV Index : 20 to 40 ) ]
[ Peak Viable ( EHV Index : 40 to 80 ) ]
Matteo remembered that he had seen something similar while while he was reading the Dossier on EHV. ' The cap of power doubles, huh? I guess, Angelina's EHV Index is somewhere around 18 to 18.5.' he then looked at his pitiful EHV Index and sighed. 'One step at a time.'
He then clicked training -
╔═════════════════════════╗
║ - Training -
╠═════════════════════════╣
║ Pose Precision Challenge
║ => Execute resistance poses perfectly
║ (0/10)
║
║ Compound Exercise Circuit
║ => Perform multiple circuits
║ progressively increasing resistance (0/5)
║
║ Mind and Body Connection
║ => Meditate with Mind and Body Unity
║ Meditation (30 min)
║
║ Recovery
║ => Meditate with Energetic Resonance
║ Meditation (10 min)
║
║ - Time until refresh: 0 Hours 53 Minutes -
║
║ Rewards -
║ => Training Cache (Creds)
║
║ - Exit -
╚══════════════════════════╝
Mind and Body Unity meditation was to increase the body coordination and Energetic Resonance Meditation was a recovery technique which used increased metabolism to recover from fatigue and restore energy.
'I guess the training refreshes at 12 every night. And I have to admit Creds are a good motivation to train' Matteo admitted and opened the EHV gift package.
╔═════════════════════════════╗
║ - EHV Gift Package -
╠═════════════════════════════╣
║ => System Augment: Accelerated Training
║ => System Augment: Psionic Augmentation
║
║ - Accept -
╚═════════════════════════════╝
Matteo's eyes shined with exitement as he asked Quirk for the description.
[ System Augment : Accelerated Training - Increases training efficiency by 4x ]
[ System Augment : Psionic Augmentation - System Augment to control Psionic Powers easily ]
*hehehehehe* he let out a hearty laughter subconsciously. And how could he not be happy. Normally, even for a Viable with perfect body like him it would take almost 20 days to reach EHV Index 1 and become a Initiate Viable.
But now with these augments Matteo can do it in 5. By the time he has to go to Vinopolis he will already be a Initiate Viable, though among the weakest.
He then started training, but he wasn't able to complete the training in the given time. The reason was, he failed to execute the poses perfectly. But he was still able to do the next day's training past 12 am.
[ Obtained 62 Creds ]
Matteo looked at the notification while lying on the cool backyard grass. Although he was sweaty he wasn't tired as a result of the 'Energy Resonance Mediation'. But he was hungry. Super Hungry. So he quickly grabbed a shower.
Then he grilled a lot of meat in a grilled pan with seasonings and sauces he could find in the kitchenette. The size of his meal could even put most Mukbang streamers to shame. He ate heartily and went to sleep soundly.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
The next day Matteo woke up late. He lazily showered and had coffee and breakfast. He then turned on the Television and started fiddling with the System.
╔════════════════════╗
║ - Status -
╠════════════════════╣
║ Name : Matteo Marchesi
║ Hierarchy Level : Lv.0 Criminal
║ Influence Points : 0
║
║ EHV Index : 0.25
║ [ Training ]
║
║ [ Mastery ]
║ [ System Augments ]
║ [ Funds ]
║ [ Documentation ]
║ [ Territory (N/A) ]
║
║ - Exit -
╚═════════════════════╝
╔═══════════════════╗
║ - Mastery -
╠═══════════════════╣
║ => [ Programming Lv.3 ]
║ => [ Cooking Lv.2 ]
║ => [ Research Lv.2 ]
║ => [ Parkour Lv.1 ]
║ => [ Brawling Lv.1 ]
║ => [ Firearms Lv.1 ]
║ => [ Tactical Maneuvers Lv.1 ]
╚════════════════════╝
Matteo had spent a lot for the confrontation with Fritz but it was a good investment. He checked his notebook for the expenses.
'50 Cred - Gun, 10 Cred - Balaclava, 150 - Firearms, 160 - Maneuvers and a 100 creds for the vest that protected him. He had 149 creds left after he got yesterday's 62'
As he was playing around with the system he heard his phone buzz. It was Angelina.
"Hey, Matteo its me. I am at the address you gave me, but there is only a deserted garage here. Don't tell me you live in a garage."
Matteo smiled "Walk around the back of the garage." he instructed her.
"Alright?" Angelina said uncertainly and walked around the back she saw a door there but before she could knock the door was opened and Matteo stood in the doorway, smiling. "Come on in."
Angelina hesitated for a moment. But he skepticism turned to mild surprise as she walked in through the door Matteo held open for her. . The converted garage unfolded before her, revealing a cozy and surprisingly well-appointed space, a stark contrast to the initial appearance.
Angelina looked around, every nook and cranny spoke of a thoughtfully designed refuge tailored for laying low. Matteo's garage was not just a garage—it was a meticulously crafted retreat. It was a sanctuary cleverly disguised as a garage, a perfect hideout that spoke volumes of Matteo's ability.
Matteo gestured for Angelina to take a seat on the couch. "Can I get you something to drink?" he gestured towards the fridge and asked Angelina."
Angelina was not done looking around yet as she sat into the couch "A juice perhaps?" she said absentmindedly "Quite the setup you've got here," she added.
As Matteo headed towards the mini-fridge, he grinned. "I like to keep a few secrets up my sleeve. Makes life more interesting." he said as he tossed her a bottle of orange juice while grabbing a beer for himself.
The both of them then settled in, Angelina on the couch and Matteo in a chair besides the coffee table and had some weather talk. But slowly the atmosphere shifted from small talk to business.
"Now, let's get down to business." Angelina said as she opened her bag and laid down some files and papers on the coffee table. "Do you know why we are going Vinopolis?"
"Well Sophie mentioned something about the 'Breach of The Mandate' and I would assume someone has breached the one of the codes of 'The Mandate of the Abyss'. That's why you as a disciple are being sent there to investigate. I as a ghost will help you."
"You have done your homework." She said jokingly
"No, I am just too smart." Matteo retorted
"And a narcissist apparently." Angelina said with a bitter smile but Matteo was smiling as if she had just complimented him.
"The target this time currently goes by the alias 'Leandro Moreau'. We received an anonymous tip from Vinopolis' black market accusing him of 'Breach of the Oath of Silence' with corresponding evidence a few days back."
"So basically he is going around telling everyone secrets from the underworld?" Matteo guessed as he took a sip of his beer."
"Not exactly. Remember how I mentioned how the task got complicated a few days back." she said revealingly "Leandro skillfully steals and sells critical information from the underworld to undisclosed buyers. He is an expert of disguise and in maintaining anonymity, constantly adopting new identities. Here is few of his crime and the aliases he adopted." she added as she passed him a page from a file.
Matteo started looking through the page -
[
1. Alias: Marcus Valentin
- Information Stolen: Sensitive details about the initiation blood pacts and Trial of the Shadows.
- Evidence Submitted: An encrypted communication intercept between Marcus Valentin and an unknown buyer discussing the inner workings of the underworld's initiation rituals.
2. Alias: Isabella Dupont
- Information Stolen: Identities of high-profile underworld members and their hidden assets.
- Evidence Submitted: A forged ledger created by Isabella Dupont detailing the real names and financial holdings of influential Viables, matched with real-world transactions.
3. Alias: Oliver Beaumont
- Information Stolen: Black Market transaction records and pricing strategies.
- Evidence Submitted: A decrypted file containing Oliver Beaumont's log of Black Market dealings, exposing manipulated pricing structures and clandestine transactions.
4. Alias: Vivienne Rousseau
- Information Stolen: Locations of Neutral Zones and Trial Grounds in various cities.
- Evidence Submitted: Surveillance footage captured by Vivienne Rousseau, revealing the exact locations and security measures of designated neutral zones.
5. Alias: Antoine LeFevre
- Information Stolen: Succession plans and identities of potential successors to Servants of the Abyss.
- Evidence Submitted: A detailed dossier compiled by Antoine LeFevre, listing the chosen successors and their training progress, along with correspondence discussing their potential weaknesses.
]
Matteo's eyes widened. This man was dangerous-
His ability to steal and disseminate confidential details, including initiation rituals, Black Market dealings, and identities of influential figures, undermines the very foundation of the underworld's secrecy and stability. And who knows where he was selling this information. It could be Law Enforcement, Drug Cartels attempting to breach Alpencia or even terrorist or something worse. They had no idea.
If not captured or killed Leandro might become a very big problem. He looked at Angelina and a silent agreement passed between as Matteo understood the seriousness of the task at hand.
"So what's the plan?" He asked Angelina.
.