[1. Skill Upgrade Card (Purple) ×1: Consumable item. When used, it upgrades one LV3 skill to LV4; Value: 50 gold coins (limited-time 20% discount).]
[2. Badge Upgrade Card (Green) ×1: Consumable item. When used, it upgrades one LV1 badge to LV2; Value: 80 gold coins (limited-time 30% discount).]
[3. Assassin Recruitment Scroll (Blue) ×50: Instantly recruits thirty blue-quality assassins with random single talents; Value: 150 gold coins (limited-time 90% discount).]
[4. Gun Kata LV5: A core handgun-based combat style, fusing close-quarters combat, firearm mastery, and probability calculation into one integrated technique; Value: 200 gold coins (limited-time 95% discount).]
[5. Crisis Simulation LV5: A talent ability that predicts and analyzes the opponent's next move, simulates counters, and provides specialized counterattack options. Also grants 5-second danger warning outside combat; Value: 300 gold coins (limited-time 99% discount).]
The next morning,
Alex Cross woke up early.
Sitting calmly on the sofa, waiting, with nothing else to do, he spent a single coin refreshing the system's discount shop.
To his surprise—an unexpected jackpot appeared.
Among the items was not just one top-tier skill, but also a top-tier talent.
The rest of the goods also solved some pressing problems.
And the prices?
For the now-wealthy Alex Cross, they were bargains.
He closed his eyes and purchased everything in one breath.
First, he used the purple Skill Upgrade Card to boost his Close-Quarters Combat from LV3 to LV4.
Then he learned Gun Kata LV5.
In an instant, countless techniques of integrating pistols into melee combat poured into his mind, embedding themselves into muscle memory.
But that wasn't all.
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for mastering Gun Kata LV5. Close-Quarters Combat skill raised to LV5.]
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for mastering Gun Kata LV5. Firearms Mastery skill raised to LV5.]
The sudden double notification left him stunned for several seconds.
When it sank in, joy surged across his face.
Quickly, he opened the detailed description:
[Skill: Gun Kata]
[Level: LV5]
[Effect: In addition to Gun Kata techniques, Close-Quarters Combat and Firearms Mastery each gain +1 level bonus.]
"Hiss…"
Alex Cross finally realized how insane this top-tier skill was.
And then, he turned his gaze to the other top-tier talent.
[Talent: Crisis Simulation]
[Level: LV5]
[Effect: In combat—predicts and analyzes enemy movements, simulating the best counterattack options. Outside combat—grants a 5-second premonition of lethal danger.]
A god-tier talent!
Alex Cross didn't hesitate. He learned it immediately.
A strange sensation spread through his body. He waved Anna over and gestured for her to punch him.
Anna obeyed.
Her fist came at him with only thirty percent power.
At that moment—information flooded his vision:
[Horizontal Straight Punch: Danger 10%.]
[Action Prediction: No killing intent detected.]
A projected image appeared before his eyes—
a simulation of him sparring with Anna, showing him the dodge and counter techniques in advance.
Alex Cross's peak reflexes kicked in.
He shifted sideways, dodging lightly as predicted.
Then, following the counter-sequence—he grabbed Anna's wrist mid-strike and yanked it back.
The simulated image had urged him to kick at her ribs…
But Alex Cross ignored it.
Instead, he pulled her directly into his arms.
After testing it, he was extremely satisfied.
Unlike the [Human Limit Serum], which boosted raw stats, this talent offered something even more valuable—reliable survival assurance.
Next, Alex Cross used the Green Badge Upgrade Card.
He upgraded his Organization Badge from LV1 to LV2.
[Item: Organization Badge]
[Level: LV2]
[Function 1: Spend 1 gold coin to generate a new identity badge. Badges grant bulletproofing, stamina recovery +40%, and wound healing +40%.]
[Function 2: Training camp, weapons workshop, infirmary, armory, assassin barracks, and other facilities—construction/operation time reduced by 40%.]
The effects were powerful.
Alex Cross was satisfied.
Finally—
he used the 50 blue recruitment scrolls.
Thirty blue-grade assassins appeared, summoned directly into the underground training base for standby.
Just as he finished, 47 arrived.
Seeing Alex Cross waiting, 47 spoke first:
"Apologies, Mr. Cross. I didn't expect you to be up this early…"
Alex Cross smirked and waved it off.
Then he gave his order:
"Head to Rome this afternoon. Monitor the Komora Family's movements there. Report anything unusual immediately. If your own safety is at risk—you're authorized to act as you see fit."
"Understood."
47 gave a calm reply and left.
Not long after, John Wick and Caine arrived together.
Their appearance didn't surprise Alex Cross.
Helen couldn't stay at the hotel forever, and John Wick naturally didn't want her involved in the assassin underworld again.
As for Caine—after the 48-hour purge, he was officially retired.
Now, all he wanted was to settle down in New York, move out of the hotel, and live quietly with his daughter.
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